March Plant Of The Month
For March we’d like to introduce you to Tsuga canadensis ‘Abbott’s Pygmy’, also known as the Abbott’s Pygmy Miniature Canadian Hemlock. This little dreamboat is in the same genus as the sky-high Canadian Hemlock, but, by contrast, miniature. It reaches
Big News For Small Gardens
Gardening in small spaces? Living with small outdoor spaces is becoming more and more common and designing for them is getting more and more attention from the landscaping industry. At the recent Northwest Green Conference small gardens were a hot
Shrubs With Berries Bring Back Color and Spirit
In the stretch between New Year’s and Valentine’s Day, a Northwest garden risks seeming anti-climactic or even bleak. To add color and spirit, look to trees and shrubs that have berries. In the winter landscape they provide an awe-inspiring silhouette, whether set against
Evergreen Ground Cover For All Seasons
Evergreen ground cover has endless uses, from serving as a lawn substitute to creating a green cascade on a wooded hillside. During summer ground cover can create a soft backdrop for other plants; during wintertime it becomes a primary part of the
Conifers in Containers
The change of seasons presents opportunities for dramatic new container garden compositions. Dwarf conifers can be the perfect pick-me-up for sparse-looking containers. You’ll find that conifers are durable and easy to grow. They need little care and most dwarf conifers grow so slowly that
Fall Is Fine For Planting
Fall is fine for planting. Almost all plants and trees can be planted in fall, including turfgrass, spring blooming bulbs and cool season vegetables. (While you can plant spring blooming perennials in fall, you’ll probably want to wait until early
Planting Those Really Sunny Spots
Nearly every garden has a spot that really cooks in the summer. It might be the west-facing wall of the garage, the bed along the south side of the house, or maybe the roof-top garden. Add drought to existing sunny conditions
Mass Appeal
Mass planting — using just one variety of plant — is an effective garden design tool, with many applications. You can used mass plantings to: Create a relaxed atmosphere. This is especially true when you group plants that have a softening effect, such as
Maybe It’s Time To Lose The Lawn
Are you trying to conserve water this summer — and dreading the prospect of a bleak, brown and brittle lawn? It is not only lack of moisture, but intense heat, that causes a lawn to “brown out” this early in the Pacific
Summertime Watering
The driest months in the Pacific Northwest are July, August, September and sometimes October. Add June to the mix this year and it’s time to get a watering plan in place — whether your garden is drought tolerant or not.
Tropical Treasures in Seattle
Everyone knows that summer in the Pacific Northwest is paradise. But did you know that up here we can grow some plants that look like they are straight from the tropics? These exotic-looking flowering perennials thrive in full sun when
Winning Over Your Soil
Did you know that both you and your landscape could come out winners, even with the most difficult soil? If you play to the strengths of your existing soil, your garden design will be easy to maintain and will combine
Look For Winter Blooming Perennials Now!
Lenten Rose, Snow Drops and Cyclamen are flowering now. It is a good time to think about adding these to your garden for next year. It is also a good time for a stroll through The Washing Park Arboretum, Kubota
Landscape Design with Succulents brings new life to the summer garden
By definition, Succulent plants are plants that have some parts that are more than normally thickened or fleshy usually to retain water in acrid climates or soil conditions. This means, universally, they store water and are drought tolerant. Sedum is
Seamless Connectivity to the Outdoors
Connecting with nature has long been acknowledged as an important part of well being. Some of us find ourselves feverishly tripping over the door jams and down the stairs to get to the garden once spring finally arrives; however, not
HARDSCAPING: What kind of patio or walkway best suits your landscape?
If you’re not familiar with the term, hardscaping is a word used to describe any type of hard surface impressed upon the landscape, including patios, driveways, walkways and more. When choosing a hardscape option, keep both the aesthetic and the
Landscape Design and Spring Blooming Bulbs
Planting bulbs and gathering grand bouquets of colored leaves are the hallmarks of fall and the changing season. Choosing and planting bulbs can be anything from a simple family activity to an extensive plan for an open garden space. Bulbs
Water thoroughly and keep your garden healthy
Especially this year, our typically dry July, August and September quickly erase any reserves stored below the surface of the soil. Fine-tuning watering techniques can not only conserve water but also create healthier plants. Keys to watering: My answer is
Waterwise landscape design
Even with the likelihood of a drought in the Pacific Northwest again this year, there is no need to be resigned to wilted, brittle and brown plants this summer. There are many ways to keep a garden looking lush during
Eye Catching Container Gardens
Container gardening is for everyone, whether you have a small balcony or extensive landscape. Large pots, small pots – they all add to any homes’ outdoor decor.
Fall Planting Season is Here
Trees and shrubs love to be planted in the fall. Now is an ideal time to get your plants in the ground so they can begin to establish a sound root system before the heat of summer. Winter precipitation means
Extend Summer Color with Perennials
Showy, Fall-blooming perennials extend summer color in the garden. These garden mainstays flower reliable, year after year. Unlike annuals and biennials, which live for only a year or two, perennials are permanent plants that need only periodic division and replanting.
More for Less
Gardening in small spaces. Living with small outdoor spaces is becoming more and more common. Whatever small means to you, a pleasantly designed garden is still possible. In fact, small garden spaces offer great opportunities. See my galleries for some
Rebirth, Renewal and Regrowth
With the Witch Hazel, Hellebores, and Sweet Box in full bloom, it is a good time to take inventory of your garden and consider adjustments before spring is really here. Now is when I make goals for my garden. Here
