Small Business Spotlight: Growing Your Passion, A Tour of Jade Mountain Nursery with Chris Davidson
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
If you’ve spent any time exploring the edges of Southeast Tacoma where it blurs into Puyallup, you’ve probably driven right past one of the most serene hidden gems in Pierce County: Jade Mountain Nursery.
My connection to the nursery goes back a ways. In 2005, my friend Chris Davidson and I took over the reins from the original founders, Phil (Chris' father) and Dale Chesnut. After about 5 years of hard work and great business building, I parted ways, on friendly terms, with Chris and the nursery to pursue a different career path. Fast forward a few years into my real estate career, and I had the privilege of helping Chris secure the exact semi-wooded property where the nursery operates and where he now lives.
I sat down with Chris under the giant cedar trees at the nursery to clear up some major bamboo myths, talk about backyard privacy hacks for local homeowners, and discover what working in the dirt gives back to him every day.
The Big Misconception
Q: A lot of people are intimidated by bamboo. What is the #1 thing you wish every homeowner knew about using bamboo in their landscape?
Chris: A lot of people don’t know about the non-invasive, hardy clumping bamboos. Clumping bamboos can be planted without fear of them spreading beyond their assigned territory. Their rhizomes, the underground stems, are quite different than those of our timber and other non-clumping bamboos. Instead of a horizontal spreading rhizome, they are u-shaped making new culms next to the original plant, spreading only a few inches per year, hence the name clumping bamboo. Bamboo can also be planted in containers and planter boxes to create screens and hedges. Metal feed troughs are a popular choice.
On clumping bamboo vs. running bamboo: This is the ultimate backyard cheat code for Tacoma homeowners. Our city lots mean neighbors are often closer than we'd like, and people freeze when I suggest bamboo because they picture an invasive root monster tearing up property lines. Knowing the science behind clumping varieties means you can get instant, evergreen privacy without triggering a neighborhood dispute or ruining your yard.
Setting the Scene
Q: Visitors often say the nursery feels more like a stroll through a park than a retail shop. How do you maintain that organic, serene atmosphere while still running a busy operation?
Chris: The nursery sits in a semi wooded area; there are several giant cedar trees on the property. Giving home to many chirping and singing birds and creating the peaceful environment.
On the organic, park-like environment: There is a massive lesson here for home curb appeal. Chris didn't fight the natural topography or clear-cut the land; he leaned into the giant mature cedars already there. When you are landscaping your own property for resale or your own enjoyment, working with the native PNW canopy instead of against it always yields the most peaceful, high-value result.
A Timeless Design Aesthetic
Q: We’ve seen a lot of design trends come and go. Why do you think the "Asian-inspired" garden aesthetic remains so timeless for Pacific Northwest homes?
Chris: Japanese (Asian) gardens are unique for their intentional, idealized miniature representations of nature, designed to evoke tranquility and philosophical contemplation rather than merely display flowers. Rooted in the principles of wabi-sabi (beauty in imperfection) and Shinto spirituality, they blend natural elements—stone, water, and plants—with artificial structures like bridges and lanterns to create a balanced, asymmetrical, and often hidden landscape.
On the wabi-sabi aesthetic: Finding beauty in imperfection is exactly why this style pairs so beautifully with historic Tacoma homes. Whether you have a 1920s craftsman or a mid-century modern home, an asymmetrical, low-maintenance garden design creates an intentional, hidden escape that acts as a major selling point. Buyers aren't just looking for a lawn anymore—they want an outdoor room that evokes tranquility.
Living Walls & Green Screens
Q: In our local real estate market, privacy is a huge priority for buyers. What are your "go-to" recommendations for homeowners looking to create a natural, living screen?
Chris: I would recommend hardy clumping bamboos if homeowners wanted to create a screen/hedge in the ground. They mature to different height depending on the species. Green Temple and Golden bamboo are great species to create screens/hedges in containers.
On creating natural privacy screens: If you are dealing with a multi-story neighbor looking down into your yard, standard wood fences won't cut it. Going with a variety like Green Temple in the ground, or dropping Golden Bamboo into galvanized stock tanks on a patio, gives you that vertical height quickly. It blocks the sightlines beautifully while keeping the footprint narrow enough for smaller urban yards.
