Muck About

The February End

The witch hazels (Hamamelis), winter sweet (Chimonanthus) and sweet box (Sarcococca) are in full bloom as are the pink flowering Viburnums, 'Charles Lamont' and ‘Dawn’.  Some of my favorite bulbs are in full swing—Iris reticulatas and snowdrops (Galanthus).  The sarcococcas are spreading their heavenly fragrance around the walkway.

When they begin blooming, it’s a signal that spring is coming sooner than I think.  I need to get out in the garden, finish pruning trees and shrubs, and weed out the shot weed. I despise weeding gravel where many of the errant weeds stray, and since I refuse to spray weed killers, it’s a chore.  Chickens to the rescue, I can put them in their moveable pen positioned over gravel paths and driveway. There they can peck the weeds to death or scratch them out of the ground in no time.  Not only are my four girls efficient weed killing machines, they are easy on the environment. 

If only I could teach them pruning techniques, but I’m afraid their attitude of mow everything down, would not translate well to good pruning skills.  Cass Turnbulls’ “Guide to Pruning” to the rescue, I pull out my favorite pruning bible whenever there is a question of how, when and where to prune.  My shrubs and trees would thank me if they could, because pruning is done for their optimum health and beauty.

Speaking of books, Seattle’s Miller Library’s 4th Annual Garden Lovers' Book Sale is coming soon.  If you have garden books you can donate, they are accepting them until March 31.  If you are a garden book nut like me, you can pick up some gently used garden books at the April 4 sale.  The Miller Library uses all proceeds from the sale to purchase the newest and best horticultural books and journals.

Kid Stuff - NW Flower and Garden Show

 Guest blog by Jeanne Keyes blogging at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show

(Click on images to view larger.)

The 2009 Northwest Flower and Garden Show (NWFG)  provides many fun activities for your child to enjoy. Sproutopia, a place for kids, features educational, hands on activities such as creating flower photo cut-outs and planting a seed.Seeds, dirt and a pot are provided so your child can plant the seed at the show, take it home, water it and watch it grow.

 The Sprout Stage features 30 minute presentations starting at 10am,running on the hour each day of the show. With titles such as "Don't Squish That Bug: Exploring the Incredible Insect World" and "Who Wants Garbage for Dinner: The Wonderful Ways of Worms", what could be more fun and interesting or a better way to teach your child about the little creatures in your garden?

Don't miss out on the treasure hunt! Pick up your treasure hunt form at Sproutopia: A place for Kids,look for the cute little Snooter-Doots at all the display gardens and win a prize. By the way, you can purchase a Snooter-Doot by visiting booth #2452 and help Make-A-Wish Foundation at the same time. There will be a silent auction of the Snooter-Doot hidden in each of the 2009 NWFG display gardens. A hundred percent of your bid will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Also, check out the childrens' gardens. These gardens are very inventive and creative. I for one would love a garden such as the "Drip, Drip, Bloom", a funky junk garden created by Interlake High School. The glass water drops "falling" into the drum, like a rain barrel are priceless.

As always, free childcare is provided in room 303 near the South entrance and is operated by licensed childcare providers. Children 5 and under are admitted to the show free and a youth ticket for those 6 to 17 years old is $4.00.

Rock Solid Conifers Display Garden

Guest blog by Jeanne Keyes blogging at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show

(Click on images to view larger.)

From brown and creame petrified wood boulders to golden evergreens such as 'Gold Cones' Cedar (Thuja occidentalis aurea 'Wells'), this garden packs quite a punch.

 I could be wrong but I believe this is the only garden in the NW Flower and Garden show that is not displaying flowering plants.I find it interesting that although Wells Nursery is known for Japanese Maples and other woody trees and shrubs, they confined their plant selection to conifers.

This garden is about foliage texture, form and all the subtle shades of color between blue and yellow. From 'Golden Grape' Hinoki Cypress(Chamaecyparis obtusa aurea 'Wells') to 'Emerald Creeper' Prostrate Deodara Cedar (Cedrus deodara prostrata 'Wells'), from 'Blue Totem' Columnar Blue Spruce (Picea pungens glauca fastigiata 'Wells') to 'Golden Sunset' Spreading Cedar (Cedrus deodara aurea prostrata 'Wells'), fine and coarse textures, tall,short, weeping and round forms, yellow, gold, green, gray and blue colors are well represented.

 Quartz, basalt and granite from across the United States, in diverse shapes and sizes were placed in natural groupings to enhance the mulitiude of textures,colors and forms of coniferous plants.

Flowers, smowers, this garden would be exciting and colorful any time of the year. 

Top photo: Rock Solid Conifer display garden.

2nd photo: Picea pungens glauca fastigiata 'Wells' (blue totem columnar blue spruce).

Bottom left photo: Cedrus deodara prostrata 'Wells' ('Emerald Creeper' prostrate deodara  cedar).

Bottom right photo: Thuja occidentalis aurea 'Wells' ('Gold Cones' cedar).