Plant of the Week - Great Combos

Oh, I wish you could see this in person. Golden Cotinus (smoke tree) and purple clematis - WOW! Absolutely stunning. The smoke tree is the living trellis for the clematis. This is what great gardens have - killer combinations that make each plant look better together than they do alone. Play with combos at the nursery - make sure the plants have the same growing requirements and interesting contrast. Golden foliage intertwined with purple flowers - that's what I call fabulous!

Road Trip!

This is my dog, Honey. She is loving the wind in her hair and a refreshing breeze. I know that feeling having just returned from Victoria, BC for a Hardy Plant Study Weekend. It's the ultimate perfect weekend for plant geeks! We get totally immersed in lectures, slide shows, botanical displays, and the best garden tours the area has to offer. This year it was held in Sidney, BC about 30 minutes from the beautiful city of Victoria. Next year it's in Seattle and should not be missed! No excuses - start saving now and get ready to rock your plant lovin' mind!
Stay tuned for photos of some first class gardens and stunning scenery...

The Shrine to Unfinished Projects

While touring an outstanding garden in Victoria, BC, I came upon this scene in the driveway. A purple moss covered Karmen Ghia with flat tires surrounded by plants still in their nursery pots. It made me laugh out loud - even people with gardeners have their stash of unplanted plants! Instead of hiding them and being ashamed (I hear it so often, there seems to be alot of guilt about not getting your plants in the ground), this garden owner decided to make it a feature. Obviously someone with a sense of humor and healthy attitude about imperfection. Very cool!

Plant of the Week - Japanese Forest Grass

Japanese Forest Grass, Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
What a graceful, elegant, flowing plant. I never get tired of seeing it especially when it is happy and thriving as these are. That stunning hosta between them is Gold Standard. Now that's a winning combo for part shade! Dogs and cats love to munch on this plant - it must taste as good as it looks.

Open Gardens

My idea of a great time is to tour other peoples gardens. It's the best way to see new plants, new combinations, learn how they grow them and to see what thrives in your area. Did I mention you meet the nicest people in the garden? Other gardeners who want to share their place are so generous with information and sometimes even plants! Remember to take only pictures (with permission) and leave only footprints. It's so fun to see what other passionate gardeners have created. One warning - you may experience the slightest twinges of the big green monster - like I did when I saw this potting shed ; )

Plant of the Week - Lyda Rose

This weeks plant is another rose - hey, it's Rose Festival in Portland,OR, the city of Roses, so I can't help myself! It's Lyda Rose, voted best shrub rose by the American Rose society. She has apple blossom-like blooms with disease resistant foliage and a spicy fragrance. What's not to love?

Sue's English Cottage Garden

Sue and I have worked together in her garden for 6 years. The house is a charming 1923 storybook brick cottage in Portland, OR. The garden plays a supporting role this fabulous house and reflects Sue's personality. It's an ongoing project with editing, creating year around interest with seasonal flow and reducing maintenance ( we hope!). Enjoy these photos taken June 3, 2009.