Our Roots


Aitken’s Salmon Creek Garden is a family-owned iris and orchid nursery in Vancouver, Washington.

Our iris involvement began with the landscaping of our home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, shortly after Terry's graduation from college as an architect in 1968. Part of this landscape scheme included a collection of irises from Schreiner's Gardens. 

Seeking a milder climate, we moved to our current location in 1975. We have specialized in the hybridizing and sale of irises since about 1978. In addition, we have added a greenhouse to hold our expanding orchid collection, many of which are available for purchase. 

We are both life members and Emeritus Judges of The American Iris Society (AIS), and have served the AIS in many capacities. Terry is past president and past Bulletin editor of the AIS. In addition, he has been honored with many top awards for his work in iris hybridizing, (medals in seven different catagories), as well as the Hybridizer's Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Gold Medal for service to AIS, and the Foster Memorial Medal awarded by the British Iris Society. In recent years Terry has had more time to devote to the iris nursery, and has also become more active in the American Orchid Society and the breeding of orchids. 

We also introduce irises for several other well known iris hybridizers: Chuck Bunnell, Chad Harris, Stephanie Markham, Marky Smith, and Kevin Vaughn.