Tag: outdoors

Paeonia "Krinkled White" is a popular, classic peony from the 1920s, and has a single, white flower. (Herbaceous hybrid)

Paeonia… An Ancient Flower for West Sound Gardens

One day, the Greek goddess Aphrodite caught Apollo flirting with a shy, beautiful nymph named Paeonia. When Paeonia realized the goddess was watching them, her face flushed a deep rose-red. In a fit of jealous anger, Aphrodite turned the blushing girl into a … read more

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Enjoy the Versatility of Lavender by Growing Your Own

Enjoy the Versatility of Lavender by Growing Your Own

An old-fashioned, fragrant herb, lavender colors the garden with a purple haze in midsummer. This herb is so popular, it has its own festivals. Lavender’s reputation is attributed to its beauty in the garden and diversity of use, from aromatherapy to crafting. The … read more

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Caterpillars that are hanging dead from their tent after having been destroyed by parasites.

Tent Caterpillars Are Making a Comeback

What you need to know

The last tent caterpillar outbreak in West Sound happened quite a while ago. Yet the memories — of the sounds they made as they munched away at our tree canopy and the shivers they sent through my spine as they fell on my … read more

Oriental lily hybrid — more than a dozen flowers on the one stem.
Heavenly Scent

Creating Paradise with Lily Hybrids

Many a lucky woman has been given the name Lily. Lilies represent innocence and purity, elegance and beauty. If you grow them in your own garden, you know why. The common Lilium hybrids are easy to grow, naturalize, are long-blooming and match just … read more

The Andersons' tropical garden by the beach

Gardening and Literacy Connect at The Gig Harbor Garden Tour

Cicero once said, “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Those words still ring true today and are especially applicable to the Gig Harbor Garden Tour. For the last 16 years, the tour has dedicated its profits … read more

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Peruvian lily: The Peruvian lily is a favorite in bouquets but in the garden, this plant becomes a pest.
Gardening With Peg

Garden Thugs: Four Pesky Plants to Avoid in Your Garden

Most gardeners have plants they wish they never had planted. I have three in my own garden. These nefarious plants are yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata), bishop’s weed (Aegopodium podagraria) and Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria). All three plants are deciduous perennials. I regret the day … read more

Scented Pelargoniums

Scented Pelargoniums

Commonly known as scented geraniums, these are not your ordinary geraniums and definitely not that vibrant summer annual flower that tumbles out of window boxes and container gardens. Scented geraniums belong to the genus Pelargonium, like the other geraniums, and all are the … read more

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Shore pine (Pinus contorta)

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 … read more

Looking for a fabulous garden project to spur your creativity and add personality to your yard? Making stepping stones is an easy way to accomplish both. The following instructions will walk you through everything you need to know and all the materials needed to complete this fun project at home.
Step By Step

Make Your Very Own Unique Stepping Stones

Looking for a fabulous garden project to spur your creativity and add personality to your yard? Making stepping stones is an easy way to accomplish both. The following instructions will walk you through everything you need to know and all the materials needed … read more

Pony Up Rescue for Equines
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