Category Archives: Blog

Shrubs With Berries Bring Back Color and Spirit

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Winter BerriesIn 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 a backdrop of white snow or gray skies or shimmering in the winter sun.
Plants with fruits and berries that ripen in winter bring lively colors. They’re also an important food source for winter birds and early returning flocks.

When I design and update gardens, I use an all-seasons approach that includes plants and trees that produce berries in winter. A few of my favorite choices for winter interest include:

Winterberry – Ilex verticillata:

A deciduous holly bearing lots of big, juicy bright red berries on erect stems. Winterberry looks stunning against a backdrop of coniferous evergreens like the Blue Ice Arizona Cypress.

Arrowhead Viburnum — Viburnum dentatum:

A striking deciduous, woody shrub with drupes of deep blue berries. Arrowhead Viburnum is excellent mixed with variegated or golden-colored foliage that set off its fruit.

Scarlet Firethorn — Pyracantha coccinea:

An evergreen shrub with loads of big, red berries, often grown on trellises or espaliered. It’s a favorite with birds. I have seen a flock of hungry robins strip a Pyracantha bush of fruit in just minutes!

Gray Dogwood — Cornus racemosa:

A large deciduous shrub or small tree with dusty green leaves and white berries held on deep red sprays in winter. The Gray Dogwood mixes well with burgundy or dark-colored foliage that complements its foliage and berries.

Now is a great time to look around at berries. Take note of what you might like to plant this spring for next winter.

I hope these tips keep you active and motivated to be in your garden space.
 Contact us to learn more about garden planning, landscape design, and winter landscapes.

Evergreen Ground Cover For All Seasons

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KruusFrontWalk10:11_2Evergreen 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 garden while other plants are dormant or without leaves. Whether a lush accent at the base of a tree or planted en masse to form a carpet, evergreen ground cover provides a visual break from bare soil and dark sky.

Easy-to-grow ground covers

Some steppable ground covers, especially those that thrive in full sun, like the famous Woolly Thyme, are not picky about soil conditions and need little water. But most ground cover plants used as part of a garden plan need ideal conditions to grow vigorously, spread and fill in. For instance, Pachysandra terminalis (pictured) thrives in shade, but also needs fertile soil and some water to grow well. With glossy green leaves, it forms a 6-inch high pillow on top of the ground with surface roots that need rich soil to do well. Its green stems and shiny leaves create an interesting texture that draws the eye. Gaultheria procumbens also looks handsome at this time of year with its red berries and glossy dark green leaves. Note that, come spring and summer, most hardy bulbs and perennials will grow up through ground cover.

Containing and maintaining ground covers

When selecting ground cover, beware of invasive plants that are hard to control. Invasive ground covers typically tolerate poor soil conditions, which is why they are so tempting to plant in problem areas of the garden. They can, in fact, be an asset in large shady areas like a woodland garden where they will fill in at the base of trees where little else may grow. The less-aggressive Vinca ‘Illumination” has stunning golden variegation, making it a real standout in the landscape .

But be prepared. The more invasive ground covers must be carefully selected and completely contained. Once a ground cover gets away from you, you face an on going battle to keep it at bay. Even favorites like Vinca minor can easily overstay its welcome. Once its roots are entangled with other plants or a rockery, it can only be controlled with continuous maintenance.

Properly selected and maintained, ground cover can play an important role in your landscape. Check your garden this winter and see if you have any bare spots that would benefit from ground cover.

Contact us to learn more about garden planning, landscape design, and fall planting.

 

 

 

Conifers in Containers

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Dwarf HinokiThe 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 they can thrive for years before outgrowing their spaces.

Conifers come in an array  of dramatic shapes, colors, and complex textures. Colors range from blue and green to yellow and even white variegation. There are dense, compact conifers shaped like globes or buns, ones with luxurious, fern-like foliage that curves and twists, and others with delicate needles that weep and drape. Some conifers look soft and fluffy while others sport stiff, sturdy needles. Whatever shapes or colors you choose, you’ll find that conifers really “pop” against winter skies and glow in the beams of accent lighting.

Dwarf conifers are readily available in most nurseries at this time of year, so now is a great time to update the pots on your patio.

Some of my favorite mini conifers include:Dwarf Conifer

Chamacyparis obtusa ‘Minama’ – Minima Hinoki Cypress. A compact mound with rich, dark-green spray-like foliage dotted with grass-green new growth.

Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘White Pygmy’ – White Pygmy Dwarf False Cypress. A petite cushion of soft yellow-green sprays of needles.

Tsuga canadensis ‘Minuta’ – Minuta Canadian Hemlock. A tight-mounding cushion with a tiny version of the needles of the giant Canadian Hemlock.

Dwarf and mid-size conifers are also wonderful garden specimens that add evergreen structure to the winter garden and take center stage in the dormant season.

Contact us to learn more about garden planning, landscape design, and fall planting.

 

 

 

Fall Is Fine For Planting

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WelchVignetteFall 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 spring, when the best selection of those plants shows up in garden stores and nurseries.)

The benefits of planting in the fall are many. Autumn’s cooler temperatures are easier on both plants and gardeners. And while the air is pleasantly cool, the soil is still warm, enabling roots to establish themselves before the ground freezes. When you plant in the spring, the plants don’t start to grow until the soil warms up. So by planting in the fall, you are way ahead. Plants with better-established root systems will also need less water next summer.

Typically, the fall rains take care of watering. But keep an eye on the rainfall. If it rains less than an inch per week, you’ll need to help out your plants with some deep watering.

Pests are less prevalent in the fall, so your plants get a healthy head start.

There’s no need to fertilize. Fertilizer can promote tender growth that can be damaged during a winter freeze.

Nurseries and garden centers are reducing the inventory for the winter, which means you can find some real bargains. Get out there and shop now! Keep in mind that the best window for planting ends about 4 weeks before the first heavy frost.

Don’t worry if you get a late start in the garden this fall. There are still many landscaping projects that can happen as long as the soil is not muddy or frozen. Now is a great time to beat the spring rush and get started on patios and walkways. Rainy days can make projects move a bit more slowly but they’ll still be completed well before spring.

The fallow season is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and think about the areas of your garden you’d like to change or enhance. Winter is an ideal time for garden planning.

Contact us to learn more about garden planning, landscape design, and fall planting.

 

 

 

 

Planting Those Really Sunny Spots

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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 and your planting choices for these areas start to shrink quickly. Fortunately, there are plenty of water-wise landscape plants that welcome the dry heat of these microclimates.

Here are a few hints for establishing plants in those “hot spots.”

  • Don’t plant in the heat of summer. Plant in early spring or fall so the plants will have a chance to establish their robust root systems without the heat of summer.
  • Incorporate water-absorbing crystals like Soil Moist when you back fill the planting hole. Then water your new plants regularly throughout their first growing season. Drought-tolerant plants still need water even if used in a water-wise garden. (Keep in mind that if the soil is fast draining and water is not available, plants may not be a practical choice. Consider alternatives, such as tiles and beach glass. For more ideas, see the blog post Mass Appeal.
  • Be sure to add a 2- to 3-inch layer of fertile mulch to keep the soil cool and retain moisture.

Let’s get specific. Some of my favorite low-maintenance, drought-tolerant landscape plants are:

  • Brachyglottis greyi ‘Sunshine’, also called Sunshine Senecio or daisy bush
  • Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’, also called Griffith’s Spurge ‘Fireglow’
  • Lavendula angustifolia ‘Vera’, also called Vera Lavender
  • Salvia guaranitica ‘Balack and Blue’, also called Blue Anise Sage
  • Many varieties of succulents

Not only do these plants love heat, they are also wonderfully fragrant and will perfume the air.

Contact us to learn more about water-wise gardens and how to choose plants for specific locations.

Mass Appeal

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117d474abb1549b267055390436376e1Mass 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 large grasses. This aesthetic works at any scale, from an intimate courtyard garden to a grand estate landscape.
  • Make an unobtrusive backdrop for featured plants, hide undesirable views, or soften the front of a fence or building. Consider a hedgerow of large grasses as a more casual alternative to a formal clipped hedge.
  • At the edge of a patio or walkway, employ mass plantings to define space and create a clean look. Formal or informal, the grouped plants provide structure and a place for the eye to stop before a more complex planting.
  • Use informal mass plantings to set off focal features such as statuary, a water feature, or a colorful arrangement of more ornamental plantings and flowers.

Ready to add a mass planting to your landscape? Contact us for design consultation and to learn more about the best plants for your Pacific Northwest garden.

