In a Vase on Monday

April 9, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: A Wet Walk Through Portland Avenue Nursery

It's daffodil time in the garden and I was reminded of this wine decanter/goblet set that my pottery guru in Alaska made in the 70's. For some reason, this came to college with me and the decanter, filled with daffodils sat in the windowsill of my practice room in the music building during most of the spring. Having only seen daffodils grown in gardens, it was amazing to me that every grocery store in the area offered bunches of them. Little did I know then that this area, at that time, was a major producer of both daffodil bulbs and blooms. This set has lived in the attic for years now and seldom crosses my mind but seeing bunches of daffodils in the store on Sunday took me on a drive down memory lane.

I grabbed a bunch at the store and picked a few from my garden and they look identical to me.

Some glass pebbles, most of which were used inside the vessels to hold the stems, and a few glass eggs, in honor of spring, were added.

Sweet college memories and fresh golden daffodils will bring me joy this week. Bringing a bit of the outdoors inside, either from our gardens or scavenged nearby, to elicit happy thoughts during the week is the idea behind In a Vase on Monday, this addictive meme hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Do click here to see what others have put in vases this week. Thanks for getting us hooked, Cathy.

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A Wet Walk Through Portland Avenue Nursery

April 10, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Wednesday Vignette - SPRING

≪ Previous: In a Vase on Monday

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting a coworker's new home, meeting his wife, delightful children and holding the newest member of the family, a recently-born adorable baby girl. What a special treat. An added bonus is that their house is very close to Portland Avenue Nursery. It was raining outside but who would let a little thing like precipitation keep him from plant shopping?

Rusty vehicles, old gas pumps and topiary let us know that we're definitely at PAN. The sign above was also a dead giveaway.

Annuals, veggie starts, and potted bulbs fill the shelves.

I love the foliage of Alstroemeria 'Rock n Roll' but in my garden, it doesn't come back in subsequent years with as much vigor as it displays the first year it's planted.

The flowers are nice too but it's really the foliage that excites me.

What a difference a few months make. Here is a November view.

Now, perennials and potted rose bushes fill the space!

Again, a view from a November visit.

Now the tables are once again present and filled.

Love this color combination.

A formerly vacant area is once again full of azaleas waiting to burst into brilliant bloom.

There were some fun unusual surprises like Trillium sessile

Shrubby goodness showing great twig color for winter interest.

Superb collection of evergreens.

Camellia 'Carter's Sunburst' has huge blooms and was tempting.

So was C. 'April Remembered'

The soft pink color and heart-shaped leaves of 'Taylor's Perfection' are fabulous. As the petals fall, they litter the ground with pink hearts. I lingered for quite a while trying to decide where this could possibly fit in my garden. I'd probably have to get rid of one of my white camellias to grow this one and that would place this one within eyeshot of a more orange-pink camellia with which it would clash horribly so that one would have to move but then this one could go in that spot as it would look really sweet with the white one. Too much thinking, too much work, enough camellias in my garden already. Although these are such sweet late winter through spring bloomers. Maybe I'll go back sometime and see if it's still there.

It's reassuring to know that all the rusty old vehicles have a fuel source.

Oh deer.

And as Loree says, "There's always an agave."

While passiflora in our gardens won't be blooming for a while yet, these greenhouse sweeties (or maybe brought up from California) are popping now.

Nothing made it into the plant mobile this time. There's still a pot ghetto at home filled with plants waiting to find a home.

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Wednesday Vignette - SPRING

April 11, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Before the Parade Passes By

≪ Previous: A Wet Walk Through Portland Avenue Nursery

It's an exciting time in our gardens when changes happen rapidly and there's something fun and new to notice every day! The emerging leaves of Acer palmatum 'Emerald Lace' and really all the maples are covering the once-bare twigs with a faint green (or red or purple) glow.

To see what's catching the eye of gardeners this week, click on over our host, Anna's blog, Flutter and Hum.

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Before the Parade Passes By

April 12, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Plants Tend To Grow

≪ Previous: Wednesday Vignette - SPRING

On Saturday, the predicted storm blew in early and heavy rain was coming in sideways as Tom set out to meet a friend to watch Tacoma's Daffodil Parade. I decided to stay home but just as the parade was about to begin, there was a break in the storm and the sun even made an appearance. Tom took the below pictures.

