Trees

The Elegant Versatility of Evergreens

The Elegant Versatility of Evergreens

I often tell gardeners in our region to rediscover their “Evergreen State”, which (in a play on words) simply means to show some gardening style with the structure, texture and color of conifers.  Around here nature has the many shades of green covered, but how about some bold blues and bright yellows?  When all of the deciduous shrubs and trees have…

Crape Myrtles In Washington

Crape Myrtles In Washington

Speaking as a self-proclaimed “plantaholic” who likes just about all things with foliage, fronds, or needles, one plant I started to salivate over in the 1990’s was Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia sp.).  For us in northern latitudes, these mythical plants were uncommon and were perceived as…

Japanese Maples for Spring Color

Japanese Maples for Spring Color

Japanese Maples come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, colors, growth habits and foliage types, offering the home gardener a myriad of choices to suit each individual’s taste.  All of these trees get outstanding autumn color, but gardeners should note their spring foliage tones as well…

Choices in the Home Orchard - Part One

Choices in the Home Orchard - Part One

A huge trend in gardening over the last decade or so has been cultivating your very own homegrown fruit.  The pandemic intensified this practice, and it seemingly continues to become more and more popular for our patrons at Sunnyside, season after season.  While most all endeavors in the garden are gratifying to me, there is something extra special about growing your own edibles, including fruit.  Whether you are adding to an existing garden or starting anew, some planning and a few points to ponder will help you to grow fruit successfully…