Rose Pruning - an unconventional approach

Some of the most successful roses in my garden are a result of non-traditional rose pruning practices. I think my favorite rose (at this moment, of course!) is a David Austin introduction, called "Golden Celebration." To facilitate getting more of this good thing, I have taken to "pegging" this rose in my front parking strip. This is a method that, in essence, means that I am treating it as a climber when it comes to pruning, even though it is planted in the border. I allow long whips to develop, and then I bend the canes so they are horizontal to the ground and tethered via biodegradable jute string. The horizontal orientation of the cane stimulates the production of flowering shoots all along the stem, resulting in an unparalleled abundance of flowers and fragrance. After all, this is what growing roses is all about, right?!

When a rose is grown in this way, it allows the development of magical garden scenes as neighboring plants clamber and crawl over and around these horizontal stems. Good plants to pair with roses in this way will have an open and accommodating growth habit which doesn't mind the extra support and constraint from the lattice of canes that develop, yet don't overwhelm the rose and inhibit good air flow around the plant (an important disease prevention measure). Some choice plants to try: clematis (naturally!), salvia, nepata, agastache, allium, lilies, and many more.

Most importantly, have fun, PLAY and make some captivating combinations in your own garden this summer!

Call it what it is ... Bloomtown, The Nursery.

Still under construction, but coming along!

In the past when describing what I am doing with all those plants, I often stopped short of calling it a “nursery” per se. While one of my primary motivations is still to maintain an inventory of exciting plants to draw upon for my client’s projects, I have expanded my operation so that I will be able to offer my plant material to the general public more easily and more frequently. For those who have previously shopped at my home garden, please know that I have relocated my nursery operation to a nearby site, a couple of blocks away, near NE 50th & Fremont. Some of you may be familiar with Troy Susan and his specialty nursery, The Bamboo Craftsman. We are co-developing an expanded nursery space adjacent to his existing site at 3528 NE 50th Ave, just off of Fremont, behind Jim & Patty’s coffee shop. I will be offering a choice selection of perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees; focusing on the plants that I know and love, that I trust to use in my client gardens. In addition, I will offer a small selection of garden accessories and containers. Troy will continue to focus on his exciting collection of bamboo.

We are currently open only by appointment, but will keep regular hours starting this spring. Effective April 1 and continuing through October, the nursery will be open Thursday through Saturday. In the meantime, please call me at 503-331-1783 or email (darcy@bloomtowngardendesign.com) for directions and to make an appointment.

Please do call! I currently have a great selection of top notch trees & shrubs that would benefit from going in the ground now. Late winter, early spring is a great time for planting trees & shrubs, allowing for better root establishment before summer. See below for a small sampling of what I currently have on hand:

TREES!
Stewartia pseudocamellia - an outstanding “all-season” tree
Styrax japonicus - Japanese Snowbell; pendulous fragrant white flowers in spring
Chionanthus virginicus - Fringe Tree, a delightful spring bloomer!
Davidia involucrata - Handkerchief Tree; large white floral bracts resemble handkerchiefs!
Crape Myrtle – several varieties, all sporting excellent fall color!
Enkianthus campanulatus – spring blooming, outstanding fall color!
Franklinia alatamaha – uncommon; summer blooming, fall color!
Gingko biloba ‘Autumn Gold’ – can’t beat the foliage texture!
Ginkgo biloba 'Gresham'
Heptacodium miconioides – Seven Sons Flower; unusual flower effect, peeling bark.

SHRUBS!
Berberis ‘Aurea’ – a jolt of strong yellow foliage that holds its color all season.
Berberis ‘Rosy Glow’ – a 2005 Great Plant Pick selection!
Ceanothus ‘Victoria’ & C. ‘Vandenberg’ – Very drought tolerant!
Callistemon ‘Woodland Red’ – Evergreen, hardy!
Escallonia 'Lou Allen’ – Compact, evergreen!
English Roses – Fragrant!
Fothergilla gardenii ‘Mt Airy’ – Outstanding fall color!
Hydrangea serrata 'Preziosa' – Hydrangeas are very hard working shrubs that should be included in every garden!
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snow Queen’ – dramatic foliage and flowers, great fall color!

PERENNIALS!
Hellebores! – need I say more?
Euphorbia ‘Jade Dragon’
Phlomis fruticosa & P. tuberosa – drought tolerant, unusual flower whorls in summer!
A fine selection of Ornamental Grasses!

And MUCH, MUCH more!
Call for information about the full inventory of plant material I have on hand.

Flower Show Season

I spent Wed - Fri of this week in Seattle attending the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. This world class show is among the largest and most elaborate shows in the country and, in my mind, acts as the unofficial launch of the gardening year. The show's seminar schedule is second to none. I especially enjoyed Dan Hinkley’s talks on Wednesday and Thursday; he is such a master and at the risk of gushing I must say I am awestruck by the gardening life he has created for himself. Many of you are familiar with his fabulous garden & nursery at Heronswood and know of his exploits as a world traveling plant explorer. On Wednesday evening, he shared slides from a recent plant expedition to South Africa. Thursday's talk, however, is the one that inspired me most; he showed slides of the development of his new garden and although the garden is young it is clear that this encore performance will rival his original gardens at Heronswood as it ages and matures.

This upcoming weekend the Yard, Garden & Patio show at the convention center here in Portland will further fuel the gardening frenzy that has been building with the mild, warm days we have been enjoying. A fine selection of seminars are being offered which I am sure will further whet your appetite. I highly recommend catching Helen Dillon's talk; she will be speaking on Friday evening, and then repeating her performance on Saturday. Also on the "don't miss" list, Ann Lovejoy; I had a chance to see her again this week at the Seattle show and always find her thoroughly enjoyable. To see the full list of seminars follow this link or visit the YGP website at http://www.ygpshow.com/.

The Hardy Plant Society of Oregon (HPSO) is sponsoring a botanical exhibit showcasing winter interest plants. I will be volunteering at the display on Saturday from 11:30 am to 2 pm; if you're at the show, please stop by and say hello.

Sculpture Garden - NW Flower & Garden Show

This scene is from a sculpture garden, "Figure & Form in the Garden" designed by Kim Rooney.