As spring stirs with gusts and swirls, we have some beautiful colors lighting up the landscape in the Pacific Northwest. PJM rhododendron, one of the early bloomers, is vibrant with the contrasting mahogany colored winter foliage and the bright lavender flowers. I’ve written about this practically perfect plant before, but need to repeat the moving story of its name. PJM is named after Peter J. … Continue reading Spring Colors
There is something extraordinary about a plant that begins spring with a show of flowers rather than leaves. It’s rather daring, actually. Plants need to produce leaves for photosynthesis, to make food and to stay alive. But instead these early bloomers start off the year with reproduction, making seeds, continuing the species. Planning for the future. Pollination from wind is easier with no leaves in … Continue reading Winterhazel
This delicate native shrub is hard to miss right now in mid-March. It’s a funny little chameleon. Most of the year it’s standard green, blending in and camouflaging with other Northwest native plants. But suddenly in March the small, trembling white flowers seem to be suspended on all the branches. Soft and white they peek out of the brown, bare woods, the bright green leaves … Continue reading Native Bites—Indian Plum
It’s snowing outside right now in Sammamish, Washington. It’s still winter. It’s still February. I’m tired of cold fingers and wet feet. I need a little bit of summer. Remember the sun? Remember the smell of freshly cut grass? Remember the warm breeze against your skin? Remember t-shirts without three extra layers? Remember bright sunlight? Remember sweating? Remember fresh tomatoes? Remember the roses? … Continue reading Remember the Roses?
Pink forsythia, or Abeliophyllum distichum, grows 3-6 feet tall in full sun to part shade. It flowers in early spring and has a light, sweet fragrance. Beautiful foliage on this shrubby pine. There was a little note by it that said ‘Harvest Moon’, … Continue reading Plant Picks From the NW Flower and Garden Show
Rainyleaf 