This spring was certainly a surprise with high temperatures in the 80s…. and then a delayed summer season that petered out quicker than it whimpered in.

Fall is certainly in full swing and night time temperatures are dropping to the low 40s. All tender annuals are melting and I am bringing in my treasured tender plants such as tuberous begonias and brugmansia.

I have started fall container installations for clients in which I spend quite a bit of time cleaning out summer annuals, pruning back any overgrown anchor shrubs and trailing plants, amending with fresh compost, and finally adding dynamic fall interest that will carry throughout the winter season.

I have great news to share as well: I have partnered with a new local nursery Maple Tree Corner in Kingston, WA. I am so excited for 2020 installations because I will be growing the majority of all plants on site! This is an amazing opportunity and I have been given the title as Greenhouse Manager.

For the 2019 fall installs, I have grown my own ornamental cabbage and kale, as well as pansies from seed, primroses, several small evergreen perennials, and grasses. I can’t wait to expand my collection for future clients!

I am currently working on compiling a list of seeds to grow this winter for spring and summer containers such as petunias, begonias, and other fabulous, colorful annuals.

Every year, I tell myself I will blog more often to give updates- and I do enjoy it, but it is so easy to get busy and put things on the back burner. I plan on writing more entries this winter/off season, including pictures of plants I’ve grown and garden shots.

till next time,

Alison