Gardening brings a daily set of tasks in spring. Irrigation needs to be repaired and adjusted. Perennials and small shrubs are divided and transplanted. Debris is cleaned up and bagged for recycling. The greens garden is planted. Any final pruning … Continue reading →
Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium sp.) is a short, stiff perennial in the iris family. It is native to the Interior Plateau, but most of the ones spotted in our area are Idaho blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchrum idahoense sp.), but Mountain blue-eyed grass … Continue reading →
Spring is a busy time. In the last two weeks I have planted my greens garden, cleaned up the vegetable gardens, rebuilt a fence section, painted two fences, recycled a lot of material, and I have transplanted a number … Continue reading →
As the weeks turn over to the start of April, the first plantings of spring garden greens can start. After the garden has been cleaned up, the rows-to-be-planted are turned over and staked. Any rocks or tree roots … Continue reading →
In the first week of spring at the end of March, the first flowers are in bloom and many plants are leafing out. Work is underway in all of the garden beds, but a bit of time was also … Continue reading →
Soapwort (Saponaria sp.) is a perennial plant which spreads horizontally and blooms for a long period starting in late spring. The flowers open at night and last for about 3 days each, but new buds are always on their … Continue reading →
Perennial sweet peas (Lathyrus latifolius) are vigorous herbaceous vining plants that produce showy (unscented) flowers in late spring and continue to flower for a long time. They are best planted near a fence, trellis, or a wall to climb … Continue reading →
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a herbaceous perennial (in the Asparagus family), native to woodlands. It forms colonies by spreading through underground rhizomes. Small green leafy shoots with green leaves rise in spring, followed by small, white flowers … Continue reading →
We have visited the UBC Botanical Gardens a few times, and depending on the date, there will be different plants in flower each time. On this April day, we enjoyed a variety of flowering plants, including Rhododendron, Magnolia, pennycress, … Continue reading →
Yellow alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis) is a low-growing hardy evergreen perennial for the home garden. It blooms for 4-6 weeks in the spring with vibrant yellow flowers and grey-green foliage. It is best planted in a sunny and drier … Continue reading →