"The Daffodil Festival originated in 1934 as a celebration of the agriculture industry in the Puyallup and Sumner area. The Daffodil Parade became an annual event where the community gathered, and the daffodil was the exalted symbol. The celebration gradually grew to make its way through four Pierce County cities in a single day." Quotes are from the Daffodil Festival website.

Bands from many schools were on hand.

"Despite the loss of the daffodil farmers throughout the years, Pierce County is still fertile ground, continuing to sprout new ideas and ways of thinking, ingenuity, industry, and innovation. The parade still hosts the beautiful golden flowers, but the true celebration continues to revolve around the community from which it originates, and the people whose hands have built the festival from the very beginning. The high school bands, floats, businesses and local organizations, all hold strong ties to the streets they march, walk, and ride over in the parade. It is for this reason that the Daffodil Festival still flourishes."

"This Festival thrives, when Pierce County is at its strongest; when the support and spirit of its diverse communities come together. When they share their talents, and take part in a grand tribute to the land they live in, magic happens. That’s the Parade, showcasing a community at its best."

"Daffodils came to the Puyallup Valley around 1925 to replace the area’s dying hop industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommended bulb growing because of the Valley’s excellent soil and ideal climate. About 200 varieties of Daffodils are grown, with the King Alfred being best known and most locally grown."

Each high school in Pierce County elects a daffodil princess and through some sort of contest, one is crowned queen of the festival. However, all of the princesses act as ambassadors of Pierce County and dedicate their year of royalty to community service. The royal court always wears daffodil yellow dresses but Tom didn't get a picture of them. You can see one here.

While in Portlandia they put a bird on it, in Pierce County, we put a daffodil on it.

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Plants Tend To Grow

April 13, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day April 2018

≪ Previous: Before the Parade Passes By

The spring migration began a bit earlier this year in hopes of avoiding the sunscorch that damaged some of the agaves last year. Now I'm hoping that the daily rain won't cause rot. So, the larger agaves and aloes have made it out but there are still another half of the Danger Gardenette plants inside and all but one of the bromeliads are still in warmer digs. We'll see what happens. There's still space to squeeze in some plants, the empty pots and remnants of the winter incarnation of this area will be cleared away or filled. The plants have all grown considerably in the last three years and it's clear that there won't be room for all of them in this location anymore. Yikes! There may need to be a Danger Gardenette Deux.

It all started innocently enough a few years ago with a small Strobilanthes gossypinus. Who wouldn't fall for that great foliage? It spent one summer outside but then didn't make it out of the greenhouse last year.

I decided to move it from it's space in the greenhouse and was surprised by how much light it had been blocking. I'll take cuttings this summer and see if they'll root and then maybe let the big plant go. Do you have experience rooting this plant?

The wind storm that happened shortly after it was moved wasn't kind to this fellow but nothing broke so perhaps it'll perk up when warmer weather arrives.

The puppy was small when I brought it home.

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Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day April 2018

April 15, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: In a Vase on Monday - In Memory of Jeff Pinto

≪ Previous: Plants Tend To Grow

On the fifteenth of each month, Carol (Congratulations on the publication of your second book!) of May Dreams Gardens hosts Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. It's a great way to keep a journal of what's blooming in our gardens and to take a peek at what's blooming in various climates around the world. To see more, click here. Here's a look at what's blooming in my zone 8 Pacific Northwest Garden this month.

The winter pansies have been troopers since they were planted in October.

Potted tulips

I forgot that these were here but they've come back for a second year.

More surprises that are at least four years old.

Magnolias

M. 'Black Tulip' and 'Elizabeth' have buds but aren't open yet.

Camellias

A carpet-forming Speedwell whose name slips my mind at the moment.

Euphorbia wulfenii

Pieris japonica

In addition to the violets in the lawn, golden violets are blooming in a pot. I was afraid that these wouldn't be as tolerant of mowing.

In the greenhouse, Abutilon 'Victor Reiter'

Scadoxus puniceus

Ceanothus is just starting to open next to the very red Ribes speciosum (not pictured) which makes a delightful color combination.

Rosemary

Daffodils

Inherited native Mahonia

Daphne odora

Akebia quinata 'Shirobana' has a spicy scent reminiscent of fragrant stock.

