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Don't Forget,  
Father's Day 
June 15th  
Be it Maple trees or Rhododendrons, 
Hedging or Herbs, Landscaping or Gift Certificates...
we have great gift ideas for every Dad!
A Few of our
Hummingbird Favorites:

Columbine

Delphinium

Hollyhock

Foxglove (Digitalis)

Liatris

Cape Fuchsia (Phygelius)

Fuchsia (perennial & annual)

Coral Bells (Heuchera)

Lobelia cardinalis 

Penstemon

 Salvia

Snapdragon

Petunia

 Flowering Currant (Ribes)

Weigela

 Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)

Honeysuckle vine (Lonicera)

Clematis

Trumpet Vine (Campsis)

Hosta

Lungwort (Pulmonaria)

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)

Clever or Corny Tree Ideas for DAD!
 
~Maples for the colorful dad.
 
~Stewartia because it blooms in June.
 
~Silberlocke Fir for the dad showing a little white.
 
~Mountain Hemlock for the outdoors man.
 
~Katsura trees with the large heart shaped leaves.
 
~Alaskan Cedars and Mt. Hemlocks for the dad that hikes.
 
~Japanese Maples for the aristocrat dad.
 
~Weeping Norway Spruce for the dad with the sore back.
 
This fruit is so good a whole festival grew up around it! Whether participating in the Berry Run or the
Shortcake Eating Contest, the 83rd annual Marysville Strawberry Festival has something for everyone. Held every year the third weekend in June when berries are at their peak, this Snohomish County event should not be missed. 
For more information, please visit: maryfest.org
Last Chance for Veggies...
warm season veggie
As the Summer solstice approaches it is also your last chance to plant any summer vegetables. You still have time for beans, summer squash, cucumbers and most winter squash. You can still have success with tomatoes and peppers from starts. If in doubt check your seed package for how many days until maturity. Remember to plant with a plan for your fall garden, in the PNW we are fortunate to be able to plant cool season veggies in both Spring and late Summer.
Great Hydrangeas
 Available Now! 
  

Climbing hydrangea; Hydrangea petiolaris: A self-clinging vine with handsome exfoliating rust colored bark and creamy lacecap blooms

* Oakleaf hydrangea; Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice' and 'Ruby Slipper'; unique large oak shaped leaves with stunning fall color. Blooms are panicles of creamy white to a deep mauve.

* Hydrangea arborescens  'Annabelle'; a very hardy, large shrub with white mophead flower cluster

* Hydrangea paniculata 'Pinky' and 'Quickfire'; offer large cone shaped bloom clusters in creamy white that become deep rose pink

* Hydrangea 'Savant'; bears very large white mophead blooms that age with a blush pink cast.

* Hydrangea 'Wedding Gown'; offers white delicate lacecap double blooms.

* Hydrangea 'Pistacio'; a new and unusual variety with deep purple blooms with green centers; borne in mophead clusters

* Hydrangea 'Glowing Embers' deep pink to burgundy mophead blooms

* Hydrangea 'Nikko Blue' traditional blue to pink mophead blooms

* Hydrangea 'Endless Summer' blue repeat blooming mophead

* Hydrangea 'Cityline Paris' a compact shrub to 36-48" tall with deep pink mophead bloom

* Hydrangea 'Cityline Rio'

a compact shrub to 36-48" tall with blue mophead blooms

* Hydrangea 'Cityline Berlin'

 a compact shrub 36-48" tall with creamy white blooms rimmed in blue in mophead form  

  


 

Graduation Parties
this month?
Whether you need to freshen up the containers by your front door, around your deck or revamp your back yard...we have lots of great ideas to help welcome your guests and make your graduation party special.
WARNING!
   
There will be construction on Broadway and Springhetti June 23rd through August 22nd.
Don't fret, just hop on Highway 9 North and take a right on Airport Road. We are just about half a mile up Springhetti on your right!
  
Thanks for Visiting Us!
 "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Maya Angelou 1928-2014
Hummingbirds

Truly the most fascinating bird in any ones' garden has to be a hummingbird with their quick motions and iridescent feathers. These busy birds weigh less than an ounce and eat half that amount each day. They can actually burn up to 12,000 calories a day just collecting nectar while feeding virtually from sunrise to sunset! Hummingbirds can fly in any direction, yes backwards too, with their wings beating upwards of 80 beats per second. They're often seen hovering over brightly colored flowers feeding with their long, slender beaks visiting as many as a a thousand flowers on a single day. Every day in the nursery we are asked what plants will bring more hummingbirds to your gardens. Hummers are attracted to bright colored blooms, red, orange, hot pink and tubular blossoms...we would be happy to show you a few of our favorites!

