Seasonal

Lovely Lilacs

Originating in Europe and Asia, lilacs were first brought to America by

 colonists in the 1700s, and this classic beauty has been a garden favorite

ever since. The romance of the lilac was especially cherished in the English

 country garden, and in Victorian times, giving a fragrant lilac blossom symbolized

 the remembrance of a first love. Today, gardeners continue to enjoy this timeless

 perennial, finding a place for its wonderfully fragrant blooms in landscapes of all

 styles. With new introductions available, lilacs now come in a wide range of

 flower colors—from pure white to deep purple—and sizes, from petite shrubs

 around 4 feet tall to larger varieties reaching up to 12 feet. This hardy deciduous

s shrub thrives in full sun and prefers moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

 Popular varieties for 2026 include Madame Lemoine, Lavender Lady, Scentara

Double Blue, Virtual Violet, Miss Kim, and more. Stop by to choose one of these

 delightful garden beauties for your landscape and bring

 home the fragrance of spring.

Peony Perfection

Native to China and cultivated for thousands of years, the peony is a

 classic romantic staple in the home garden, known as the “blossom

of nobility” and prized for its grace and elegance. Its fragrant flowers are

 often cut and brought indoors, while in the landscape the plant is

long-lived and low maintenance. Peonies are available in many types,

 including the most commonly cultivated herbaceous peony (Paeonia

 lactiflora), the tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa), intersectional (Itoh)

hybrids, and the woodland beauty (Paeonia obovata). Most peonies

 prefer a site with at least six hours of sunlight—ideally morning sun

with dappled afternoon shade—while Paeonia obovata thrives in shadier

 conditions. In the garden, peonies are relatively disease-resistant and

 benefit from good air circulation; spent blooms should be removed from

 late spring through summer for most types, though woodland peonies are

often left to produce attractive, velvety seed pods. In autumn, peonies

 add further interest with foliage that turns shades of gold.  Come in and

see our huge collection of these classic garden beauties.

Herbs For Every Garden

Herb gardening in the Puget Sound region is a real pleasure thanks to

 its mild maritime climate, and with just a little attention to drainage

 and sunlight, you can enjoy a thriving, flavorful garden. Reliable perennials

 like rosemary (cold-hardy types), lavender, thyme, oregano, sage, chives

 mint, and lemon balm do wonderfully, alongside cool-season favorites

such as parsley, cilantro, dill, and more while heat-loving herbs like basil

 and scented geraniums shine in cozy, sun-warmed spots near walls or

 patios. Since our biggest challenge is excess moisture rather than cold,

 raised beds or containers with well-amended soil (compost plus sand or

 gravel) help keep roots happy—especially for Mediterranean herbs that

 prefer things on the drier side. Aim for 6–8 hours of sun in a south or west

facing location, start hardy herbs in early spring, transition to transplanting

 in mid-spring, and wait until late spring to tuck in your tender varieties once

 frost risk has passed. Containers are also a great way to manage drainage

 and keep enthusiastic growers like mint in check, and during our wetter

 winters, a light trim, good drainage, and easing off fertilizer by late summer

 will keep plants strong. Best of all, we have a beautiful, abundant selection

 of these useful and delicious herbs in stock right now—

perfect for getting your garden growing!