Fritillaria meleagris

Grape hyacinths

The double primroses tend to come back for me better than the singles for some reason.

Saxifraga something or other.

Sanguinaria canadensis 'Multiplex'

Pulmonaria

Rhododendrons

Trillium

Hellebores are still blooming all over the place. Here are a couple.

Stachyurus praecox is just about finished for the year.

Berberis darwinii

Happy GBBD all and happy tax day to those of you in the U.S.

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In a Vase on Monday - In Memory of Jeff Pinto

April 16, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Foliage Follow-Up April 18 Podophyllums' Progress and a couple new additions.

≪ Previous: Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day April 2018

Many were surprised and saddened to learn that Jeff Pinto died of pancreatic cancer recently. Jeff and his wife, Donna, whose whimsical ceramic work had become a mainstay of local garden and art shows, were the creative force behind Marriah House Studio in Sherwood, Oregon. At the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon's recent sale, "Hortlandia," Jeff's familiar work was present and signs reading "Last Show" were posted. His daughter was selling the last of his inventory. More of his work will be posted here in the future and you may recall this post from a few years ago. We will miss chatting with the affable Mr. Pinto and the joy of seeing what new pieces his creative mind and talented hands had created. These three yellow pieces came home with me from Hortlandia and it seemed fitting to use them for today's IaVoM arrangement.

Forget-me-nots, bleeding hearts, and pansies fill the vessels.

Farewell, Jeff, and thanks for the lasting legacy of your work.

In a Vase on Monday is hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who encourages us to bring some of the outdoors inside each Monday to bring us joy throughout the week. Click here to see what others have found to bring inside today.

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Foliage Follow-Up April 18 Podophyllums' Progress and a couple new additions.

April 17, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Wednesday Vignette - Famous Last Words

≪ Previous: In a Vase on Monday - In Memory of Jeff Pinto

Pam Penick of Digging hosts Foliage Follow-Up on the day (or so) after Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day each month to remind us of the important role that foliage plays in our gardens every day of the year. Click here to see Pam's gorgeous foliage and to find links to that of other participating gardeners.

There's a lot of foliage bursting forth in our pacific northwest gardens this spring. It's no secret that I'm a fan of podophyllum and love the way they emerge. Today's post is mostly about them.

It's interesting that some of these little darlings are fully leafed out (and one even a bit tattered by our recent strong winds) while others are just peeking out of the soil. P. 'Red Panda' (P. difforme, not shown is just peeking out of the soil too while P. pleianthum is already a foot high.)

P. delavayi

P. 'Spotty Dotty and delavayi

P. 'Red Panda' It's interesting how similar thes all look at this stage and how different they'll look in a few weeks.

Sinopanax formosanus made it through the winter above ground in this pot but it's in a slightly protected spot.

Trevesia aff. palmata was in a plastic pot and got put in the greenhouse during our freezes but moved back out an potted here in it's more permanent home.

Hope you're enjoying the foliage in your garden!

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Wednesday Vignette - Famous Last Words

April 18, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Hortlandia 2018

≪ Previous: Foliage Follow-Up April 18 Podophyllums' Progress and a couple new additions.

"I really don't need any more plants and don't want to buy anything but we should go to Hortlandia, just for the fun of the road trip and to chat with a friend or two." he said as they hopped in the car at 7:00 a.m. "No, we don't need to get those bags of potting soil and other garden do-dads out of the trunk. I can't imagine buying anything that won't fit in the back seat of the car."

"Well, since we've already made the two hour trip, we really should check out some nurseries after the sale, right?" escaped his lips after spending time at Hortlandia. (and maybe picking up a few plants.)

One giant plant sale and five nurseries later and not only the back seat was full.

Wednesday Vignette is hosted by Anna at Flutter and Hum. Click here to join the fun!

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Hortlandia 2018

April 19, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Portland Nursery Hopping #1 Marbott's Nursery

≪ Previous: Wednesday Vignette - Famous Last Words

The rain poured down outside and was predicted to do so all day on Saturday. No work would be done in the garden and the house is just too far gone to even ponder cleaning. Why not take a road trip to Portland to attend Hortlandia, the Hardy Plant Society's spring plant sale, one of the largest in the PNW? An added bonus was that it didn't rain in Portland and it was ten degrees warmer than it was in Tacoma.

