About The Hardy Plant Society of Oregon

The mission of the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon is to nurture the gardening community. Our vision is to make the world a better place through horticulture.

The Hardy Plant Society of Oregon (HPSO) is a membership organization for gardeners at all levels. Founded in 1984 to serve Oregon and Southwest Washington, the Society currently has around 3000 members throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

WHAT WE DO

Organized to foster an understanding of herbaceous perennial plants (or "hardy perennials"), HPSO now promotes education about a wide range of plants, garden design, and gardening techniques. We sponsor workshops, lectures, study weekends, classes, publications, book sales, plant and garden art sales, trips and tours. We organize member gatherings and encourage member networking, support worthwhile community gardening projects through grants, sponsor plant sales, and encourage the preservation of special gardens of botanical, horticultural, or historic interest.

ORGANIZATION

HPSO is a tax-exempt, 501c(3), non-profit, charitable and educational organization, incorporated under the laws of the State of Oregon and governed by a Board of Directors elected by the Society's members. HPSO maintains an office at Elk Rock Garden. Our staff include an Executive Director and a Membership Services Specialist to oversee organization's business and support members. Many volunteer members manage or support the Society's activities, including our magazine, our Open Gardens program, our plant sales, and our speaker programs.

HISTORY

In the 1970s, a Seattle horticulturist named Marvin Black came upon Great Britain’s Hardy Plant Society while exploring gardens in England. Marvin was impressed with the organization’s possibilities and turned to his gardening friends for support in organizing the first American Hardy Plant Society. In June of 1980, this group sponsored the first Pacific Northwest Hardy Plant Society Study Weekend at Edmonds Community College.

Eventually, a group of Oregonians, tired of traveling to Seattle for garden events, met with Marvin to plan the beginnings of the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon. Started by a small group of friends in 1984, HPSO has grown to nearly 3000 members in 2024.

The Hardy Plant Society of Oregon has subsequently inspired the development of several other gardening groups, not just in the Pacific Northwest, but here and there throughout the USA. There are now Hardy Plant groups all across the country.