September Garden Projects

September Garden Projects

Let me be transparent and state that, without a doubt, fall is my favorite time of the year.  As a local native, I like my weather partly cloudy with temperatures in the 65 to 70 degree range and hopefully some rain, but only from 10pm to 6am or so.  Is that too much to ask from Mother Nature?  Sounds perfect for outdoor projects in the fall - not too hot, not too cold, but just right for us gardeners...    

Natural Lawn Renovation

Natural Lawn Renovation

Traditionally, the residential lawn has represented somewhat of a status symbol for the neighborhood, as the homeowner with the sharpest looking turf was the envy of all.  In past decades mankind did not give a lot of thought to what they applied to their turf, going straight for what I call...

Stylish Sedums and Succulents

Stylish Sedums and Succulents

Hardy Sedums come to us from across the globe and have adapted perfectly to almost all arid, and even higher elevation, locales.  Modern Succulents, of all kinds, have been bred into a massive array of...

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?…

Healthy Hardy Fuchsias

Healthy Hardy Fuchsias

The Fuchsia flower is somewhat unique in the world of gardening, sporting a pronounced corolla and often contrasting sepal color, all in a pendent-type flower.  Over the eons, these are plants that have evolved right alongside their pollinating partners, the hummingbirds.  They provide rich nectar for our winged friends, but also…

Captivating Coneflowers

Captivating Coneflowers

Now that we are in the heat of the summer, perennials like Coneflowers are blooming and providing important benefits to our pollinators.  Personally, I have a number of these cultivars planted in my own landscape and truly enjoy their…

Garden Surprises – Fountains, Birdbaths and Garden Art

Garden Surprises – Fountains, Birdbaths and Garden Art

Something I truly enjoy when strolling through any garden are surprises, simple unexpected treasures that catch my eye and bring a smile to my face.  I come around a corner, or peer down a pathway, or even look behind an old tree and exclaim “Ooooo… and what do we have here?”  These focal points can be…

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…