It's been a rainy, wet spring and lots of people were in the mood to shop for plants. This line of cars was waiting to find parking. Fortunately, Tom was driving so I was able to hop out and walk while he waited to park.

The crowd in the lobby of the Expo center was larger than remember ever seeing before. But once the doors opened, folks proceeded inside in an orderly fashion. There were so many people that I didn't take very many pictures. The educational tables are always a delight.

Rita Lee's Nursery always has a nice selection of cacti and succulents.

This temptation was in someone else's space.

So many great vendors; so many great plants. For a complete list of vendors and a map, click here.

There's something for everyone at this sale. Acers a go-go.

It always surprises me that potted spring flowering bulbs are so popular at sales when they can be ordered as bulbs at a fraction of the price. These are sweet though. I didn't get a picture of the sea of blue gentians in bloom but a couple of them came home with me.

Cornus controversa 'Variegata'

Rhododendron spinuliferum

Fortunately, Gossler didn't have any of this camellia left at the sale otherwis one may have come home with me and I have enough camellias in my garden already!

I think this creation is from Contained Exuberance.

Scadoxus puniceus at Rare Plant Research

More gems from RPR

Mostly, there were people. Lots and lots of people, all enjoying looking at plants. The show was open both Saturday and Sunday and pal Loree, who went back on Sunday to help take the show down said that there were still folks at the checkout line right up until the very end.

I did get a few plants (only a box and 1/2.) One of the best parts of the show was running into so many blogging friends like Matthew, (Lents Farmer) Alan, (Mardi Gras Gardener) Ricki, (Sprig to Twig) Anna, (Flutter and Hum) and Loree (Danger Garden.) Strangely, I missed seeing Alison (Bonney Lassie) but neither of us knew that the other was going.

Osmunda regalis looks so beautiful unfurling new fronds. Yes, that podophyllum to the left came home with me.

After we checked out, there was still quite a bit of the day left, it was bright and warm outside and still raining at home so we visited five area nurseries before heading home. Once Hortlandia happens, spring has officially arrived. Now if Mother Nature would get the memo, turn up the thermostat a notch or two and cut back on precipitation a bit, we'll all be thrilled!

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Portland Nursery Hopping #1 Marbott's Nursery

April 20, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: In a Vase on Monday - Eggxactly What the Doctor Ordered

≪ Previous: Hortlandia 2018

Not far from Portland's Expo Center, where Hortlandia took place last weekend, is Marbott's Greenhouse and Nursery, growing plants for homes and gardens since 1930. Mr. Marbott, better known as Ernie, is 89 years old and still a fixture here. It was a delight to once again discuss tuberous begonias with Ernie and to hear how excited he is with the beauties he starts from seed in November. By now they're full grown and starting to bloom. After all these years, starting seeds and watching plants grow still holds his heart. Tuberous begonias are exactly what I'd come here to find.

While I always have surviving tubers from last year starting inside, it's always nice to add one or two already in full bloom.

While 'Nonstop' tuberous begonias are widely available as plants, few greenhouses (I'm only aware of Marbott's and Wells Medina who grow their own plants) bother with the large. old-fashioned kind. Perhaps because their stems are fairly brittle and might not be the most sturdy things to transport to stores. Fortunately, tubers are widely available. Some of my favorites are those that I ordered from Blackmore and Langdon a few years ago.

These are not the trendiest plants but the big bright blooms remind me of how beautifully they grew in the Alaska gardens of my youth.

Another plant that I've only seen at Marbott's is Kalanchoe uniflora 'Coral Bells.' It's a great, easy-care succulent that flowers over a long period and the dried blooms make a delightful tinkling noise in the breeze.

Another favorite that bloomed most of the summer in Alaska is fragrant stock. Here it stops blooming in the heat of summer. There's nothing quite like that scent.

Shady characters.

Coffee anyone?

Spring color!

Heuchera 'Red Lightening' looks good all year long.

Marbott's grows most of what they sell. The promise of lots of gorgeous annual blooms.

thes little demonstration gardens are looking sweet.

More annuals!

For those who enjoy blue flowers, there's nothing quite like a carpet of gentian.

The geranium (Pelargonium) houses are full.

