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Heritage Garden Program
The Heritage Garden Program is dedicated to creating water-wise landscapes and gardens in the arid portion of the Columbia River Basin of Washington State. Additionally, Heritage Gardens works to incorporate and honor the unique natural and cultural features of this area.
With our region only getting 7-11 inches of precipitation each year, planting native plants and other low-water-use plants just makes sense. It helps save water and money and can provide important habitat for wildlife.
Our staff are available to help you plan and troubleshoot your current gardens and lawns for more water-efficient and native plants. Let us help you identify and install efficient watering systems for your gardens, yards, and properties.
Interested in a free site visit?
For more information or to apply contact:
Yazmin Mejia, Heritage Garden Program Coordinator
yazmin-mejia@columbiabasincd.org
(509) 771-4056
Visit our Demonstration Garden
See native plants in action at our Heritage Garden, located in beautiful Lower Peninsula Park. This demonstration garden highlights water-wise landscaping with species adapted to the Columbia Basin’s unique climate. Stroll through the park, enjoy views of the lake, and discover how native plants support pollinators, conserve water, and thrive with minimal maintenance. It’s a great place to get inspired for your own garden!
Moorehead Manor
2024
This is located in Lind WA, she planted last fall and is already seeing some blooms. Fun fact her mother was a rock hound so this one has many geologic features. She also focused on medicinal use plants and had very many to choose from. And with one of the rose plantings are the ashes of her mother, so it is a true Heritage Garden.
The Pioneer Soap Lake Heritage Garden
2023
This was our very first garden that was designed and planted in the Fall of 2022. An avid gardener had been very motivated, and it has over 40 different species of plants used.
McConihie Point Moses Lake Heritage Garden
2023
McConihie Point Moses Lake Certified Heritage Garden. Beautiful view of Moses Lake with several wonderful geological and historic features throughout the garden. The homeowner says this garden is heavily utilized by ground fowl, pollinators and munched on by rabbits.
Moorehead Manor
2023
This is Moorehead Sun House
Located in Lind WA planted in fall of 2023 cannot wait to see our forbs over the next year.
Richard Cooper
2024
This unique garden was installed just last fall and already the growth of our small plugs are huge! The Cooper family has been lucky enough to enjoy several blooms already in their first spring and summer. A lot of the cacti were from their own garden and family members' gardens which gives another meaning to the name Heritage! Cannot wait to see how this garden looks next year.
Logan Family Heritage Garden
2023
This Garden is located on Hayden Drive in Moses Lake WA. They have had this area for a few years and excited they could finally become an official Certified Heritage Garden. They will be plugging in a few more forbs this fall to add to their native only Heritage Garden.
WSU Extension Grant-Adams Master Gardeners
2023
WSU Extension Grant-Adams Master Gardeners Native Plant Demonstration Garden at the Moses Lake Public Library. Stop by and visit the garden!
Basin Estates Heritage Garden
2024
This garden is located in Ephrata Basin Estates Manager was tired of planting new plants every spring, now with our low water natives she no longer has to replant or water! Heritage Gardens can be any size as long as there are 3 different species.
"Renewal for all Creatures"
2024
We found the perfect use for this awkward triangle shaped landscaped area. Planned to not need water after establishment, this area has gone from an unusable area to beauty, renewal, and food for all creatures. She has been seeing bunnies, bees and butterflies!
2026
2026
2026
"Mitchell Heritage Garden"
2025
Each fall and spring, this landowner thoughtfully introduces new plants, gradually realizing the native garden of her dreams. As you can see, plantings have been incorporated along the borders to enhance both privacy and beauty. Recently, she has begun converting her entire front yard into a Heritage Garden. On sunny mornings and afternoons, you can often find her tending to her new fall plantings, nurturing their growth as they emerge this spring.
2026
2025
2026
"Bradley's Yard"
2025
This beautiful garden is across the street from one of our counties first Heritage Gardens. We are hoping to take over the whole block! Landowners have been babying their plants this year and had a high survival rate. One my favorite pathways designed, and working on their backyard next. Scarlet Gilia and Cutleaf Daisy are already offering blooms for their first spring.
2026
2026
2026
"The Corner Garden"
2025
This marks only our second Heritage Garden in Othello, Washington, and it is nestled among a variety of other thoughtfully designed garden spaces. With natural rock water features, vintage equipment, and a whimsical ladybug light perched on a wheelbarrow, the landowners have gone above and beyond in accessorizing their yard. A great deal of hard work, and perhaps a few sore backs went into creating this space. We look forward to watching it flourish in the seasons to come.
"Marina Drive"
2025
This garden is a true labor of love, with many of the plants started from seed indoors before being carefully transplanted into the landscape. The majority of the seeds were personally collected by the gardener herself, adding a meaningful, heritage element to the project.
The garden is located in a challenging section of the backyard, chosen specifically because of its awkward two-directional slope, which made it difficult to mow and maintain. By converting this space into a garden, it not only adds beauty but also improves the functionality of the yard.
All of the rocks used as geological features were discovered on site. The landowner planted a row of shrubs along the edge of the property to act as a natural barrier. This planting will also serve as an effective filter strip, protecting the lake from potential lawn runoff and enhancing the garden’s role in environmental stewardship.
"Native Pollinator
Support –
Trout Lake Farms"
2025
Heritage Garden – Collaboration with the Columbia Basin Conservation District. Increased the cover of native plants and pollinator habitat on farm property and transformed an ornamental garden in front of the farm office into native habitat.
2026
2026
2026
2026
"Feral Flora"
2026
This garden was designed by the HG program in 2024 to create a space filled with native plants that would attract pollinators and celebrate our region's natural beauty. Planting occurred in the fall of 2025; the garden has already grown into a thriving landscape in under a year. A few plants were mistakenly received and planted, but have been a happy surprise, like Fireweed. Showing off its blooms and 2+ plus feet of height in just a short year. Purple sage has also been showing off in this garden quicker than many others.
This project was made possible through a wonderful collaboration with Wildlands Rediva, they helped from start to finish. They assisted in preparation on the ground, assisted in gathering seeds and plugs, and finally planting properly. Their work had low mortality rates over the winter and a very successful flush of growth this spring.
"Windy Ridge Heritage Garden"
2025
For the past two years, the landowner of Windy Ridge Heritage Garden has poured her heart into nurturing this garden. One of her favorite discoveries along the way? Let the rabbitbrush decide where it wants to grow! Just take a look at this very happy Rabbitbrush welcoming you at the front of the garden.
Rainwater is also put to work here, collected and gently guided into a middle basin where it settles to helps prevent erosion and help water the garden in a very natural way with the river rock. She would to like give credit to Apex for her help on Landscaping and drip irrigation installation. As well as CBCD, Derby Canyon and Tapteal for their help on plant selection!
"MnO's Heritage Garden"
2026
The MnO's Heritage Garden planted close to 98 plants! It also saves approximately 518,818 gallons of water per year.
This garden reflects creativity and hard work, and it is easy to see the care that has gone into every detail. The gardeners have created a space that feels personal. They used a variety of rock textures for pathways and statement areas, and even incorporated rocks sifted from their own property to create borders and define planting areas. The use of different shapes, colors, and natural materials adds interest throughout the garden and gives each area its own character. What stood out most was the care and commitment they show toward their plants. Each year, they collect plant seeds to replant the following season, which helps maintain the garden year after year. Their attention to the needs of each plant is obvious; we visited during a windy week, and many young plants had supports to help them avoid damage from the wind.