Exploring the Tranquility of the Seattle Japanese Garden In the heart of the Washington Park Arboretum, the Seattle Japanese Garden is a serene oasis that offers visitors a tranquil retreat from the bustling city. Spanning 3.5 acres, this meticulously maintained garden showcases the beauty and artistry of traditional Japanese garden design. In this blog, we…

Discovering the Art and History of the Pacific Bonsai Museum In the picturesque town of Federal Way, Washington, the Pacific Bonsai Museum is a serene haven dedicated to the ancient art of bonsai. This extraordinary museum, with its meticulously curated collection and stunning natural surroundings, offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the beauty, history,…

Discover the Timeless Beauty of Owen Rose Garden in Eugene, OR Along the banks of the Willamette River in Eugene, Oregon, Owen Rose Garden is a floral paradise that enchants visitors with its stunning displays of roses and other beautiful blooms. This beloved garden, with its rich history and meticulously curated collection, offers a serene…

The 2024 Seattle Dahlia Show at Sky Nursery: A Blooming Extravaganza The 2024 Seattle Dahlia Show, held at the charming Sky Nursery, is a spectacular event that brings together flower enthusiasts, seasoned gardeners, and curious visitors from all around the Pacific Northwest. Photo Album of the Event Video Walk Through of the Event – ALMOST…

The Enchanting World of Price Sculpture Forest on Whidbey Island: Where Art and Nature Converge Whidbey Island, Washington, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and vibrant arts community. Among its many treasures, the Price Sculpture Forest stands out as a unique destination where art and nature seamlessly intertwine. This open-air museum invites visitors…

Discovering the Seattle Chinese Garden In the vibrant Delridge neighborhood of West Seattle, the Seattle Chinese Gard is a serene haven that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and artistic expression. This expansive garden, one of the largest of its kind outside China, is a testament to the rich traditions of Chinese…

The University of Washington (UW) Medicinal Herb Garden is a remarkable and historical feature of the campus, offering visitors and students a unique blend of natural beauty, historical richness, and educational opportunities. Spanning over two and a half acres, the garden is one of the largest and most diverse medicinal herb gardens in the United…

Discovering the UW Farm: A Sustainable Urban Oasis In the heart of the University of Washington’s Seattle campus, the UW Farm is a thriving hub of sustainable agriculture and community engagement. This student-powered urban farm, covering three-quarters of an acre across three sites, serves as a living laboratory for hands-on learning, research, and outreach. Whether…

Exploring the Center for Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington The Center for Urban Horticulture (CUH) at the University of Washington stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability in the realm of horticultural science. This center is a hub for research, education, and community engagement, dedicated to promoting sustainable urban landscapes and horticultural…

The Miyawaki Forest at the Shoreline Historical Museum: A Beacon of Urban Reforestation” The Miyawaki Forest at the Shoreline Historical Museum stands as a pioneering example of urban reforestation and ecological restoration. This unique forest, inspired by the revolutionary Miyawaki method, is transforming a once barren area into a thriving, biodiverse ecosystem. In this blog,…

Nestled along the scenic Alki Avenue in West Seattle, the Alki Flower Houses stand as a beacon of color and creativity amidst the urban landscape. These two remarkable homes, owned by Randie Stone, have become a local treasure and a major tourist attraction, captivating visitors with their unique charm and vibrant displays of flora. In…

A beautiful garden with an amazing history I first heard of Kubota Gardens, located in southeast Seattle, many years ago when I attended a panel discussion at the University of Washington on the influence of Japanese garden design in the Pacific Northwest. In that discussion, Fujitaro Kubota’s name was brought up often, and it was…

by Lora Hein originally featured in My Edmonds News.   As warmer days and clearer skies arrive at last, many of us are itching to get outside. The ditty often attributed to Ogden Nash (but not his) springs to mind: “Spring is sprung, the grass is ris. I wonder where the birdies is.” A few…

    Click HERE to see even more Rhododendrons in bloom! On Whidbey Island, Washington, Meerkerk Gardens stands as a tranquil oasis where the beauty of nature takes center stage. In this blog, we’ll embark on a journey through the enchanting landscapes of Meerkerk Gardens, exploring its rich history, diverse flora, and captivating allure. Meerkerk…

Past This history is excerpted from David Streatfield’s 2005 article in Pacific Horticulture. Compiled by Gil Joynt. Dunn Gardens is an unusual survivor of the turn-of-the-century custom of creating summer places” in the rural fringe of the city. Designed by The Olmsted Brothers, landscape architects of Brookline, Massachusetts, for Arthur Dunn in 1915, they now…

