The first moose I saw this year was a thriller. We were hiking near Jenny Lake at Grand Teton National Park and spotted a solitary Moose grazing languidly in the water. We watched and listened, entranced as it submerged its head to grab the nutritious plants at the bottom of the pond, munching and dripping and squishing. We actually heard this large animal before we … Continue reading Moose
The snow came to life today in Driggs, Idaho. Frosty cats were gazing out the window, crisp potted plants were blooming on a shelf and a snowy dragon laughed as it clutched a magic crystal sphere, keeping its secrets deep inside. But what kind of secrets would a snow dragon hold? The spark inside this dragon could erupt into flame, melting all the sculptures into … Continue reading Snowscapes
When I was a child there were only a few plants that caught my attention. I didn’t see the trees for the squirrels. I wouldn’t look at the flowers for the butterflies. I regarded the grasses only as a place to play and hide. It wasn’t until I learned their names that many plants became interesting to me. Cattails were at the top of the … Continue reading Cattail
The Christmas wreath is a tradition that I joyfully create every year. Being new to Idaho I collected Juniperus scopulorum to make a Mountain West style wreath. These Junipers are native to Eastern Idaho and were often used to make fence posts in our valley. I see them growing 10-20 feet tall in the foothills. Perhaps so many of them were cut down for wood … Continue reading Rocky Mountain Juniper
Upon arriving in the gem state I was thrilled to design and plant several containers for a local business. What could grow here? What were good container plants? The landscaping in this area is ‘natural’, shall we say. Professional garden design is not as obvious here, as in Western Washington (the land flowing with milk and honey). I see an occasional geranium or petunia in … Continue reading Idaho Container Design
Rainyleaf 