Dirt Therapy

  Cistus 'Mickey' and Goldenrod ( Solidago 'Fireworks')  The trees haven't really started changing colors yet but there is much beauty to behold in this first week of autumn - Purple Fountain Grass ( Pennisetum rubrum )   Aster 'Prince Calico' ( Aster lateriflorus )   Clematis 'Bill MacKenzie'   Coleus 'Main Street Sunset Boulevard'   Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'   Coast Redwood 'Kelly's Prostrate' ( Sequoia sempervirens )   Spanish Flag ( Ipomoea lobata )   Rose 'Marjorie Fair'   Rosemary 'Irene'   Rosemary 'Foxtail' ( Rosmarinus officinalis )   Northern Sea Oats ( Chasmanthium latifolium )   Rose 'Lady of Shalott' Hydrangea 'Rave'   Pennisetum '24 Karat'   Salvia 'Amistad'   Climbing Monkshood ( Aconitum hemslevanum) Echeveria 'Sunbrigida', Lantana 'Miss Huff', Portulaca New Zealand Flax ( Phormium 'Rainbow Queen') Goldenrod ( Solid...

Having experienced leaving a garden and starting anew, I was very interested in Page Dickey's new book Uprooted: A Gardener Reflects on Beginning Again  (Timber Press, September 22, 2020)   After almost thirty four years, the author left her celebrated garden, "Duck Hill" in North Salem, New York and moved with her husband to Falls Village, Connecticut. At "Church House", the name they gave their new property (it was once used as a place of worship), they inherited a garden that had been designed by Nancy McCabe twenty years earlier. Their new property was larger (17 acres) but the garden around the house was much smaller than the one she left behind.   The author eloquently relates the pains of leaving a cherished garden and the adventures of discovering a new one. At Church House, the main bones of the garden were kept intact. After some renovations on their house, their focus shifted to the garden. They added a small greenhouse, built cold frames and create...

I first fell in love with Mutabalis about twenty years ago and every time it blooms, I am head over heels in awe all over again. It is an unusual rose and has many unique charms. A china rose, introduced before 1894, its origins are obscure. Swiss botanist Henri Correvon is credited with introducing it to the market in 1934. He had been gifted the rose forty years earlier by Prince Gilberto Borromeo who grew it on Isola Bella, his estate on Lake Maggiore. Correvon called it ' Mutabalis ' for it color-changing nature. It is also known as ' Tipo Ideale '. For many gardeners, it is simply "The Butterfly Rose" because when in full bloom, it resembles a flock of them. The color changing nature of Mutabalis is one of its unique features. Most roses fade as they age but not this one. Copper colored buds open to a deep yellow and often the two colors meld to a striking blend. On the second day, the color changes to pink and finally a deep crimson.  Of course the flo...

  Sumac 'Tiger Eyes', Helenium 'Sahin's Early Flowerer' (Sneezeweed), Aster 'Kickin' Purple' Although the Pacific Northwest is enveloped in a cloud of smoke and haze at the moment, a recent article indicates that plants may actually get some benefits. Looking at the garden right now, I don't see any of them suffering. In fact, there are lots of blooms to share for September. If the photos have a slight sepia tone, you will understand. Hydrangea 'Ruby Slippers' Rose 'Lady Emma Hamilton' Echinacea 'White Swan' and Dorycnium hirsutum (Silver Lotus Clover) Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Redhead' and Juniperus conferta 'All Gold' Salvia 'Hot Lips' and Sedum 'Cherry Truffle' A confused rhododendron Epilobium septentrionalis ‘Select Mattole’ (California Fuchsia) Caryopteris 'Good as Gold' Fuchsia 'Firecracker' Hibiscus 'Purple Pillar' (Rose of Sharon) Hydrangea 'Blooms...

The week from hell continues! That windstorm that we got last Monday and Tuesday was just the beginning of a terrible week that seems to never end. The heat, drought and low humidity fueled wildfires all over the Pacific Northwest. Portland, just next door to us, has the worst air quality in the world.  At first, the lighting took on a heavily filtered look that was eerie but not that intimidating. Notice the ominous clouds (this was taken last Wednesday evening) - As the fires got closer, the light changed and everything was under a sickly orange haze (Friday) - On Saturday, the smoke arrived and every day it just gets thicker. Taken yesterday - Today seems a tad better but the air is still very unhealthy and we haven't seen the sun for three days now. The temperatures dropped dramatically and it has been downright chilly. We are not complaining about that though. We actually like it. Predicted rain for this evening (Monday) seems to be vanishing with every forecast (that happens ...