Dirt Therapy

Grindelia integrifolia (Puget Sound Gumweed): A Pacific Northwest Native For about a month now, I've had blooms on this interesting plant that I stumbled upon at Yard N' Garden Land last year. I planted it in July, mainly out of curiosity, but also because I try to add native plants to the garden whenever possible. The plant is Grindelia integrifolia , commonly known as "Puget Sound Gumweed" or "Willamette Valley Gumweed." It is native to the Pacific Northwest, including British Columbia, Washington and Oregon.  The name "gumweed" comes from the sticky, gumlike resin that coats the flower buds. The resin isn't noticeable unless you touch it. It is a perennial and is sometimes referred to as an herb. Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest used the resin to treat ailments including coughs, asthma, and skin rashes from poison ivy. Aside from the flowers, the plant isn't particularly interesting-looking. It has tall stalks, reachin...

Sandringham House and Gardens , in Norfolk, is one of the best-known royal residences in England. The privately owned country retreat has been associated with the British royal family since 1862 and is traditionally where the family gathers for Christmas.  Sandringham, along with Balmoral in Scotland, is a privately owned royal residence rather than a Crown Estate property. Unlike many of England's enormous country houses, Sandringham feels surprisingly intimate and comfortable. After touring the house and exploring the gardens, I could understand why generations of the Royal Family have been so fond of this place. Sandringham House  The Jacobean-style house at Sandringham has been called "the most comfortable house in England". It has been in the royal family since 1862, when it was purchased as a country retreat for Edward VII and his future wife Alexandra of Denmark. Edward's son, George V, called Sandringham his favorite place on Earth, and decades later, George ...

It is that time of year when the garden seems to take a frantic leap with new growth and an  unrestrained protest. This year doesn't seem to be as bad as others, as I have more time now to devote to the garden. The weather has been tolerable with just a few extreme heat days so far. However, August is not off to a good start, with a major wildfire in eastern Washington and the next three days nearing 100 degrees. A few days ago, we had the perfect day - semi to mostly cloudy, temperatures in the low 70s and not a whiff of humidity. It was heavenly. I took a lot of photos that day, but many of these were taken back in July. The above scene, showing our front walk, looks rather tame. If you pan the camera to the left, however, it is a bit more busy - By this time in the season, watering is a drudge, but if you have pots, it is a must. I reduced our containers this year slightly, but it still takes me about an hour and a half to water every morning. Even some of the pots are bursting ...

A collection of 38 small gardens, each one unique and covering a specific theme, Barnsdale Gardens was the creation of Geoff Hamilton, the host of "Gardener's World" from 1979 until his death in 1996. I am a big fan of "Gardener's World" and watch it every week, although I didn't watch when Hamilton hosted it. It is my understanding that the gardens here were actually used in the filming of the show. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy