The great camas lily or Camassia leichtlinii is a beautiful native plant in the Pacific Northwest. It’s not as common as it’s cousin Camassia quamash and the difference is that leichtlinii is taller and the tepals of the great camas eventually twist together to cover and protect the fruit, while those of the common camas lily do not. Camas was an important staple food of the … Continue reading The Great Camas Lily
Definition of a weed: any undesirable or troublesome plant, especially one that grows profusely where it is not wanted. Most people would think that Himalayan Blackberry would fit into this category. And usually they would be right. It grows all over Western Washington, forming dense, impenetrable thickets, with canes that reach 10-20 feet long. It was these long canes I was considering as I pondered my new raised vegetable beds. I needed a support for my peas, for my beans, … Continue reading Blackberry Trellis
Normally growing aphids is a bad thing, but in respect to our beneficial insect program, it’s a good thing. At the Environmental Horticulture Program at Lake Washington Institute of Technology we grow and propagate thousands of plants in our greenhouses. Each year the students put on a huge plant sale that generates money that helps fund the program. This year we had a serious threat … Continue reading Banker Plants and Aphid Mummies
Magical moments with Meconopsis at the Rhododendron Species Garden in Federal Way. Continue reading Himalayan Blue Poppy
Rainyleaf 