Rainyleaf is about plants.  Ornamental plants, native plants, beautiful plants, ugly plants and my favorite plants.  There is information on new plants and old plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, veggies and more.  Also an occasional fun garden craft for kids and perfect places to watch plants in the Pacific Northwest.  For anyone who enjoys being out in the garden– looking  at the familiar and the unusual, learning and testing new ideas and sharing all this green information– this blog might be for you!

My name is Elaine Sawyer and I am the primary author of rainyleaf, this plant blog.  I live in Sammamish, Washington, but have also resided in New York (birthplace), North Carolina, Colorado, Utah and California (my long lost land of sun!) Born May 16th, my favorite season is the spring.  I love the new growth, the colors, the change, and the excitement.  I’m jealous of photosynthesis.  In summer I adore the sunshine and let it fill me up with light, holding in as much as possible until it is all drained out by January.  I try and carry it a little longer, but in Washington, only a memory remains.  In fall I enjoy the harvest and want to make an overabundance of jam and pickles.  Winter is dark and moves too slowly.  It’s sticky, but the scent of witchhazel makes it worthwhile, and it’s a great time to read a good book.

In 2011 I studied for and passed the Certified Professional Horticulturist exam for Washington State.  I’m now a CPH!  Most of the world doesn’t know about this certification, but it has given me skills and knowledge that I use everyday, such as putting the right plant in the right place.  To learn more about the CPH program, visit wsnla.org.    I graduated with a zoology degree from Brigham Young University and studied Marine Biology as well.  I am married and the mother of four children who are growing up fast and keep life interesting.  I have a small gardening business (rainyleaf, of course), helping clients with design, planting and and general gardening.  Primarily I work at the Gray Barn Nursery in Redmond, Washington, where I have been for almost five years.   I love my job.  Growing, planting, digging, designing, teaching, weeding, pruning, tending, raking, selling, working, always learning and talking plants….there’s nothing better!

( PP  You Won!  Was it too easy?  I’ll try and make it more challenging in the future!   But to get your name on the Awesome Award List, send me your name, and the name of the mystery plant below, genus and species please!  Congratulations

elainesalal@gmail.com