 It's Strawberry Season!
June bearing, everbearing or wild...there are strawberries every where in the month of June. This easy to grow fruit is a must in every home garden. Practically evergreen, strawberries fit as well in a perennial flower bed as they do in a veggie garden. They can be grown in hanging baskets, pocketed strawberry jars or follow the new trend of planting up on old rain gutter. June bearing plants such as 'Rainer' or 'Shuksan' are great for canning as they produce heavy yields for the entire month. Everbearing varieties such as 'Quinault' and 'Tristar' produce over the entire season...these are great for fresh eating as there is a constant supply of fruit. There are great ornamental strawberries like 'Lipstick' and 'Lila Diamond' that have brilliant pink blooms. They are often grown as ground covers, however the fruit all be it smaller and seeder is still edible. I have worked in some of each in my garden and highly recommend you do also.
  We be Jammin'
Fun, rewarding, delicious! 
Strawberry jam is one of the easiest preserves to make.
 Crush 8 cups of sliced and hulled berries in a heavy kettle. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon butter and 1.75 ounce package of dried pectin. Heat on high to a rolling boil. Add 7 cups of sugar, constantly stirring bring jam to a temperature of 220 degrees (use a candy thermometer). Remove from heat and scoop foam off top with a metal spoon. Ladle at once into hot, sterilized canning jars. Process in a boiling water canner for 5 minutes. 
Grillin' and Chillin'....
We all know Dad is 
"King of the Grill", and with the outdoor cooking season upon us what a great time to add some great gift idea for dad a box full of 
 bar-b-que herbs. One of the best herbs for bar-b-queing is rosemary. Use the aromatic sprigs for basting olive oil or butter. Longer springs can be used to make skewers for the grill infusing your kabobs with that wonderful aromatic flavor. Fresh sage is wonderful on chicken and pairs nicely with fresh lemon. If you lean toward seafoods then dill is a must have. Whether stuffed inside, used as a baster or minced up in your marinade dill will enhance any type of fresh catch on the grill. If veggies like grilled tomatoes, summer squash or eggplant are more your style be sure to have lots of basil on hand. For a simple gift included a few of these handy wooden spoon basting brushes...simply tie fresh herbs to the end of a wooden spoon with either onion leaves or an organic string like hemp or cotton cooking twine and "Wala" the perfect addition to your box of herbs!
 Celebrate the
Summer Solstice
The first day of summer arrives June 21 at 6:51 EDT. This marks the the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere! The earth's North Pole is pivoted directly toward the sun causing the warming temperatures of summer. For farmers this typically has depicted the mid season point, half way between planting and harvesting. The Summer Solstice has been traditionally celebrated with bonfires and dance, dating back to ancient civilizations. Each year in Wiltshire, England thousands descend on Stonehenge to celebrate the solstice and the deep spiritual meanings it has held for centuries. No matter how you choose to celebrate...planting a tree or dancing around a bonfire...be sure to reflect on the significance the length of the day has meant in the past and how it has shaped the world we live in today.
Everyones favorite
 Summer Bloom!
I personally could never have enough hydrangeas in my garden. Long lasting summer blooms ranging from white, pink, blue and deep purple that age gracefully in the fall and often hang on through the entire winter. I have even gone as far as too decorate my Christmas tree with the faded blooms, raffia and white mini lights. These easy to care for shrubs require little fertilizing, minimal pruning and thrive in the Pacific Northwest.
   
Look for delicate lace-cap whose bloom is flat and rather graceful looking, Paniculatas with an elongated cone shape or the most common Mophead with a big fluffy snow ball shape. Many hydrangeas are Ph sensitive and colors can be altered by adding either lime, for pinker hydrangeas, or aluminum sulfate (hydrangea blueing) for bluer to purple hydrangea. This must be done late winter or early spring before the blooms have set. There are many new hydrangeas that bloom on both old and new wood and can be practically cut to the ground each year and will still bloom. These newer plants are easy to keep trimmed to the perfect size for your garden space. We have a great collection of hydrangeas now and we look forward to helping you choose the perfect one for your garden.

drearth2How are you feeding your plants this summer?
As the weather warms, and your garden begins to show stress...show some love to your plants with

 

Dr. Earth Organic Fertilizers! 

This pro-biotic fertilizer not only feeds your plants but the soil as well. It's unique formula increases a plants ability to take up more water and nutrients to help them stay healthy during the summer months. 

Road Tripping
Often during the summer months we find ourselves east of the mountains to visit family, seek out the sun or visit colleges with our teens. This year why not take in a garden also. The vast difference in climate on the east side of Washington can help inspire us through the heat to see what other options there are.
 I would highly recommended Ohme Garden
  near Wenatchee to anyone who has never visited. This unique garden sits high above the city on a 600 foot bluff with breathtaking views. In 1910 Herman Ohme arrived in the Wenatchee area from Illinois expecting a lush mountain area instead of the desert. It didn't take long from him and his wife Ruth to start creating their own lush wonderland. In 1929 they began making trips to the Cascades and bring home seedling trees, shrubs and ferns and transplanting them to their property. Water was hauled in 5 gallon milk jugs to keep the transplants alive, until Herman installed an elaborate irrigation system. Flagstone was hauled from around the Columbia river and used to make pathways, steps and benches throughout the garden. In 1939 an article in the Wenatchee World brought curious visitors who were charged a quarter per carload to see the gardens. It takes about a hour to walk the garden and adult admision is $7.00.

 

Have you met Tarcissio? This hard working dad oversees the farm crew at McAuliffe's Valley Nursery. Their time in the fields is spent watering, planting, pruning, harvesting and prepping trees for the nursery, all this while keeping the farm weed and pest free. As if that wasn't enough you are likely to see Tarcissio helping load trees and helping with restocking in the nursery. This very capable young nursery man has even been known to do some deliveries and installations. As you can see no one at McAuliffe's wears just one hat! Tarcissio is the proud dad of a young boy and girl and enjoys his time at home working in his garden. Besides his more traditional yard of trees, shrubs and perennials, he enjoys his edible garden, his favorites being cucumbers, tomatoes and blueberries. He does most of the cooking for his family specializing in Chinese but if you every get a chance to try his carne asada it's amazing! 

In need of a Gift Certificate for Dad? 
Click on the 'Buy Now' button below to purchase a Gift Certificate. It will be hand written and delivered to your Father for his special day.
(Please allow a few days for mailing.)

You can also visit our homepage, www.mcauliffesvalleynursery.com
to see more of the wonderful plants and items that 
we have to offer here at the nursery! 

  
Please include: Recipient's Name, Mailing Address, Phone Number, and Gift Certificate Amount.
  

  

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(360) 862-1323

11910 Springhetti Road

Snohomish, WA 98296

Visit our website www.mcauliffesvalleynursery.com

E-mail us [email protected]