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Garden Notes
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Greetings from Christianson's!
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Our Propagation House in living color.
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Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.
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~George Cooper
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If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? Gardeners to our Nursery, of course! May is the official start to gardening season and our glass houses are in full bloom. We have a whole house of geraniums and Fuchsia hanging baskets as well as basket stuffers and bedding annuals. Tables of perennials, annuals and vegetable starts grace the isles with wonderful color and lushness.
Mother's Day is a tradition that brings many of you to our Nursery to find that special gift for mom. We have lovely potted baskets; hanging and table top designs to choose from and our custom container designer, Elissa is available to create that something special for you. If you are scratching your head as to what to get Mom, try these tips to help you decide:
- What was her wedding flower? Take a look at old photos for clues if you can or ask a relative.
- What does she gravitate towards to plant in her garden?
When at her home, notice what she seems to pick out herself and then find a variety that is more unusual. If she doesn't have a planted garden, perhaps she points out her favorite plants in other gardens that would work in a lovely container or bouquet.
- What is her favorite color? There's a flower for it.
- What is a universal mom flower? If you still can't decide, old favorites such as Impatiens, Petunias, Begonias, Fuchsias and Geraniums are classic choices. Our expert staff can help you decide
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What kind of care can she provide? A delicate but important question. Is she able to care for the plants or is there someone available who can?
Otherwise, after that delicious Mother's Day brunch, bring Mom in to pick out something special to her liking. If plants aren't an option, our Primrose Gift Shop has lovely gift ideas that are sure to be a hit.
Happy Mother's Day, Everyone!
Debra Lacy, Certified Professional Horticulturist & Editor
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May Specials
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May 1-11
Basket Stuffers Premium annuals for baskets or gardens Growing in 2" pots
20% off
May 5-11
Geraniums
Zonal, ivy, scented and fancy-leaf Growing in 4" pots
20% off
May 10-11
Mother's Day Weekend Special
Eastern and Asiatic dogwood trees in bloom (approx. 6'-8' tall)
20% off
May 12-18
Shady Days
Shade-loving tuberous begonias,
fancy double impatiens and
New Guinea impatiens in 4" pots
20% off
May 19-June 1
Fuchsias
Hardy, upright and trailing fuchsias
in baskets and 2, 4 and 6 - inch pots
20% off
We have many rose varieties to chose from
Click here for our Rose List
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Where To Find Us
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15806 Best Road
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Map and directions
www.christiansonsnursery.com
360-466-3821
1-800-585-8200
Spring Hours
Open daily 9 am - 6 pm Fridays open until 7 pm
Weekly Radio Broadcast:
Sunday Mornings at 10:30 am
The Garden Show with John and Mike KAPS AM 660
Voted Best Greenhouse and Nursery
in Skagit Publishing's
People's Choice Awards for
2010, 2011 and 2012
Voted Best Nursery
in Cascadia Weekly's Best of Skagit Awards, 2014
Special Events
WSU Skagit Valley Master Gardener's Plant Clinics
Saturday, May 31
10 AM - 2 PM
Master Gardener's from Skagit Valley's WSU station will be available at the Nursery to answer your questions about plant health concerns and plant care.
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Queen Bee Espresso
Mother's Day weekend
10 AM to 3 PM
Satisfy that coffee craving with our new espresso service! Local Barista Tami Roberts of Queen Bee Espresso will artfully create your coffee concoction to perfection!
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Upcoming Classes & Events
.: May - June :.
Friday, May 30
5 - 9 pm: An Evening of Wine & Artisan Chocolate at the SchoolhouseSaturday, May 31 10 am - 2 pm: WSU Master Gardener's Plant Clinic Sunday, June 1
1 - 3:30 pm: Workshop: Indoor Suitable BonsaiSaturday, June 7
11 am - Noon: The Point and Shoot Camera: Every Gardener's Best Friend Sunday, June 8
1 - 3:30 pm: Workshop: Conifer Bonsai
Saturday, June 14
Saturday, June 14
1 pm: June Bloom Walk with John ChristiansonSaturday, June 21
9 am - 5 pm: New! First Annual Antique Fair at the SchoolhouseSaturday, June 28
9 am - 6 pm: 11th Annual Rose FestivalSaturday, June 28
11 am - Noon: Sustainable Rose Growing
Classes are very popular and fill up quickly. Please call us soon to reserve your spot at 1-800-585-8200.
For more information visit our web site at
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An Evening of Wine and Chocolates at the Schoolhouse
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Friday, May 30 7-9 pm
Experience a luscious tasting sensation of wines paired with hand-crafted chocolates in the Schoolhouse; enjoy soft jazz entertainment in the Rose Garden and stroll through the Nursery and Greenhouses for a burst of spring. Please join us at this special evening to benefit the new La Conner Regional Library building project, proudly hosted by Christianson's and presented by the La Conner Library Foundation.
