Tag: Plants

Kubota Garden – lessons in form and shape Kubota Garden

Kubota Garden – lessons in form and shape

Visiting Seattle’s Kubota Garden is like taking a masterclass in the study of form and shape.  Located in the middle of a quiet suburban neighborhood, it’s somewhat of a surprise to find this secret gem of a garden nestled among its residential neighbors.  In the garden is a memorial stone dedicated to the creator of […]

Winter berries in the garden

Winter berries in the garden

Winter berries in the garden are a treat for gardeners craving color during these cold and rainy months, but more importantly for hungry birds.    Winter berries are filled with sugar and fat for birds, helping them to withstand freezing temperatures and sustain them during their migration. Even as I write this, the shrubs and […]

Designing with Ball-Shaped Flowers ball-shaped flowers

Designing with Ball-Shaped Flowers

I love designing with ball-shaped flowers.  Don’t get me wrong, I also adore spire-shaped flowers (click here if you missed that post!) However, there’s something about spherical shapes that always makes me smile.   Maybe its because the lollipop shapes tend to be more playful?  Or maybe its because the symmetrical, round balls are such a […]

Freeland and Sabrina Tanner’s Garden freeland sabrina tanner

Freeland and Sabrina Tanner’s Garden

Welcome to Freeland and Sabrina Tanner’s garden!  I’m re-writing this post (originally written over 12 years ago!) to introduce newer readers to my favorite garden ever. After a several-year absence, I recently revisited this garden, and while I didn’t think it was possible to get any better than it was – boy was I wrong.  […]

One Window Box for Four Seasons window box design

One Window Box for Four Seasons

I love designing a window box for all four seasons.  Not only because window boxes provide yet another opportunity to plant, but because they’re a fantastic way to add vertical interest in the garden. When standing in line at the grocery store, I can easily pass by all the fashion magazines, except for articles like […]

Transforming a side yard from Blah to Beautiful Transforming a side yard

Transforming a side yard from Blah to Beautiful

I originally wrote this post about transforming a side yard eight years ago.  However, I’m re-writing this in honor of my friend who created this magical side yard, and who recently unexpectedly passed away. I often highlight this garden in various presentations, and it’s always a HUGE hit with the audience.   In fact, this garden […]

Lupine Meadow at Lake Tahoe lupine meadow

Lupine Meadow at Lake Tahoe

Every few years, when the conditions are just right, this meadow is filled with thousands and thousands of lupines. I just so happened to be visiting Lake Tahoe during this magical time and wanted to share these photos with you.    This naturally occurring meadow is located just a few miles from Tahoe City, and […]

A Magnificent Monochromatic Garden

A Magnificent Monochromatic Garden

Welcome to Lani Freymiller’s magnificent monochromatic garden! What’s a monochromatic garden?  It’s one that uses a very limited color palette. I’ve noticed that gardeners are often reluctant to try their hand at creating a monochromatic garden for fear of it looking a tad uninspiring.  Which is understandable, as it can be a tad tricky to […]

Euphorbia euphoria

Euphorbia euphoria

Once the blistering heat of summer arrives (any day now!) my euphorbias will take center stage in the garden. Their heat-loving quality is just one of the many reasons why they’re a staple in my garden. They’re also extremely drought-tolerant, they’re awful tasting to gophers, deer & rabbits (thanks to their irritating sap), and they […]

Top 15 Favorite Orange Flowers

Top 15 Favorite Orange Flowers

It’s that time of year again when our homes and gardens are decked out in orange and black, and mine is no exception. And what better occasion than Halloween to talk about one of my favorite colors in the garden and share with you my top 15 favorite orange flowers! Awhile ago, I wrote about […]

Glaucous & Purple – a color combo that adds some ‘oomph’ to your garden glaucous foliage

Glaucous & Purple – a color combo that adds some ‘oomph’ to your garden

I bet many of you are thinking ‘what the heck is glaucous, anyway?’ Well, according to Webster, glaucous means:   1.  of a pale yellow-green color, or of a light bluish-gray or bluish-white color       2. having a powdery or waxy coating that gives a frosted appearance and tends to rub off And […]

Gardening on Steep Slopes Tiers-Slopes-Seattle Gardens

Gardening on Steep Slopes

Gardening on steep slopes is problematic at best.  Ever try and plant, prune, or deadhead on a steep hill?  NOT fun. I should know.  I’ve spent the past 2 years working in my new garden , trying to tame a pretty slope that has caused me to shed a tear or two in frustration. And […]