Warm Season Veggies

As the soil warms and the threat of frost fades, it’s time once again to

plant the next crop of delicious edibles in our gardens, turning our

attention to sun-loving vegetables that thrive in the heat. Whether

you’re working with a small patio or a large garden plot, there’s a perfect

 option for every space, and few things compare to the taste of a tomato

picked fresh from the vine—ripened in the sun, warm, and bursting with

 flavor. Beyond traditional larger varieties, patio tomatoes and other

compact plants are ideal for container gardening, and you might try growing

 a mix that includes heirloom favorites like Brandywine alongside reliable

classics such as Early Girl, Super Sweet 100, and Sun Gold. If zucchini is

 a staple in your kitchen, consider branching out; in addition to well-known

 varieties like Black Beauty and Fordhook, the Italian Costata Romanesco

 offers exceptional flavor and texture, while for smaller portions, pattypan

 squash provides a charming and delicious alternative. Squash blossoms are

 also a culinary treat and can be enjoyed stuffed, sautéed, lightly battered and

 fried, or chopped into pasta, soups, and baked dishes. Peppers thrive in summer

 heat as well, offering a wide range of flavors from sweet bell peppers to

 spicy jalapeños, perfect for fresh salsas and crisp salads. Eggplant, commonly

 known for its deep purple, pear-shaped form, actually comes in a surprising

 variety of colors and shapes, including white, orange, and striped types,

 as well as long, slender Japanese and Chinese varieties and small round

 Thai eggplants that are ideal for curries. As the growing season winds down,

 winter squash provides a final, abundant harvest; these hard-skinned varieties

 aren’t just for decoration but are rich, flavorful, and incredibly versatile, so

consider adding nutty Asian varieties like Red Kuri and Ochiki Kuri to your

 garden along with favorites such as Delicata, Butternut, Acorn, and

 Spaghetti squash. With their long shelf life and high levels of beta carotene,

 magnesium, and potassium, they offer a nutritious way to enjoy the fruits

 of your labor well into the colder months, and as your garden grows, so

does your connection to the food you prepare bringing a deep sense of pride

 and satisfaction in serving meals made from ingredients you’ve nurtured

 from seed to harvest while sharing not just food, but the joy of growing it.

Call ahead for availabilty.

Cool Carnivores

Carnivorous plants are undeniably fascinating—strange, beautiful, and brilliantly

 adapted—and they bring a sense of intrigue to any indoor garden, often

 thriving surprisingly well with the right care. Evolved to survive in nutrient-

poor soils, these plants capture insects for nourishment, making them both

 captivating conversation pieces and rewarding companions for growers of all

 levels. Tropical pitcher plants, known for their elegant, cascading vessels

filled with digestive enzymes, do especially well indoors when given bright,

 indirect light, consistent moisture with distilled or rainwater, and a loose,

 nutrient-poor mix like sphagnum moss, perlite, and orchid bark; many also

 appreciate moderate humidity, making them well-suited to bathrooms. In

contrast, North American pitcher plants prefer as much direct sunlight as

 possible and consistently wet conditions, often thriving when their pots

sit in shallow trays of mineral-free water, though they also require a winter

dormancy period for long-term health. The iconic Venus flytrap, famous for

 its jaw-like traps, can succeed indoors with ample direct sun, careful watering

 using mineral-free sources, and restraint from unnecessary triggering of its

 traps, along with a winter rest period. Sundews, with their sparkling, sticky

 droplets that lure and capture prey, are among the easiest to grow indoors,

 favoring bright light, moist conditions, and, in many cases, higher humidity.

 Across all types, a few fundamentals apply: avoid fertilizers and standard

 potting soil, use only purified water, provide stronger light than most

houseplants need, and keep the growing medium consistently moist but

not waterlogged. Despite their insect-catching reputation, these plants

rarely need frequent feeding, as they can often capture enough on their

 own, even indoors. With their unusual forms and behaviors—from dangling

 pitchers to snapping traps and glistening leaves—carnivorous plants offer

 more than decoration; they bring a small, living ecosystem into the home,

full of subtle drama and natural ingenuity, making them an ideal choice

 for anyone seeking something truly unique in their indoor plant collection.

May Garden Tasks

Fertilize your newly planted annuals and perennials.  We recommend

 Dr. Earth Rose & Flower Fertilizer or Espoma Rose Tone, which

 are uniquely formulated to encourage lush foliage

 and bountiful blooms.

Apply Hydrangea Blueing Formula

now for bluer blossoms later.

Set up or fine-tune your drip irrigation system

 to get ready for warmer weather.

Refresh your containers with beautiful blooms, foliage

and texture for season-long enjoyment.

Fertilize your vegetable garden, flowering

shrubs and trees.

Seize the opportunity to pull weeds now to reduce them later.

 It's a much easier task when they are small

 , and the ground is still moist!

Prune early blooming shrubs such

 as forsythia, quince and pieris

Plant your vegetable garden. This is the time for the

 sun-loving tomatoes, peppers, and more...