Ukigumo, It’s Great to be Eight
One of the plants I’ve owned the longest is my Ukigumo Japanese Maple. Some things we keep for a long time become part of who we are. Like children, books, cars or even plants. All the plants I grow in my garden represent a piece of me. I think of that funny scene in the movie 101 Dalmatians where the owners resemble their dogs. I’ve … Continue reading Ukigumo, It’s Great to be Eight
I Beg Your Pardon, I Love My Rose Garden
This year I committed to really taking care of my roses. I weeded, watered well, added compost, added organic fertilizer regularly and monitored pests. It’s been a good year for roses. The first flush of blooms was in June and it was glorious. I felt like my friends who had been away all winter had returned for a summer party. I enjoyed their colors the … Continue reading I Beg Your Pardon, I Love My Rose Garden
Rudbeckia Indian Summer
Rudbeckia ‘Indian Summer’ is a robust summer flower. I just snipped one from my garden and the stem is almost half an inch wide. It’s like holding a chunky wand with a ray of magical golden color on top. My plant is only one year old, but the flowers rise up almost three to four feet from the ground. Each plant has up to 12 … Continue reading Rudbeckia Indian Summer
Thuja Pest Control
Today I tried something new in the garden for natural pest control. I’m trying to use the resources that are readily available to me, so I thought to start with Thuja plicata, or Western Red Cedar. It produces a strong aroma when crushed and I heard that it might have qualities that repel insects. I snipped a few new leaves from the trees in my … Continue reading Thuja Pest Control
Outdoor Space
Today at the 2018 Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle I saw beautiful spaces, drifts of flowering plants and gardens I would love to hang out in. The designers worked really hard planning and building these amazing outdoor spaces. This one in particular offered peace and tranquility to anyone walking by. It was designed by Redwood Builders and showcased some incredible bonsai trees and … Continue reading Outdoor Space
Rainyleaf 