Showing posts with label flowers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flowers. Show all posts

In the Garden Now: ‘Sweet Summer’ Hydrangea

Sunday, September 19, 2021


Story and photo by Victoria Gilleland

‘Sweet Summer’ Hydrangea has been blooming for months. When first in bloom the flowers were bright white. Over summer blossoms have taken on a delicate pinkish blush glow.

Like most paniculata hydrangeas this plant was unfazed by our extremely hot temperatures the end of June.

For a drought tolerant hydrangea choose a paniculata variety such as this gorgeous plant


Read more...

2021 Northwest Orchid Society Fall Show and Sale October 2-3 at Center for Urban Horticulture

Saturday, September 18, 2021

2021 Northwest Orchid Society Fall Show and Sale October 2-3
Volunteer Park Conservatory, 1400 East Galer Street, Seattle, WA 98112
Saturday, Oct. 2 (10am to 4pm) and Sunday, Oct. 3 (10am to 4pm)

Admission, included with admission to the Conservatory:
Adult $4, Youth (13-17) $2, Child (0-12) free.

The Northwest Orchid Society presents its 2021 Fall Orchid Show and Sale, located in the Seattle Parks Department historic Volunteer Park Conservatory. This regional show features breathtaking orchid displays by orchid societies from throughout the Pacific Northwest and orchid vendors in attendance. 

Superior orchid specimens will be competing for coveted awards issued by accredited judges from the American Orchid Society.

Members of the public are encouraged to bring orchids from home for a repotting service and/or advice for struggling orchids. Knowledgeable volunteers from the Northwest Orchid Society will be available to answer questions for show attendees.

Several vendors, both local and visiting from out of state, will have a fine selection of orchids available for purchase. The plants for sale range from excellent quality beginner level plants for the home to rare collectable specimens.

A complete list of vendors and additional show information is posted on the society’s website:

http://nwos.orchid-society.net/ShowTime/Show2021/Show.html

The NWOS is a regional non-profit organization focusing on orchid education and conservation, with members throughout the Puget Sound area. It meets the second Monday of every month at 7pm from September through June at the Center for Urban Horticulture 3501 NE 41st St., Seattle, near University Village. Membership is $30/year. Meetings are free and open to the general public.



Read more...

Remembrance of blossoms past

Thursday, September 16, 2021

 
Photo by Lee Lageschulte

Gone but not forgotten.

What is this rhodie variety called? I have two of them and it would be nice to greet them by name.

--Diane Hettrick



Read more...

New dahlia named after local dahlia grower Martin Král

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Shoreline resident Martin Král, left, holds the dahlia named for him, while grower Peter Haslhofer prepares to baptize it with wine.

By Martin Král

Although I have been growing dahlias for 50 years, I never got into exhibiting them, preferring instead to photograph and research dahlia cultivation and history. All that was instrumental in my quest to write and document this, mostly as contributor to Dahlias of Today, the annual of the local Puget Sound Dahlia Assn. That's not the way to become famous in dahlia shows, I learned.

However, I also knew other growers abroad, specifically in my home country of Austria. The most prominent among them, Peter Haslhofer, lives in the Salzkammergut at the foot of the Alps. 

I got to know him through another friend back in 2008. We have corresponded and visited Peter several times, and I was very impressed with his thorough knowledge and energy in behalf of dahlias. He is singularly responsible for introducing more than 200 new varieties!

When we made a home visit in 2019, we also stopped by his production farm to see new varieties. After that, we met Peter at his garden plot next to the cemetery in Windischgarsten. 

In Austria it is a requirement at most cemeteries that the gravesites be well-maintained and regularly supplied with floral displays, hence his lot providently next to the cemetery entrance. 

So I was quite surprised when he pointed out this new dahlia introduction to us and proceeded to give me the honor of 'baptizing' that lovely bloom in my name. 

Since importing such plant material to this country has a number of sanitary restrictions, I had to wait until this spring for a package of tubers to be forwarded to me. Maybe the variety will make a successful show dahlia, but it's already a hit in my garden right now.



Read more...

