Cistus Beginnings
Founded in 1996 by Sean Hogan and Parker Sanderson, Cistus Nursery has a strong botanical foundation drawn from the pair’s professional backgrounds; Sean having been a Curator at the University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley, and Parker a Horticulturist at the Arboretum at University of California at Davis.
The partnership brought to the project a great interest in climate-appropriate plants and new textures for gardens as well as an exciting collection gathered from all over the world -- a collection that quickly grew through new acquisitions and an extraordinary propagation project in a 100 year old greenhouse.
The plethora of plants that were produced led to the opening of Cistus Design Nursery in 2000 on Sauvie Island outside Portland.
Cistus Wanderings
Sean and our intrepid team of plant geeks travel the globe, researching, documenting, and (responsibly) collecting the most interesting plants they can find.
Lecturing near and far...
As part of his travels, Sean also enjoys sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for horticulture. Whether garden group, plant society, or horticultural symposium, Sean enjoys leading lectures of all sizes and subjects. Email us to inquire about a lecture in your neck of the woods.
Cistus Introductions
Our enthusiasm for plants knows no bounds. Whether chance sport, cloned progeny, or careful selection over years of faithful tending, our plant introductions are some of our (very) personal favorites.
From Agave ovatifolia 'Frosty Blue' to Mahonia eurybracteata 'Cistus Silvers' to Yucca rostrata 'Sapphire Skies', our intros are an exciting and diverse group. What will we come up with next...?
The availability of these special plants does ebb and flow, and not all Cistus Introductions are available at all times.
Shop available Cistus Introductions for mail order by clicking the link below.