Jeff Hellam of Hellam's Vineyard in La Conner and chocolatier Crystal Scheer of Charmed Chocolates in Bellingham have teamed up to present each guest a complete pairing of six wines and six artisan chocolates. You'll learn about the distinctive tastes of each pairing, including the local ingredients featured in each chocolate from two individuals who are both passionate about what they do and eager to share their knowledge. The focus will be on Washington wines specially paired with chocolates made at the Bow Hill Blueberry Farm commercial kitchen.
10% of all plant sales made during this event will be donated to the new library project. A special shopping time for attendees the day of the event is 5 - 9 p.m. Please present your ticket to the cashier.
Tickets at $25 are available at Brown Paper Tickets (www.brownpapertickets.com), Christianson's Nursery (cash or check) or from the La Conner Library Foundation, 614 Morris Street, La Conner, WA 98257. A maximum of 100 tickets will be sold. Must be 21 years and older to attend.
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It's Time to Plant Giant Pumpkins!
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Photo by Eve Boe
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Packets of Giant Pumpkin seed harvested from 3 of the biggest pumpkins of last year is now available to you at no charge! Each packet has one seed from each pumpkin and instructions for growing one of these giants. It's a first come, first serve deal, so hurry in to take advantage of this great opportunity!
April is when you need to start germinating your seeds of giant pumpkins indoors for transplanting outdoors later - and you'll want to be part of the fun this year, since Christianson's is planning its best Giant Pumpkin Festival! The Fourth Annual Skagit Valley Giant Pumpkin Festival is set for Saturday, September 27. We'll have great prizes for the pumpkin weigh-off, games and food, music and pony rides - a day not to be missed!
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First Annual Antique Fair at the Schoolhouse
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Saturday, June 21
9 AM - 5 PM
Free Admission
We love antiques (and historic preservation) so much that we've decided to make it an event! Join us for a day of shopping quality antiques and collectibles from local antique dealers right here at the Nursery!
Antiques include fine furniture, garden accessories,
collectables and re-purposed hand-made items.
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A Rosy Day Out: Eleventh Annual Rose Festival
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9 am to 6 pm
Back by popular demand, rosebuds Ciscoe Morris and John Christianson will talk roses again this year! Before Ciscoe we are pleased that Rosarian Jeff Wyckoff will give a class on Sustainable Rose Gardening at 11 a.m. located in the Old Granary. The schedule of events include:
8:30 - 10:30 am
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Rose Display entry submissions accepted
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9 am - 6 pm
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Self-guided tour of Schoolhouse Rose Garden
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10 am - 2 pm
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WSU Skagit Valley Extension Master Gardener's Plant Clinic
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10:30 am - 5 pm
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Tri-Valley Rose Society Display
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10:30 am - 1 pm
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Tri-Valley Rose Society members available for rose advice
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11 am - noon
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Jeff Wyckoff talks about Sustainable Rose Growing
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1 - 2 pm
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Robyn Swesey and Larry Sawyer of the Tri-Valley Rose Society talk about
Tips & Tricks for the Best Bloom
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2 pm
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Rosebuds,Ciscoe Morris &John Christianson present Favorite Roses and Rose Companions, followed by a Rose Ice Cream Social
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Calling All Rosarians!
As part of Christianson's Annual Rose Festival, the Tri-Valley Rose Society is hosting it Rose Display in our Schoolhouse and is extending an invitation to amateurs and experts alike to submit their roses to be voted on in the following categories: (1) Best in Show, (2) Best Fragrant Rose and (3) Best Floral Display incorporating perennials with roses. Ciscoe Morris and John Christianson will announce the winners and gift certificates will be awarded. Entries must be submitted between 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. on the day of the festival.
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The Garden in May
by Rachel Anderson
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When I was growing up, my Mom was always spending her free time in the garden. How she managed to have free time as a single working mother of two I'll never understand. But, she did. Now I understand that spending time in the garden was the best way for her to relax and have a few moments to herself. Occasionally, I would "help" her by pulling weeds, (which sometimes were not actually weeds) or by gathering earthworms and lining them up into families (the longest was the dad, of course! Poor worms!). How I thought this could be helpful, I'll never know. I think she was just glad I was occupied and out of her hair for a little while.
Read more......
To download a printable copy of this article, click here. Rachel has been gardening since childhood, thanks to her mom, and has been part of the team at Christianson's since 2002. She's a Certified Professional Horticulturist with a passion for roses and vegetable gardening. Rachel and her family enjoy gardening together and now share their urban garden with a menagerie of ducks, chickens, two cats, and a dog.
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Great Design Plants
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It's Time to Plant Those Containers!
