The Buddha Pears!!

Seriously, is it really necessary to do this to fruit? It is kinda cool, though.

Check it out here.

"Tonight I need your sweet caress..." a Mahonia 'Soft Caress', that is

I was printing plant labels yesterday morning when I saw a segment of "Gardening with Ciscoe" where they discussed a brand new Mahonia that has hit the market.

"Plants that work, eh??" hmmmm......I just got a few plants at Molbak's a few weeks ago to try and we'll see. I'm sort of on a Mahonia phase right now and I'm very curious as to how this selection does. They claim it to be a selection of M. eurybracteata, but there's a plant patent application for it that states it as a "mutation" of "Mahonia sp.". (Now, is it my understanding that selections made from natural occurrences are not allowed to be patented or am I wrong?)

If it is a form of M. eurybracteata it is an Asian species that's known to be a tad on the tender side and can be damaged by extreme cold.

Pretty enough plant, though. Nice texture and in full bloom right now. Would be cool if I can get it to cross with M. gracilipes.

'Soft Caress': sappy name that reminds me of one of my most favorite sappy 80's love songs:

Gotta love Breathe and their hit "Hands to Heaven":




Cheers,

Riz

A much needed weekend getaway!

Friends convinced me to take some time away from work and spend the weekend up near the mountains in a cabin near Lake Kachess, just past Snoqualmie Pass off I-90.



I knew I needed to unwind a bit, but I find it hard to leave town even for just one day because of all the work that needs to be done around here. I sort of owe it to my friends whom I've had to turn down so many times because of my gardening. Sounds silly, doesn't it? lol

Anyway, I had a blast. The company of great friends, food, and the water activities on and along the lake were simply pleasant and just a whole lot of fun! On board my friend's, David and Tony's, boat, we cruised through the lake and just enjoyed the crisp clear breeze skimming the surface of Lake Kachess at near 40mph. In calmer waters, we admired the mountain views (with vine maples already starting their dramatic fall show), soaked up the sun and eventually docked the boat at a shoreline to explore some of the trails and a spectacularly refreshing waterfall I simply had to get under!!








I have to remind myself at times that I have this aspect of my life and that I need to plan and organized my work and business in a way where I should be able to leave work AT WORK and truly savor the times I spend with friends, family and other loved ones.

Fanqie chao dan! With my home grown tomatoes!

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A stunning form of Gentiana asclepidae at Edmonds Community College!

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Fall Plant Sales...Landwave Style

I feel it. I totally feel it!

It's that crisp cool air in the morning when I step out the door. The cotton candy scent of Katsura gently teasing my nose....

and the realization that I have a buttload of plants I need to move because I ain't overwintering this crap. "NEEDS TO GO....NEEDS TO GO" says one Bon Qui Qui. (Mad TV parody joke, sorry)

ok...switching gears for a moment....you must check out this skit:


----------------------------

Heheh..seriously though, it's that time of year when the rains have finally started here and there, the soil is slightly more saturated than before and in a few weeks, FALL PLANTING WILL BE IN FULL SWING!

This means specialty nurseries will be getting their best plants to offer and sell at one of many local fall plant sales on the hort calendar:



First one comes this weekend at the Bellevue Botanic Gardens with NPA (Northwest Perennial Alliance) selling a wide assortment of perennials from the borders.
Saturday, September 12, 11 am - 3 pm

Then NEXT week, I'll be vending plants at the much anticipated NHS (Northwest Horticultural Society) plant sale.

Friday, Sept. 18, 12-6:30pm
Saturday, Sept. 19, 9am-3pm
Warren G. Magnuson Park
7400 Sand Point Way, Seattle


Then there's the popular Fall Bulb and Plant Sale at the Arboretum's Grahams Visitor Center that I'll try and attend as well:

Sunday, October 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday, October 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.


My cousin has been the mastermind in helping me brand myself as I move forward with my horticultural endeavors. A few months back, we collaborated on my logo, designed my business card, and now I've asked him to compose a banner for me take with me when I attend and take part in local plant sales.



For someone who's not really a plant person, he has a very keen eye as he went through a few photos I selected as the background for the banner. This was his first composition and immediately, we both liked it.

I hope you all like it as well as it will hang on the edge of my table at local plant sales from now on.

Brownie points for anyone who can guess what plant he used as the background for my banner!


Riz

P.S. I wonder if I'm more like Bon Qui Qui, I can boost my nursery sales calling out "SE-KUR-ITY!!" if they refuse to buy a plant from me. Don't make me "CUT-CHU!"!! =)

Back to classes for gardeners, too!

My friends at Parson's Public Relations sent me a little reminder that fall is around the corner and, immediately, it struck me that there's a lot going on that Pacific Northwest gardeners need to be aware of because not many people realize that:


* Cooler autumn air and increased rainfall make the perfect conditions for developing strong roots.

* Healthy roots make for more drought-tolerant and disease-resistant plants

* Taking action in the garden now will not only help the garden thrive come spring, it will also make it more resilient to the impacts of climate change, such as drier summers and wetter winters.

hhmm...I'd also add that PLANTS ARE ON SALE AT MOST NURSERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!


On top of this, a series of free seminars are being presented at our local nurseries, where people can learn all about the benefits of fall planting, as well as see all the exciting choices of plants available at this time of year (not just mums, pansies and ornamental cabbage!):



Fall into Lazy Gardening
Learn what to plant this year for less maintenance and more color all year long. Replace fussy, high water-use plants with better behaved trees, shrubs and perennials. Next summer you'll use less water and enjoy more leisure time. Get a chance to win a small plant at the end of class.

Molbak's, 13625 NE 175th St, Woodinville

Phone: (425) 483-5000 Website: www.molbaks.com

Saturday, September 12, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.



Shrink Your Lawn, Grow Your Garden
Tired of spending time, money and effort to maintain your lawn? Want to add color to your landscape and invite wildlife into your yard? Learn how to convert some or all of your lawn into a beautiful landscape featuring native plants and attractive perennials. You'll be amazed how your newly converted landscape will be packed with birds and keep pests in check.

Swansons Nursery at 9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle

Phone: (206) 782-2543 Website: www.swansonsnursery.com

Saturday, September 19, 10:00–11:00 a.m.



Jazz Up Your Garden with a Fall Makeover
Learn how to have beauty every month of the year. This seminar will include garden design, plant selection and proper planting techniques. Fall is a great time to renovate your garden.

Sky Nursery, 18528 Aurora Ave N.

Phone: (206) 546-4851 Website: www.skynursery.com

Saturday, September 26, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.



Cheers,


Riz