By mid to late January, last year’s hellebore leaves have done their job. They’re often flattened by snow or rain, marked with black spots, or simply looking tired and weather-worn. Trimming away this old foliage clears the stage for what’s coming next. Not only does it make room for fresh growth, but it also reveals the flowers, which can otherwise be hidden beneath last season’s leaves.
As the last leaves fall and the nursery settles into its quieter season, the bustle doesn’t stop—it simply moves indoors. While visitors may see a peaceful landscape of tidy garden beds and resting perennials, behind the scenes, our team is hard at work preparing...
October marks the gentle turn from the abundance of summer to the quiet preparation of winter. The air is crisp, the colors rich, and the pace of the garden begins to slow. This month is all about tidying, tucking in, and savoring the final harvests while laying the groundwork for next year’s growth. Here are the essential tasks to focus on this October.
Winter is a perfect time to prune many trees, shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses. With leaves gone, it’s easier to see the structure—or “bones”—of your garden, and you won’t worry as much about accidentally damaging smaller neighboring plants. Plus, it’s a...
Discover why fall is the best time to plant at Christianson’s Nursery. Learn tips for planting trees, shrubs, and perennials to establish strong roots and enjoy earlier growth next spring.
Empress Trees are here! These fast-growing beauties bring stunning purple blooms, huge heart-shaped leaves, and quick shade to your garden. A favorite among experienced gardeners—available now at the Nursery!
Looking to add timeless beauty to your garden? Hydrangeas are a stunning choice, with varieties that offer lush blooms, vibrant foliage, and year-after-year charm. Explore our guide to help you choose the right hydrangea for your space—and keep it thriving with expert tips from Christianson’s Nursery.
Create a thriving, beautiful garden that supports native wildlife and pollinators—naturally! Below is our curated guide to plants that provide food, shelter, and nesting materials for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, songbirds, and beneficial insects. Many are Pacific Northwest natives, perfectly suited to our region’s climate and ecosystems.
In the Garden This Month Add Vibrant Color All Season LongKeep your garden full of life and color by planting annuals such as geraniums, lobelia, bacopa, petunias, calibrachoa, and begonias. These blooms thrive in both beds and containers, making them a...
We’re excited to announce the new online edition of our Spring Garden Gazette! While printed copies will be arriving in your mailbox within the next two weeks, you can get a head start by exploring our latest issue online. Dive into stories about the season’s most anticipated events, exclusive gardening tips, and upcoming sales you won’t want to miss. Happy reading—and happy planting!
This spring we celebrate the 35th year of Toni and John's ownership if Christianson's Nursery and a garden dream realized. Learn more about their story...
Geraniums have arrived! It is still a bit too early to leave them outside, so until our last frost date has passed be sure to protect them from our cooler nights. Annual Pelargoniums, commonly known as geraniums, are a popular choice among gardeners for their stunning flowers and versatility. While often referred to as "geraniums," they are actually a species of Pelargonium, which is a different genus from the true geraniums (Geranium species). Pelargoniums are known for their wide range of vibrant colors, including reds, pinks, whites, and purples, making them perfect for adding a burst of color to gardens, hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers.
Our strawberries have arrived! The Pacific Northwest is an ideal region for growing strawberries due to its moderate climate, making the selection of the right variety crucial for successful cultivation. June-bearing strawberries, such as 'Shuksan', 'Totem', 'Rainier', and 'Hood' (noted for their sweetness), produce a large, concentrated harvest in late spring to early summer. On the other hand, ever-bearing strawberries like 'Albion' and 'Seascape' yield smaller harvests throughout the growing season, typically in early summer, late summer, and fall. Choosing the right variety based on harvest timing and fruit characteristics is key to maximizing strawberry production in the PNW.
2025 Fruit and Berry List 2025 Fruit Tree & Shrub List: Great Varieties, Bare Root Bargains & Why Winter is the Best Time to Plant As we move into 2025, we’re excited to share our updated list of fruit trees and shrubs for the upcoming growing season! This...
