False cypress 'Wissel's saguaro' has an incredible sculptural quality  Photo credit

March is a great time to go on a treasure hunt at the nurseries. Buyers have spent the winter poring over plant lists to select the latest and greatest for us. Conifers figure high on their priorities because they look good all year. Nurseries also focus on bringing in unusual varieties which are suitable both for containers and the landscape.

Many of you know that my favorite conifer for tight spaces is the false cypress (Chamaecyparis l.) 'Wissel's Saguaro' with its rich blue green foliage and huggable shape. Well for those of you in the Seattle area Molbaks has managed to find some! They are GREAT value at just $19.99 for a 1 gallon size. Head over there quickly before they all go. Use them in containers, narrow side yards or as punctuation points in the larger landscapes. Mine grow 8-10" per year but stay less than 2' wide. 

Thorsen's weeping hemlock

Another dwarf conifer to look for is the Thorsen's weeping hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). This is staked to a specific height (typically 4-6') then allowed to drape beautifully onto the ground like a pool of green silk. Imagine this planted solo in a  wide, shallow bowl, perhaps in a matte black where it can be allowed to tumble gently over the edge like an oversized bonsai. Very striking.

Camellias begin to bloom later this month (Camellia japonica varieties) so you can be sure the nurseries will have plenty to tempt you with in shades of pink, white and red. I'd be hard pressed to choose a favorite but perhaps 'Nuccio's Gem' makes the cut with its perfect rosettes of white petals. It grows to a tidy 6-8' mound and is truly breathtaking especially when underplanted with a dwarf variegated Pieris such as 'Little Heath'. 

Typically growing to just 10' this Magnolia is well suited to the smaller garden.

The large fuzzy white buds of deciduous magnolias are attractive in themselves looking like pussy willow on steroids. The real draw of course is the large goblet shaped flowers of the Japanese magnolias (Magnolia soulangiana) or the white starry blooms of the star magnolia (Magnolia stellata). Set against a clear blue sky they are breathtaking.

Clear out the trunk of your car and go shopping!

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King County Master Gardener Foundation, Woodinville, WA
April 20th 10.30-12.00pm  Secrets to Success with Containers. Take your container garden designs to the next level as I share tips on how to create artistic combinations for both sun and shade. After planting two unique designs, I will also demonstrate the best methods for container drip irrigation to keep your pots looking fabulous even when you're on vacation. For registration and further details click here or contact Karen Hausrath .Open to the public

Molbaks Nursery, Woodinville, WA

April 30th 10.00-11.00am Designing Garden Memories. Gardens should be experienced, not just observed. Learn how to design a memorable garden journey with ideas for entrances, pathways, garden 'moments' along the way and destinations which lure you deeper into the landscape. Using beautiful photographs you'll gain confidence whether you need to add interest and a new look to existing gardens or start from scratch, no matter how large or small your space.1 hour PowerPoint presentation. Open to the public. Free. Directions.

Who doesn't love sweet peas? When we first moved to the Seattle area in 1996 one of our first trips was to the famous Pike Place Market, renowned for its displays of fresh seafood, produce and flowers. As I walked down the aisles I came across an unforgettable display of sweet peas. That was the first and only time I have been homesick for England. They were a poignant reminder of all the gardens I had enjoyed both as a child and adult yet for those first few months we were living in an apartment without so much as a sunny balcony.

Thankfully we have enjoyed a garden (and sweet peas) ever since and I always grow them myself from seed. If you'd like to try yourself this year I have posted a simple, old fashioned method on my blog. Part 1 is about how to prepare and sow the seed. Read it here.

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For those living in the Seattle area here are a few great seminars and workshops that you might enjoy. 

March 5th 8am-3pm Growing Groceries Learning Fair. Monroe High School 17001 Tester Rd, Monroe, WA. Includes information on urban chicken rearing, veggies 101, composting, seed starting and small space vertical gardening. Register here

March 10th 10.30-12pm Edible Garden Design by Colin McCrate from the Seattle Urban Farm Co. Part of the King County Master Gardener Foundation continuing education series. Details, directions and registration

March 12th 10-11am The Buzz about Mason Bees, Molbaks nursery, Woodinville, WA by Missy Anderson. Learn more about these fascinating pollinators and how you can increase your orchard fruit production. (This is something I'm trying for the first time this year). Directions

March 19th 12.30-1.30pm. Increasing your Curb Appeal; adding value and interest to your home and yard. Molbaks nursery, Woodinville, WA. A joint presentation by Julie Billett, Managing Broker at Windermere Real Estate, and Julie Allyne, owner of PlantWorks Unlimited. Directions. 

March 24th 10.30-12pm Designing dramatic, water-thrifty gardens with landscape designer Phil Wood. Part of the King County Master Gardener Foundation continuing education series. Details, directions and registration 

March 27th 1-2pm. Spring Tips for Lawn Care and controlling moss and moles Molbaks nursery, Woodinville, WA by Ladd Smith, co-owner of In Harmony. Directions

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If you haven't been to my blog in a while you're missing out! Last month the most popular articles (besides those about the Northwest Flower & Garden Show) were  'Adding Sparkle with Variegated Plants'  and 'Top 5 Cool New Plants'. You'll be writing up your garden shopping list for sure!

Just one of the cool plants featured!

This month I have more fun features planned including an article on using blue foliage in your landscape. Don't miss out; head over to the blog and sign up to receive these posts automatically (on the blog home page click 'subscribe by email'). They are published just twice a week so you won't be bombarded!

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The Seattle date is almost here; March 18th 8am-4pm at the Newcastle Golf Club, WA. Just a few tickets left; get yours today!

Click on logo to register for ALL cities

Details of the Seattle event here

Good food, great seminars, fun goodie bags - see you there!

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"Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"-- Robin Williams