Watering
Mike Kohfeld
Demystifying a Drip Irrigation System

While hoses, sprinklers, and watering bags are all excellent ways to water, many gardeners are turning to drip irrigation systems for their manifold benefits: once set up properly, a drip irrigation system is efficient, precise, and a relatively low-effort method for keeping our plants well-watered throughout the year. This post is an introduction to the key components and setup of a drip irrigation system.

Demystifying a Drip Irrigation System
Edible Gardening
Aimée Damman
How to Plant a Tomato

Tomato season is upon us and, after deciding which tomatoes you’d like to grow, they need to be planted! For this project, we chose a Brandywine heirloom tomato to plant into a container, but the same steps work for planting tomatoes in the ground in a garden bed.

How to Plant a Tomato
Planting & Plant Care, Plant Profiles
Aimée Damman
How to Grow Roses in the Pacific Northwest

You and your rose soul-mates have found each other. Now what? How do you keep them happy and thriving in our maritime Pacific Northwest climate? Roses are not completely carefree, but with a few basic care guidelines, you can grow them successfully and enjoy their beauty for years to come.

How to Grow Roses in the Pacific Northwest
Garden Design
Aimée Damman
Flowers for Shade Gardens

When you imagine a shade garden, do you mostly picture foliage plants and a lack of bright colors? While foliage plants are the foundation of any shade garden, there is an abundance of flowers that offer beautiful blooms in shady conditions. Here are 15 of our favorite flowers for shade.

Flowers for Shade Gardens
Pruning
Dan Gilchrist
Pruning Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons, arguably the Maritime Northwest’s most beloved plants, can vary from two-foot-high dwarf shrubs to 30-foot trees. Most varieties don’t typically need a lot of pruning for their first several years but over time, many rhodies grow a dense weave of thick-wooded branches, and the thought of pruning one can intimidate all but the most experienced gardener. Of course, we are here to help!

Pruning Rhododendrons

shade garden

Designing Your Garden for Shade

Designing Your Garden for Shade

Gardening in the PNW with lots of shade: we mostly love living among the trees. We recognize the importance of preserving and restoring our diminishing urban canopy. But trying to grow colorful flowers, fruits or vegetables under trees can be a challenge. And increasing urbanization brings taller buildings and more shade at ground level. This blog post will help illuminate the types of shade you may be dealing with, discuss other design considerations, and offer sample shade garden designs and plant lists.

Erythronium: The Magical Woodland Fawn Lily

Erythronium: The Magical Woodland Fawn Lily

Erythronium species (also called Fawn Lily, Trout Lily or Dogtoothed Violet) epitomize the hidden wonders of the woodland garden. These spring-blooming perennials can spread to form low-growing colonies of delicate flowers that look beautiful from afar but really demand to be studied up close so as to admire their mottled leaves and intricate floral details. They really are magical!

Plants for Dry Shade

Plants for Dry Shade

Way up here in the land of tall conifers, dry shade is a common gardening challenge. I’ve had success with the following plants in the shade of conifers, and they also work well in deciduous woodlands or in the dry rain shadow of north-facing buildings and garden walls. As with any new plantings, they will require summer water for several dry seasons until they have established a root system capable of competing with existing tree roots.

,

Top Plants For Tough Spots

,
Top Plants For Tough Spots

For a tough spot, sometimes you just need a tough but easy-going plant. But that doesn't mean you have to settle for unattractive or boring. Try these beautiful, high-performing plants for year-round interest and worry-free care. They are some of my personal favorites, put to the test in my Northwest garden.

 
 

Cultivate Your Relationship with Us!

Become a Swansons Plant Partner and you’ll receive members-only perks, like plant care resources and helpful gardening tips, notification of new arrivals and promotions, invitations to special events, and exclusive member discounts. Sign up now to receive $5 off your next purchase!

By signing up below, you agree to receive member benefits through our digital newsletter, approximately 2-4 times per month. Phone numbers are needed for record-keeping only.

Our promise: we will never sell your personal information or use it to make unsolicited contact by email or phone!

Subscribe

* indicates required
() -(###) ###-####