I’ve never met an Akebia I’ve liked. When I see them they aren’t very friendly. Twisting away, with a careless attitude. Floppy, struggling with health, spotty. Until this April when I saw the soft and secret flowers hiding under the five leaves. They were in shades of violet and white butter cream. Bursting open towards the spring sunshine. A lovely surprise. I was also … Continue reading Akebia Vine
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
Wisteria the double agent. It pretends to be a vine, but it’s really a tree. This one is growing in my friend Lory’s garden and is quite spectacular as it winds its way up a Western Red Cedar. She said this wisteria has been growing here for about 17 years. Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) is the most popular form. It twists in a counterclockwise direction … Continue reading Wisteria All Grown Up!
When yearning to enter the third dimension, when insisting to fill the vertical space, when inspired to lift up thine eyes, try growing vines in the garden. The technical definition of a vine is: any plant having a long, slender stem that trails or creeps on the ground or climbs by winding itself about a support or holding fast with tendrils or claspers. Are vines … Continue reading Vines for the Garden
Rainyleaf 