Ash, Tay and Jordan, creators of Bixby + Pine wedding planning, started their business from the seed of their friendship. Sisters Tay and Jordan met Ash early in life. “We met when we were in second and third grades at my grandparents’ day care,” Tay says. That sprouted a lifelong friendship between them. “We were […]
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Posted inAt Home
Keeping Tropical Plants Healthy
Tropical plants are filling our homes and workspaces, adding beauty, relieving stress and boosting creativity, productivity and focus. Keep these plants healthy and looking their best by providing for their basic needs. Select plants that will thrive in the growing conditions found in your home or office and with your level of care. Busy gardeners […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Planting Perennials in the Fall
Fall may be a better time to plant perennials than spring. Like spring, fall has cooler, rainier weather that is more conducive to helping plants establish. Unlike spring, fall doesn’t subject freshly planted perennials to the stress of summer heat and the dry spells this can cause. Here are a few other points to consider […]
Posted inGarden
Supporting the Natural Ecosystem with Native Plants
Specialty nurseries are a magnet for serious gardeners — and Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery, located in Gig Harbor’s backyard, is a favorite. With a timely message for gardeners concerned about garden resiliency for climate change, Ingrid Wachtler and her staff are ready to help. “Native plants are not necessarily low-water-use plants because many are wetland […]
Posted inHome
A Northwest Tiki Getaway
Wendy and Carl Tonge were locked down, isolated and staring into an evergreen forest in March 2020 on their tiny side porch. They sat in two reed chairs under a sign from Disneyland’s Enchanted Tiki Bar that says Trader Sam’s, reminiscing about another favorite tiki bar they visit whenever on Kauai. Clearly, they were not […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Daffodils with a Difference
There are so many reasons to love daffodils. These spring-blooming bulbs aren’t fussy about where they are planted. They come back to bloom again year after year, and are not bothered by deer, rabbits or other garden pests. But there’s also a whole world of beautiful daffodils beyond the classic yellow ones. Daffodils are available […]
Posted inGarden
The Dream of a ‘Secret Garden’ Comes to Life as a Place of Solace
Stepping into the garden surrounding the happy yellow house on a quiet cul-de-sac, you are entering a wonderland of vignettes — a secret garden full of treasures at every turn. Blousy, full, flowering plants; miniature glass houses; displays of birdhouses; and even a real vintage bed in the garden elicit oohs and ahhhhs. Debbie’s (last […]
Posted inGarden
Adding Color and Scents to Your Midsummer Garden
July and August are the perfect months to add more plants to West Sound gardens. Whether you are a more seasoned or a new gardener, check out the offerings at local nurseries. There are still plenty of wonderful plants to enjoy and all of the following plant suggestions are great for natural pollinators. The only […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
10 Plants to Grow and Use in Your Tea Garden
There is nothing better than drinking a delicious cup of tea. Except drinking a cup made from plants grown in your own garden. Ditch the classics and get ready for your new home-grown favorites. 1. Lemon grass Towering in the garden, lemongrass is truly a unique plant. Its stems create an oil rich in lemony […]