Visiting City People's Garden Store

You know how it is when you've heard a lot of great things about a place from friends and you finally go, expecting to be let down because nothing could be as good as all the hype?  That's the attitude with which I approached my recent visit to City People's Garden Store. I'd read many of Loree's posts about this place and watched the You Tube videos:


But it's just another nursery, right?  And honestly, what can  be expected space wise of a nursery so close to downtown Seattle?   One should never doubt Ms. Danger's seal of approval but still...

Was I ever bowled over by this cool, quirky, large, something for everyone from novice gardener to  the geekiest plant nerd plant place!  We even saw Jose Gonzales, star of the above videos pass by.  I was tempted to yell out, "Talk dirty to me Jose!" (see first video)  but decorum urged restraint. Uncharacteristic, I know.

Look at this!  Can you believe that we are only a few minutes from Downtown Seattle?   Notice all the tall trees in the background?

I also realize that I took no pictures of the amazing shade plant selection or more or the unusual plants.  It's hard to take pictures when trembling with excitement and filling your wagon.









This papyrus almost came home with me but I already got a tall one this year so this cutie stayed with the people at People's!  Sure is sweet though!

One of my favorite Acers, A.palmatum 'Ukiguomo' whose foliage is ghostly white when it first emerges and looks more like flowers than foliage.  Because it likes light shade, it still brightens up a dark corner beautifully.  Do you enjoy seeing your favorite plants in nurseries?  It's like seeing old friends!

Sarracenias always make me smile.  I have several and it's fun to cut open last years dead pitchers and see how many bugs they consumed.  My largest bowl of these sits atop my compost bin and loves its location!


Besides the outdoor areas being packed with plants, there is this covered indoor/outdoor area with temperennials, pots, etc.

And an indoor area that keeps going and going!  Lots of lovely houseplants and giftware in here!


Time to pay for our finds.  Who is this way out chick?  Why, it's none other than Alison, my partner in plant crime, with whom I've been lucky enough to share this adventure!

In addition to the aforementioned Sarracenias, the following plants came home with me. Because you can never have too many hardy fuchsias...

Because I have a recently opened up shady spot to plant, Pulmonaria 'Majeste' and Woodwardia unigemmata.

And this cool Carex  sideiosticha ' Banana Boat' that Loree found on her last visit.  I think it'll be happy and creates nice contrast in this shade pot with these other evergreens.  gotta throw a stone or crushed glass mulch on there soon.

While I was outside taking pictures of my plant finds, I was distracted by this beautiful view from my jumble of a garden.  This is the upper part of my neighbor's garden.  Isn't it beautiful?  The lady of the house loves to keep her garden as spotless as she keeps her house.  I'm so lucky that they're understanding of my messy tendencies! (In my house/garden, you have to move stuff aside to find a place to sit - it's interesting stuff but still...)  The big petasides leaves are encroaching from my garden but the neighbor doesn't seem to mind.  This is the back of the house next to mine that I posted about earlier that will be going on the market soon.  Interested?  I'd be happy to give you more information!



But I digress.  City Peoples Garden Store is a treasure!  My only regret is that I didn't start going their earlier and I look forward to many more enjoyable visits to this fabulous nursery!