Can you imagine a plant like this one? Light requirements: sun, part shade, shade. Soil Moisture: dry, moist, wet. Evergreen shrub. What else could anyone want? Except, of course, it’s tenacity and motto ‘I’m not going anywhere!’ If every plant grew in any conditions, gardening would suddenly become very boring. We need to do our detective work. We need to solve this logic puzzle of … Continue reading Salal Reflections
I first discovered this plant several years ago while walking through the wonderful winter garden at the Washington Park Arboretum. The winter garden is a hidden treasure to explore during this cold and bare season. Once I broke away from the witchhazel, Mahonia x media was the next plant to catch my eye. This striking hybrid between two Asian species of Oregon grape (Mahonia japonica and … Continue reading Mahonia x media
I was walking through the Washington Park Arboretum recently and was attracted to this shrub. I recognized it and my first thought was…it’s a Hebe…and it looks good in the winter! Having seen the Hebe casualties over the last few frosty winters, I was happy to note that this one was holding up well (so far). It has such a satisfying symmetrical shape with … Continue reading Hebe topiaria
I visited the Washington Park Arboretum this month and it’s so nice to go in the winter. No crowds like in April when the too beautiful flowering cherries are going crazy and photographers are everywhere. Now there are frosty surprises around each bend. Curious winter blossoms and giant conifers. It’s peaceful and pretty. I want to go back! Continue reading Winter at the Washington Park Arboretum
Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ is a plant with a promise. A promise that spring will come and flowers will bloom. A promise that there is a sun behind the cloudy winter skies. A promise of color in the December drizzle. Dawn viburnum throws out it’s flowers in the winter, before the veined deciduous leaves appear. Green all summer, the leaves turn a bronzy red in … Continue reading Dawn Viburnum
Rainyleaf 