DAFFODILS

The Daffodils in the garden are starting to bloom and the first ones to open are the 'Dutch Masters'. They always brighten up the yard especially with all our grey skies up here in the Northwest. I only have a few varieties in the mixed borders and I'll share them with you as they bloom. When I see them blossom it always reminds me that I need to get more of them :)

BOWLES' GOLDEN GRASS

The other day when the weather was so nice I took this shot of Bowles' Golden Grass ( Miliumeffusum 'Aureum'). It's taken a few years for the clumps to form, but they look great now and it was well worth the wait. This grass starts out rather upright and by midsummer will take on its more characteristic arching form. The colour changes also from chartreuse in spring to a bright lime green by summer and adds a wonderful punch of colour in the lightly shaded parts of the garden. Located next to broad leaf forms it really shows off its delicate texture and looks its brightest planted in amongst contrasting colours of purples, blues, and fuchsias.

ANEMONE BLANDA

Today was an amazingly beautiful day with a record high of 70 degrees (typically it's 55 degrees in early March). I actually got a chance to cut the lawn for the first time this year and have been diligently working on trying to keep ahead of the weeds. All the bulbs are up and always the first to bloom in my garden are the Blanda Amemones. I have them located in small clusters next to several of the garden walkways where I can easily see them and enjoy their diminutive form.
They spread, forming small delicate groupings and bloom for roughly 6 weeks. When planting them remember to place them in a location that goes undisturbed and has great drainage. The tubers look like small bits of bark and it is very difficult to tell the top. Soak the bulbs for a few hours, and last seasons growth scares will be able to be seen. Blandas come in many colours from whites, blues, and purples to pinks and lavenders.

RATTLESNAKE RIDGE

Here are a few pictures of a recent hike I did to Rattlesnake Ridge. The top two photos are of the view from the ridge, the third picture is looking up to the ridge, and the bottom shot is of some Canadian Geese coming to great us.

WITCH HAZEL

On one of my monthly strolls at Bellevue Botanical Garden I came across several Witch Hazels in bloom and it reminded me to invest in one for the my own garden. They are a small tree/shrub with an open vase shape form, that blooms in the middle of winter and finishes off the year with beautiful fall foliage. Many are fragrant, so the best time to purchase is now (which gives me a great excuse to visit some nurseries). There are several types of Witch Hazels, but the most popular and most common are Hamamelis x intermedia which is a cross between H. mollis and H. japonica. These slow growing small trees reach only 12 to 15 feet and occasionally need guided pruning to encourage their vase shape. Planting in full sun produces the best fall colour and the greatest amount of flowers.
Pictured above are hybrids 'Diana' which has the red flowers and 'Primavera' which is yellow.

MOSS

Well, it's that time of year when the Moss in the garden starts to really take off. And although many gardeners go to great efforts to remove it from every place, I choose to allow it to pop up here and there adding additional interest in the yard. I do remove it from the lawn, the beds, and hard surfaces like walkways and driveways, but other than that, it's a welcome visitor to trees, shrubs, and boulders.
The above photos are lichens and moss growing on the Vine Maples ( Acer circinatum) in the garden.

ENGLISH PRIMROSES AND ENGLISH DAISIES

Well, Winter in the Northwest has been more significant than usual and right now I'm looking at 6" of snow in the garden. It gives me time to reflect on what was going on in the garden last year at this time. At work we have started to get in the Primroses (Primula x polyantha) and soon to follow well be 4" Bulbs, Heathers, Pansies and English Daisies. Every time the first shipment of the early Spring colour appears their is immediate excitement. I believe its because we are well into Winter and seeing all this beautiful colour reminds us that Spring is around the corner.
Last year I planted pots of Primroses and English daisies ( Bellis perennis) to greet guests on there visits to our home and garden. I always select bright colours to offset our grey Northwest days. Both are very easy to grow and are inexpensive. And while both are perennials, generally gardeners in our area discarded them in late Spring using them more as a annual. If you do choose to keep them as perennials be careful with the Bellis, it can reseed into your beds and your lawn (hence one of its common names 'lawn daisy')

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Here's wishing you all a Happy New Year with one of my favourite trees a Coral Bark Maple (Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku'). It's a beautiful small tree that has interest throughout the year. Lovely small bright green leaves, amazing fall colour and coral red bark for the winter. What's not to love.

All the best for 2007, may it be filled with Health,
Happiness, and New beginnings :)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

I'm back. Sorry for the absence. I was ill earlier in the month and We had that horrible wind storm in our area which knocked out our power for a week and our Internet for 12 days. So its good to be back to share some photos and thoughts.

The above pictures are of a Holiday Nest of fruit and foliage from the garden. I love the natural textures and Autumn/Winter colour combinations. Hope you do too.

Happy Holidays

POINSETTIAS

A few shots of some Poinsettias that I took at a recent visit to Molbaks. This year Molbaks is growing 50 different varieties. Last year I had the opportunity to go to the Poinsettia trials up in British Columbia and see 200 new hybrids. Its amazing to see, through hybridization, all the new colours, bract formation, shapes and sizes. Seeing all these beautiful plants really does help get me in the holiday spirit.