Posts from the ‘Flower & Garden’ Category

May 2

7 – Euphorbia: My Top 10 Favorite Plants

Euphorbia is great because it’s evergreen and look amazing when flowering. The cut stalks make for a nice greenery in flower arrangements or can hold their own in a vase by themselves. They’re usually pretty tough plants but mine had a pretty rough winter this year (as you can tell from the pictures). All the heavy snow and freezing temperatures, sadly, killed my largest Euphorbia. I am happy to report that six baby plants were left in its place.

May 1

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Growing an Apple Arbor – A True Piece of Art

I visited a nursery in Duvall over four years ago called Box Hill Farm and spotted the most amazing apple arbor along one of their garden pathways. I loved it on the spot and was pleasantly surprised to find they had directions on how to create one.

By the way, this turned out to be a very successful day for me since I also got my red twig dogwood start for a $1 at the Jr. High plant sale in Carnation. It’s BEAUTIFUL now.

I kept the directions for at least a year (maybe two) until I moved into my charming little house. This is when I found the perfect spot in the front yard where it could frame the edge of the lawn perfectly. It’s difficult to capture the true beauty of the apple arbor in a photo – especially since I have it planted in front of a very large hedge. But to give you an idea, the picture (middle) shows how my apple arbor looked the second year.

I also love my apple arbor because it looks like an amazing piece of art in the winter and even in the fall. You can even see how much the arbor has filled out. The picture (right) was taken this past winter – the arbor is now three years old.

You can click on these directions to see a larger view and print.

They can’t possibly mind me passing the directions along four + years later. Here’s a link to their site if you want more information about their nursery. http://www.boxhillfarm.com/index.html

Apr 29

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Our New Raised Bed & Planted Dahlias

New Dahlia Bed

It all started this fall when I decided to dig up the Pampas Grass. Ever since then I knew it was the perfect spot for a new Dahlia bed!

On the first warm day this winter, I painfully dug up the large grass mass and pawned the chunks off on my friends.

Once the smaller new bed was built, I moved the herbs into their smaller home and got to work planting my new and old Dahlias in one location.

I dug up a handful of Dahlias from around the yard and planted into the new bed; leaving maybe six plants scattered around the yard that I couldn’t quite fit. Not bad.

I also planted a bunch of new tubers I purchased this winter, including: Walter Hardisty; Bride To Be; Bliss; Crazy Legs; Tropic Sun; Matchmaker; Touche; Star Child; Serkan; White Onesta; and Pink Accent.

I’m feeling pretty good about getting all my well loved tubers in the ground. Now, I only need to wait 2+ months and I’ll have an endless supply of fresh cut flowers.

Beyond new Dahlia bed are our veggie beds

Here is a full picture of all our raised beds in the back yard.
Notice, the smaller/lighter bed past the Dahlia bed – that’s the new bed – where I was supposed to plant my tubers until I moved the herbs.

Three of the beds are for our veggies, including along the back fence and behind the herb garden. We also have raspberries and blueberries planted along the driveway, a strawberry bed and various fruit trees scattered about.

So far, for veggies, we have peas, carrots, garlic, spinach, lettuce, and radishes sprouting.

We just planted corn, Cinderella pumpkins, and bush beans.

We still have pole beans, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and random herbs to plant in a couple more weeks.

So, this is where we’re at with the vegetable garden so far this year. I’ll continue to share progress along the way.

Apr 26

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I Scored at the Snohomish Plant Sale

It’s always a treat to pick through the Snohomish Garden Club’s plant sale each spring. Even though the plants tend to be the same year after year – most likely since they’re divided/starts from the same gardens – it seems I’m usually looking for something different each time. This year I wanted to find a couple more Hostas and some ground covers. Unfortunately, I was so distracted by all the plants that I didn’t find any Hostas and got only two ground covers. Oh well. I’m more than happy with the plants we brought home.

As you can see, our wheelbarrow was full of new plants and I’m not even sure I have room for them. Here’s what I got:

2 California Bay Trees; 2 Black Mondo Grass; 1 Purple Heuchera; 2 Lime Green Heuchera; 1 Helleborus; 1 Hardy Geranium; 1 Purple Phlox; 1 Bare Root Pussy Willow Tree; 1 Astilbe; 2 Cyclamen; 2 Varigated Arabis; 1 Sedum; 2 Echevera; 1 Astrantia; 1 Lupine; 1 Bergenia; 1 Speedwell.

Not only was it great because we got new plants, but because we met up with our really close friends the Wellers and Sara, who came with her mom. I wish we could’ve chatted all day but it was very cold and we had a lot of chores to do at home. As did our friends.

I was delighted to see little Isabelle and Abigail –

they’re growing so quickly! I can’t believe how time is flying by. I guess we’ll just have to visit Toby and Michelle’s one day soon to chat about their family and check out the garden.

Just my opinion, but, everyone should do their part to support their local garden club. By doing so, you’re contributing to your neighborhood and, if you’re lucky, you may run into some old friends.

Apr 23

Yes, I Cheated When Picking Favorite Plants

I realize I cheated by picking a plant family instead of a specific plant – I apologize. There's no way I can pick only 10 plants. I also don't remember all my plant names and have become horrible at keeping records. I'll try to improve in this area. Until then, enjoy my first six favorite plant families and pictures from my garden (most of them anyway). I'll post my remaining four shortly.