Gardening Gone Wrong

Have you ever seen a “garden” and wondered what happened? Neglect? Lapse in judgement? A moment of insanity? And when did people start putting plastic in their gardens?  It seems strange, but that’s what people seem to want.  They come to the nursery all the time and describe their ideal plant.  “I want evergreen, remains 4 feet tall, flowers profusely, not too big, not too … Continue reading Gardening Gone Wrong

Chilean Lantern Tree

In June, in full bloom, this plant is amazing.  I photographed this Chilean Lantern Tree, or Crinodendron hookerianum, at the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island in Washington.  It was about eight feet tall and literally dripping with flowers.   Flowers of a soft, pinkish-red color that hang down profusely like cherries or peppers.  I’ve seen the immature plant at the nursery, for sale as a … Continue reading Chilean Lantern Tree

The Rhododendron

Everybody complains about them, yet they won’t stop buying them.  They get too big, yet they keep planting them under their windows.  Nobody wanders through the nursery and is delighted when they come across them.  They are on a mission. This is a task.  They drive in and ask, ‘Where are the Rhodies?’, march up the hill, pick out something suitable and drive off.  Like … Continue reading The Rhododendron

Moss Garden at Bloedel Reserve

I had yet another unexpected plant surprise when I visited the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island this week.  I had been looking forward to exploring this renowned public garden for some time, but didn’t anticipate what I found when I drifted down a sunny path and came upon the moss garden.   A natural garden filled with waves of moss.  Swimming over the soil, covering … Continue reading Moss Garden at Bloedel Reserve