One of the perfect trees. Tall, evergreen, lovely foliage, cool cones. Cedrus deodora is an exceptional conifer. I lived with this tree for a short time, until I moved. Before I knew its name I noticed it. I admired the fine whorls of evergreen foliage and the drooping branches that gave it a soft friendly quality. Like they were reaching out to shake your hand … Continue reading Himalayan Cedar
I first heard about this book when a friend told me I had to read Gaia’s garden! She said the garden layout and design described were unlike anything she had ever heard of before, and she loved it! After several other endorsements from friends, I bought a copy and have thoroughly enjoyed it. This book shows us how to take all those fragmented parts of … Continue reading Book Review—Gaia’s Garden by Toby Hemenway
This week I attended the Focus on Farming Conference in Snohomish County as a volunteer with the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association. I was lucky enough to hear a talk by Dave Boehnlein of Terra Phoenix Design. His concept of permaculture was easy to understand. To create systems and landscapes that provide things other than aesthetics. He suggested some new plants for this permaculture approach. … Continue reading Little Known Edible and Useful Plants for the Northwest
If you saw this scrawny little Japanese Cedar at the nursery, you probably wouldn’t look again. It’s top-heavy, oddly shaped and strange. Not the perfectly symmetrical conifer that most people are looking for. But if you waited a few years you would be in for a real treat, for this ugly duckling will transform into a swan! A graceful and full Japanese Cedar with a … Continue reading Cryptomeria japonica ‘Sekkan Sugi’
The Big leaf Maple of the Pacific Northwest has an impressive leaf size. I always notice them in the fall when they are strewn on the ground after a storm. They are big! Big enough to provide layers of mulch for the year and subsequently provide big headaches to the person holding the rake. Too bad they don’t fall in the summer, we could use … Continue reading Big Leaf Maple
Rainyleaf 