Combat Seasonal Depression

I'm sure many fellow northwesterners will agree that this summer left much to be desired in the way of long, warm, sunshine filled days. In fact, our transition into the Fall season has long been underway greeting us with cool, foggy-groggy mornings slowly lifting in the early evening after the sun had already begun it's ever earlier descent below the cedar tree tops. Don't get me wrong - fall is my favorite time of year but I'll admit that our sucker-punch summer has left me like a stood up prom date freshly primped and propped nervously on the stairway banister. Dramatic much?

Anyways, as we begrudgingly drag our feet into another sleepy season I'm already looking at ways to combat the winter blahs. What better way to brighten your day than perusing through your favorite seed catalog? I was recently introduced by a client to the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company (hi Bart!). What a feast for the eyes. They're catalog is B-E-A-utiful! From the high-gloss, original artwork cover to the cheery class portraits of posing pumpkins and squash on page 60 of the 2010 catalog. And don't forget to pay attention to the creative nomenclature given to these ravishing rare-seeds; "Malakhitovaya Shkatulka" (pro.?) Green Tomatoes, "Strawberry" Popcorn & don't forget "Greasy Grits" Green Beans. Who comes up with these names anway?



Visit their website to request a 2011 catalog which will be shipping in December! Just in time before the blahs settle in.

Happy Birthday to ME!

I realize that my birthday was well over a month ago at this point but I forgot to show you the gift I gave myself inspired by a previous post!



I purchased this beautiful Sprout Teardrop Terrarium from the West Seattle Nursery on one of my infrequent visits "across the pond" where I also purchased three varieties of Tillandsia aka Air Plants. The white rock I used was purchased from a local pet supply store.

If you aren't familiar with Tillandsia plants I encourage you to get acquainted. These plants can make anyone appear to have a bright and shiny green thumb. Tillandsia are a member of the Bromeliad family and are found in the deserts, forests and mountains of Central and South America as well as Mexico and the Southwest US. These plants are unique in the way that they have adapted to collect moisture from the air, dust and decaying plant matter and don't require soil for survival. Air Plants will often multiply which will continue the plants lifecycle as they typically die after flowering. I've hung my terrarium in a sunny location under the skylight in our bathroom where it enjoys the humidity from our showers!

Peacock - BOO!

Look who we found wandering around a client's garden this past week!



It's like she was meant for this garden, no?

Sit A While

Last summer we had the opportunity to help design a beautiful high bank garden with a fantastic view of inner Quartermaster Harbor. The design incorporated a monster bonfire pit begging to be surrounded by copius amounts of laughter and maybe a campfire song or two but without any appropriate seating it was unlikely to draw such a crowd. So we included the proposal for a custom bench built using driftwood gathered from the beach below. We were looking forward to the opportunity to put our creative heads together and construct a fun and functional piece of art for the new landscape design. Although the bench didn't quite fit into the budget initially, we were excited when we recieved an email from the homeowner's son who wanted to commision the bench as a gift to his Mom and her new landscape! Thanks to Mark ( & his brother's) for the FUN winter project!

Fragrant Sarcococca

If you've found yourself sniffing a sweet smell in the air recently, it's likely you aren't too far from a Sarcococca plant. A profusion of tiny white blossoms cover this shrubby plant in mid January and permeate the air well into February with it's heavenly fragrance. It's a welcome wake-up call for the sleepy senses.


Sarcococca ruscifolia is a great, low-maintenance choice for any garden. This small, evergreen shrub maintains a size of 3-4' and does best in partial to full shade exposure. It's also proven to do well in difficult dry and deeply shaded areas. I find that contrary to most "deer resistant" plants, this one truly does deserve the label as it continually escapes even the most ferocious appetites. Although it does tolerate sheering for a more formal appearance I prefer it's naturally soft and graceful habit. The dark green foliage is a great companion to plants like the yellow variegated blades of the shade tolerant Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola')and the soft, lacy fronds of most any woodland fern. Make sure to find a special spot close to an entryway or walk where it's winter fragrance will provide a welcome winter greeting.

The Show Goes On

That's right folks! Despite the dissapointing announcement last year that the Northwest Flower & Garden Show would be ending it's 21 year run after the 2009 convention, the flowery performance is back and boasting a better than ever cast of display gardens, exhibition booths and world reknowned (many of them local) plant explorers, designers and authors offering free garden discussions and demonstrations. The Northwest Flower & Garden Show is an experience for the senses envoking springtime inspiration in even the dreariest of northwest winter weather. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, make sure to mark the dates on your calendar and join northwest gardeners in welcoming back a local legend! Visit the NWFGS website to purchase your tickets in advance for a discount.

And We're Back!

Just after I send out an email to our friends, family and those we've done work with, bragging about all of the new and exciting changes we anticipate for our business in the New Year, including a link to our new website(coming soon) and blog, I proceed to tease any potential readers of said blog by not posting anything for almost a full month. (Thank-you to those who have gently reminded me that becoming a true "blogger" requires consistancy.) So now, with that in mind, let's try this again. ;)