Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, March 2013

As so often happens in March at the gardens of Longview Ranch, a lot of plants are almost in bloom. Since I worry that they'll be open and gone by the middle of April, you are going to see some serious buds along with my flowers this month.

First, an indoor bloom I've been enjoying this month. For the first time, Clivia Belgian Hybrid Orange is sporting two bloom trusses!

This year, Camellia japonica 'April Kiss' is at her best yet. Lack of major, drenching rainfall means we get to enjoy the blooms of all the camellias much longer.

Planted for privacy, she crested the fence last spring and has added at least a foot of height over the past year.

Arctostaphylos 'Austin Griffiths' is now in full bloom. It seems like a good spring for all the manzanitas I've seen this year.

My NOID Hellebore looks so much better after I wised up and took off the old foliage. Now I can see the flowers!

Here's one of those major buds I mentioned: Rhododendron 'Shamrock' hasn't quite got its act together for St. Patrick's Day, but it's working on it.

A lovely Primula from Ryan in our fall plant exchange.

Oxalis 'Ruby Slippers', from Cistus Nursery via Plant Nerd Night this past Friday.

I might like the blossoms of our native Mahonia aquifolium best at this stage, when they have a blush of red just before opening.

Sarcoccoca hookeriana var humilis is still covered with blooms, but the scent is not as strong as they age.

Carex morrowii 'Evergold' has these funny, hairy little brown flowers.

The red and pink inherited Camellia japonica are in full bloom.

Rosemary 'Bonny Jean', contrasting nicely with the brick planter it lives in.

Euphorbia NOID.

Tulipa hageriana x aucheriana 'Little Princess' - yes, in bud.

Evergreen Huckleberry - almost open.

Mahonia nervosa is still in bud. I love the contrast between its bright yellowy-green flower buds and its seasonal red stems and purple leaves.

Bloom Day is hosted monthly by Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Pay her a visit to see what else is blooming this Ides of March. Happy Bloom Day!

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, February 2013

A glorious, sunny Bloom Day found me with a few minutes to take pictures but not quite enough time to post them, so here I am a day late with my report.

First the indoor flowers:
Aloe dorotheae, with no orange left in her foliage, but a fleeting and welcome orange bloom.

Streptocarpus NOID.

Outside, the tiny flowers in a planter full of Sarcoccoca hookeriana var. humilis perfume the air and attract bees. If you don't have room for the larger Sarcoccoca, this one is a good smaller choice.

Rosemarinus prostratus 'Bonny Jean' in another front garden planter.

Daphne odora 'Marginata' - one flower cluster has just opened in time for Bloom Day.

And the soft pink urn-shaped flowers of Arctostaphylos x 'Austin Griffiths' are just opening as well.

The astounding Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide' keeps pumping out blooms. I saw lots of these featured at the recent Yard, Garden and Patio Show - it's no wonder!

I'm signing off this post with the hope that you visit our host Carol, at May Dreams Gardens, to enjoy a look at lots of other bloomers for February.

2013 Portland Yard, Garden & Patio Show

This year the Yard, Garden and Patio Show was earlier than usual. And that was great with me. The YGP is my personal (but completely unofficial) end-of-winter marker. You know, that part of the year where we barely go outside into the garden. Done with that!

I'd be hard-pressed to decide which is the stronger draw for me  -  the speakers, or the actual show with its plant information, display gardens and plants for sale. But luckily I didn't have to decide, since this local event is all things wrapped up into one.

On Friday, I heard Sean Hogan discuss Best New Natives for Design (yes, arctostaphylos!), Dan Hinkley spoke on Noteworthy Trees, Shrubs and Vines for Pacific NW Gardens (many in the pipeline from Monrovia soon), and Maurice Horn made a compelling case for some overlooked Perennials and Shrubs of Merit for Northwest Gardens, including a favorite of mine, Cistus obtusifolius.

Sunday I sat in on half of Ciscoe Morris showing Stellar Plant Combinations, then heard Brian Bauman expound on ten of his best new plants for 2013 (if you've been looking for the elusive Acacia 'Cousin Itt', Bauman Farms will have it this summer.)

Although I wasn't knocked out by any of the official display gardens as a whole, I really enjoyed the color and contrast presented in some of the plant combinations and materials.

 

Where color was more muted, texture and pattern contrasted.

Hammamelis x intermedia 'Arnold Promise' figured prominently in multiple gardens, as did Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide'.

Seating solutions were creative, inviting and often colorful.

The photo above leads us to my favorite garden of the show, and it wasn't even a designated display garden. The Urban Edible Garden had so much going for it. Simple, clean, open, but with great places to grow lots of plants, not just veggies.

Yes, that is a child-sized nest you see above and below - complete with child.

I loved the curving steel and the long narrow pavers in this garden.

Of course there were chickens: we're in Portland, people.

There were bees.

And a number of raised beds.

I came to understand my need for an exterior sink on a beautiful natural plank counter.

With planters on the wall behind it.

This garden satisfied on so many levels.

The Hardy Plant Society had tables full of winter and early spring interest.

Despite many tempting options...

 ... I only came home with two plants. I was on foot and didn't want to traumatize them too much.

Two of Xera's Iris x pacifica 'Meadow Pastels' will grace the Northwest territory this summer.

And now that I'm revved up, it's on to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle in just a week!