Native plant information and updates.
A dogwood is a dogwood is a dogwood…..Maybe, but maybe not. Here are some tips for distinguishing between the different species of dogwoods. (Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs, by Michael A. Dirr, Pub. 1997) Cornus florida–Flowering dogwood. Low branched tree with rounded to flat-topped crown and strong horizontal branching. Leaves dark green, 3-6 inches long, excellent red to reddish purple fall color. 3-4 inch white … Continue reading Different Dogwoods
I found an interesting nursery that sells moss for gardens. There is a lot of potential with this plant. Here in the Pacific Northwest it’s everywhere and most people just want to get rid of it. Moss-out for the lawns, moss off the trees, no moss for me, please. But here is a company, Moss Acres, that promotes moss gardens and the creative use of … Continue reading Moss Gardens
Thursday afternoon was filled with adventure during the Plant Explorer seminar hosted by Richie Steffen. It was titled Outrageous tales from truly obsessed plant geeks and featured Panayoti Kelaidis (director of the Denver Botanic Garden) and Kelly Dodson and Sue Milliken (Far Reaches Farm, Port Townsend). The hour seemed only a few minutes as I felt we were just sitting around the dining room table … Continue reading NW Flower and Garden Show—Plant Explorers
Stinging nettles can fertilize your roses! Turn this painful native perennial into a nourishing foliar spray or soil drench for your plants. Nettles contain nitrogen, potassium, magnesium and iron that make an excellent plant tonic. Here’s the recipe from Growing Roses Organically by Barbara Wilde: 1. Cut the nettles. Wearing gloves, cut the plants at around half their height. Using shears or pruners, roughly chop the … Continue reading Stinging Nettle Tea
This diminutive delight was growing in the woods last spring. What is it? For native plant enthusiasts, name all the plants/leaves that also appear in this photo. Genus species, of course! Continue reading What am I?
Rainyleaf 