Are you looking for something new to try in the garden this year? Here are 10 fun annuals that I’ve enjoyed having in my garden. All are easy to grow from seed. *** Ipomoea lobata, formerly Mina lobataSpanish flag, firecracker vine, exotic love vine8–10 ft.Full sun Although I’d admired it in catalogs, I held off on growing Spanish flag for… Read more →
The front garden has come a long way in just two years! I’ve had a blast trying out new plants and seeing what works in my sunny, summer-dry, winter-wet conditions (Portland, Oregon). Here are ten of my favorite, fun, slightly out-of-the-ordinary plants so far. Iris tuberosa. Formerly known as Hermodactylus tuberosus, this petite, quirky iris is commonly known as snake’s… Read more →
It’s late May, and it’s been months since my six-year-old neighbor, Mason, has visited the garden, so when his mom stops by to drop off some misdelivered mail, I’m eager to find out where he’s been. “Well, he’s asked about coming over, but…” Jessica hesitates, “…we didn’t want him to bother you. We know he can be a handful.” “Oh… Read more →
Baby come back, you can blame it all on me I was wrong, and I just can’t live without you… I would not like to live without Sedum anacampseros (a.k.a. Hylotelephium anacampseros) in my garden, which goes by the intriguing common name of “love restorer” or “lover-come-back.” The French call it orpin (sedum) des infidèles. This humble little plant supposedly has the ability to restore… Read more →
I’m planting in the front garden when Mason’s voice rings out from two doors down: “Free lemonade for a quarter!” Clearly, this is a deal too good to pass up. I walk down the block. Mason and his mom are sitting on their lawn under a dogwood tree. “Hi, Amy!” his mother says. “The garden’s looking great!” “Thanks,” I say…. Read more →
Portland, Oregon, averages 10 days per year over 90°F. This year we broke a record with 30 days over 90°F. I’ve been working on my low-water front garden this year, and the heat (plus severe drought) have tested my choices. I garden in full sun on dry, rocky silt, and I water just enough to help new plants get established… Read more →
When I was planning my first vegetable garden, I had a romantic vision of how it would go. I would sit on the back porch with a bowl full of peas, fresh from the garden. With great pride, I’d look out at neat rows of lettuce, carrots, beets, parsnips, herbs, and potatoes, shelling the tender peas into a clean bowl…. Read more →
My garden is a hot mess. I’m pleased to say that the reason I’ve been neglecting it is because I’ve been working on a book with my horticultural hero, Paul Bonine of Xera Plants. The book is tentatively called The Homeowner’s Guide to Gardening in the Pacific Northwest, and it will be released next year by Timber Press. However, the garden. Summer… Read more →
Nature shows always get you to root for the protagonist, whoever that may be. If the star of the show’s a fox, you’ll find yourself cheering her on to catch the rabbit (although you may have cheered for the rabbit in a previous episode). If the subject’s a skunk, you’ll wish him well as you watch him go about his… Read more →
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow, I thought I’d pot up a few Irishman’s cuttings. This is a super-easy plant propagation method that you can use to make more of some of your favorite perennials, and now is a good time to do it. Irishman’s cuttings are simply cuttings that have a few roots on them already. They’re pretty foolproof… Read more →