In the Garden Now: Echinacea ‘Sombrero Orange Flamenco Cone Flower’

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Echinacea ‘Sombrero Orange Flamenco Cone Flower’
Flower and photo by Victoria Gilleland

By Victoria Gilleland

This knockout perennial is one of summer’s brightest stars. The orange-red daisy like flowers are a must have for those who love hot colors! They bloom from early summer into fall. The more sun the more flowers!

Cone flowers make a great addition to mixed borders or cutting gardens. Here's a bonus: Birds love the dried flower heads so leave those spent flowers in place at the end of summer to feed our feathered friends. Every sunny garden should grow these stunning plants.

(Echinacea hybrida ‘Sombrero Flamenco Orange)



Read more...

The Dahlia Show returns!

Sunday, August 15, 2021

The Martin Kral dahlia

America's largest dahlia show is a combined effort of the Seattle Dahlia Society and Puget Sound Dahlia Association. 

After sitting out last year, the exhibition returns to Sky Nursery on August 28 and 29, 2021. There you can enjoy the bountiful harvest of the finest dahlia blooms of every form and color. 

Show hours are 11-6 pm (Saturday, August 28) and 9-4 pm (Sunday). There is no charge. 

Due to taking necessary COVID measures, the show booth can offer only printed materials, but organizers encourage visitors to attend upcoming club meetings and join these organizations to learn about dahlia culture. Also visit www.skynursery.com for additional information.

Making its first appearance in America at the show is this new dahlia (the eponymous Martin Kral)! 



Read more...

Just another rose

Monday, August 9, 2021

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

I guess roses really do love sunshine because they are happily blooming everywhere. The rhodies and ferns are turning brown and dropping leaves and the roses are thriving.



Read more...

In the Garden Now: African Lily

Sunday, August 8, 2021

African Lily photo by Leanne Gallison
By Victoria Gilleland

Known commonly as 'Lily-of-the-Nile' or 'African Lily' these bold perennials are native to South Africa. 

By mid summer large 8 inch wide, blue flower clusters are held on 3 foot high stems above strappy dark green foliage. 

Although these rich blue flowers are striking, other flower colors are available including different shades of blue, purple, pink and white.

African Lily grows well with Red Hot Poker Plant, Salvia and Eryngium.... all sun lovers. 

They make a colorful addition to summer bouquets as well. 

If you love showy summer flowers and have a sunny spot you can't go wrong with this gorgeous garden addition!

Thanks to Lake Forest Park gardener Leanne Gallison for sharing her beautiful African Lily photo.

(Botanical name: Agapanthus campanulatus)




Read more...

Ornamental grapevine is a show off!

Friday, August 6, 2021


Photo by Janet Way

So - how many colors can you get on one vine? This ornamental grapeview is a real show off.




Read more...

Flowers: Dahlia turning to the sun

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

 
Photo by Jan Hansen

One of my dahlias smiling Sunday evening as I turned from the smoky sound.

Once again sending thanks to Dr. John (John Hibbs, aka Dr. Dahlia) for highlighting Dahlias in Shoreline and for his amazing support for the Shoreline Senior Center. 

--Jan Hansen



Read more...

In the Garden Now: ‘Cleopatra’ Canna Lily is an exotic beauty

Wednesday, July 28, 2021


Story and photo by Victoria Gilleland

‘Cleopatra’ Canna Lily is an exotic beauty. She’s one of a kind… just like that femme fatale of antiquity, Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt.
 
Her striking flowers are red, butter yellow, and cream freckled in shades of red with an occasional red stripe. Leaves are a rich green with swaths of dark purple.

Picasso could have had a hand in putting together this fabulous color palette!



Read more...

Flowers: Pink flowers - tigridia

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

 
Photo by Lee Lageschulte


Update: Thank you to the readers who identified this as a tigridia or Mexican Shell Flower. Martin Král says that the tigridia, a bulb plant, comes from Mexico and is notable for the bloom, whose center often is spotted with various colors. Very attractive short sun-loving plant that winters over here. Highly recommended!

Original story:

Lee ran into this lovely pink creature on one of her daily walks. Lee doesn't know what it is and neither do I. If you do, please let us know and we will label accordingly. 

Otherwise, breath deeply and remember your blood pressure.



