Scoping out the new Cistus Nursery fall 2020 catalog

Scoping out the new Cistus Nursery fall 2020 catalog

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.

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Our favorite new plants in the Gossler Farms fall 2020 catalog

Our favorite new plants in the Gossler Farms fall 2020 catalog

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?
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Plants that put up well with summer planting

Plants that put up well with summer planting

If you’re anything like me, the summer itch has hit. That’s the point where I’m itching to rearrange the garden to cover the bald spots, hide the plants that are past their peak, and adjust for conditions that turned out different than I expected. But it’s hot. Not all plants appreciate being transported and planted in the heat. I miss the spring freedom to plant, move, or divide whatever might need it. So I asked our longtime collaborator and reliable planting expert, Evan of The Practical Plant Geek what’s good to order and plant when we find ourselves in the dog days. These heat tolerant plants will do quite nicely.

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plants to tuck in

plants to tuck in

That’s how my daughter always gets me when I’m waffling on a plant purchase: “It’s such a good plant for tucking in.” The happy news–she’s never steered me wrong, on anything. When Megan started her Nestmaker Blog, my interest in plants exploded. How did she know about all this fabulous flora? She’s not even a scientist! (more…)