For those who want an abundance of bloom for the summer-to-fall season but prefer not to plant annuals every year, perennial salvias are a Northwest garden’s friend. Not that long ago, except for the bedding plant salvia splendens and the culinary S. officinalis, … read more

“Now, Roy and Joy had often dozed, through their weekly class in botany; I’m afraid they were wrongly inclined to think that botany meant monotony. But the sight botanic they now beheld- would have awakened a sleeping possum! For every plant had an … read more

The advantage of living on a golf course is in the “borrowed” backdrop for a garden’s landscape, along with beautiful, established trees to frame the vista. Toby and Tom Mason moved to McCormick Woods six years ago. Their location on the 4th hole … read more

Borders usually run along a pathway, a wall, a hedge or a lawn edge. My favorite plants for borders are very fragrant, including evening-scented varieties. I love strolling pathways in the moonlight and smelling the gorgeous mood-settling aromas from wall flowers, stock, tobacco … read more

Crossing the wooden bridge at 11501 Crescent Valley Drive NW, just outside of Gig Harbor and midway between Soundview and 144th, the sight up the hill to your right will leave you breathless. About 2,000 lavender mounds in varying colors of greens, pinks, … read more

Editor’s note: This article was adapted from “The Garden Refresh,” a newly released book by Kier Holmes. Published with permission. Smell, sound, taste, touch, and sight — incorporating all five senses in your design creates a dynamic and well-rounded garden experience. And your … read more

We could say these gardens have “come out of dormancy” after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions. But actually, the gardens and the gardeners themselves have been anything but dormant during their at-home time the last two gardening seasons. As with the … read more

Nothing says summer like a leisurely glass of lemonade in the backyard and a light, melt-in-your-mouth cookie to accompany it. Lavender shortbread, an unusual, easy-to-make cookie, is sure to get high praise from friends and family. Herbs of all sorts have been used … read more

Gladiolus are as American as apple pie. Generations of gardeners, from Maine to Western Washington, have tucked these summer-blooming bulbs into their gardens in spring, delighted by the gorgeous flower spikes that appear just a few months later. Buckets of long-stemmed glads are … read more