I usually don't notice the rock garden in the front as it's on a busy street and the parking lot is closer to the retail areas. However, Ernie called his son over to take me out front to a locked greenhouse to see some special begonia hanging baskets they'd put together.

It would have been rude not to get one or two, right? After all Mr. Marbott Jr. went out of his way and all.

One last look before moving on to a few more nurseries.

Happy weekend all!

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In a Vase on Monday - Eggxactly What the Doctor Ordered

April 23, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Fishing for Art - A Visit to Brian Fisher's Vashon Island Studio

≪ Previous: Portland Nursery Hopping #1 Marbott's Nursery

It's spring and this weekend was blessedly bereft of precipitation. The sun even made several appearances and our highs neared sixty. The coming week will see our first seventy degree highs this year, the perfect antidote to our heretofore rather soggy spring.

This egg-shaped vase with attached hen and chicks decided to come out of the cupboard for today's offering.

Because of the weather, I wanted to spend as much time working in the garden as possible so just grabbed a bit of what was abundant and in the way, all rampant spreaders. Lunaria annua, Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora,' and the dreaded Hyacinthoides hispanica (Spanish Bluebells) that continue to thrive even though they've been dug out several times. Those that do stay are pulled up, foliage and all as soon as they're done blooming.

Some blown out quail eggs that live in an abandoned nest on a table on the back porch were added along with a rather strange creature created by Jeff Pinto

In a Vase on Monday is hosted by Cathy of Rambling in the Garden. Click here to check out what others have brought inside from their gardens or scavenged nearby to brighten their week.

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Fishing for Art - A Visit to Brian Fisher's Vashon Island Studio

April 24, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Wednesday Vignette - Blue Sky, New Leaves, and Moss

≪ Previous: In a Vase on Monday - Eggxactly What the Doctor Ordered

Saturday was (finally) a warm(er) and sunny day, perfect to be on a boat in the water. In this case, the boat was a Washington State ferry and sailing time to nearby Vashon Island is only fifteen minutes, not nearly long enough to cast a line or net. Besides, fishing from such a vessel seems to be frowned upon.

Fortunately the reason for our boat ride was not to catch dinner but rather to visit talented artist and friend, Brian Fisher and to enjoy some of his new work. To see a 2012 visit to this home and garden click here. Much has happened in both Brian's garden and studio space since then and we'll see more of the garden in a later post. In addition, Quartermaster Press, a printmaking collective, is having a 25 year celebration and retrospective show at their new digs in the Vashon Center for the Arts (There may have also been a couple of nursery visits involved.)

Speaking of new digs, Brian and Peter have added fabulous new buildings to house Brian's studio..

I'll shut up and let the work speak for itself.

Sacred Circles are Brian's first foray into digital collage. Please forgive the reflections.

Okay, here are a couple of older pieces of which I'm particularly fond "Of Cabbages and Kings."

"Communion" has lived in my home for several years now.

One of four pieces which will be hanging in the Tacoma Art Museum in June.

If you're looking for something interesting to do next weekend and aren't attending the garden blogging discussion that Alison and I are hosting at the Bellevue Botanical Garden, drop by Vashon Island's Collector's Conversation!

Brian was kind enough to supply the following images which are far superior to mine.

Satyr Play - Monotype Print

Salix, Monotype Print

The River of Forgetting - Monotype Print with 24k gold leaf

Majorca, Sacred Circle, Digital Collage

Here's Brian demonstrating Collagraphy:

You may be wondering what our net pulled up on this Fisher outing Mixed Myth - Watercolor

Want to see more of Brian's work? Check out his website here and to personally visit his studio along with those of 25 other artists, plan on attending Vashon Island Visual Artists Spring Studio Tour, May 5-6 & 12 -13 10am to 5pm.

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Wednesday Vignette - Blue Sky, New Leaves, and Moss

April 25, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Portland Nursery Hopping #2 Portland Nursery, Stark Street

≪ Previous: Fishing for Art - A Visit to Brian Fisher's Vashon Island Studio

What is that strange azure color? Why are moss-encrusted, web-footed denizens of our soggy region emerging from their dwellings squinting, eyes shielded from the foreign fiery sphere in the sky?

High temperatures more typical of summer have come our way this week, that's why. Fear not dear friends, the rain is scheduled to return on Saturday.

