pnw gardening

Winter Window Shopping: 3 Plants to Brighten Your View

Winter Window Shopping: 3 Plants to Brighten Your View

Often, one of my first orders of business when designing a garden is to embellish the immediate surroundings of the house. Carefully selecting plants to enhance the view just outside of our windows can go a long way toward staving off the winter blues, and if those plants offer a bit of fragrance as we scurry back and forth while gathering provisions, so much the better. Here are a few options to brighten the dreary Northwest wintertide.

Reading the Signs

Reading the Signs

Let’s be honest — navigating the plant selection at Swansons is, at times, bewildering, with the astounding array of plants that circulate here. We continually strive to get up-to-date plant information to you so you make the best choices for your garden. Over the last 25 years we have created informational; signs for as many plants as we can, customized for our area. Here is a quick primer on what to look for, and how to get the most out of our signs!

How to Plant Trees & Shrubs

How to Plant Trees & Shrubs

Now that you’ve picked out some gorgeous plants to begin your escapade into the Mysterious World of Gardening, the first big question arises: “How do I properly plant these to give them a good, healthy start?” The steps described here focus on planting a tree or shrub but are essentially the same for anything being planted in the ground, including smaller perennials and annuals. 

Alex LaVilla's Must-Have Plants for Late August & September

Alex LaVilla's Must-Have Plants for Late August & September

Late summer can be the best time for sitting in the garden and enjoying the fruits of your spring labors. Keeping this in mind, I have structured my own garden to always have something blooming in August and September. Here are some of my must-have plants for blooms in late summer and into fall.