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Daily Inspiration

Here are two beauties to feast your eyes on (two because I just realized I forgot to blog yesterday! I didn't think I was THAT scatter-brained...apparently I was wrong!)

Mountain Ash

'Cardinal Royal'

Sorbus auc.

Can you imagine a 35' x 20' tree covered in these 5" clusters of beautiful red berries (which follow clusters of white blooms)!? This tough, zone 3 specimen does not dissapoint!

Salvia

'White Sensation'

This pure white Salvia is underused in my opinion. We all get caught up in the dark purple varieties (which are beautiful too), but everyone needs a touch of white in their beds as well! It's hardy to -30 degrees and is a smaller version, at 12"x12". White Sensation is a great performer for a perennial bed!

 

Daily Inspiration

Weigela

'French Lace'

Weigela florida 'Brigela'

Apparently this plant is supposed to bloom only in the spring...kind of hard to believe when it has been blooming on and off all season! But, hey, I'm okay with that! This picture doesn't do justice to the lime-yellow margins on each leaf which make the deep magenta flowers pop! It also has a great orange-red color in the fall. Full sun to part shade, 6'x4', and zone 4. 

Lovely! 

Daily Inspiration

Cattails!

(dang that big ol' light that I had to work around! Totally threw off my symmetry...)

Monica and I got our rogue on today and snatched some cattails from the side of the road (rogue: playfully mischievous or operating outside normal controls...)! We usually ask for permission if we want to traipse onto land that obviously belongs to someone, but we feel a little like rogues when we are gathering from the roadside! There are all kinds of things to gather when you are on the watch for it. We laugh at one another because usually one or more of us has gloves, twine, and a pair of felcos in our purse! You just never know when you will see something that you have the perfect place for...like say, perhaps in a vase atop the piano, nested down in a terrarium, or made into a wreath or garland to go over your front door. 

Now, go get your rogue on! 

Daily Inspiration

Majestic Lilyturf

Liriope muscari 'Majestic'

A grass that is evergreen and that blooms? Could there be such a thing!? YUP! Majestic Lilyturf is the answer! It likes partial shade (meaning it can't take our hot afternoon sun), and it gets about 2' tall and wide. It blooms in summer (right now in fact, and has been in bloom for some weeks now) and is zone 5.

And if that isn't enough...

it makes a beautiful and easy-care house plant as well! 

Daily Inspiration

The most beautiful bench in the world.

I was inspired this morning when I was looking through our Seattle garden tour pictures (a nursery tour that mom, myself, and Monica went on in July).

Seeing things like this inspires me to strive for beauty in everything. There is no reason to settle for subpar! Don't do it! 

Go out there and find those things that please your eye the most. Don't let others opinions or style influence what you really want yours to be. 

Daily Inspiration

Centranthus

ruber

'Centaurea'

(Jupiters Beard)

Jupiters Beard is a fantastic, easy-care, beautiful perennial! The clusters of salmon pink blooms keep your beds bright with color June-September! 30" tall and 24" wide.

Daily Inspiration

Coreopsis

'Big Bang Red Shift'

I am loving this drift of Coreopsis in my yard. Today it was just full of these white butterflies-had to capture it! Big Bang Redshift gets about 24-36" tall and 24-30" wide, loves the sun, and blooms summer through fall!  

Daily Inspiration

Wheat.

Not much stops us when we see something we like! We tracked down the farmer who this wheat field belongs to and got permission to harvest a bit of his leftover wheat! (This is my sister, Monica, complete with dust mask- as it's a messy, dusty business...not so great for the allergy ridden.) 

This wheat will turn into bundles and wreaths to be hung and scattered around for fall decor both down at the store and at our homes!

P.S. If you like to can and preserve the harvest, but don't have the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving, you should think about it! I have used the recipes out of the book to put up corn, beans, dilly beans, maple-walnut syrup, praline syrup, raspberry jam, peach preserves, ambrosia conserve, pickled garlic, dried apricots, and peach leather so far! I made a list of all the things that sounded yummy, and am gradually checking them off the list one by one! Tonight, sweet pickle relish and apricot-orange conserve! 

Daily Inspiration

Chrysanthemum

'Bedazzled Bronze'

Love, LOVE this fall color!