Wednesday Vignette is hosted by Anna at Flutter and Hum. Click here to join the party!

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Portland Nursery Hopping #2 Portland Nursery, Stark Street

April 26, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Sylvia and Ross's Vashon Garden

≪ Previous: Wednesday Vignette - Blue Sky, New Leaves, and Moss

Portland Nursery has two locations and after Hortlandia, I visited both. Today, step into a springtime paradise with me at the Stark Street Location. This place is always overflowing with great plants exquisitely combined. I won't talk a lot today so you can simply soak in all the color!

Isn't it nice to know that if you forgot to plant bulbs in the fall, you can always pick them up already blooming? Cheating has it's price, though as bulbs are much less expensive than blooming plants.

Oh to have space for one of those circular arbors in my car and garden...

Hosta la vista, baby!

One could get sappy about the maple selection.

Hey man, let's get some grass.

Give a hoot.

Don't pollute.

Camellia japonica 'Nuccio's Pearl'

Even at 50% off in the clearance area, these were a bit pricey for me.

Abies Pinsapo 'Glauca' always looks so cute at this time of year.

The inside jungle featuring macrame plant hangers. (Say it ain't so.) At least the new iteration doesn't feature those big ceramic beads with splotchy contrasting colored glazes.

Let's face it, there's something for just about everyone here.

As Loree says, "There's always an agave." As I usually counter, "There's always a begonia too. One seldom sees them together.

Table after table of healthy, well-grown plants delighted but I didn't find anything I couldn't live without on this visit.

Also, for a good time, go here and scroll down to the third offering. Alison (Bonney Lassie) had an idea about the two of us leading a discussion about garden blogging and guiding participants through the process of creating their own blogs. I'm glad she roped me into this as it should be fun.

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Sylvia and Ross's Vashon Garden

April 27, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: In a Vase on Monday - Tea Anyone?

≪ Previous: Portland Nursery Hopping #2 Portland Nursery, Stark Street

While visiting Dig Nursery last weekend, I had the pleasure of tiptoeing through the tulips the owners' garden. Ross and Sylvia are a fabulous team who have created a garden that is at once contemporary and clean in style and exuberantly planted (stuffed, these are serious plant lovers.) Not an easy balance to strike but it has been expertly accomplished here as it was in their previous garden.

The use of gabion walls creates intimate areas within what was once a large open space. Like the artists they are, they've utilized generous gravel paths as areas for the eye to rest. Much easier to care for and more water-wise than lawn, these negative spaces are the perfect foil for the floral and foliar bounty of the even more generous beds.

Fritillaria imperialis

I think that's Daphne x houtteana looking so handsome currently surrounded by pink tulips .

Gotta love those those brightly blooming euphorbias!

Cerinthe major purpurascens

The Tetrapanax grove will soon be leafed-out.

Persicaria microcephala 'Red Dragon' always looks gorgeous this time of year, and quite innocent before it starts trying to take over the world later in the season.

The honey-like fragrance of Euphorbia mellifera is such a joy. I think my own specimen came from Dig many years ago.

Ross and Sylvia may well be moseying down the road if their property sells but for at least one more season, we can still enjoy the magic of the Nursery and garden. (Nursery post to follow.) Thanks again for all these years of enjoyment!

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In a Vase on Monday - Tea Anyone?

April 30, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Portland Nursery Hopping # 3 Cistus Nursery

≪ Previous: Sylvia and Ross's Vashon Garden

Today I'm cheating and not bringing anything from my garden indoors to enjoy. Since I'm spending as much time as possible outside and only coming in after dark to write blog posts and sleep, I'll better enjoy the flowers in the garden. However, one wouldn't want to skip participating in Cathy's addictive meme, In a Vase on Monday so I'm sharing flowers that others have put in vases today.

Once a year, the parish hall of the church were I work becomes a tea room during the usual coffee hour. It's fun on this day to look out at all of the hat-wearing parishioners during the service. Of course, coffee is also still offered. Here are a few of the tables being prepared (I took these before the service.)

I regret that I took these before tiered cake stands holding all manner of nibbles sweet and savory, arrived.

Individuals volunteer to put a table together and every year, my pal the pianist and I say that we should do a couple of tables but when the time comes, we're usually busy with other projects. Some year...

