About Us

Our Vision

Balsamroot design, is based in the Walla Walla Valley. We are bringing together diverse knowledge on landscaping and environmental restoration to help our community intentionally design the landscape and the way we live. We do this through onsite consultation, design renderings and hands on education. We strongly believe that everyone should be involved in stewarding the land. We encourage this through events, consultation and the conversations we engage in everyday.

Balsamroot Sunflower

Our Name

The name Balsamroot Design comes from the native name: Pášxa, meaning Balsamroot Sunflower. According to the book Čáw Pawá Láakni – They Are Not Forgotten this is the Sahaptin name for what is modern day Walla Walla. The local band of the Cayuse tribe was called Pášxapu or the “Sunflower People '' in reference to the Balsamroot Sunflower which was an important food and medicine plant to the native peoples. It powerfully symbolizes this land, beauty and survival.

This name is a reminder that we reside on Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla land. A reminder that to create a culture that can last we must honor native traditions and knowledge. We look to the grasslands, the rivers and the non-human beings as our greatest teachers. We recognize that we must learn to thrive within the constraints of our environment, stewarding our resources carefully and wisely.