As much as I love the summer there is something comforting about finding my warm sweaters,sipping butternut squash soup, making pumpkin bread and hunting for chestnuts (the British call them conkers) amongst the fallen leaves. I don't think I could live in a climate which doesn't have the four seasons although I sometimes think I could skip winter!
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Fall/winter container planting
Did you realize that we typically enjoy our fall and winter containers for seven months of the year; from October to May? It's now time to refresh those summer containers with cold hardy plants. Far from being drab my cold weather designs include interesting foliage, varied textures and splashes of seasonal color.
They can easily be dressed up for special holidays and wherever possible I tuck spring bulbs into the soil for early spring interest. In fact the best selection of bulbs are only available for the next few weeks so even if you're not ready to re-plant just yet, I would be happy to take pre-orders for bulbs for me to add to your container gardens later.
Call or email me to set up an appointment to get you ready for fall. |
 Landscape consultation
"All gardening is landscape painting"
Horace Walpole (1780)
Don't feel very artistic? No problem; that's what I'm here for! Need ideas on how to incorporate fabulous fall plants into your landscape?
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Seminars
I love to share my knowledge and passion for gardening with others so am always thrilled to have the opportunity to present seminars to nurseries and private groups. My website has been updated again this month with the latest bookings, which includes the invitation to speak at the 2010 Northwest Flower and Garden Show; check out the Events page for details. If you are interested in a presentation for your garden club or organization I would be happy to discuss ideas with you. Email me for more information.
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Landscape Design
Do you need an area of your garden to be completely re-designed to function better and reflect your lifestyle? Specializing in small gardens I have the vision to see potential in the most challenging of spaces and love to bring the same attention to detail and artistry that I use in container gardens to my landscape designs.
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Fall Events
October 4th; The Garden Conservancy's Open Days Program - Kingston; enjoy a special visit to Heronswood, the world-renowned nursery and garden. Admission is $5 per person; children under 12 free. Incredible opportunity. Phone: 888-842-2442
October 6th; Winemaker's dinner; 5 course meal with wine pairings at my favorite nursery; Molbaks. $55 per person; registration required.
October 10th; Designing the Garden you Want; from basics to the final touches. A symposium to help you create the garden of your dreams. Great speaker line up including my good friends Don Marshall and Tina Dixon. Phone: 425-647-6004
October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24,25th. Fall play; 'The Emperor's New Clothes'. A family tradition in our home despite the fact that our kids are now 17 and 21!! Tons of fun for all ages. Molbaks nursery.
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October 'must have' plants.
Pyracantha coccinea ( Firethorn).  Evergreen shrub with an amazing display of berries in yellow, orange or red. Lots of varieties from dwarf mounders to tall ones which can be trained to cover a wall but beware of the sharp thorns! Full sun or part shade with the best berry production in full sun .
Japanese maples. I love them all! Take a trip to the Japanese Gardens in Seattle if you have time this month to appreciate the incredible variety of leaf shapes and colors. 
Two of my personal favorites are Arakawa (pictured here in the container) and Bloodgood (a larger burgundy leaved variety which looks as though it is on fire).
Euonymus alata 'Compacta'(Burning bush). This is the perfect example of a Cinderella plant; mundane for most of the year but amazing when dressed up! Spectacular red leaves and corky bark. Can be pruned to keep small; the variety name 'Compacta' can be somewhat misleading as left untrimmed these can get to 10'! (There are a couple of other named varieties which stay closer to 5').Full sun for best color.
Anemone japonica (Japanese anemone). A 3-4' tall perennial topped with dozens of white or pink flowers in late summer/early fall; a welcome change from Chrysanthemums and Asters in the garden.
These make great cut flowers too. Look wonderful massed under a tree. Sun or part shade.
Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion' (Beautyberry).  Striking metallic purple berries on bare stems which can last until February if the birds don't eat them all! Sun or shade, moist soil or dry i.e. not a prima donna!
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Kick leaves in the air, drink hot apple cider, carve a pumpkin, and become a child again this October. Take a moment to appreciate the simple things.
Sincerely,
Karen Chapman CPH
Le Jardinet
425 765 3574 |
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TIP OF THE MONTH 
October is the month to start planting spring blooming bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and snowdrops. Plant them in large masses where space and budget allows, for an eye catching display in the garden.
Or make a bulb-lasagna pot; a feast for the eyes (but not the dinner table)! The only thing I disagree with in this article is their use of crocks or gravel over the drainage hole. You don't need either and they can actually cause the hole to become blocked as roots wrap tightly around them. |
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Bargain of the Month!
An 'oops' moment for me (I bought the wrong size) makes a great opportunity for you.
Beautiful container from AW pottery. This color would be the perfect foil for autumn inspired designs. 17" w x 15" h. Retail $90; sale price just $65! |
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Imagination goes here
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