It's peak season for planting containers! The number of choices can be daunting, but here are some great container plant selections:
Trees for Containers
Rhus typhina 'Tiger Eyes': Tiger Eyes sumac is a dwarf, golden-leaved, deciduous staghorn sumac cultivar that typically matures to only 6' tall and as wide. It was discovered in a cultivated nursery setting in July of 1985 as a whole plant mutation of R. typhina 'Laciniata'. It is considered to be a superior landscape plant to 'Laciniata' as well as to the species (Rhus typhina) because of its dwarf size, quality yellow foliage and minimal suckering. Deeply dissected, pinnate compound leaves (to 1-2' long) emerge chartreuse in spring, but quickly mature to bright yellow. Foliage may acquire some striking orange and scarlet tones in fall. Contrasts well with deep purple. Super hardy to -30 degrees (F).
Acer palmatum cultivars: There are numerous Japanese maples that do beautifully in containers. Slow growing, either weeping or upright, Japanese maples lend themselves well to larger containers for that architectural focal point in the landscape or on a patio. Japanese maples in the dissectum group are typically a much smaller, rounded, slow-growing shrubby form (often with cascading branching) that rarely matures to more than 12' tall with a larger spread. Palmate leaves, each having 7-11 deeply incised lobes, are deeply cut to the base of the leaf. These dissected-leaf shrubs are commonly called a laceleaf Japanese maple, cutleaf Japanese maple or threadleaf Japanese maple. 'Crimson Queen' is a popular cultivar noted for its excellent leaf color retention throughout the growing season. 'Waterfall' is another weeping cultivar with cascading branches that grows to 6' tall over the first 10 years, eventually maturing over a long time to as much as 10' tall. Leaves are dark green, and retain good color throughout the growing season before turning golden in fall with showy streaks of orange and red. These cultivars appreciate some afternoon shade. For an upright variety try A. palmatum 'Shaina'. 'Shaina' has a bushy, tufted habit and will grow 4-5' tall in 8 years. Discovered as a witches' broom mutation on another Japanese maple cultivar ('Bloodgood'). Non-dissected leaves are clumped into masses giving a tufted appearance. Leaves are dark maroon during the summer, changing to a brilliant red in the fall. Hardy to -20 degrees (F).
Arbutus unedo 'Compacta': Compact strawberry tree is a four-season evergreen shrub with outstanding flowers, fruit, leaves, and bark. With denser branching and a slower growth rate than the typical form, this small tree is a great container plant for that sunny spot and when nothing else much is going on in the garden, this plant is still performing well. Small, urn-shaped, whitish-pink flowers are produced from October to December. Round, �-inch, knobby, edible fruits gradually ripen to orange-red and are often in color when the shrub is in full flower. Choose a protected site to ensure fruit every year. The dark green glossy foliage is beautiful, as is the attractive, cinnamon-colored bark. Prune it to accentuate the sculptural qualities of the branching and bark. Protect pots in the winter to prevent frozen roots. Hardy to 0 degrees (F).
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Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger'
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Acer Palmatum dissectum cultivar
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Arbutus undedo 'Compacta'
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Shrubs for Containers Rose cultivars: With the exception of large climbers, most roses can be grown successfully in containers. It is important that the container be large enough to provide ample space for the roots; also to have good drainage, good soil and a location with adequate light and air circulation. It is important that bush roses and small shrub roses be placed in containers no less than 15 inches in diameter. They will do well there for about two years and then will need transplanting. In this case, plant in a container two sizes larger than the last one. Roses in containers tend to deplete the soil of its nutrients more rapidly than if they were in the ground. Use good potting soil and in spring apply a tablespoon of Epsom salts sprinkled around the base of the plant. This provides the necessary magnesium for healthy foliage. Also give them a kick-start of a fish emulsion feed or rose fertilizer in spring to get them off to a healthy start. Best to store potted roses in a garage or shed for winter protection. Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil': 'Sky Pencil' is an exceedingly narrow, fastigiate form which grows somewhat slowly in a vertical, pencil-like column to 10' tall but only 2-3' wide. A typical 4-6' tall specimen may only be 10-12" wide. For container plants, prune to desired height. 'Sky Pencil' is an introduction of the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. Best to protect pots in the winter to prevent frozen roots. Hardy to -10 degrees (F). Berberis thunbergii 'Orange Rocket': Unlike its narrow cousin, 'Helmond Pillar' the thorns on this variety are somewhat soft and don't bite, so chainmail is not needed to transplant. Growing to only 4 feet tall and 1-1/2 feet wide, vibrant coral-orange new foliage ages to mid-green, then turns ruby red in autumn for a fantastic show. This award winning, compact, upright growing deciduous shrub has a vigorous growth habit and improved resistance to rust. It takes partial to full sun and brightens any spot in the garden. Hardy to -30 degrees (F).