Daily Inspiration

A few fall pots for the shade...

We are feeling the urge to pull summer weary plants from our pots to refresh them with the colors of fall. Some may think we rush the seasons, but I just can't help it! Just last night I pulled the spike, geranium, and petunias from the pot by my front door and replaced them with a sedge, ornamental cabbage, mum, AND twigs from my scarlet curls willow. I'm in love. :)

(this image from oregonroses.com)

Daily Inspiration

Who wouldn't be inspired by this?

My mom watched this monarch flutter around the large blossoms on this Blueberry Cobbler Butterfly Bush from her office window. Butterflies are almost hypnotic to watch- they are a good reminder to enjoy the small things in life because most of the time they are the most beautiful! 

P.S. I lost control today (in reference to Monday's post)...I picked a beautiful bushel basket of peaches which will be made into peach preserves and a peach pie when I get home! :) 

Daily Inspiration

The roses have begun their late summer flush of color- I love it! English roses are, without a doubt, my favorite flower out in my garden, so forgive me if this isn't the last David Austin rose you see in the next couple weeks!

Queen of Sweden

David Austin English Rose

Yes, roses are a bit more maintenance than other perennial shrubs, but they are worth every last effort. Just look at those blooms! I used to have color preferences, but I now find myself melting at the sight of any English rose, no matter the color. This rose is in my yard- planted early this spring.  This particular variety stays shorter (3.5'x2.5') and its fragrance is to die for!

Daily Inspiration

Plumbago

'Ceratostigma plumbaginoides'

One of my neighbors has a drift of this in their yard, and I love to look at it everyday as I drive by! Plumbago is a great, low-growing, spreading perennial. Not only does it produce intense blue flowers all summer through fall, but it's glossy green foliage turns a reddish-brown color in the fall. It's a tough plant, hardy to -20 degrees, and will get about 12" tall and 12" wide. It prefers full sun to part shade.

Daily Inspiration

This, my friends, is a Redhaven peach. Our peach trees in the nursery are LOADED with beautiful, wonderful smelling fruit! I watered them this morning, and I can't deny that the thought of running into the store after a bushel basket to load with peaches didn't cross my mind... :) I controlled myself. 

After our seminar on Victory Gardens this past Saturday, we have a huge desire to get crackin' and start cannin' the harvest! We all have lists of what we intend to 'put up' for the winter. Things like... dilly beans, beet relish, maple-walnut syrup, apricot-peach preserves, apple butter, pickles, corn, green beans, salsa...I could go on! 

We are inspired! We want to be able to open up our pantry doors to the sight of beautifully labelled, sparkling  canned goods!

Here is my custom jar label:

Join us in getting excited about this season and everything it has to offer!

P.S. Perhaps a little information on the wonderful peach pictured above: hardy to -20 degrees, 15' tall and 15' wide, full sun. It has golden yellow, excellent quality flesh that ripens early!

Daily Inspiration

This beautiful bouquet of gladiolas was grown and brought to us by one of our lovely customers and friends -thanks Jan!!! You definitely have a mighty green thumb! :) 

This is all the inspiration I needed today! 

What blooming flower in your yard could you put in a container to brighten your counter or table today?

Daily Inspiration

Gazania

rigens

'Tiger Mix'

Who needs a plant that will thrive in hot-dry conditions??? We love this plant for the fact that along with it's tough qualities, you get large beautiful blooms all summer up until frost! 8" tall, 12" wide.

ALSO... BE SURE TO SAVE THE DATE!

Daily Inspiration

These just came in, and I just HAVE to have one! 

Dahlinova

'Carolina Orange'

10" tall, 12" wide. Blooms all through the summer and fall! It also claims to make a wonderful houseplant, we will just have to test that one out! :) Wouldn't that look great with some dark red mums and a red sedge grass? Or, how about paired with some black petunias for a fun October pot!? It would pair beautifully with purple as well...hmm...it's going to be fun creating a fall pot with this plant! 

Daily Inspiration

Bougainvillea

'Purple Queen'

I love Bougainvilleas. They are one of the more easy care tropicals out there (I think). They love to be put outside when the weather is nice, and thrive indoors when the weather is not so nice. They display these beautiful blooms outside summer through fall, and will put on a nice bloom show during the winter if kept in a nice sunny, warm room. 

