Native Plants at Franklin Falls
An early morning hike to Franklin Falls in the Cascade Mountains presented a beautiful assortment of northwest native plants. The dwarf dogwood, or bunchberry, carpeted the sides of the trail with it’s petite presence, like a bright little star lighting the way. When I saw the false hellebore I was astonished at it’s size, growing 3-4 feet off the forest floor. I was not familiar … Continue reading Native Plants at Franklin Falls
A Small Selection of Northwest Native Plants
Blooming in early June, the color of this Lewisia is like a tropical sunset, with its warm pinks and yellows. It’s found only in the Wenatchee Mountains of Washington, growing on the dry, rocky slopes among the Ponderosa Pines. It grows 4-8 inches high and prefers full sun and sharply drained soil. For a bit of Tweedyi Trivia, the seeds have a honey scent to … Continue reading A Small Selection of Northwest Native Plants
Umbrella Pine Tree
I love this tree. It’s unlike any other tree that I know. Rarity lends it interest. The name gives it importance. Sciadopitys verticillata, doesn’t it just roll off the tongue? Skiados is Greek for umbel and pitys means fir tree. Verticillata means whorled. A perfect description for the Japanese Umbrella Tree. I want to be in that upper tower of the horticultural library where plants are … Continue reading Umbrella Pine Tree
Woodland Park Rose Garden
A quick trip to Seattle’s Woodland Park Rose garden showed that the June gloom was not beneficial to organically grown roses in 2012. There were fungal diseases and sparse foliage on display. Valiantly the roses showed their colors, still a delight even in their struggle against time and weather. One exception to the insufficient shrubs was the new introduction Sunshine Daydream. Leaves glossy, green, full, … Continue reading Woodland Park Rose Garden
Seaside Salal
This is the story of a plant, unnoticed yet everpresent. Planted not for show, but for usefulness. It grows in my own backyard, it grows in the Olympic National Park and it grows in the Pacific Ocean! Yes, I found it growing on a rock on the Washington Coast. What a surprise when we were on the beach, looking at tidepools filled with fascinating invertebrates, … Continue reading Seaside Salal
Rainyleaf 