April is a booming month in the garden, because as temperatures warm, many garden plants are unfurling new leaves and bursting into bloom. It’s a great time to set out starts of annual flowers and cold-hardy vegetables, because by planting now you’ll... more »

March is an exciting time in the garden. The birds sing, the borders become more colorful every day as trees and shrubs break bud, spring bulbs open up in the gentle sunshine and the greenhouse goes into full production. Finally we feel we can start... more »

February is an exciting time in our region's gardens. This is the month when we go from planning to doing. Dust off those gardening gloves and enjoy a few leisurely hours doing what gardeners do best — puttering. Does your garden need a little... more »

As much as I enjoy the holidays, there is something very satisfying about sweeping up the glitter, packing away the decorations and getting the home straight once again. It's also an opportunity for a fresh start, whether it is just switching out a few... more »

When my children were young, we used to enjoy leisurely walks down the quiet lanes in the English countryside. I'm sure my mind often wandered off on its own private ramble: "What shall we have for dinner? Do I need to buy milk on the way home?" Yet the... more »

November is the final month to prepare the garden for winter. It’s rather like tucking children into bed at night: They have played all day, and now they’re tired. There’s the bath-time ritual, followed by a quiet story before they snuggle under... more »

I'm a fair-weather gardener. I prefer to sit in front of a log fire enjoying my winter garden through the windows, rather than donning full rain gear and Wellies to deal with soggy perennials. That means getting ahead during these pleasant early-autumn... more »

I want to enjoy my garden, not be a slave to it, and with five acres to play in, that means planning. Whether you have a patio garden or an estate, your garden will be better if you take some time now to put down your pruners and pick up your notebook... more »

If the Northwest hasn't seen sunny skies and dry summer weather yet, we certainly will in August. This is the month when the ground starts to bake, and it's easy to become concerned that our plants won't tolerate the yearly cycle of drought as well. Yet... more »

July's garden is coming into its own, with warm temperatures that invite you outside and an abundance of blooms to enjoy. Of course, all that color needs a little bit of care to continue looking great throughout the summer season. Removing spent flowers... more »

June's warm temperatures bring fresh new growth and an abundance of flowers. Vines are growing and need training to stay neatly trellised, while pines may need candle pruning to keep them from overgrowing their space. Unfortunately, pests and fungus also... more »

When designing a garden, we are encouraged to think of the foliage first. A strong backbone of interesting leaves in the garden will hold a design together, even when flowering plants are not at their peak. However, we can quickly find ourselves in a... more »

Veronica is a large genus of herbacious perennials that has something for everyone — multiple flower colors, multiple foliage textures and a variety of forms. Whether you need an upright accent in cool white or a durable, evergreen ground cover, Veronica,... more »

A cottage garden favorite, this easy-care perennial has it all. Whether you need an attractive alternative to hostas for your shade garden, a unique foliage... more »