We had a fantastic time exploring the show today! Check out this album featuring over 150 photos from our visit and our review below. Each year, this spectacular event draws gardening enthusiasts, landscape designers, and nature lovers from near and far to immerse themselves in a world of breathtaking floral displays, innovative garden designs, and expert…

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Kingston, Washington, Heronswood Garden stands as a botanical haven, captivating visitors with its diverse collection of rare and exotic plants. As one strolls through the meticulously curated pathways, a symphony of colors and textures unfolds, showcasing the garden’s commitment to plant exploration and conservation. History Heronswood’s history traces back to…

Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville, WA is truly a destination garden center in the Puget Sound region specializing in all things gardening and are open all year long. Sunnyside  has become known for its free seminars, open to both new and experienced gardeners. We love our rustic chic nursery, which sits on 3.5 acres with plenty…

By Carol Miranda, Dunn Gardens Head Horticulturist As the grey skies of winter descend and the fall colors fade a steadfast gardener has one last resort before turning to the armchair and seed catalogs: the winter container. While it would be quite costly and a long cold slog to fill the garden beds with winter color,…

Fragrant Greens From Your Edmonds Garden: Bring the natural beauty and fragrance of holidays home this season – decorate with live greens.  Whether you have a fresh tree or faux, adding evergreen branches and sprays throughout your rooms will amp up the festive atmosphere.  Fresh greens can be found almost anywhere – garlands, wreaths, and…

Introduction A great winter project is adding touches of color and creativity with painted rocks to your garden.  Gardens are not only spaces for plants but also opportunities for artistic expression. One delightful way to add a touch of whimsy, color, and personal flair to your garden is by painting rocks. Whether you’re a seasoned artist…

A Little History of Edmonds City Park Restoration Area (A very brief story of the process of bringing an unusable boggy drainage ditch into a native restoration site for all to enjoy.) Before there was a park, or even a town, a small stream pulling water from the surrounding hills, brought water to a large marsh…

Creating Your Own Beautiful Flowering Hanging Basket By Debra Dill April 23, 2023     Ahh Spring! For those of us who love to garden, the dreams that begin to dance in our heads this time of year are not of sugarplums, but of growing things that flower and add beauty to our homes and…

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March has gotten off to a good start with longer days and glimpses of the sun here and there, along with snowy, frosty mornings as well. Although you may feel your garden is mostly sleeping this time of year, there are many winter garden tasks we can do to get a jump start on the…

Bees. As human beings, we are either fascinated by them, scared of them, or more often than not, rather indifferent to them. Many consider bees to be cute, artistic devices we can use to portray nice messages on mugs, t-shirts or honey jars: Or, for others, bees are seen as scary, stinging insects that are…

It seems every corner I turn, I find myself marveling at brilliant fall foliage around town. I find myself wondering…did I just not notice those crimson maple trees all along that entire street length last year? Is it me or does the sun practically make that oak tree glow? Edmonds’ trees really know how to…

First, a little history of Bountiful Home and Nursery: As a 14-year-old, Todd Waddell sat on the back porch under a sprawling Cecil Brunner rose playing with crickets.  His mother was inside selling her Nigella pods to Joan Searle, fondly known at that time in Edmonds as “The Weed Lady.” As the teenager waited, overlooking…

Asparagus can be fairly expensive at the supermarket, but, when growing your own, it is quite easy to tend after the initial planting.  As a perennial vegetable — plant once, harvest for years — asparagus planted in a well-maintained bed can provide you with sweet, slender spears for 15 years (can produce up to 20-30…

Spring is such a beautiful time of year! The birds have come back and are singing, early bulbs lift their cheerful heads, and the newly warming sun entices new leaves to emerge from trees and shrubs. We also feel the energizing pull of spring and the itch to begin pruning becomes strong. But before we…

Mason bees are among the easiest to raise of the 4,000 species native to North America.  These gentle bees are amazing pollinators many times more effective than honey bees. In 2016, the UN announced nearly 40% of insect pollinators are in danger of becoming extinct and honey bees are at about half the population there…

From Winter to Spring… Winter gardens speak of promise, not loss. They remind us that dormancy and rest are an important part of growth, and stillness is an important part of learning. Every season in the garden brings a different set of responsibilities and opportunities. Spring, summer, fall, and winter – however they unfold for us, are unique and purposeful—each season bringing opportunities of its own. Read More...

