Happy Mothers Day!  This spring has been one of the best gifts to all the mothers out there.  The weather has been tremendous and that means a lot of those spring chores are done and moms can now relax and enjoy their special day.  That day can include a trip to your local garden center.  Mothers love new plants and flowers and the garden centers are loaded with them.  There are also some great events going on around the area too.  You can take your mom to the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens in Woodland for the finish of the Lilac Days event, stop by the Crystal Springs Rhododendron gardens for the show and sale (check out the story below) or catch the Irises and Peonies at Schreiners Iris Gardens or Adelman Peonies which are both near Brooks.  There are so many things to do it can be hard to choose, so let mom make the decision!

We also want to thank KOIN 6 TV in Portland.  For the next 3 weekends they will be repeating the Garden Time show on Sunday mornings from 11 to noon.  If you want to sleep in on Saturday morning, you can still catch the show on Sunday! 

Enjoy the weekend.

This week we featured...

Camp Smokey

Who doesn’t remember Smokey Bear when we were growing up?   If you are in your 20’s or older, you have probably been exposed to Smokey and his fire safety message.  Recently Lory at Bosky Dell Natives (503-638-5945) thought it was the right time to introduce Smokey to another generation of ‘campers’.  She has built a campground at her nursery complete with a tent and a ‘campfire’ so kids and adults can sit and relax and learn more about Smokey’s message (‘remember only you can prevent forest fires’) about being responsible stewards of the environment.  People can stop by and learn about Smokey’s message, and also get some information about all of the native plants that our in our forests.  While you are at the nursery you can also see how these native plants can be a great addition to your yard or garden.  If you are interested stopping by Camp Smokey don’t take too long.  It will only be set up for a short time.

Patio Surface Savers

Putting your flowers in a place where you can enjoy them may have an unintended consequence.  Pots or containers on your deck, patio or indoor floor may damage the surface.  To prevent that we recommend that you place some form of protection under the plant.  One of the best products we have found is the Surface Saver.  This product comes as a ring or as planter feet.  All you do is place the ring under your pot for air circulation.  This air circulation will help the plant and will protect the surface.  Check out your local independent garden center for the Surface Saver or a similar product to extend the life of your plant and flooring.

Weekend Warriors Radio

If you are a do-it-yourselfer and you find yourself in a bind doing some of your weekend projects, there are a couple of other ‘weekend warriors’ that can help you out.  Corey and Tony are 2 local experts from Parr Lumber (866-214-7277) that make up the Weekend Warrior Home Improvement Radio show powered by Parr.  Every Saturday morning they host a radio show that originates from KPAM radio, but can be heard on nearly a dozen stations around the Pacific Northwest.  Every week they have a topic that they focus on, but they also take occasional calls and e-mails from listeners and even talk to local builders and experts to help.  It all started when they were doing vacation fill-in for another radio host.  Soon, he decided to stop and they just picked up where he left off.  They bring a lifetime of expertise to their listeners since both of them work at Parr everyday and see what homeowners are up against with their various projects.  If you are a new homeowner, a jack of all trades or just doing a few chores around the house this is a fun way to learn more about home improvement!  Check them out!

Burl’s Bromeliad

We recently had a call from Burl Mostul from Rare Plant Research (503-780-6200).  He had a plant he wanted us to check out so we stopped by.  We are glad we did.  The plant he wanted to show us was the Alcantarea imperialis Bromeliad.  This plant is one of those rare ones that you don’t hear too much about because it rarely blooms.  In the wild it is found clinging to rocks in little or no soil.  It will send up little ‘pups’, which are the small new plants, from its base.  Or you can wait 20 years until it blooms for some of its seeds.  That is what is happening at Burls.  His is about ready to bloom.  The blooming stalk or inflorescence is about 10-12 feet tall and loaded with flower buds.  Your chance to see this giant is coming up on the weekend of the 18^th and 19^th when Burl has his annual Open Garden and Nursery days.  He is a grower and wholesaler and during the event he shows off his personal garden and nursery and has special pricing for people who stop by.   You can also sample wines or enjoy lunch supplied by local vendors.  2 other nurseries in the area also open their doors to visitors some make a day of it and stop by his nursery to see this amazing plant.

Crystal Spring Rhodies

We went to see the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden for their big Portland Rhododendron Show and Plant Sale that happens every year on Mother’s Day weekend.  Dick ‘Red’ Cavender talked to William about all the changes to the garden.  This early heat has pushed a lot of the rhodies past their normal bloom time.  Still there is plenty to see.  Some of the rhodies and azaleas have yet to bloom.  We also talked about the ‘azalea lace bug’ problem that has been affecting gardens all around the area.  Some gardeners have taken out their azaleas and rhododendrons; in fact some in the print media have written that it may be the only way to completely get rid of this pest.  Red told us that you don’t need to go to that extreme!  In fact there are many ways of treating the problem including chemical, organic and mechanical means of control.  You can apply a systemic chemical to the plant, but either do it before blooms appear or after they have died back.  If you want to do an organic treatment, there are soaps and oils that can be applied, but will need to be done multiple times during the season.  Or, you can try a mechanical means of treatment which may just be a high pressure spray to knock the bugs off the plant.  Any of these treatments will be much cheaper than tearing out your plants and replacing them with new plants.  He also covered all the events happening at the garden this weekend.  There is the plant sale in the parking lot, which is free to the public.  There is also the cut flower show which is in the middle of the garden and can be seen with the normal admission charge, and don’t forget the wonderful garden itself!  We also talked about the benefits the garden has enjoyed because of the generosity of gardeners and rhododendron lovers around the state. The garden is maintained by volunteers and the plant sale that the Rhododendron Society is conducting helps to raise funds for the garden.  If you would like to learn more about the garden and about volunteering check out the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden website, or call 503-771-8386.

