Elisabeth C. Miller Botanic Garden and Library

  • Post published:11/02/2011
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When I joined 70 other garden bloggers in Seattle this past summer, one of the first places we visited was the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanic Garden which is a part of the University of Washington. There were familiar plants, and not so familiar plants like these cardoons, which are related to the artichoke and make for some sophisticated eating. Like many botanic gardens there are trial beds and educational projects like this green roof. It looks like it…

Weeding and Compost

  • Post published:08/09/2011
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A 40 foot Herb Bed lies in front of our house where lilies and roses vie for space with rue, parsley, basil, variegated sage and thalictrum at  the west end of the building past the Welcoming Platform where you can see yarrow, golden marjoram, sage, tarragon, rosemary, Ashfield black stem mint and chives to the end of the Bed where there is more basil, horseradish, lemon balm and dill that was knocked down by the rain that fell briefly last…

How I Spent My Vacation

  • Post published:08/06/2011
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Spring and summer, planting and growing seasons, are busy times for the gardener especially when you add in Tour Season. For me Tour Season was especially exciting (and exhausting) this year because our garden was on the Franklin Land Trust Farm and Garden Tour, and then the following week I was attending the Hawley Artisan and Garden Tour, and the Greenfield Garden Club Tour, both on the same day – while many people were able to add on…

David’s Perry’s Photography Lesson

  • Post published:08/04/2011
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One of the stellar events of the Garden Blogger's Seattle Fling was the workshop with David Perry, photographer extraordinaire.  We only had an hour of instruction, but I went right out to use the P setting on my little Canon Power Shot A590.  I call it my Point and Hope because it is so difficult to use in the sun - but it was raining at the Bloedel Reserve and I was ready to actually move the dial…

Inspiration From Seattle – One

  • Post published:08/02/2011
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Compared to Heath, Seattle has a mild climate, and yet gardeners there share some of our problems. Generally, it does not get hot in Seattle. Gardeners go to great lengths pampering their tomatoes in an attempt to achieve juicy ripeness. Shelagh Tucker has a small greenhouse in her sloping back garden, but she also grows her tomatoes in a raised bed sort of hot house to provide the heat tomatoes require. Behind her, in another raised bed are…

Lily Season

  • Post published:08/01/2011
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I have not done with posts about my great trip to Seattle to tour amazing gardens with 70+ garden writers  and bloggers, but I am so happy to be home and to see the glories of lily season.  Our Daylily Bank is now in full bloom and it got a lot of attention when the Heath Gourmet Club was here on Saturday night to enjoy a delicieux dinner a la Francais. The Black Beauty lilies have been blooming…

Home Again Jiggety Jig

  • Post published:07/29/2011
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I've said farewell to all the gardens of the Seattle area including the beautiful Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island. And I've said farewell to Tacoma with its amazing Chihuly Bridge. I've stored up memories of my visit with my dear friend Kathryn Galbraith, children's author extraordinare and her lovely garden. I've bid farewell to all the garden bloggers like Kylee of Our Little Acre and my dear friend Kathryn. Now I'm at the  very busy Seatac airport where…

Seen in Seattle

  • Post published:07/25/2011
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As we 74 garden bloggers have toured Seattle we have visited private gardens, public gardens, and semi-public gardens to admire and learn about plants and Seattle's history. Here is a mock orange at the Dunn Gardens. All kinds of lavender everywhere. Bicyclists on their own path. Fabulous fruits at the Farmer's Market. Cherries, peaches, all kinds of berries - vegetables, too. Magnificent trees, towering. Potted plants everywhere, in the gardens and on the street. Fountains in the Mall…

View From The Bus

  • Post published:07/24/2011
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We were crossing water on the floating bridge when suddenly a gasp of excitement ran through our bus - The Mountain was out!  We caught views of  The Mountain at the end of the day as well when we were walking through the Seattle Art Museum Sculpture Garden. I'm told The Mountain is only out seven days a year, but I hope that is at least a slight local hyperbole.  When I visited here eleven years ago my…