Ancient Tree Discovered Today in the Heart of Seattle!
Today in the heart of Seattle a rare botanical find was discovered. This extraordinary event had the blogosphere buzzing and created quite a horticultural hoopla. Thought extinct, Needlus spaceosus variety ‘PNW’ was actually uncovered in the middle of this urban arena. This rare sighting occurred during a brief 2 second clearing of the clouds of this perpetually misty city. Residents gazed and children cried in … Continue reading Ancient Tree Discovered Today in the Heart of Seattle!
Guess This Plant
I will shamefully admit, I have no idea what this plant is! I took this photo at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in February in Seattle. But I didn’t write down a name. Falaroy distracted me. So I’ll keep searching and please keep guessing! ***Update*** The ‘Real Botanist’ award goes to Cathy at Words and Herbs for identifying this as Australia’s native fuchsia, … Continue reading Guess This Plant
Book Review—Wicked Plants by Amy Stewart
“A tree sheds poison daggers; a glistening red seed stops the heart; a shrub causes intolerable pain; a vine intoxicates; a leaf triggers a war. Within the plant kingdom lurk unfathomable evils.” And so begins this tidy little book about our dangerous green world. I never realized there were quite so many wicked and wild plants. I thought most of the plants around me were … Continue reading Book Review—Wicked Plants by Amy Stewart
Spring Colors
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
Winterhazel
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
Rainyleaf 