Tsugawa Small Japanese Maples

You can grow a beautiful Japanese maple with out a lot of space!  We stopped by Tsugawa’s Nursery (360-225-8750) in Woodland to check out some of the varieties that stay small in a pot or container.  Brian met up with us at the front of the store to show us everything you need to successfully grow them.  The first one we saw was ‘Shaina’, which was a nice red one with a tight habit that won’t sprawl out and can be kept tighter with pruning.  Next we moved to ‘Beni Otake’ with its wonderful willow leaf structure.  It has arching branches that shimmers in the sun.  Finally we saw ‘Orange Dream’ which has chartreuse green leaves that are just dazzling in the sun.  We also saw how they can be kept in a pot with small annuals around the base to compliment the color of the tree foliage.  Planting these small trees in a pot only requires a few steps.  Remember to always use a good potting soil.  Regular soil from your garden doesn’t give the plant the room or nutrients it needs to thrive.  Speaking of nutrients, you will also want to use a root stimulator, a nice transplant fertilizer and then a long term, slow release, fertilizer to make sure it does well until it is established.  If you are looking for a nice selection of Japanese maples for any size of garden, stop by and visit them at Tsugawa’s.

Farmington Spring Color Shrubs

Now that the early spring bulbs have finished their blooming your garden may be screaming for some new color; don’t over look the spring blooming shrubs.  We paid a visit to Farmington Gardens (503-649-4568) in Beaverton to see some of the best ones for this time of year.   MJ met with Judy to show off the ones that are looking great right now.  The first one was a hydrangea ‘Endless Summer’.  This one has nice big blooms in the shade and will continue blooming until the first frost of the fall.  Of course, if you love spring blooms, you have to have lilacs.  We saw a couple that were looking great.  The first was ‘Tinker Bell’ which is a great one for small gardens.  It was just loaded with fragrant blooms!  Another dwarf variety is ‘Miss Kim’.  It too is a big bloomer (on a small plant) and will knock you over with its great fragrance.  If you are looking for something taller, they are even growing these lilacs on a ‘standard’ (or trunk) so their blooms are much higher and are right at nose height!  Another great plant for the spring is the Exbury and Mollus azaleas.  These are azaleas that are deciduous meaning they lose their leaves in the winter. They also have some of the most vibrant colored blooms.  These are great shrubs and will return with great color year after year.  We then saw the viburnum ‘Summer Snowflake’.  This one has a delicate white flower an can get 6 feet tall and wide in just a few years so give it lots of room.  One of the favorites of the east coast was next.  The Kalmia or Mountain Laurel is sometimes called the ‘rhododendron of the east’.  It has colorful flowers that come in whites, pink, reds, and even maroon.  Finally we ended with a couple of weigelas.  The first one was the relatively new ‘My Monet’.  It has a very cool variegated leaf and pink blooms. The other variety is the ‘Merlot Pink’ which also has long lasting pink blooms with darker shiny foliage.  If you are looking for something to add a blast of color to your late spring garden don’t pass up any of these wonderful shrubs.  You can find them at most of your local independent garden centers and always at Farmington Gardens.

Rosie’s Cilantro Pot

Growing your own vegetables and herbs are very popular right now.  So to learn how to make an herb pot we went to one of the local experts, Rosie Sullivan from N & M Nursery (503-981-9060).  Rosie, and her husband Sean, grow herbs and perennials that they sell at the Beaverton Farmers Market and to local garden centers around the area.  She showed us how to plant up 2 different kinds of planters, one for cooking herbs, and one just for your favorite herb, which in this case was cilantro.  Rosie recommends that you keep the cilantro separate from your other herb pots.  It is such a short lived annual that you should cut it and use it 4-5 times and then just compost the plant.   In the culinary herb pot you can include African Blue Basil, chives, sweet basil, Rosemary, Oregano, thyme and sage.  Stop by and see Rosie this weekend when the Beaverton Farmers market opens for the season, then try building your own herb pot this spring and enjoy fresh herbs all summer long.

Bedroom Makeover

When you are designing the bedroom in your home you should always remember the mood you are trying to set.  We learned that when we visited with Amy Troute of Amy Troute Inspired Interior Design (503-805-0811).  She met us at a home she recently redecorated.  She talked about creating an area of calm and soothing.  This bedroom she focused on textures, patterns and softness.  You do want to create a different type of atmosphere and escape from the stresses of the day.  Amy stayed a little mono-chromatic but that doesn’t mean boring; there are lots of elements that make this room visually stunning.  Plus everything still seemed to tie in together to create a uniform feel and look.  Amy also did another bedroom and it had a little different feel to it.  It was also relaxing, but this room had an art-deco look and a darker color scheme.  It may not be a look for everyone, but it is what the home owner wanted and that is the point Amy also made.  Don’t always follow what people say you should like, do what you like… create the room you want!  If you would like to learn more about Amy and her designs, check out her website.

Cheese and Chocolate