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. 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. Her specialties are organics, and garden art.

Judy 'JP' Persall
The newest employee at the Nursery is Judy 'JP' Persall. A retired US Coast Guard officer (25 years), she takes a change of life style as the Cashier and a Customer Service Representative at the Nursery. JP is an experienced gardener and landscaper. She is a member of the Community Organic Gardeners of Sequim. She is studying for the WSNLA Certified Professional Horticulturist's exam in the Fall.

Ernest Gann
McComb Gardens welcomes Ernest Gann. Ernie hails from Louisiana where he held a variety of retail positions. He is the primary facility maintenance employee. He is studying for his WSNLA Certified Professional Horticulturist Exam in the Fall.

Mary Hicks
Mary is a customer service representative at the Nursery. She is Certified Professional Horticulturist, and has a Certificate from WSU in Integrated Pest Management. 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.

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.

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 and is the Nursery Photographer. Joella has passed the CPH Certification Exam from the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association.