Dirt Therapy

I revisited the NatureScaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens in Brush Prairie (about 15 minutes from our house) last week. Michael and I had been there on a local garden tour two years ago but there was a music festival going on so we did not stay that long. I was alone on my trip back and it was a very quiet morning to see the gardens. Chinese Fringe Tree ( Chionanthus retusus ) There are three acres of garden rooms, all designed to show people how they can create wildlife sanctuaries in their own gardens. This is a good place to see native plants and mature trees in action. Almost all of the plants I saw were labeled.  One of the first trees I saw was Chionanthus retusus (Chinese Fringe Tree), a tree that you rarely see here. I have been contemplating adding an American Fringe Tree ( Chionanthus virginicus) , similar but with showier blooms, to our garden because it was one of my favorite trees in Alabama. My gardening guru, Pam Harper, grew both trees in her Virginia ...

Blueberry season has arrived. They are abundant in our region. I have thought about going to one of the local farms where you can pick them yourself but they are readily available at grocery stores and farmer's markets. I purchased berries that were grown in Salem, Oregon and that had already been frozen. They were delicious! This recipe is from Maida Heatter's Cakes . 1 1/4 cups fresh blueberries 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp salt 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 egg 2 TBS unsalted butter, melted 1/4 cup orange juice Grated zest of two large oranges 1 1/4 cups walnut pieces Preheat the oven to 350. Butter a 10 1/2 x 4 x 3 inch or 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Dust with fine bread crumbs. Wash the berries and allow them to completely dry. When dry, toss the berries with one teaspoon of flour. Sift together the remaining flour, salt, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Set aside. Beat the egg and mix in t...

Yesterday it hit 100 in Portland. I am not sure what the exact temperature was here in Vancouver but it was around that. Not the best day for a garden tour but we really wanted to see Laura and Charlie Heldreth's garden so we got there right at opening time while it was still cool. Fortunately, the garden is shaded! The Clark County Natural Garden Tour is a yearly event that focuses on gardens that utilize organic practices that benefit wildlife and the environment.  The Heldreth garden is not only beautiful and lush but it is also educational and Laura is an excellent teacher (she teaches horticulture classes at Clark College). Along the front is a variety of shrubs, grasses , perennials and native plants. Vegetables are planted in raised beds along the hellstripe, yes vegetables, and Laura encourages her neighbors to take some.  A wide range of plants highlights this terrific garden.  In the front -  In the back garde...

The past week has been hot and dry with no relief in sight. Boo hiss! The garden is doing fine, thanks to diligent watering by Michael. The above shot was taken in the Pan Garden, off the deck in back. From left to right is Baby's Breath (Gypsophila), Agastache Giant Blue Hyssop, Bee Balm 'Raspberry Wine', Veronica 'Marietta', Achillea 'Song Siren Little Susie', Climbing rose 'Iceberg' and Buddleia 'Lo & Behold Blue Chip Jr.'. Other blooms - Lily 'Silk Road' Rose 'Essex' Rose 'Michaelangelo' Calla Lily 'Coastal Flame' Canary Creeper ( Tropaeolum peregrinum ) Cape Fuchsia 'Winchester Fanfare' ( Phygelius ) Coreopsis and Kniphofia 'Ice Ballet' Hydrangea 'Tiny Tuff Stuff' 'Queen of the Prairie' ( Filipendula ) Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit' Crocosmia 'Dragonfire' Coreopsis 'Red Velvet' ...