Shrubs

More Summer Blooming Shrubs

More Summer Blooming Shrubs

As we pass the midpoint of summer and head towards fall, numerous plants continue to shine in our local gardens.  Two standouts in particular are looking great, adding bright flowers, nice foliage and ornamental berries to the landscape...

Summer Blooming Shrubs

Summer Blooming Shrubs

Whenever I ponder summer blooming shrubs, two have been and always will be at the front of my mind… Roses and Hydrangeas – as nothing will beat either of these for length of flowering time, all the way until frost… There is never anything wrong with more of either, but what else can I choose that will add some seasonal interest to the summer garden?…

Crape Myrtles In Washington

Crape Myrtles In Washington

Speaking as a self-proclaimed “plantaholic” who likes just about all things with foliage, fronds, or needles, one plant I started to salivate over in the 1990’s was Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia sp.).  For us in northern latitudes, these mythical plants were uncommon and were perceived as…

Explore the World of Itoh Peonies

Explore the World of Itoh Peonies

During the months of May and June one of the all-time favorite plants of local gardeners, the peony, is bursting into bloom.  There are many excellent peonies available to utilize in our landscapes; including herbaceous cottage types in all sorts of colors (and varying fragrances) and larger growing tree peonies too.  I would never scold anyone for growing either of these types (since I do as well), but I want to bring attention to another fabulous peony option… what is known as the intersectional or Itoh Peony.

Fatsia Japonica: a versatile evergreen shrub for the northwest

Fatsia Japonica: a versatile evergreen shrub for the northwest

When you are a plant nerd like me, there is no end to the list of plants that fall into the category of “most favorite”.  There are many characteristics that can make a plant qualify for that most coveted classification, such as….

These Late-Blooming Shrubs Are Worth Waiting For!

These Late-Blooming Shrubs Are Worth Waiting For!

August can feel like a long time to wait for a some plants to finally put forth flowers, all while the rest of the garden might be blooming its head off.  On the other hand, by the time we get to August, our gardens can conceivably start to look kind of tired and bedraggled, and having a few plants that are just coming into bloom can be a very good thing.  I have often said that in the Pacific Northwest you can find a plant blooming every day of the year…

Making ‘Sense’ Of ‘Scents’

Making ‘Sense’ Of ‘Scents’

As a garden center owner for over three decades, I have seen all types of gardeners come in to shop for plants, and without exception, regardless of their level of skill, there is one common habit they all exhibit.  Show them a pretty flower and they will immediately plunge their schnozzola right into the heart of it to see if it has fragrance - we have all done it, myself included…