Welcome to February! Each day brings more daylight, although the persistent fog gives the Skagit Valley a presence more like the British Moors.

While looking out at my garden, I'm starting to notice the different ways my plants handle winter. When you have an eclectic mixed border, the range of display is most telling. Like those of us who trudge through the winter darkness, foggy-headed only to emerge in spring like the 'Mole People', much of my garden currently looks like it suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is solar powered and languishes from the lack of sunlight. I can clearly see empty spaces that were filled last summer with luscious foliage and spectacular blooms. The weather hasn't been encouraging me to do much winter tidying, so there lies last year's perennial foliage turned to mush. But, even though I haven't been out physically working in the garden, I'm thinking about it. Constantly. Hmmm, what to do with my garden this spring. What changes, edits and additions need to occur. The gardening bug is starting to hum in my thoughts.

So, now that it's February, it's time to take advantage of this transitional period for planning and assessing your garden - what has survived the winter, what needs attention and what you need to do next. Rachel's article, The Garden in February provides great ideas of what to do this month to get ready for spring. Hone your gardening skills and while you're at it, hone your pruners.

The highlight of the month is our annual Winter Festival, A Fascination for Hellabores. This year, Riz Reyes is presenting, Hellebores: A Primer for Gardeners and Floral Designers. Winning numerous awards at the NW Flower and Garden Show for his Lost Gardener exhibit in 2013, Riz is a graduate from the University of Washington with a BS in Environmental Horticulture & Urban Forestry and works part-time for the University of Washington Botanic Gardens. He owns RHR Horticulture in the Seattle area.

With the variety of classes and events offered this winter, we hope to make the kick start to spring inspiring and a success for all of you! And speaking of getting inspired, don't forget to visit us at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show's Treasure Island booth (#2522), February 5 - 9 at the Seattle Convention Center. Limited flower bus tickets are still available!

Our biggest rose sale of the year including,
antique, English, climbing and
drought tolerant rugosa roses.

Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis 'Fragrant Valley': A great new groundcover for those difficult dry, shady areas! White flowers are inconspicuous but they sure pack a fragrant punch throughout February. Shiny, black berries to follow. Low growing, this shrub reaches just 18 inches tall and 3 feet across, making it a great evergreen groundcover that is low maintenance. Plant it around deciduous trees or as a stand-alone blanket of uniform, bright green foliage in part to full shade. Hardy to -20 degrees (F).

This is still prime time to plant and prune your favorite edible trees and shrubs because they come to us bare root. Bare root plants are easy to plant, adapt well to your garden conditions and provide an abundance of fruit for your table and they cost 30% less than their counterparts sold in pots. We have many different varieties of apples, pears, cherries, frost peach, blueberries, raspberries, currents and brambles.

Galanthus nivalis: A favorite ephemeral of author and illustrator, Beatrix Potter, the appearance of snowdrop is a true sign that spring is coming. Known to poke its head up through a blanket of snow, its common name refers to the flower's resemblance to drops of snow. Each bulb produces 2 -3 narrow, linear leaves and a leafless flower scape topped with a single, nodding white bell-shaped flower. They can colonize a shaded area over time, creating a blanket of lovely, delicate white flowers perfect for a woodland garden setting. Hardy to -40 degrees (F).

Narcissus 'February Gold': The cyclamineus daffodils usually have long trumpet and extremely reflexed petals (perianth segments) that are reminiscent of cyclamen, thus the name. However, 'February Gold' flowers feature a bright yellow trumpet and slightly reflexed bright yellow petals. This variety rises 14-16" tall in late winter and is noted for being one of the earliest blooming varieties. 'February Gold' was reportedly hybridized by de Graaff in Holland in 1923. Hardy to -30 degrees (F).

Crocus vernus: The Dutch crocus is one of the hardiest, if not the hardiest, crocus species readily available on the market. A true harbinger of spring, it works well in many garden cultures and styles and often naturalize in lawns. After flowering, the foliage must be left intact until it dies back, which may cause lawn-mower anxiety for some gardeners. Often sold as "mixed crocus," cultivars of this species are typically white, lilac, or purple and white striped. The bulbs need to be planted in the fall, but we carry varieties all potted up for winter bloom ready to go in the garden or in decorative containers. Hardy to -40 degrees (F).

Primula vulgaris double English varieties: Double English primroses have been a favorite in English cottage gardens for centuries. These classic beauties almost went extinct but are now available again thanks to advanced propagation techniques. Easy to grow, English primroses keep blooming throughout mid-winter to early spring, only slowing down when the weather warms up. Their popularity is enhanced by the many color choices available from rich reds and blues to yellows and whites, for a bit a brightness on a gray, Pacific Northwest day. Make sure to plant them where the soil has even moisture in partial shade and away from vigorous tree roots.

 Join Laura Campbell, renowned wreath weaver, as she guides you through the making of a living chair for your home or garden. Bring your own chair (wood or metal), preferably with an open back or seat and don't forget pruners and gloves! We'll provide the vines and planting infrastructure and with expert guidance you'll weave around the chair creating the "bones" to support your plantings. A little chicken wire and moss provide the "pot." When you're done, stroll the nursery to select and purchase the plants for your new garden chair! 

Sunday, March 23     

 

In the 21st century, gardens and landscapes are called to be more than beautiful spaces filled with color and fragrance.  Today's gardens are stormwater facilities that produce renewable and basic resources, prevent erosion, benefit air quality, feed their inhabitants both critters and people and mitigate habitat for wildlife. Come and learn why and how from Certified Low Impact Development specialist Zsofia Pasztor, to transform your garden to a modern environment!

 

Saturday, March 29   

(reservations required - $8 class fee)

 

Bob Zimmermann of Chimacum Woods will explore the distinctly different world of species rhododendrons. These plants don't look like the rhodies most of us are used to. They offer a broad range of leaf shapes, colors and patterns.  Bob, has been raising species rhodies from seed for forty years and has just returned from his fifth rhody exploration in China. He will describe and show pictures of some of the most interesting species, including many available at the nursery.

Saturday, March 29   

Join John Christianson for his first tour of the year through the lovely English style gardens of La Conner Flats located next to the nursery. Meet John in front of the schoolhouse then stride over to La Conner Flats to see what plants are showing an inspiring early spring display. Waterproof shoes and raingear are recommended depending on the weather.