The colors of Easter are sported by Rhododendron ‘PJM’ and yellow Narcissus as we spring ahead into daylight savings time today. Spring is in full sway here in the Pacific Northwest in mid March – our last light frost was a couple weeks ago.
Read more →One of our prettiest native shrubs, the red flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum), begins blooming in late February early March just in time for migrating rufus hummingbirds on their way north. Garden cultivars include ‘King Edward VII’ and ‘White Icicle’.
Read more →It’s pea planting time again! Last year we harvested delicious snap peas for months and hope to do it again this year. Our seed order has arrived so now all we have to do is get it in the ground.
Read more →The beautiful clivia, Clivia miniata, makes a gorgeous houseplant even when not in flower. It’s big, 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, at maturity. Cool morning light from an east window filtered by sheer curtains is best. See page 88 in our newest book, What’s Wrong With My Houseplant.
Read more →Our peach trees are just beginning to flower, promising another summer of abundance from our garden. Hopefully there will be enough bees around to pollinate them. We grow lots of flowers with our veggies and fruit in order to feed the bees.
Read more →Our native Indian plum, Oemleria cerasiformis, is in full bloom in late February. A deciduous shrub in the rose family, it’s the first plant to leaf out in Pacific Northwest forests, usually in mid February, with the first flowers appearing soon after.
Read more →We were delighted this week to find one of our books, “What’s Wrong With My Fruit Garden?”, in the new spring catalog from Stark Brothers. How wonderful! Now we have to get busy and order yet another fruit tree. We already have 12!
Read more →A beautiful specimen of a Stanhopea orchid was in full bloom in a display garden at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. These plants are grown in baskets because the flower stalk emerges through the bottom of the basket.
Read more →We spent the last several days at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show, presented a seminar, and signed copies of our books for people. Some of our books sold out! The show is fabulous this year, as always.
Read more →We see Cymbidium orchids in full bloom in the floral departments of supermarkets right now. The flowers come in a wide array of colors and the plants are attractive houseplants even when out of flower. Give these orchids a half day of full sun in an east window. See page 169 of our newest book from Timber Press, What’s Wrong With My Houseplant.
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