In a Vase on Monday is hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Click here to see what other bloggers have artfully arranged or haphazardly plopped into a container this week.

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Portland Nursery Hopping # 3 Cistus Nursery

May 1, 2018, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Wednesday Vignette

≪ Previous: In a Vase on Monday - Tea Anyone?

Technically, Cistus Nursery isn't in Portland but on nearby Sauvie Island but it's always a stop on any visit to the Portland area.

The plant addict's heart beats a little faster as he walks from the parking area across the drive and the nursery sign comes into view.

Almost in the Big Top and excitement builds. There are always treasures to be found here.

For a moment, we're in southern California.

Agave americana mediopicta alba is a favorite of mine and it was tempting do bring home another but there are already two in my plant hoard.

Justicia rizzinii was tempting but only hardy to 25 degrees.

Grevillea juniperina 'Molonglo' happily blooming away.

I passed up putting Acacia pravissima in my cart. Happily, when I was cutting some bamboo back, I noticed that the one in my own garden had survived the winter and looked happy. The bamboo had sheltered it nicely during our freezes.

Correa reflexa 'Carpenter Rocks' hopped right into my cart. Only hardy to twenty degrees, it may not survive if we have an exceptionally cold winter but at least for a while, these winter flowers will brighten some gloomy days.

Senecio cristobalensis

Impatiens omeiana 'Ice Storm'

Oh those beautiful Yucca rostratas.

A Dasylirion longissimum came home with me as I'd love to imitate Pam Penick's fabulous pipe planter idea for this plant.

Camellia japonica var. quercifolia 'White Mermaid.' An oak leaved camellia? Who knew?

Ribes speciosum 'Rana Creek.' I can never get a good image of this blooming in my own garden but isn't it a sweet thing?

Agave ornithobroma

How lucky are we to live in this region where we can grow agaves, olives, plants with large tropical-looking leaves, and moss on everything?

The vibrant color of Abutilon 'Mother of Pearl' is thrilling.

Time to take our purchases to the front counter and check out. Fortunately the nursery supervisor was on duty making sure that her human servants were on their toes.

One last look as we head out.

Time to head out and hit another nursery before stopping for dinner and heading for home.

Happy May Day!

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Wednesday Vignette

May 2, 2018, 5:48 am

≫ Next: Vashon Island's Quartermaster Press Celebrates Twenty-Five Years

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Everyone seems happy about fresh spring greens!

Seeing this little cutie just beyond the Wells Medina Nursery parking lot was an unexpected surprise. It's always a delight to see bunnies in other people's gardens.

This brought to mind a poem by Magical Mystical Teacher. It's reprinted here with her kind permission. To see more of her poetry and fabulous images from her Sonoran Desert region, click here.

Let us praise the raven and the rain.
Let us praise the singer and the song.
Let us praise the Cloud Spirit,
leading us to other roads when our path is hedged and blocked
by creatures sinister and sleek.
Let us praise the river stones
whose dignity remains intact,
despite the ravages of floods and drought.
Let us praise all things great and small,
for the hundred-thousand ways
our days are measured out.

Wednesday Vignette is hosted by Anna at Flutter and Hum. Click here to join the party.

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Vashon Island's Quartermaster Press Celebrates Twenty-Five Years

May 3, 2018, 6:00 am

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The new Vashon Center for the arts is both a performance space and gallery. We'd seen the building go up but this was our first time to venture inside. The draw this day was the Quartermaster Press twenty-fifth Anniversary Retrospective Show. We'd attended shows by this group in the past and have always greatly enjoyed the experience.

The natural light filled space with soaring ceilings is impressive. I've learned that architects refer to windows as fenestration systems. Ain't that fancy? To be fair, the term refers to all openings in a building including doors, louvres, vents, wall panels, skylights (sloped glazed systems,) storefronts, and curtain walls. So one might say that the generous fenestration system allows ambient light to flood the space, illuminating exposed natural wood beams that celebrate Vashon's history, and incorporating views of the island's vibrant present, creating an effect that is at once contemporary and nostalgic. The lighting design is enhanced by textured cylindrical pendant lamps creating golden illumination. Being a simple person, I'd just say that I like all the windows and the hanging lights are neat.

Upon entering we went to the front desk and learned the entrance is free of charge. "It's a community theatre."