Container A group of plants that I have developed a growing appreciation for over the years are ferns. I know many think of ferns as background plants or filler but for others the ferns can be the major focal plant in the garden with other plants being fern companion plants. I learned to use ferns in almost any part of the garden from sun to shade, dry to wet. Blechnum spicant When I started to build the garden at Old Goat Farm ferns became a major element particularly in the

Coleus and Begonia Annuals are a group of plants that seems to fall in and out of favor. Some years I grow several and other times I decide that I don’t want to bother with anything that is going to last for just the season. When I get really tired I think that maybe I’ll just grow trees and shrubs so I don’t really need to mess with any of those pesky plants out in the garden. This fortunately is a mood that doesn’t last long. Amaranthus and Marigold I do like to garden and

textural and color contrast When we moved to Old Goat Farm we brought with us about 60 different types of Hostas. Reliable and hardy with countless combinations of leaf color, shape, and texture, hostas appeal to gardeners because of their fabulous foliage. We use them throughout the garden as a great texture plant. Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ on the fern table. Hostas are herbaceous, mounding perennials, hardy to Zones 3 or 4, depending on the variety.

Hydrangea serrata ‘Preziosa’ Hydrangeas are the queens of the summer garden. Most deciduous shrubs and trees flower in spring giving more time to set seed throughout the summer. Since many hydrangeas flower at this time of year they definitely take the spotlight, not that they wouldn’t anytime with all those big blooms. Hydrangeas are native to the northern hemisphere, mainly Asia. There are a few North American species but the ones that are most popular originated in China,

Lilium The summer blooming Lilies have to be one of my favorite plants in the garden. OK, I know I have said that about a number of plants but this time I really mean it. Lilies are such a versatile plant and easy to squeeze in any border, as long as a few requirements are met. Good drainage is the key. They are a bulb and wet can make them rot so that is a big problem in the Northwest. Fortunately here at Old Goat Farm we are gardening on glacier-till so drainage is great. L

Hemerocallis ‘Cleopatra’ Hemerocallis is a genus of hardy, long-lived perennials related to Lilies. Each plant produces several flower stalks with up to a dozen buds. The buds open in series, but a flower lasts only a day, giving the plant its common name, Daylily. By growing different varieties, you can enjoy blooms from mid-June until frost in a rainbow of colors (except blue). Daylilies grow vigorously, help suppress weeds, and are generally free from pests and disease. La

Botanical Print When I think back to my childhood in North Dakota and remember flowers the first ones to come to mind are the Peonies. Both of my grandmothers grew them but I remember the ones in my Grandma Jenny’s garden as being particularly beautiful. I stayed there overnight frequently and she baked every Saturday morning. In-between batches of what ever was baking we would weed and I remember the smell of theses blooms being particularly sweet. I’m sure there is a connec

Epimedium Botanical Print Epimedium is another genus that we became avid collectors of several years ago. While working at the Miller Garden we were constantly running across new introductions that we just had to have. Most proved to be very garden worthy and today are some great performers in the garden just about now. Although I’m not on the search for new ones I still have to check them out when I see them at a plant sale and have had to pick up a few here and there. It is

Primula pulverulenta in the landscape Primula is a large genus of about 425 species and an untold number of cultivars. Most are herbaceous perennials and can be found in a variety of conditions from boggy areas to alpine meadow. Most can be divided into 5 basic type, Auricula, Acaulis, Candelabra, Polyanthus and Juliana. I have tried growing a number from all these different types and find some easier than others. I tend to have trouble with the Auricula type. I think these j