Edible Flower Quiz – Most gardeners know that nasturtiums add a radishy kick to salads. And foodies appreciate the delectable texture and taste of battered and fried squash blossoms. But nasturtiums and squash blossoms are just two of dozens of flowers that go from seed to salad in a matter of weeks. Take this quiz…

There are degrees of shade, which range from 100% shade in an alley between two buildings, to dappled shade under a tree, or shade in the morning (before noon), or afternoon ( after 2 p.m). Your particular scenario will be a factor in what you can grow successfully. In general, partial shade for growing purposes…

Where do you go for gardening information? Please give us your favorite sources in the comments.  We are buildng a page specifically for NW Gardening Resources. Gardeners’ preferred resources might include trusted books, university websites, phone apps, and (last but certainly not least) seed packets and seed company websites. Here are a few of ‘…

How do you decide what to plant in your garden every year? We’ve perused catalogs and websites of HGSA seed sellers for a sampling of interesting varieties, new and old. Experiment with one or two alongside of your tried-and-true favorites. Tomatoes Left to Right: Shimmer hybrid from Burpee.com is an enchanting small plum tomato bursting…

Grow Heirloom Flowers from Seed Heirloom flowers are not easy to define precisely, but you know them when you see them. Flashy spikes of Hollyhock rule the early summer garden; fragrant Four O’Clocks bring a smile at day’s end; the glorious spires of Larkspur blossoms light up the spring garden. Some call heirloom flower “pass-along…

Keep your blooms looking vibrant this summer with a few handy tips! No matter how big or small (think containers) your garden is, most flowering plants will benefit from some soil preparation and fertilizing. In the Pacific Northwest, where all our lovely rain can leach the soil of nutrients, it’s particularly important to make sure…

Attracting Beneficial Insects Bees have been making headlines, and not in a good way. All across the country, honeybees are abruptly and mystifyingly disappearing-a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder. The positive upshot of this unexplained decline of the honeybee is a general uplifting of consciousness about the value of pollinators of all kinds, and…

The Buzz on Bees How much do you know about bees and other pollinators? Whether you’re a bee expert or just learning, this quiz is intended to stir your curiosity, challenge some common misconceptions, and foster your admiration for the amazing pollinators that we depend on for much of our food. Learn more, and show…

By Maxine Mitchell. As the days grow shorter and chillier, homeowners need to conduct the age-old practice of “putting the garden to bed” for the winter. “What is that?” you might ask. Well, it’s a lot of things, but essentially, it’s doing a final pruning and clean-up and making sure your plants are protected for…

by Lisa Reddick It’s July. Today it’s raining. Not the best weather for us, but my Gunnera plant is having a great time. Unaware of the pandemic, the wet, warm spring and summer has served up the best days for my Gunnera to thrive. This year the leaves are bigger than ever, reaching almost 3…

An Organic Approach By Maxine Mitchell  I used to have a terrible apple maggot problem with my small Honey Crisp apple tree in my backyard in Edmonds.  Every year, I would get apples but they were riddled with the telltale dimpling that indicated apple maggot flies had laid their eggs on the fruit and the…

The Edmonds in Bloom board of directors is thinking a lot about you and about our plans for the summer. This, our 25th Anniversary year, was planned as a celebration of gardening and enhancing our community through floral activities and projects.  We hope to continue our scheduled events, but like all organizations in our community, we…

Today is a blustery day in Edmonds, yet from my cozy armchair I look out and smile with expectancy at my Arnold’s Promise witch hazel, its dazzling yellow blossoms reassuring me that spring, and warmer gardening days, are on the way. Winter here in Edmonds is typically a season for armchair gardening. In the midst…

Beautiful Sasanqua Camellias- Winter Flowers in Edmonds Most gardeners find much beauty in the camellia family.  The sasanqua camellias have a special place because they bloom when other trees and shrubs are finished blooming. From late October to the end of winter flower lovers will enjoy them. One of the first to bloom is sasanqua…

Interesting short article with pictures of Britain in Bloom from a few weeks ago.  Did you know?  Edmonds in Bloom was founded by Josephine Lloyd who was a Brit living in Edmonds wanting to bring this British event to Edmonds in 1995! As we look forward to next year celebrating our 25th year, we are…

Tis’ the season for list making, grocery shopping and garden care. Flurrying around seeing family, friends and spreading good cheer, the garden waits calling quietly for attention. This time of year, my reflections turn to what I am grateful for in my life.  While outdoors in the garden, editing the environment without headphones or a…

Glasses were raised in a toast this week at the final Edmonds in Bloom Nonprofit Association Board meeting for 2019.  Accomplishments of the year were celebrated.  Goodbyes were said to retiring Board members, Joyce Johnson, Sharon Stout, and Virginia Blain.  The Board welcomed new members Cynthia Petrie, Lisa Reddick and Tim Freeman.    And – the…

Stressed birch trees are being infested by bronze birch borers and can die within a couple of years.

No matter how big or small (think containers) your garden is, most flowering plants will benefit from some soil preparation and fertilizing. In the Pacific Northwest, where all our lovely rain can leach the soil of nutrients, it’s particularly important to make sure your plants have the right sustenance to keep them looking great. Spring…