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Tree Rose species in a container
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Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil'
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Berberis thunbergii 'Orange Rocket'
| Annuals & PerennialsAnnuals are the workhorse of container plants. They provide constant flower color all season, providing that pizazz to any container. Perennials make great accents and can lend year around visual interest to any container design. Several of our favorites include: Supertunia�: Big, beautiful blooms in a variety of colors including some that are two toned like the pink with green edging of Pretty Much Picasso and the candy-striped Double Peppermint. Compact forms that don't get leggy, these varieties are non-stop bloomers until fall and what's even better is the fact they don't need dead heading! Lysimachia nummularia 'Goldilocks': For a spectacular drape down the side of a container, Lysimachia nummularia, commonly called creeping jenny or moneywort, is a rhizomatous perennial that is exceedingly short (to 2-3" tall) and exceeding fast growing, typically to 3' or more. Keep it trimmed to the desired length. 'Goldilocks' is a cultivar that features brightly colored, rounded golden yellow leaves (to 3/4" diameter) and axillary, bright yellow 1 inch flowers. Flowers bloom in late spring, with some continued flowering to mid-summer. Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum': In our climate, Purple Fountain Grass is a spectacular, burgundy colored, tender perennial (grown as an annual) that is a rapid-growing, clump-forming grass that produces arching, linear, narrow green leaves to 3' tall and late summer flower spikes that rise above the foliage to 4' tall. Showy, fluffy, burgundy-purple flowers in bottlebrush-like spikes (to 12" long) top flower stalks that arch upward and outward above the burgundy-red foliage clump in summer. Overall clump appearance is reminiscent of water spraying from a fountain, hence the common name. A great main 'thriller' selection for any container design.
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Supertunia� Pretty Much Picasso
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Lysimachia nummularia 'Goldilocks'
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Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' in a mix container
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Hebe 'Red Edge': Small mound-forming hebes tend to be hardier than larger varieties, and make very attractive neat plants for containers. Although they tolerate shade, plants flower best in full sun, and must have well-drained soil with some humus such as compost worked in to prevent the roots from becoming too dry. 'Red Edge' is a popular dense shrub with neat blue- or grey-green fleshy leaves, with a fine edge of red which is especially noticeable in winter, and light mauve or lilac flowers. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Grows to 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide and is hardy to 0 degrees (F).
Polystichum polyblepharum: Tassel fern is an evergreen fern that is native to Japan and southern Korea. It features shiny, bipinnate, dark green fronds (to 1-2' long) with finely divided but overlapping pinnae. It grows in an outward-spreading, vase-shaped clump to 24" tall and 24" wide. Fiddleheads flip over backwards to form tassels as the newly emerging fronds unfurl, hence the common name of tassel fern for this plant. Tassels disappear as fronds flatten with maturity. This fern ads lovely texture to any shade container planting. Prefers consistently moist soil and avoid hot afternoon sun. Hardy to -20 degrees (F).
Isolepsis (Scirpus) cernus: Fiber Optic grass is an eye-catching sedge that has silvery flower heads on the ends of its stems, making it appear like a tuft of fiber optic threads. It needs moist or wet soil and grows to about a foot tall and wide providing great texture in a container. Provide full sun to part shade and consistently moist or wet soil. It is a tender perennial but is often treated as an annual in our region.
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Hebe 'Red Edge'
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Polystichum polyblepharum
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Isolepsis cernus
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Primrose Antiques & Gifts for Mother's Day
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Happy Mother's Day!
When we think of our Mothers we think of home cooking. And when I think of my Mother's home cooking I visualize my Mom with a cute apron on as she entered the dining room with the main course of the evening. She would have changed from her utilitarian apron of bibbed denim to a fancy little feminine number just before announcing dinner was served. This year we pay tribute to Mothers with vintage aprons from the 20's to the 50's. Some made of organdy, some of hankies, some of ditsy cottons and some of floral designs but all would make a decidedly nostalgic gift to the memory of Mothers and Grandmothers everywhere. Lucy Ricardo, Harriet Nelson and June Cleaver would feel honored. And, to mix it up with vintage and modern we also suggest a Mother's Day gift of a book from our expanded selection which includes titles that focus on cooking that promotes a healthy lifestyle. And, of course, gift certificates are always a welcome gift on Mother's Day.
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Fresh Ideas
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Here's an assortment of fun ideas, helpful tips and great recipes for May. Simply click on the link below the photo to learn more. We hope you enjoy this month's collection of fresh ideas!
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Closing Thought...
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And for all the Mothers who have graced our lives:
If I had a single flower for every time I think of you, I could walk forever in my garden.
~Claudia Adrienne Grandi
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Garden Notes Editor:
Debra Lacy, Public Relations
Christianson's Nursery & Greenhouse
360-466-3821
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