Trillium ovatum in the woods at Old Goat Farm One of the real harbingers of spring are the Trilliums. They are also one of the real show stoppers in the garden. There is nothing like coming through the woods and seeing big sweeps of them or just a couple real stand out plants. We grow about a dozen different types here at Old Goat Farm and have about half them available in the nursery. Growing them from seed is a long process but if you do it every year they just keep coming

mix border Spring ephemeral describes a life cycle of perennial woodland wildflowers which develop aerial parts (i.e. stems, leaves, and flowers) of the plant early each spring and then quickly bloom, produce seed and then go summer dormant. Some of the plants included in this group are Tulipa, Narcissus, Eranthis, Galanthus, Trillium, Anemone, Frillaria, Crocus, Cyclamen, Erythronium, Iris, Corydalis, Muscari and Cardamine. Trillium ovatum in the woods at Old goat Farm They

Nursery Being a small specialty nursery isn’t like most nursery businesses. Specialty nurseries tend to grow their own plants and it is a passion for the plants that came first. When we moved here there was already an area set up for what would be the nursery. There was a gravel pad in front of the barn and another on the side and behind where berries were grown. There was even a hoop-house out in the field which just encouraged us to jump into the nursery business. We did li

Helleborus x hybridus – double One of the main foundation plants in our garden is Helleborus x hybridus, the Lenten Rose. We probably have close to 200 because we use them in almost every bed. What I like is the fact that they are evergreen and the foliage looks good year-round. The foliage is also quite bold so it stands out in the garden. When we moved from Seattle we brought a full truck load of just hellebores from our old garden. They were looking good in the garden in J

pruning 80 year old apple trees Late winter or early spring is a good time to prune many woody plants while they are still dormant. There are exceptions, like some evergreens that tend to bleed sap are better pruned mid-spring so frost doesn’t effect the cut. Each plant is a bit different so it’s best to check out specific plants before you start in. Knowing the plant also helps you figure out how it should look. This winter has been kind of normal with swings in temperatures

hard at work We usually try and compost earlier in the year when things are really dormant, like fall, but it’s never too late to compost. Well right now the garden is just coming out of its winter mode so this is a good time. Compost is decomposed organic material made from garden waste and kitchen scraps from plant material. Do not use animal products such as meat, bones and dairy (or you’ll have rats). Over time this material breaks down into a rich, black material resembl

The hardscape and solid elements in the garden create an anchor for the plants and space. In the public garden I worked at, the original gardener had used stone extensively. She had a stone staircase, rock gardens with 20 and 40 tons respectively and a gully wall that was created out of stone. All were made from granite from the Cascade Mountains, the local mountain range. This brought the mountain, literally, right into the garden. When we decided to add a terrace and an alp

Entry to the woods Since we are having rain in spirts, now is the time to get a little bit done back in the woods in-between showers. Our little woodland is one of my favorite places to be. This is a very peaceful time of the year here at the farm. Most things are dormant so the garden is quiet, except the noise from all the birds in the distance. It is the time of year I am drawn into the woods. CJ and Blanche taking a stroll We have just an acre and a half of woods but it f

the trail into the winter garden Now is the time of year when gardeners in the Northwest start itching to be back out in the garden or thinking about it on those few nice days. The holidays are long gone, the days are barely starting to get longer, tons of spring catalogs are arriving daily in the mail but we are only about half way through winter. Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’ It is also the time of the year when most gardens aren't looking their best. Most things are dorma

Western Red Cedar – Thuja plicata Today is one of those cold winter days in the Northwest, highs just in the 40s and raining. It’s really the kind of day I don’t want to be out working in the garden but I don’t mind a walk-about. Everywhere I see little signs of spring but what I really appreciate are the simple things like the color and texture of the bark, mosses and lichens. I’m fortunate to have big trees with stunning trunks. There are a couple Western Red Cedars, a cou

Dwarf Conifers in the garden This is a good time of year to assess your garden. Does it look good now? If it looks good in January and into early February it probably looks good year round. One way to approach the garden is to try and look at each bed. When I’m designing a garden bed I try and make sure at least one third to one half the bed is either evergreen or the bare trees and shrubs have interesting branch structure. Dwarf conifers in the nursery One of my favorite “go