Initially thought to be a Sonoran saguaro (found in northern Mexico and southern United States regions), the cactus you see in front of you is a completely different plant. Trichocereus terscheckii, is a southernmost growing columnar cactus originally from South America. Cold-hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, it prefers an arid and cooler climate. It will…
The line above from the poem, “The Old Vicarage, Grantchester” by Rupert Brooke, often comes back to me when driving around Skagit Valley during the month of April. Tulips don’t wander into pathways or ditches or roadway medians. They stay in perfect rows of luminous color with perfect cup-shaped flowers. Even the newly developed doubles…
A wealth of dahlia resources at your fingertips! Download the 2019 Northwest Dahlia Show Schedule below provided by John and Kathy Willson at the “Starting, Planting, and Staking Dahlias Made Easy” class today, former owners of Swede Hill Dahlia Farm. Dahlia Show Schedule 2019
Thank you to all who expressed a desire for Sheila Pera and Jane Brandt’s (Skagit Audubon Society) presentation notes last week’s “Designing a Four-Season Hummingbird Garden” class. As promised, they are posted below. We are offering this class again (as per customer requests) on Saturday, March 25 at 10:30 am. Call the Garden Store to…
Winter’s barren branches represent a promise of spring to some. The knowing that those dormant twigs can bring such simple beauty indoors is satisfying. Forcing early-blooming branches is quite simple, provided you start with the correct naturally early-blooming tree or shrub. The following are all excellent examples that can be forced to bloom indoors: Flowering…
Roses are easy to grow, long-lived, and remarkably tolerant. With a little extra care and attention the more healthy and disease resistant your roses will be. When planting roses, make sure you place them in a sunny spot that gets a minimum of four hours sun and space them about 3-4 feet away…
It is a joy to pick whatever is in bloom and bring inside. June is an exciting month because so much is growing and blooming, and it seems the choices in creating a fresh cut bouquet are only limited by what grows in or around your garden. Adding more variety to June-blooming…
Congratulations to the award-winning gardeners who were chosen by a community vote in the Tri-Valley Rose Society display for the best in the following categories: Best In Show: ‘Fragrant Plum’ by Chris Eubanks Best Fragrance: ‘Larks Ascending’ by Donna Smith Best Miniature Rose: ‘You’re the One’, by Larry Sawyer Best Climber & Rambler Rose: ‘Cloud…
Natural bridal inspiration in botanical gardens Washington Bridal Inspiration & Wedding Inspiration By Magnolia Rouge “We are smitten with the clean fresh feeling of this shoot by HEATHER PAYNE and Erin from FLORET that we featured in Issue 14 of MAGNOLIA ROUGE MAGAZINE. Captured at CHRISTIANSON’S NURSERY in Mount Vernon, Washington, it features the most…
Did You Know… By Erik Lacitis Seattle Times staff reporter If there ever was a Pacific Northwest native that is the personification of this region, it is this tiny, overlooked creature. Let’s give the unheralded mason bee its due. Yes, the mason bee, a bug that maybe you kinda, sorta have heard of. This is…
So many gardeners enjoy cutting plants from their garden to use in bouquets and floral arrangements. This time of the year, lilacs and other woody stemmed plants offer color and fragrance for a relatively short time. How do you extend the life of your freshly woody plant material? Condition properly with this tried and true…
Harvesting rhubarb creates a reason to cook, bake and preserve. Not too often do we share a recipe but when a really good one comes along, like a friend, we share! “Rhubarb Butter” is simple and takes relatively little time. This tart and sweet ruby-colored spread can be used on crusty French bread in the…