Posts by Karen Chapman
A Collector's Garden
Be warned. Gardening can become addictive! Jeanine Smith can attest to that. I recently met Jeanine at the annual conference of the American Rhododendron Society where I was a speaker. I was immediately drawn to her fun-loving personality as we chatted, so was delighted to be invited to visit her garden in Woodinville, WA while…
Read MoreSpring Celebration in the Woodland
My woodland garden has three seasons of color with spring and fall being the most vibrant and summer being a cooler oasis of green. Since I rarely venture out into that part of the garden during winter I haven't included things specifically for winter interest although there are plenty of evergreen conifers, shrubs and perennials.…
Read MoreSpring Ideas from RHS Harlow Carr
I'm just back from England where I spent two weeks visiting very special friends. It was wonderful to spend quality time together, bumbling around my favorite villages and towns, hiking in the Yorkshire Dales, swimming in the Solent, and drinking lots of 'proper' tea. While in Yorkshire my friend Jill suggested an outing to RHS…
Read MoreZinnias: how to grow and use them
It's not too late to grow zinnias from seed! Which is just as well because I goofed. Let me explain. Zinnias hate cold, wet weather almost as much as I do. In the Seattle area we need to wait until night temperatures are stable at 55'f or above before planting out – which is typically…
Read MoreCreating Abundance: Lessons from Great Dixter
If there is one word that sums up traditional English gardens it is "abundance". You won't find individual plants separated like little islands by oceans of bare earth. Nor will you see the extensive use of groundcovers that we are so accustomed to in America. I often describe English gardens, especially cottage gardens as "friendly":…
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