Ever economical, we raked up the fallen pine needles and put them around our blueberries as mulch. The acidity helps keep the blueberries blue. This was in November, but oh, what a view of Petes Mountain Winery–just two doors away (and a looong walk) from our property! Despite the rain and cold, we know that …
Dahlias fill our cutting bed with lots of color. We would have had roses, as well, but deer have found a way over our deer fence or are coming from the Pete’s Mountain side of the property and have decimated the roses. It’s a good thing it is the end of the season and it’s …
Echinacea are beautiful, but like the coreopsis, shasta daisies, buddleia and other perennials, they need to be deadheaded mid-summer so they can bloom again. Even the vibirnum are enjoying a second bloom. These were planted by the original owners in the early 2000s.
Growing up in New York, my family loved the blue hydrangeas that lined our driveway. My mother started them from clippings from my grandmother’s garden. And when my mother and father moved some 50 years later, I took cuttings back to California and made starts for my brother and sisters. Today, all of us— including …
These orange azaleas were planted by the original owners more than 20 years ago. They are huge and so colorful (The little roof is the cover to our well.) A couple of weeks later, the red Rhododendron and white viburnum next to the red Japanese Maple put on a showl We like the Rhodies so …
About 10 years ago, on a trip to New Zealand, we learned about the World Wide Opportunities in Organic Farming (WWWOOF) program, where volunteers help out in your garden in exchange for room and board. In April, first-time WWOOFER Jes Broadbent stayed with us for two weeks. She was a hard worker and helped us …
First to bloom was the Magnolia Stellata. The very next day, the stately Cherry Trees at our front gate displayed their full glory— it lasts about a week! A spring storm approaches— thankfully, we were able to squeeze in the first lawn mow of the season before the storm! Just as it started to sprinkle, …
Gordon and I spent 5 days in Seattle mid February at the Northwest Flower Show, one of the biggest flower shows on the West Coast. We attended several informative workshops, visited hundreds of booths and floral displays. We took time to visit the Chihully Garden & Glass Museum, where we were inspired by his glass …
Most of our perennials have stopped blossoming (except for this one white echinacea) but the grasses lend color and texture to our winter garden.
Fall has definitely arrived with the trees in full color. It’s even better in the surrounding communities! Ginko on the left, quaking Aspen (soon to be removed because it sends up too many suckers and is crowding out the GInko), and three Norwegian Maples (both the yellow and red). The Japanese maples are beginning to …