Maybe It’s Time To Lose The Lawn

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SAM_3841Are 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 Northwest. With this year’s unpredictable weather and a changing climate, it’s time to consider lawn substitutes. Don’t panic: There are some that won’t make your garden look like the Sahara Desert.

  • Keep it simple. If you like the clean look of a lush, rolling lawn, you may want a single variety of a drought-tolerant ground cover. Ground covers don’t require much care or watering. Most need some watering until they are established, but only a fraction of the moisture required to keep a grass lawn verdant all summer.
  •  Mix it up. Use two or more varieties of ground cover and create a tapestry of color and texture. Many bloom at some point during the late spring or summer so they also offer color. “Stepable” ground cover will tolerate foot traffic to varying degrees, but not heavy usage or usage for extended periods. If you require durability in your paths and walkways, stick with stone or pavers.
  • Do something completely different. A lawn can be turned into a water-wise landscape using hardy plants — ones like lavender, that often get over watered in a traditional ornamental garden. You can create a water-wise Seattle landscape using herbs and plants with origins from hotter, dryer climates – like the Mediterranean. Some examples include Grasses, Sedum, mat-forming Thyme and drought-tolerant perennials
  • “Rock out.” A natural-looking dry riverbed or stone-lined pond adds interest  when planted with attractive ground cover, grasses and easy-to-maintain perennials.

Theses solutions require some maintenance to keep them looking tidy, but none of the weekly mowing, edging, regular watering, fertilizing that is required to keep a lawn green and weed-free in the summer.

If you want some lawn for kids, pets and summer activities, try reducing the size of the lawn and eliminate areas you do not use regularly. Remember when replanting those areas to choose plants that will fit the space long-term and that are compatible with those around it.

Contact us for design consultation and to learn more about the best plants for your Pacific Northwest garden.

Summertime Watering

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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.

Sun and heat combined will quickly erase any water reserves stored below the surface of the soil.  Fine-tuning your watering techniques will not only conserve water but also will create healthier plants and extend your garden’s good looks through the summer. Some plants only need to dry out once in hot sun for it to be fatal.

Tips for watering:

  • Get water to the bottom of the root zone. This promotes drought tolerance by encouraging roots to go deep in the soil, instead of staying on the surface where they can dry out quickly. After a few tries, you’ll know how long the water needs to run.
  • Always water during the cooler part of the day to lessen evaporation (except for mildew-prone plants). I prefer watering at night. The water cools the leaves and sits on the foliage all night. Keep in mind that plants also take in water through their leaves
  • Make sure you mulch around the plants. Use at least 2 inches of mulch.
  • Plant densely so the sun can’t overheat exposed soil and injure the plant roots underneath.

As your landscape matures and plants become well established, you’ll be able to cut back the frequency of watering.

Contact us to learn about water-wise gardens and the choosing the best plant for any location.

Tropical Treasures in Seattle

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MMCannaEveryone 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 temperatures soar.

Great tropical plants for the Seattle area

The bold and brazen Tropicana Lily with its branched flowers and big, multicolored leaves, will reach 7 feet in height and bloom until frost. Hardy Ginger, with its vertical stems, sports torch-like neon flowers that can be 10 inches in length. Others hot-and-spicy contenders include Dahlias with huge flowers, and Banana plants.

These stunners can be massed for maximum dramatic impact or used as an architectural focal point among other plants and flowers. Plant them in fertile soil rich with organic matter and keep them moist for awesome results this summer.

When to buy and plant tropical plants

Now is the best time to buy and plant mature plants for flowers this season. The rhizome type roots systems will survive all but the harshest Pacific Northwest winters. But even as a seasonal display they provide a big bang for the buck.

Contact us for design consultation and to learn more about the best plants for your Pacific Northwest garden.

 

Winning Over Your Soil

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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 beautifully with plants that are suitable for the Pacific Northwest.

But what if you have a specific interest that doesn’t correspond with the type of soil currently in your garden? What if it’s a cutting garden or the vision of a traditional English garden that would make you happy? Soil amendment is an option that can work if you have a maintenance plan to keep the soil fertile and healthy.

We consult with clients based on how they want to use their outdoor spaces and on their individual design visions.  Whether you are up for a challenge or want to minimize your maintenance, we believe that your landscaping should give you the win you need to enjoy your outdoor spaces.

after: interior court yard

Madison Park Court Yard,  Seattle WA