P.S. We got our first load in for fall this morning- full of mums, asters, cabbage, and kale! If that isn't inspiring, I don't know what is!!! 

Daily Inspiration

Rudbeckia Fulgida

Black-Eyed Susan

'Goldsturm'

There really isn't any better perennial for our area than this one! Black-Eyed Susans will live happily in many different soil, light,  and watering conditions, though it does the very best in full sun, with consistent moisture. It forms clumps, 29" tall and 23" wide. They can easily be divided after a season or two. Rudbeckia is perfect if you need a bright spot in your flower beds. In fact, now is a great time to go assess your flower beds to see where you need more mid-summer color.



Daily Inspiration

Lo & Behold 

Dwarf Butterfly Bush

Buddleia x 'Blue Chip' P.P.

Butterfly bushes have been a bit hard to come by as of late. The state of Oregon put a ban on them due to their rampant spreading in the western side of the state. We tried to have the ban lifted for Malheur County since we don't have a problem with them spreading- with no luck yet. There are a few sterile varieties available to us that are just as beautiful though! This is a nice one because of its compact size: 24" tall and 30" wide. It is perfect as an accent in a flower bed or in a pot! Its dark purple blooms begin mid-summer and keep going through mid-fall. 

Daily Inspiration

Here is a little inspiration for you! (The sign reads: Who says your toilet paper holder can't be beautiful?) Good question! You can put a beautiful spin on any old thing in your house!

Daily Inspiration

I was so inspired (and occupied) by our new houseplants (all 500 of them!!!) that I almost missed the blog today!

 After a conversation with a great customer about terrariums yesterday my mind has been working. I love to dream up different plant varieties to use, unusual combinations to create, even different containers to utilize. I am a HUGE fan of terrariums (I have 9...yes...I will admit it...9).

 SO... just having a conversation about them and then receiving a bunch of beautiful plants makes for some fun new creations!!!Here is one of the three simple terrariums I have on my dining room table...

I have an affinity for apothecary jars as well- so I used the bottom of one, lined it with moss, planted a birdsnest fern in it ,and then added a couple pretty polished (with olive oil) rocks! I have two others lined up with it. Smaller plants are often used so you can close the container, but it's also fun to try different ways! Look at your containers and dream up something beautiful to put on your dining room table! 

Daily Inspiration

Hibiscus Syriacus

Rose of Sharon

'Red Heart'

These are absolutely beautiful right now. When everything else starts to fade in the garden the Rose of Sharon steps in and shines! Zone 5. 8-12' tall, 6-10' wide. Also comes in standard form (tree form)- check out the Rose of Sharon standards in front of First American Title Company on Oregon St. to see what the tree form looks like in a landscape! These need to be trimmed in the early spring for best bloom performance!

Daily Inspiration

Today's post is a little different, but I thought this might inspire everyone to ramp up production in your garden, while keeping things pretty- after all, that's what we are all about down here! :)

These 'Little Finger' Carrots grew in...

This pot! 

See them growing along the edge? Why not plant a little carrot seed around the edge of your fall planters- or maybe lettuce, spinach, and radishes??? The foliage is pretty, and you get something out of it! My carrots made it into a pot roast! 

Daily Inspiration

Hydrangea

Arborescens

'Annabelle'

 Who could resist having a few of these in a shady area in their garden? Most people think that hydrangeas are hard to take care of in our area...I would like to refute that! When you plant these, instead of using your usual compost (you all use a good compost when you plant...right?) use an acid soil mix instead! A few times a season (which is how often all other plants should be fertilized) feed them with a little acidic fertilizer instead of your regular stuff. Easy, right?

They bloom June-September, and will reach 5' tall and 6' wide. Great planted alone, in groupings, or as a hedge- very versatile! Zone 3.

Daily Inspiration

Dahlia

'Mystic Dreamer'

Dahlias are amazing, fast-growing, beautiful plants. 'Mystic Dreamer' is a particular beauty with its orchid-pink flowers that pop against its mahogany-black, deeply cut leaves. When I saw these blooming this morning, I thought they would look great tucked into a couple of my heat-weary summer pots. 28-31" tall, 20-24" wide.