Here were are in the magical month of June with summer sunshine and the longest day of the year (the summer equinox) on the horizon.  I always look forward to either golfing or gardening until…

We are so blessed to live in this region, complete with its lush greens and pops of spring flower power everywhere.  The weather sure has been nice, which might be the reason I am already in the mood to dive into some shade plants…

By Nancy Penrose Evergreen trees are often associated with winter landscapes, holiday greenery, and year-round color. But summer is one of the most important seasons for selecting, planting, and caring for evergreens. Whether you are adding privacy to your yard, creating a windbreak, or simply enhancing your landscape with beautiful year-round foliage, choosing the right […]

There are so many worthy spring blooming shrubs for us to utilize in our gardens, including the seemingly endless array of attractive Rhododendrons and Azaleas.  Specific flavors of each of these can be planted for…

Rhododendrons are not only the state flower for our Washingtonian homeland, but they are perhaps the most widely planted shrub in our region.  Now that we are in the heart of springtime in the PNW, Rhododendrons (and their cousins the Azaleas) are…

By Nancy Penrose When summer temperatures rise, a well-placed shade tree can make all the difference in your outdoor comfort—and even reduce your energy bills. The right tree not only cools your yard but also enhances curb appeal, increases property value, and creates a relaxing natural retreat. If you’re considering planting for shade, here are […]

We are truly blessed here in the PNW with so many useful and attractive spring blooming botanical treasures.  These early bloomers help wake us gardeners up from our long winter slumber as they…

Now that winter has officially arrived, I thought it would be the perfect time to pontificate on sticks.  Sticks?  What is he talking about?  Think of it this way…  We are blessed to live in the paradise we call Washington, the “Evergreen” State, filled with…

Let the Trilogy of Conifers continue with the finale!  Two weeks ago I discussed some basics on conifers to ponder and then last week we went with some beyond blue selections.  For this week we move onto flavors, large and small, that boast bright yellow or white variegation.  As I have stated in this forum […]

Honesty is always the best policy and since I promised a “Trilogy of Conifers” last week, on we go with even more conifer mojo.  We explored their variations in color, texture and growth habits for local landscapes.  In episode two this week, I want to focus on the many calming shades of blue, highlighting some […]