What can we say? We are here because we love plants. You’re probably here because you love plants. We talk a lot about the plants we love, covet, admire, have watched grow happily in our gardens, tried and failed, the ups and downs of tending our own gardens and visiting others. It’s a happy place here, join us.
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...
To the best of my knowledge, there's no rule against coveting thy neighbor's plants. So I've been cruising this garden regularly ever since I spied pomegranates along the path last winter. I was kind of dying to know what was inside. The fruits are smaller than the...
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,...
Oh, October. So dreamy, with the leaves all ablaze. And over much too quickly. If there's one month where I'd like to press pause and enjoy it a little longer, it's October. Second best to being able to freeze time is planting more of this stuff at home, so there's...
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...