Who We Are

At Calypte we believe that a densely planted garden is preferable to turf or sparse plantings set in a sea of mulch, and that inviting wildlife into a garden increases its appeal. We believe that a garden should not be static; that there is beauty in seasonal change and year-to-year evolution. We believe that a non-dogmatic preference for bioregion-native and climate-appropriate plants creates the best opportunity for a garden and its inhabitants to flourish, and that a naturalistic Garden should require minimal inputs.

We believe that even if a garden won't save the world, it might help.

Calypte anna is one of two species in the hummingbird genus Calypte. The species is more commonly known as Anna's Hummingbird, a popular and beautiful year-round resident in the Northern Willamette Valley. We find it fascinating, however, that Anna's Hummingbird only arrived to our area in the 1960s, as increased availability of introduced plants in residential areas (and year-round feeder availability) combined with phenological adaptations to allow an expanded breeding range for the species beyond their traditional pockets in southern California and the Baja peninsula. This is a phenomenon known as Ecological Release, and we find it to be a clear example where a strict interpretation of what constitutes Native species may not comport with reality. The reality is that human activity has altered historical conditions, and we feel that responsible stewardship should focus on the relationships between people, place, plants, wildlife, and climate— rather than historical provenance.

David Barstow Robinson began his formal horticultural education in 2023 after several years of self-directed study, and has been working in the nursery trade since early 2024. He previously completed a B.A. at The Evergreen State College focused on sustainability but also encompassing a widely ranged study of design and humanities— as well as an extracurricular and furtive introduction to horticulture. He led an eclectic career before founding Calypte, including a stint as a bicycle courier / amateur ultradistance cyclist. He is fascinated at the prospect of integrating the serenity of wild places into the distinctly post-wild urban environment.