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.
We've all watched new homeowners move in and take over an existing garden. Some work with what they bought, taking out and adding to, making their mark on what was created by another - but now belongs to them. Others opt for the scorched earth approach and can only...
Every time I take the drive south from Portland on Interstate 5, I'm reminded in living technicolor, that I really do live in the Willamette Valley. You see vast stretches of pastureland, mountains, sheep with requisite guard Llama--and a veritable menagerie of birds....
I happened upon this cheery scene while out on a neighborhood walk a few weeks ago. An intensely planted front yard stood in stark contrast to the dead dormant lawns surrounding it. At first glance it's not exactly my planting style, with it's colorful floral display,...
I know they're numbered, but in these last decent days of fall, there are some fine looking plants in the garden. The shaded brick planter on the north side of our house has exceeded all expectations. It's under the eaves, and needs to be watered year round, but I'm...
The great thing about walking the neighborhood is you see things you might miss from the car. I'd noticed this particular garden because it has the most exquisitely pruned Sambucus. And truth be told, I've been hoping to catch the pruner in the act--so I can offer to...
My birthday is the Ides of March. So perchance you'll forgive my proclivity to ignore warnings. Have you ever fallen head over heels with a plant despite other gardeners' cautions? Tis indeed the case with Fen's Ruby Cypress Spurge. I've got it bad for this little...
Last week I shared the spiky side of the Kennedy School gardens, but there is so much more to see! Walking the grounds is always a mix of checking in on old friends, to see how they're doing, and discovering new things. Sometimes I have a pretty good idea what they...
Do you ever get a wrong idea stuck in your head? For instance, I decided when I bought this plant that is was an Ernygium. Megan said, "this is a fabulus Acanthus. You should buy it." Which, of course, I did with all due haste. Because my kids don't ever steer me...
In its former life the building, and the surrounding grounds, served as an elementary school for my neighborhood. Students for miles around came to what was then known as the John D. Kennedy Elementary School - from it's opening in 1915 - until it shut down in 1975....
Ever so often, I ask my gardening pals about sod removal. What are their favorite techniques. Should I try this? Should I try that? How about the lasagne method--that's a thing, right? Is there an easier way than stripping sod and hauling it away? Etc. Ad nauseum. I...