Tapteal Native Plants, a specialist native plant nursery based in Washington State in the United States, is relocating operations to Richland following its acquisition by landscape architect and contractor Julie Wilson, owner of design-build firm Wild Root Landscapes.

The move marks a strategic expansion across landscape architecture, planting supply and long-term maintenance, aligning with growing demand for sustainable, low-water and place-based landscape solutions in residential and commercial developments.

Tapteal supplies more than 10,000 plants annually to homeowners, designers and contractors, with spring plant sales and seed orders continuing during the relocation.

Tapteal was founded in 2017 by Ann Autrey, who said the transition represents a strong strategic fit. Wilson’s practice focuses on outdoor living spaces that integrate hyper-local native planting into the built environment.

“It’s Wild Root’s mission to help people see and make connections to our local shrub-steppe (habitat) that they haven’t experienced. It enriches their lives and expands their connection to nature and a sense of place,” Wilson said.

The acquisition comes as the regional native plant market opens up following the closure of two competing nurseries in Spokane.

Autrey said demand is also being supported by the Heritage Garden Program, which offers grant-funded planting guidance through local conservation districts to property owners.

Wilson plans to operate Tapteal through pop-up plant sales rather than a traditional retail outlet at the new Richland base. The site will include a native seed bank, three shade houses, storage facilities and a solar-powered irrigation system, reinforcing the business’s sustainability credentials.

“Right now, I’m just making sure we have the right environment for the plants and that all of that is prepped and ready,” Wilson said.

Discover how integrated landscape design and native planting are reshaping sustainable development models.

(Photo Credits to Laura Kostad)