Whenever we start a garden, we wonder what we should put in it. Do I want annuals, perennials, shrubs, or maybe biennials? Perhaps some ornamental grasses would work as well. Victorian gardeners in the late nineteenth century faced this same dilemma, but James Vick (1818-1882) had the answers. Owner of a seed company in Rochester, NY […]
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Pollinator predicament: What happens when the birds and bees can’t do it?
When it comes to birds, bees, plants, and pollination, timing truly is everything. And, in the Rocky Mountains, where short summers dictate extreme synchronicity, the timing is off. Less snow and earlier springs may be a blessing for those of us who tire of winter around the first of February but for the tiny plants and animals […]
Rev up for gardening season with a plant sale
For gardeners spring really kicks in when the plant sales start. For two years, Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener Association plant sales stalled because of COVID-19. As they reappear, shoppers are happily planning their annual haul. The sales are held statewide, with 19 counties holding an event this year, according to LeAnn Locher, […]
Wildflower Seed Paper: 9 Steps to Make Your Own
This handmade, Earth-inspired paper is made with recycled paper and embedded with wildflower seeds. A meaningful way to celebrate our planet! Makes a beautiful gift for family and friends. Material Needed: Scrap paper (suggested types listed below) Wooden frame (build your own or use an old picture frame) Window screening (you will need a number of pieces that are […]
Trees that stand above
Trees provide numerous benefits for all of us. They give us shade, provide food and shelter for wildlife and us, help hold the soil together with their roots, provide lumber for our homes, help to cleanse the polluted air, and give us a feeling of peace and tranquility. Perhaps Henry David Thoreau said it best: […]
Earth Day returns to The Oregon Garden Saturday April 16
After a two-year hiatus, The Oregon Garden is set to welcome visitors back to its much-beloved annual Earth Day event, taking place 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, April 16, 2022. To ensure the health and safety of our guests, this year’s event will take place entirely outside. Guests are encouraged to come prepared to celebrate the […]
2022 is the year of the Gladiolus: A classic summer-bloomer
Discover why these classic summer-blooming bulbs are making a comeback Overview and History Gladiolus are as American as apple pie. Generations of gardeners, from Maine to California, have tucked these summer-blooming bulbs into their gardens in spring and been delighted by the gorgeous flower spikes that appear just a few months later. Buckets of long-stemmed glads […]
A goth garden may suit your spooky taste
Do you gravitate to graveyards, finding ancient tombstones creepily intriguing? Do you prefer reading Daphne du Maurier to Sophie Kinsella? Do you relish an antique aesthetic rather than farmhouse chic? If your personal taste leans more toward creepy, mysterious vibes than pretty, perky designs, then a goth garden may be the perfect solution for your outdoor […]
Four hydrangea myths busted
Written By: Lorraine Ballato Author of: Success With Hydrangeas: A Gardener’s Guide Gardeners are waking up all over the country. How do I know this? I am seeing all sorts of garden-related info flash across my devices, from Yahoo News to horticultural sites, to personal blogs. But what gets most of my attention these days is all of the […]
Unsung perennials, part III
Perennials are a versatile part of any garden, and there are many unsung selections you can plant and enjoy. There’s always a place for tall perennials that can serve as anchor a container arrangement or be the backstop in a garden bed. And as for heat- and drought-tolerant perennials — they become more and more […]