I had some fun last week describing a few plants that fill our summer breezes with fragrance. In all honestly, I was going to…

Discover why xeriscaping is gaining ground as a smart, low-maintenance way to garden through drought and changing climate conditions, without giving up on the pollinators that keep your garden thriving. This post shares a curated list of drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly perennials available this summer, starting with the striking Echium amoenum ‘Red Feathers.’

The dog days of August are a great time to sit in the shade with a good book and a cold drink. Here are some recommendations for books related to gardens and nature. Tree Day: A Story of 24 Hours and 24 Arboreal Lives by Meg Lowman, illustrated by Thibaud Hérem An hourly guide that […]

In the world of gardening there are a number of topics that I would term rewarding to one’s senses and in all my years as a plant enabler, it seems to me that nearly EVERYONE loves fragrance! Many are proud of…

Pantone’s Color of the Year, Cloud Dancer, really said, “I’m not just a January thing—I’m a lifestyle,” and honestly, it keeps showing up like that one friend who’s always overdressed but somehow makes the whole group look better. Month after month, it sneaks into container gardens, pairing effortlessly with cool grey hues that pop against those […]

JB Family Growers’ sunflower and lavender fields create one of the most breathtaking summer experiences in the region, especially with Mount Rainier glowing in the background. They are located between Chateau Ste. Michelle and the Sammamish River across the street from Willows Lodge. Whether you wander through 15,000 lavender plants (at about 5 acres) , hop […]

Many trees are suffering as our summers get hotter and drier. In recent years we have seen more signs of drought stress in our clients’ trees. By the time a tree shows visible stress, it may already have been declining for several years. Signs of drought stress Take a look at your trees. If you […]

August is consistently dry, sunny, and warm in the PNW. By the second half of the month, there’s a slight tinge of fall in the air, but we still have pleasantly warm summer evenings to enjoy in the garden. It’s a great time to refresh the garden and containers with late-summer flowers. Here are some […]

Now that we are into the heat of the PNW summer, I thought it would be fun to delve into the world of Hibiscus.  When most gardeners close their eyes and think of the word Hibiscus, I would be curious to see what picture comes to mind.  There are hundreds of…

The West Seattle Garden Tour celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. The gardens were lovely, and the views were spectacular, but what really inspired me were the small touches accessible to gardeners at all levels. Here are my top 5 takeaways from the tour. I hope they might inspire you in your own garden.