We happen upon gardening inspiration all the time–an exciting new plant combo spotted on an apartment balcony here, a master gardener’s open garden tour there. We love to share the latest sights that have us seeing new plants and old plants in new ways.
When Megan was about eight, I used the "time flies" line on her. She kindly informed me that it does indeed--because each passing year becomes a smaller percentage of your life. Hmmph. Thanks, kid. There's good news on the time business: we're quickly winging our way...
Last week it was icy and cold, and I worried that I'd lost interest in gardening. Oh, I was still in it for my day job, researching plant info and managing the plant lust database. But I wondered if I'd made a switch akin to my relationship with magazines--wherein I'd...
Have we complained enough? It's been wet here in Portland, way beyond the norm, as in over 10.22" since the beginning of December, where as normal would be 2.80". Before the month is over (there's nothing but rain in the forecast) we will have set an all time record...
Last week I meant to get around to the topic of plants that are still looking good in there garden. Of course, if you avoid going outside because of pesky record rainfall, tornadoes and stuff, you'd never know. We've had day after day of 2-3 inch rain, followed by...
I first stumbled upon the concept of a crevice garden in 2011 when I visited John Kuzma's garden in SW Portland. Back then I wasn't exactly sure what I was even looking at, I did however recognize that style of planting was beneficial for drainage-loving plants, like...
I'm spending an inordinate amount of time trying to outsmart my cats. Oh sure, I expected them to be sorta naughty, but dear dang dog, Mister Kitty especially is H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E, and that's with the French pronunciation. He's not mean horrible, mind you, but super...
No, I’m not talking about the harvest. For most of us autumn means an abundance of falling leaves. Leaves you rake, leaves you use the blower on, and then there are these. These you simply pick up by their stems, almost like you’re collecting a wildflower bouquet. I...
Does anyone else get nervous when November rolls around. In theory, I love the going-into-winter season. But it seems once we hit that 1st day in November, the rest of it comes thundering through faster than you can shake a hot toddy at it. That doesn't even...
There appear to be a few reoccurring themes on this blog, and in my gardening life. First up..."never say never" - just because you've not cared for a particular plant doesn't mean you won't find yourself falling for it's charms someday. Megan recently admitted to...
It's taken me a while to get that I'm challenged when trying to talk, observe, and photograph in unison. This is not entirely new to my, uhm, imaginative brain style. But since my concussion, I'm further along on the continuum. Recently, one of my brain therapist...