The 2025 Rose List offers a carefully curated selection of rose varieties designed to thrive in a range of climates and garden settings, with a particular emphasis on roses suited for the Pacific Northwest (PNW). This list includes a rich variety of modern hybrid teas, English roses, climbers, and groundcover roses, each known for their exceptional color, fragrance, and resilience.
The delicate beauty of Galanthus, commonly known as snowdrops, signals the arrival of hope in late winter and early spring. These small, white, nodding flowers thrive in the mild, moist climate of the Pacific Northwest, making them a favorite for gardeners eager to...
Starting your gardening journey can be both exciting and overwhelming, but the good news is that with just a little knowledge, you can grow a thriving garden! Whether you’re growing flowers, vegetables, or houseplants, these plant care basics will help you build confidence and ensure your plants stay healthy and happy.
The Pacific Northwest (PNW) offers a diverse climate that can support a wide variety of trees, from those with stunning fall foliage to those that bloom with beautiful flowers or offer striking shapes year-round. Whether you're looking to add seasonal color or a unique form to your landscape, here’s a list of some of the best trees for the PNW that deliver on all fronts: fall color, beautiful blooms, and distinctive shapes.
Growing succulents and cacti in the Pacific Northwest can be a rewarding experience if you understand their needs and make some adaptations for the region’s unique climate. While these plants are typically associated with warm, dry environments, they can thrive in the PNW with the right care. Here's your go-to guide for growing succulents and cacti successfully in our cooler, wetter climate.
Welcome to your ultimate guide to outdoor gardening in the Pacific Northwest! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this page will help you grow a thriving garden with plants perfectly suited to our unique climate. From rainy winters to temperate summers, gardening in the PNW requires a little extra care and knowledge, but the rewards are worth it!
Winter Wonders: Fascinating Plants of the Pacific Northwest As the winter months roll in, the Pacific Northwest transforms into a landscape of muted grays and deep greens. While many plants retreat into dormancy, there are still vibrant and hardy specimens that...
1. Choose the Right Spot Select a location with the appropriate light, soil, and space for your tree or shrub to thrive. Ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can damage the root system. 2. Prepare the Planting Hole Dig a hole that is twice as wide...
As the colder months approach, mulching your garden in the fall becomes crucial, especially in the Pacific Northwest where fluctuating temperatures and heavy rains can be harsh on plants. Mulching acts as a protective barrier, insulating the soil to maintain a...
A holiday favorite here at the Nursery from Toni Christianson's family recipe book... 1 1/3 cup butter 2 cups sugar 2 eggs 1/2 cup molasses (dark) 4 cups flour 4 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 2 tsps cinnamon 2 tsps ginger Beat butter until soft and add sugar; add one...
While it is not the ideal time to plant your roses, you can still plant during the summer months with adequate watering and care. To help your rose establish itself this summer, here are a few tips to follow: Choose the Right Time: Wait for a cooler week...
Rhododendrons come in such a wide variety of beautiful colors, but their flowering time only occupies about one-twelfth of the year. So why not choose Rhodies for their beautiful foliage, too? When selecting plants for a garden, it’s easy to be swayed by the...
The Adoring Sweet Pea Growing sweet peas in the Pacific Northwest offers a delightful experience for gardeners, thanks to the region’s cool, moist climate that suits these delicate flowers. To cultivate sweet peas successfully in the PNW, it’s essential to...
Now is the best time of year to plant fruit trees and berries. We have an incredible list this year, ranging from Goumies to espalier combo fruit trees. With a wide variety to choose from, we encourage you to browse our 2024 FRUIT TREE & SHRUB LIST to find the...
A - Acidic Soil: Soil with a pH below 7, common in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). B - Beneficial Insects: Predatory insects that help control pests naturally. C - Composting: Decomposing organic matter to create nutrient-rich soil. D - Drought-Tolerant: Plants...
We have proudly owned our business in the Skagit Valley for 33 years and in that time we have preserved multiple historic Skagit Valley buildings, hosted garden clubs, enjoyed Farm Bureau meetings, art shows, and celebrations. It is our strong recommendation that...