Read more...

Flowers: Lovely Lily, Laughing Lily

Monday, July 26, 2021

Photo by Wayne Pridemore


Lovely Lily, pink and white,


Laughing Lily,pure and bright,


Lilting Lily, dancing with might,


Luminous Lily, yearning for light.

by Geeta Menon



Read more...

In the Garden Now: Perennial Daylilies

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Story and photos by Victoria Gilleland

A plethora of daylily cultivars are available. 

If you have a sunny spot in your garden you can probably grow a clump or two of spectacular daylilies. 

Most daylily varieties need a fair amount of sun in order to thrive.  

An amazing assortment of colors and sizes awaits the gardener. 

Flower size varies from 2 inches to 9 inches. 

Plants may be compact at about 10 inches high to very large at over 6 feet tall.

There's a size for just about any garden! 

Blossom colors include white to deep shades of reddish purple and can be found in near black, purples, pinks, oranges, creams, pastels, red and citrus shades and combinations of these colors. Many choices!

Add some summer color with a daylily clump or two!
   
Thanks to Leanne and Mark Gallison for allowing me to photograph the beautiful daylilies pictured here in their Lake Forest Park garden.  



Read more...

In the backyard: Hummers and trumpet vines

Saturday, July 24, 2021

 
Photos by John Wolfe

This is why there hasn't been a hummingbird at my bird feeder since last winter. Why go to sugar water when you can stick your long beak into the yummy goodness of a trumpet vine?



Read more...

In the Garden Now: 'Purple Lady' Giant Orienpet Lily

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

'Purple Lady' Giant Orienpet Lily
Story and photos by Victoria Gilleland

Our 'Purple Lady' Lily has been a delight to share with walkers in our neighborhood. 

She is beautiful, fragrant and a total surprise to those who discover her growing casually near the road.

Last fall I purchased 6 bulbs, planted them and hoped for the best. We have lots of critters in our garden and limited sun. 

Four plants emerged in spring and produced these fabulous 7 foot high clusters of fragrant flowers. 

I suspect that voles, shrews and/or mice devoured two of the bulbs. The good thing is they didn't eat four of them!

These handsome plants are a cross between an oriental lily and a trumpet lily thus the unusual name. 

Each plant has a cluster of five to ten very showy large flowers at the top of the stem. 

Each flower is at least 8 inches in diameter with a delightful fragrance. 

It's hard to imagine a showier more sweetly scented summer bloomer than this terrific Lily!



Read more...

Flowers: Crocosmia getting ready to bloom

Saturday, July 17, 2021

 
Photo by Dale Bauer
The color is working its way from top to bottom on this crocosmia bloom.

According to Wikipedia, "Crocosmia is native to the grasslands of southern and eastern Africa, ranging from South Africa to Sudan. One species is endemic to Madagascar."

Judging by how common it is in the northwest, it does well in our climate as well.



Read more...

In the Garden Now: Clematis 'Arabella'

Friday, July 16, 2021


Story and photo by Victoria Gilleland

I was looking for a smallish clematis to grow in a pot on a trellis. Clematis 'Arabella' came to my attention because of its smaller size and lovely mauve blue flower color. She is a 'scrambler' or 'semi climber' so she does need a little help as she clambers up the trellis.

I planted my new clematis in its permanent garden pot in late April. By the end of May fabulous blue flowers had begun to open. Right now there are at least 50 fully opened flowers on my young plant with more buds about to burst into flower. She just keeps producing more amazing blossoms! 

I've read that Arabella is a very prolific and long bloomer. I'm a believer.



Read more...

In the Garden Now: Clematis ‘Taiga’

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Photo by Victoria Gilleland
The gorgeous double flowered Clematis ‘Taiga’ is in full bloom. 

What a knockout in the garden!

It grows well in a container or in the ground. 

If you only grow one clematis make it this one!

--Victoria Gilleland



Read more...

Hydrangea

Sunday, July 11, 2021

Photo by Wayne Pridemore

This hydrangea wasn't bothered by the heat dome. Freeways crumble, air conditioners sell out, and people move into their basements, but the flowers keep on blooming.



Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP