Time to Build Your Garden Library!

The Miller Library is having their awesome book sale this coming weekend.  Free Friday night for some wine, cheese and first dibs on some fabulous books at incredible prices? Attend their preview party!

A photo from past book sales. The selection is absolutely phenomenal!

Look out for some floral arrangements assembled by moi!

R


On Friday, April 6 from 5 to 8pm attend the Preview Party for first crack at the books.  Enjoy a glass of wine, mingle with other gardening enthusiasts, and bid on specially selected books in the silent auction. To purchase tickets contact the Library at 206-543-0415. Tickets cost $20 each.

On Saturday, April 7, the Book Sale will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admittance is free. 


Center for Urban Horticulture/UWBG
3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle

Plant now for the best summer flowers!! Come to my FREE talk!

I'm trying to be better about tooting my own horn from time to time and I thought this would be a great opportunity to do so:



On Monday, November 21, at 7PM, I will be speaking at the Hardy Plant Society of Washington's fall program at the Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle, WA.

My topic: The Lure of Lilium. True lilies have been a strong passion of mine since I was a preteen when my brother and I bought a few bulbs of the very popular oriental hybrid 'Stargazer' and grew and flowered them with ease. Comparable to the more exotic (and expensive) orchids at the time, I was instantly hooked and wanted to learn more about these intriguing plants.


Lilium 'Scheherazade'

From that point, I wanted to grow just about every lily that was out there and my eyes widened considerable when I dived into learning about their classification, reproduction/propagation, and even laboratory techniques in advanced breeding of interspecific hybrids!! Total plant geek, yeah I am!

I've also had the privilege of seeing a handful of wild species when I traveled to China just a few years ago.


Lilium 'Silk Road' - Oriental x Trumpet Hybrid

My talk is aimed towards introducing newbies to this fabulous group of seemingly rare and exotic, but readily available and easy to grow plants; and it's also aimed towards those "know it all" gardeners who say they grow everything as I promise to share something new and exciting for all!!

So if you live around the Seattle area, please come and hear me speak! There will be quite an assortment of lily bulbs from my friend/mentor, Judith Freeman, of The Lily Garden and a few freshly dug selections from my own garden/nursery, Landwave Gardens.


Lilium 'Tiger Babies'

I also love to give away plants during talks so if you come, you've got a chance of going home with something special!

OH, BTW, did I mention...... Admission is FREE!!!!


R

A lady named Wendy. She does awesome containers!

I've been so out of the loop with NHS (Northwest Horticultural Society), but I have to mention their upcoming lecture at the Center for Urban Horticulture on Wednesday evening because my friend Wendy will be speaking on her forte, container planting design.



November 9, 2011
Container Confidential
Wendy Welch

Garden designer Wendy Welch shares what she has learned in 15 years of designing, installing and maintaining container gardens. Gorgeous plant combinations of trees, shrubs, conifers, perennials and annuals will inspire you. The dispelling of some long lived mythology about container culture — drainage, soils, water, fertilizer, longevity etc. will empower you to plant successful, sustainable container gardens.

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Wendy has earned a huge reputation as one of the Northwest's best container designers. Her work can be seen all over the Seattle metropolitan area and has been featured at local nurseries, the Northwest Flower and Garden Show and she is a fellow part time faculty member at Edmonds Community College where she teaches container design.

What I love about Wendy is her perky personality, her familiarity with both hardscape materials AND plants, her concern for the environment and looking for ways to move forward to meet the demands and desires of her clients. She also uses color well. My most favorite thing about her is what I love about most garden folks is her willingness to share her love, her craft and her vast knowledge and experiences with others. This is key for our industry.




So, you've gotta see her talk on Wednesday and check out some of her beautiful work and get some wonderful ideas for your container plantings with winter!!


R

Winter Comes Early to Seattle!

So, I'm at work all by myself today. Not realizing that the UW closed operations due to snow, I took the bus and went to work. Luckily a fellow gardener came as well and we had nothing to do besides shovel and sand the pathways, but since I can't really do my regular tasks, I'm trying to get caught up on all sorts of stuff while I'm here in the office.

I've been moving and shifting potted plants like crazy and installing like a madman before this sudden onset of winter conditions. I feel like I have everything under control and things that didn't get brought in will just have to tough it out. The snow should provide some protection.

Yesterday, I snapped some photos from work and really enjoyed the effect of snowfall on plants and the wonderful shapes, patterns and textures that emerge with a light dusting of powdery white:

This is Helleborus argutifolius 'Silver Lace' covered in snow. Notice the overall globe effect and the texture the leaflets create with the snow covering them.

Forgetting to deadhead certainly has its advantages come winter as this Phlomis russelliana, or Jerusalem Sage, looks attractive with its tiered seedheads. That's rosemary in the back.

Containers right now, if properly designed with the appropriate plant materials, can looks absolutely fantastic.




Then there's plants like this Hosta 'Halycon' that just started to die down for the winter that got caught mid-freeze and makes for a really unusual winter display.



The winter landscape isn't complete without ornamental grasses. These Pennisetum look lovely with their dense spikes capturing a bit of snow to look as if it's suspended mid-air. They're so elegant and low maintenance plants almost all year round.



What a gloomy day yesterday and now it's bright and sunny but well below freezing. I don't dare drive in these conditions, even though I have 4-wheel drive and all. I've seen too many accidents occur and that's just something I don't need to deal with right now.

Gardener needs time to reflect, plan and rest..

A super cool Eryngo!

Eryngium leavenworthii in the Soest Garden @ UW Botanic Gardens -Center for Urban Horticulture

Understand invasive plants!!! PLEASE!!!!

Now, I told folks that I was going to refrain from promoting programs, but this one is VERY IMPORTANT and one that I feel strongly about. It will be taught by my former professor and advisor, Dr. Sarah Reichard, fellow garden writer and friend, Marty Wingate, and my colleague Dr. Lizbeth Seebacher.

I totally plan on attending and I hope you consider it. Yes, it's $25 dollars, but you will be lectured by THE AUTHORITY of invasive plants. You will get both sides of the story (scientists vs. avid gardeners) and be well informed when you leave!



Be Garden Wise, Linking Horticulture and Plant Invasions
Thursday, 6/18, 6 – 9pm
Location: Center for Urban Horticulture
3501 NE 41st St
Seattle, WA 98105

Douglas Classroom, Center for Urban Horticulture
Instructors: Dr. Sarah Reichard, Marty Wingate and Dr. Lizbeth Seebacher
Fee: $25

Some plants may look beautiful, but non-native plants can have a devastating effect on your garden and the biodiversity of surrounding natural areas. Come learn about invasive plant identification, impacts, pathways, control and alternatives from the region's horticultural experts. Learn what you can do to stop the invasion. Look foward to a panel discussion with the speakers and Master Cardeners at the tail end of the workshop. Two or our experts will also have their books available for signing.

To register, contact Lizbeth Seebacher at lizbetha@u.washington.edu OR download the registration form from www.pnw-ipc.org and mail the form in with a check.

See you there!


Riz