David Salman, a pioneer of waterwise gardening, passionate plant explorer, and charismatic storyteller, passed away on June 5, 2022. His commitment to cultivating a palette of beautiful waterwise plants transformed gardening in the American West. He was 65 years old.
Early Life and Education
Salman was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Houston, Texas. He moved to his family’s ranch in La Cueva, northeast of Glorieta, New Mexico, when he was a teenager. He developed a love for nature and plants at an early age, and observed how development encroached on the habitats of butterflies, insects, and native plants. He decided to make a difference by promoting environmentally conscious gardening practices.
He graduated from Colorado State University in 1979 with a degree in Horticultural Science. There he met his wife, Ava Salman, in a microbiology class in 1984. They shared a passion for plants and gardening, and decided to start their own business.
Career and Achievements
In 1984, Salman founded Santa Fe Greenhouses with a single greenhouse on Rufina Street. He focused on cold-hardy, drought-tolerant plants that were suitable for the soil and climate of New Mexico and the West. He also introduced many unique plant species from his plant explorations around the world, especially from South Africa. He was a founding member of Plant Select, a collaboration between Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens, to identify and distribute the best plants for the region.
Some of his most popular introductions include Agastache rupestris, or hummingbird mint, a rare species with showy sunset-colored blooms and a delicious aroma; Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’, a selection of native blue grama grass with distinctive horizontal seed heads; and Raspberry Delight, a cold-hardy salvia with sweet-scented raspberry-colored flowers.
In 1993, he and his wife launched High Country Gardens, a mail-order garden center that offered waterwise plants and native pollinators to gardeners across the West. The catalog became a must-have for gardeners and landscape architects who wanted to create beautiful and sustainable gardens. Salman was also an enthusiastic and sought-after speaker on topics such as waterwise gardening, xeriscaping, native plants, and pollinator habitats. He received the 2008 American Horticultural Society Great American Gardeners Award for his contributions to horticulture.
Legacy and Impact
Salman’s death has left a void in the gardening community, but his legacy lives on through his plants, his catalog, his books, and his teachings. He inspired millions of Americans to consider sustainability in their own yards, and to appreciate the beauty and diversity of native plants. He also helped preserve the natural heritage of the West by conserving water and supporting wildlife.
According to Greenhouse Grower, Salman was “a self-described ‘off the wall plant-nerd,’ and ‘plant explorer with a gift for talking to plants.’” He had a vision for the future of gardening that was ahead of his time, and he shared it with passion and charisma. He will be remembered as one of the most influential horticulturists of our time.
