Pollinator Gardening

Stylish Sedums and Succulents

Stylish Sedums and Succulents

Hardy Sedums come to us from across the globe and have adapted perfectly to almost all arid, and even higher elevation, locales.  Modern Succulents, of all kinds, have been bred into a massive array of...

More Summer Blooming Shrubs

More Summer Blooming Shrubs

As we pass the midpoint of summer and head towards fall, numerous plants continue to shine in our local gardens.  Two standouts in particular are looking great, adding bright flowers, nice foliage and ornamental berries to the landscape...

Healthy Hardy Fuchsias

Healthy Hardy Fuchsias

The Fuchsia flower is somewhat unique in the world of gardening, sporting a pronounced corolla and often contrasting sepal color, all in a pendent-type flower.  Over the eons, these are plants that have evolved right alongside their pollinating partners, the hummingbirds.  They provide rich nectar for our winged friends, but also…

Captivating Coneflowers

Captivating Coneflowers

Now that we are in the heat of the summer, perennials like Coneflowers are blooming and providing important benefits to our pollinators.  Personally, I have a number of these cultivars planted in my own landscape and truly enjoy their…

Perennials for Pollinators - Episode III

Perennials for Pollinators - Episode III

As our journey in the garden progresses into summer, I will continue with even more perennials for pollinators, one last time.  This is episode three after all, and everything seems to work best in the form of a trilogy, right?  In hindsight perhaps I should have…

Perennials for Pollinators - Episode II

Perennials for Pollinators - Episode II

As we near the end of June, the summer season has begun and I am hoping that the sun is here to stay.  I, as I’m sure many of you, have always chuckled at the notion that summer in Western Washington starts after July 4th  - some years this rings more true than others.  It has been…

Perennials for Pollinators – Episode I

Perennials for Pollinators – Episode I

As we continue the celebration of Pollinator Month all June long, I am hoping all of you will pause and admire all of our little insect, hummingbird, and butterfly friends buzzing about garden flowers.  Ah… the sweet nectars of summertime!  The sun is out…

Powering Up Your Pollinators

Powering Up Your Pollinators

June has officially arrived, and as we head toward the Summer Solstice it means gardeners have some extra daylight for frivolities in the garden.  More importantly, we celebrate Pollinator Month (with National Pollinator Week June 17th-23rd as a highlight), a campaign created by the Pollinator Partnership to create harmony between us humans and nature.  We all need to pause and give thanks to…

'Bee-You' Bee Balm

'Bee-You' Bee Balm

Monarda, commonly known as Bee Balm, has been a popular garden perennial for many years. Most of the modern hybrids come from two species native to the eastern United States. Today’s cultivars come in a range of colors, including…