The Hidden Gem Species
Q: Beyond the bamboo, what is one "hidden gem" plant or feature at Jade Mountain that people often overlook but shouldn't?
Chris: Jade Mountain also specializes in Japanese maples. I go to Oregon every spring and pick up my orders. Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) are special due to their stunning, year-round visual appeal, offering delicate, varied foliage, vibrant fall colors, and unique sculptural shapes. Their small, manageable size makes them ideal for focal points in small gardens or for growing in containers. They are considered living art, with over 1,000 cultivars offering diverse colors (red, green, gold, variegated) and forms (cascading, upright, dwarf).
On their specialty Japanese maples: A high-quality Japanese Maple is like a piece of structural fine art for your front yard. Because they stay manageable in size, they add massive curb appeal to smaller city lots without overwhelming the house. If you want your home to stand out on the block, investing in a hand-picked cultivar with year-round color is one of the smartest landscape moves you can make.
The Sweet Spot to Visit
Q: The nursery changes so much throughout the year. If someone is visiting for the first time, which month do you think shows off Jade Mountain’s true beauty the best?
Chris: I would say May through July. Everything has leafed out and in bloom.
On the best months to visit: Coincidentally, this matches the peak of our local spring and summer real estate market! If you are planning to get your hands dirty or want to see these privacy screens in their maximum canopy glory to plan your own yard upgrades, clear your schedule this weekend and go take a walk through the groves.
Grounding Your Routine
Q: There is something grounding about working with your hands in the dirt. Do you find the physical work—the digging, potting, and pruning—to be a form of meditation or therapy for you?
Chris: I enjoy working and being outdoors, so the nursery work can act as a therapeutic activity. Which can lower stress and reduce anxiety. Working with plants and soil can elevate serotonin levels, contributing to feelings of happiness and well-being. Tending to plants promotes mindfulness, patience, and a sense of pride as the plants grow and mature. the routine of the nursery also provides structure and a meaningful daily purpose.
On the mental benefits of working with soil: This hits right at the heart of why we love our community. Home isn't just a financial asset or a place to store your things—it’s where you go to find balance. Whether you are brewing your own beer, working out in the shop, or spending twenty minutes weeding a flower bed, working with your hands connects you to the seasonal pace of life here in the Pacific Northwest.
Leaving the Noise Behind
Q: What kind of impact do you hope the space has on people when they walk through the gates and leave the "real world" behind for a while?
Chris: Hopefully people can enjoy the plants and the calming environment of the nursery.
On the nursery's impact on visitors: Chris keeps it incredibly humble, but that calm environment is exactly what makes Jade Mountain a true community sanctuary. In a world that runs at 100 miles an hour digitally, having a local business owner preserve a physical space like this in Southeast Tacoma is incredibly special.
The Art of Patience
Q: After all these years, you’ve raised some of these plants from tiny starts into massive groves. Tending to them requires a lot of intention. What does that process teach you?
Chris: Tending to plants promotes mindfulness, patience, and a sense of pride as the plants grow and mature. The routine of the nursery also provides structure and a meaningful daily purpose.
On mindfulness and watching the plants mature: Landscape equity takes time. Just like building roots in a community or watching a neighborhood evolve, the best things on a property are the ones that are tended to with patience and long-term vision. Go see Chris, support a fantastic local business, and buy plants that were raised with genuine pride right here in Tacoma.
The Local Love
Q: Aside from the gym, what’s another Pierce County business we should be supporting?
Chris:
Mama’s Pho
Where to find it: 9312 S Tacoma Way #150, Lakewood, WA 98499
The vibe: A total hidden gem for anyone hunting down the absolute best, most comforting bowl of authentic broth and rice noodles in the area.
McLendon Hardware (Tacoma Flagship)
Where to find it: 1015 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98406
The vibe: If you know, you know. This massive Pearl Street flagship is legendary for local homeowners, woodworkers, and DIYers who want actual, knowledgeable help and a massive inventory you can't find anywhere else.
Chambers Bay Walking Trail
Where to find it: 6320 Grandview Dr W, University Place, WA 98467
The vibe: The ultimate spot to clear your head. It’s got those unmatched, sweeping views of the Puget Sound, the islands, and the golf course that remind you exactly why we love living in the South Sound.
Find Jade Mountain Nursery at:
📍 5022 72nd St E, Tacoma, WA 98443
📞 (253) 548-1129
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