Dirt Therapy

Foxtail Lily ( Eremurus x isabellinus 'Pinokkio') and Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' Taking a pause from garden tour photos (there are more to come), I'm looking through some photos from our own garden. June has been a wonderful month and I can't believe it is near the end.  Here are some favorites - Self-Heal ( Prunella ' Summer Daze') - What a pleasant surprise this turned out to be! I bought it late in the season last year from the native plant table. Not seeing it in bloom and attracted by the description, I planted it haphazardly behind the mailbox and remember that it almost didn't make it. It is stunning this year and blooming its little head off. I'm surprised it is doing so well considering that it is a plant that likes lot of moisture.  Meadow-Rue ( Ruta graveolens ) - A long-time favorite, planted alongside our driveway where the conditions are the most brutal in the garden. It is such a graceful plant and blooms for a long time. Campa...

The HPSO Vancouver Mini-Garden Tour continued this past weekend with four gardens located on the east side of Vancouver. Two gardens were located just across the street from each other in Hockinson. First up is the garden of Karen Palmer and John Emmett with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains - Another beautiful clematis - this one is "Happy Jack" - happy indeed! Now this is unique garden statuary! Karen says this came from Tuscon, Arizona, a purchase motivated by their granddaughter. Another unique feature of Karen and John's garden is "Yucca Hill", a collection of yucca planted on a steep hillside.  This garden is five acres and there are many vegetable gardens and an orchard with one hundred heirloom apple trees as well as other fruit trees. It is all fenced in - Karen says they have deer, bears, cougars and other wildlife! Across the street is the garden of Lucie and Mike Friedlander. They moved into the house three years ago and inherited a mature ...

The HPSO Vancouver West Side Mini Tour concludes with the garden of Gregg Andrews. I saw his garden years ago shortly after moving here. That tour was probably the Clark County Natural Garden Tour (it took place today but I was working so unable to attend).  Gregg's garden begins with a cottage garden that surrounds the front and sides of the house with a profusion of roses, perennials and wisteria that runs along the wrap-around porch. After leaving the front garden through a side gate, the garden becomes heavily shaded by fir trees. Pathways lead to a large circular brick patio, a small pond, hidden seating areas and a tree house. Along the way are many artistic touches, such as this beautiful stepping stone - A vegetable garden is located on the other side of the house but by this time my camera battery had expired as well as the tour. We had arrived at his garden just minutes before the 4pm closing time but he generously allowed us to wander through. Thank you Gregg! This past ...

It is always a pleasure to tour this garden. Ruth & Gary Clark's residence is on three acres, all beautifully maintained. There are both sun and shade areas and a large fenced-in vegetable garden. Winding pathways take you from one end of the garden to the other with lovely specimen plants that have plenty of room to do their thing.  We started our stroll at the east side of the garden, which is sunnier. A perfectly shaped Sumac ( Rhus )  greets you. A Sweet Shrub ( Calycanthus 'Aphrodite') is at least eight feet tall and wide and was covered in blooms.  Continuing down the pathway, we see one of my favorite trees, Catalpa bignoinoides 'Aurea'. Robinia pseudoacacia  'Frisia' grows along the grassy areas outside the borders.  I wish I had room for this!   The pathways and borders surround a huge expanse of lawn. Looking toward the vegetable garden. The west side of the garden is shaded by seven huge walnut trees. The property was once a farm. Thro...