Seasonal

Edible Gardening


Whether you are gardening on a balcony or large garden plot, nothing beats


 the satisfaction of a farm-to-table harvest raised with your own hands. This season


 begins with a thorough spring cleaning of containers and garden beds, followed


 by the addition of amendments like Garden & Bloome Harvest Supreme to help


 sandy or depleted soils retain the moisture and nutrients your crops need to


 thrive. While it is still early, now is the perfect time to plant hardy edibles such


 as blueberries, cane fruits, potatoes, asparagus, and onion sets. By prepping your


 soil and getting these resilient varieties in the ground today, you ensure a


nutrient-rich, homegrown feast for your family and friends later this year.


Stop by and see all of our edibles, herbs and more


 and get your garden started!

Magnificent Magnolias


These elegant trees are grown throughout the world for their beautiful blooms


and multi-season interest, attractive structure, handsome bark, and lush foliage,


make them highly prized as a specimen tree in landscapes large and small. There


are more than 200 species of magnolia, not including numerous cultivars and


varieties, they are widely available as deciduous and evergreen trees, and range in


size from a large tree to smaller shrub-like forms.  Deciduous magnolias primarily


bloom in the spring, followed by an occasional flower in the summer.  Their


fragrant blossoms can vary in color from white, yellow, pink, and purple.  Evergreen


magnolias bloom in the summer and have fragrant, ivory-white blooms and bold


glossy leaves that feature a fuzzy, copper-colored underside.  Come down to the


nursery and see our huge selection of these timeless garden treasures.


Japanese Maples


The cultivation of these striking and colorful Japanese maples dates back


 centuries in their native Japan before they arrived in the United States during


 the 1800s, where they were initially studied in botanical display gardens.


By the turn of the century, their popularity surged as they moved into


 home gardens and public parks, becoming a definitive staple of the Pacific


 Northwest landscape by the mid-20th century. Today, these remarkable


trees offer a diverse range of shapes and sizes perfectly suited for the unique


 growing conditions of Western Washington. Whether you are looking for


the dramatic foliage of 'Purple Ghost' and 'Omato', the elegant weeping


form of 'Tamukeyama', or the vibrant winter interest of 'Coral Bark', there


is a variety to enhance any garden. Call us for details on these and


many other exquisite cultivars available now.

The Fabulous Flowering Cherries Of April


As spring arrives, our gardens awaken from their long winter slumber. With each

 

passing day, sunlight lingers a little longer, coaxing life back into the landscape.


Flowering plums, forsythia, and daphne begin to bloom, while bulbs quietly push


 their way up through the soil. Among these early signs of the season, few sights


 rival the breathtaking beauty of the Japanese flowering cherry. Beginning in


mid-March, the University of Washington comes alive with the dazzling display


 of Yoshino cherry trees, the earliest of the Japanese flowering cherries to bloom.


 As the Yoshino blossoms fade, the Mt. Fuji cherry takes center stage. Its soft


 pink buds open into large, elegant white double flowers, creating a striking contrast


 against the fresh green of spring. Originating in Japan in the 19th century and


introduced to the United States in the early 20th century, the Mt. Fuji cherry


 begins with an upright form but matures into a broad, graceful tree, typically


reaching 15–20 feet tall and 20–25 feet wide. Later in April, the Kwanzan cherry


 delivers a truly spectacular finale with its rich pink buds that unfurl into lush


 blossoms packed with layers of petals and has an upright habit to 25 feet tall, and


 20 ft wide. Joining this late-season display is  the exquisite Shogetsu cherry, also


introduced during the same time period, is a cultivar that is prized for its pendulous


 clusters of double-white flowers that hang like delicate bells from its wide, flat-topped


 canopy. Reaching about 15-20 feet tall and 20 feet wide, the Shogetsu provides a


refined, silvery-white contrast to the deep pinks of the Kwanzan. Today, these remarkable


 trees grace neighborhoods and parks throughout the Pacific Northwest, treasured for the


vibrant beauty they bring each spring. Visit the nursery in the scenic Snohomish Valley


 and experience this magnificent collection for yourself—let these


 extraordinary blossoms awaken your spring spirit.

Growing Citrus Indoors


Growing citrus indoors in the Pacific Northwest may seem unlikely, given


the region’s long stretches of gray skies, cool temperatures, and limited sunlight,


 but with the right setup and care, you can successfully grow lemons, limes, and


 even oranges right in your living room. Citrus plants are not only productive but


 also visually appealing, with glossy evergreen leaves, fragrant blossoms, and


colorful fruit that brightens darker months, making them a rewarding project for


 both beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts. The best varieties for indoor


 growing are compact and self-pollinating, such as Meyer lemon—a sweeter, less


 acidic hybrid that adapts well to containers—along with dwarf lime varieties

 

like Key lime or Bearss lime, and ornamental options like Calamondin oranges,


which produce tangy fruit ideal for marmalades. For something more unique,


 multi-grafted “citrus cocktail” trees allow you to grow several types of fruit on


 one plant, perfect for small spaces. Success indoors depends on providing 8–12


hours of bright light daily—often requiring grow lights in the Pacific Northwest—


along with consistent watering in well-draining soil, adequate humidity (especially


 during dry winter months), and regular feeding with a citrus-specific fertilizer during


 the growing season. Because indoor conditions limit natural pollination, gently


 shaking branches or using a small brush to transfer pollen can help encourage


 fruiting. While it takes a bit of extra attention, growing citrus indoors brings


year-round flavor, fragrance, and a welcome slice of sunshine into your


 home, even when the weather outside is anything but tropical.

April Garden Tasks


Refresh your containers with colorful

 spring blooming flowers.


Divide perennials, such as hostas, daylilies, and ferns, as well as and

 ornamental deciduous grasses, like Japanese Forest Grass

 (Hakonechloa)and Feather Reed Grass(Calamagrostis).


Lightly prune  and shape your evergreen

 hedges, such as boxwoods.


Shape your garden beds  by refining the boundaries

 where the lawn may be encroaching.


Apply Compost & Mulch to reinvigorate your soil.


Cut back deciduous ornamental grasses to prepare

 for the emergence of fresh blades.


Plant potatoes and onion starts, and fertilize your vegetables

 garden, flowering shrubs, and perennials.


Prune summer & fall blooming clematis.


Moist soil makes for easy weeding. Seize the

 opportunity to pull them.


Plan your vegetable garden and purchase

 your seeds to sow directly