Balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) are clump-forming perennials in the bellflower family (Campanula). They are hardy in Zones 3-8 and prefer full sun to part shade. As the plant grows, the buds swell like small balloons before emerging as upward-facing … Continue reading →
There are over 100 species of deciduous shrubs that fit into the Spiraea genus, many from Asia, but a few from North America. Locally, we can find birch-leaved spirea (Spiraea betulifolia) in the forest. For home gardens, most … Continue reading →
In early July the gardens are full of flowers. Most are planted perennials, some of which are long-term residents. A few are native species, with seeds collected in the wild and propagated over the winter. Featured here are a … Continue reading →
All of the flower gardens, the vegetable gardens, and the borders are full of growing and flowering plants at the start of summer. Spring varieties are fading and need to be deadheaded. With the warm weather weeds appear and some … Continue reading →
Okanogan fameflower (Phemeranthus sediformis)is a native herbaceous perennial found in a small area from north central Washington State through the south central Interior of BC (to just north of Kamloops). It is a fleshy plant growing from a thick, branched … Continue reading →
By mid-June all the flower beds are full of blooming varieties of perennials, annuals, and shrubs. A number of summer-flowering plants are growing, but not yet flowering. Some of the spring-flowering perennials and bulbs have been setting seed … Continue reading →
We harvested seed from wild/native blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) in the summer and then cleaned and stored the seed in a dry spot. In winter, we put the seed in some clean wet garden soil in a ziploc bag and … Continue reading →
In early June all of the borders, flower beds, rockeries, and even the vegetable garden are full of flowering plants. We take garden walks each day, and weed, deadhead, and do maintenance as we enjoy the garden. Featured here … Continue reading →
Himalayan Fleeceflower (Bistorta affinis) is a perennial groundcover used in home gardens. It was found at mid elevations in the Himalayas area and west toward Afghanistan. It spreads with horizontal stems, filling in quickly. It is suited to … Continue reading →
Near the end of May, the vegetable garden, flower beds, and shrub borders are flourishing. We have harvested some vegetables, and many species are in flower with more on the way. We have radishes, lettuce, spinach, peas, chard, cucumbers, bush … Continue reading →
