About Us

Neil W Burkhardt and Jane Stewart purchased the Nursery in November of 1998. As in life, the operations of a Nursery are continually growing and changing. The display gardens and the educational programs expand and improve as does the knowledge and experience of the staff.

Staff

Neil Burkhardt
Neil is co-owner and our resident expert horticulturist. He has a certificate in Environmental Horticulture from Lake Washington Technical College. Additional qualifications are Certified Professional Horticulturist, Pesticide Applicator's License, Certified Arborist, and Certified Integrated Pest Management Professional. Neil was the 2009 recipient of WSNLA Environmental Excellence Award. He is currently serving on the Washington State Nursery Advisory Board which reports to the Washington Department of Agriculture Committee and the Executive Advisory Committee of the Washington Community Forestry Council. Both appointments are for three-year terms. Neil's specialties are dwarf conifers and other hard to find species.

Jane Stewart
Jane is co-owner and the 'business arm' of the corporation. She is a Certified Professional Horticulturist and has a Certificate from WSU in Integrated Pest Management. She is on the WSNLA Executive Board, and President of the North Olympic Chapter of the Association. She is on the Board of the Northwest Nursery Buyers Association, and serves as Treasurer. Her specialties are organics, and garden art.

Mary Hicks
Mary is a customer service representative at the Nursery. She is Certified Professional Horticulturist, and is enrolled in the Integrated Pest Management Program of Washington State University. Mary received an Honorable Mention from AW Pottery's 2005 Statewide Container Garden Competition. An expert landscaper, Mary's expertise lies in garden bed design and container gardening.

Susan Hampel
Susan is a customer service representative. She is responsible for signage and inventory management. She is a Certified Professional Horticulturist and an avid reader of gardening literature.

Cindy Pemberton
Cindy is Neil's assistant, Plant Manager and is a Certified Professional Horticulturist. She is an avid gardener and can tell you about every plant that has come into the Nursery. Her enthusiasm is contagious as a customer representative. Cindy's expertise is Acer palmatums/Japanese Maples.

Nick Kirsch
Nick is in facilities maintenance. He was raised in the Dungeness Valley and has spent most of his life here. He has worked at the Port Townsend Paper Mill in the shipping department, as a general carpenter, and as an Licensed Residential Journeyman Electrician for several electric companies. Nick brings many personal and professional skills to the Nursery. He is studying for the CPH exam given by WSNLA in the Fall.

Sharon Brant
Sharon Brant is a customer service representative, specifically she is the official Greeter and Cashier. Sharon has a background in business and accounting. She is passionate about plants, and is studying for WSNLA Certified Professional Horticulturist Exam given in the Fall.

Joella Cary
Joella Cary has joined the Staff at McComb Gardens. Joella has a personal and employment history in horticulture. She is responsible for plant care. Joella has passed the CPA Certification Exam from the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association.