Posts Tagged ‘First Editions’
Vacation-Resistant Plants
I held my breath as we pulled into our driveway fearing the worst. During our month long absence the local temperatures had been in the high 90's for extended periods with 80's the norm and no rain. I had designed our garden for both drought tolerance and deer-resistance but this would truly be a test…
Read MoreEarly Spring Container Refresh
It's the shoulder season here in Seattle. Sometimes I need a long-sleeved T-shirt + fleece vest+ puffer jacket. Other days I'm too warm in short sleeves. For my container gardens that means things can start to look a little winter-weary, yet it's too soon for my favorite summer annuals and frankly I don't have much…
Read MoreClimate Change and the Average Gardener: Reality Check
I took a walk around the garden a few days ago, making a mental list of what needed pruning or moving this weekend and was horrified to see so much winter damage on my broadleaf evergreen shrubs and even some evergreen perennials. Many of these plants have been in the garden for 7 years or…
Read MoreThe New Forsythias
My dog-eared copy of Dr. Hessayon's book Trees & Shrubs (1983 edition) states that "Gardens are brightened each March and April by the masses of yellow flowers on the leafless branches [of forsythia]." It then goes on to warn of its two enemies; birds who eat the buds and gardeners who hack the shrub to…
Read MoreNew(er) Shrubs That Still Perform
It generally takes a few years to assess new shrubs. For example, the habit can initially be nicely compact yet after a few seasons they may resemble a gangly teenager. Or what you thought was going to be a low maintenance, drought tolerant, and deer-resistant specimen proved to be a demanding primadonna. As the gardening…
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