My father, Dean Kelley, was a pharmaceutical representative for a drug company. When he retired, he volunteered his time as a Master Gardener in Pierce County. One time he was complaining to me that the scientific names of plants were hard to learn. I tried to put it in perspective for him by countering that […]
Dana Kelley Bressette
A garden columnist with an interest in ecological gardening and native plants, Dana Kelley Bressette is currently the plant production manager at Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery in Gig Harbor. She has a bachelor's degree in ornamental horticulture from Washington State University and a master's in urban horticulture from the University of Washington's Center for Urban Horticulture. She has also worked in the Horticulture Department at Tacoma Parks. Dana is available to speak at lectures and workshops in the Puget Sound region. See her previous work at www.habitathorticulturepnw.com and www.nativeplantspnw.com.
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
Conservatories, Greenhouses, Cold Frames and Sunrooms
In the 1980s I worked for the Tacoma Park District at the W.W. Seymour Conservatory and at the Point Defiance Greenhouses. We had a little gift shop at the conservatory with plants for sale. Occasionally we would get a customer who wanted advice on selecting a houseplant. The person wanted a plant but would admit […]
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
Want Carefree Gardening? Tips for Ecolawns and Other Low-Maintenance Ideas
We all would like to have a beautifully landscaped yard that we can take time to enjoy. Some people love to putter in the garden and are proud of their artistic endeavors. Whether you enjoy it or not, many garden chores take a lot of time that you may not have. A bit of weeding […]
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
How to Create a Backyard Sanctuary for Wildlife
Do you have waterfront property? Does your house look out on magnificent views of the Puget Sound? Or perhaps you have a secluded lakeshore cabin. You may want to consider making your property friendly to wildlife. On my property, there is a vernal pond that my husband dug several years ago. It is only about […]
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
Best Native Plants for Protecting Your Hillside from Erosion
After the terrible Oso landslide tragedy, we received several calls at Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery from people wanting advice on what to plant on their hillsides. Plants help protect against erosion in several ways. They remove water from the soil and carry it up into their tissues and release it as water vapor into the […]