I got out of the house the other day. All by myself. In the car. It feels funny to be cruising the world again, well, the neighborhood anyway. Turns out, once behind the wheel, I got a few notions. I stopped by a vegan restaurant to pick up gluten free desserts.
You should really see Cistus Nursery in the winter if you’re in the area. It’s transformative and paradigm-shifting to walk in one dreary Pacific Northwest day, where you might be used to seeing bare branches and bald spots where dormant plants lie sleeping around town, into a lush abundance of foliage and textures that are in no way diminished by the dormancy of deciduous plants. Cistus feels like California in Oregon, like summer in winter, like a magical loophole where the rules do not apply. It’s where I learned there need not be boring seasons in the garden. As usual, the latest catalog is full of plants to sprinkle some of that magic.
The Gossler Farms fall 2020 catalog is out with some brand new plants and restocked favorites. Gossler Farms’ plants typically have all that heart-melting green lushness and fiery fall drama 🔥🍁🔥 that feel like classic Pacific Northwest gardens, with plenty of hard-to-resist collectors’ plants sprinkled in for good measure. I’m not one to resist the urge to do a little fantasy shopping of my own while updating our catalog with the latest. Why fight love? (more…)
Talk about a stunner, Lobelia tupa rises to the occasion. I received this plant in the mail from Secret Garden Growers. It came in a 4″ pot. Aren’t plants a marvel. (more…)
I’ve had so many great plants that give me cheap thrills and chills. Plants that were easy and relatively inexpensive. Why then, do I not have said plants growing out there right now? Last week, I showed you my pot ghetto, and honestly, what’s the big deal? Get the plant. Put it in the pot. But noooo. (more…)
Remember last week when I said this week I’d continue with part II. Well, I’m to hell and gone from Cartagena. We’d been waiting on our contractor for a patio project, then suddenly the crew touched down. They’re making terrific progress, and we love it. (More on that later.)
To think of the plants I’ve babied along, knowing in a dim corner of my brain that its days are numbered. But once the synapses fire in earnest, stand back. Mind you, I don’t always record the before scenario–because once I get it in my head it’s okay to get the ax, I need to act fast–in case I lose my nerve. Funny, the things that nudge me down the gardening path. No straight logical line. How about with you?
We want to wish our cohort Loree all the best as she sets sail for new shores. It’s been a grand adventure working with her, and we’re thrilled with everything we’ve accomplished together. With Loree’s help, we built from just an idea, to a robust online catalog of some 34,000 plants and 80 contributing nurseries.
And of course, we’ll be keeping an eye on Loree at danger garden. Not to mention, we know where she lives.
We’re getting a terrific break in weather out here in the Pacific Northwest. It’s perfect for gardening–coolish, cloudy mornings, and sunny afternoons. Yesterday, we had rain, and it’s supposed to last a few days–much to the chagrin of William, the household autosport enthusiast. 2016 Vintage Races at Portland International Raceway this weekend.
How could I have even considered taking out our apple tree?
This is why you shouldn’t make big decisions after you first move into a place. Ms. Mulch Maid discouraged me mightily, and I’m glad she did. No matter how determined I was at times to get that tree gone, Ms. Mulch’s opinion always held sway.