Sean Hogan: West Coast adventurer

Owner of Cistus Design & Nursery (cistus.com), Sean's preferred quarry is West Coast-adapted architectural plants: agaves and other bold-leafed growers that look like they'd wither in cold weather but are actually quite tough.

Home base: Sauvie Island, Oregon

Travels to: Northern Mexico, South Africa, South America, and the West

Memorable misadventure: While scouting in South Africa, Sean spotted some succulents that blended in with the surrounding rocks. Completely entranced by the plants, he moved in for a closer look, not noticing a deadly four-and-a-half-foot ringhals cobra, coiled to strike. "The snake was as well camouflaged as the plants. I jumped back at the last minute!"