February - March 2010 JohnChristianson, Editor

AnEnticingSelectionofCommonandUncommonPlants...FriendlyService...ExpertAdvice

N u r s e r y & Greenhouse

February - March 2010 - 1 - Garden Gazette

nChristmasdayIpromisedMaeveateagarden.Whenshewasjustayearoldshewassotakenwiththeritualofdrink-ingteathatwheneversheheardmeofferhermotherAllysonacupofteashewouldclimbuponachairandsitatthetableexpectingherveryownteainherveryowncup.Drinkingfromoneofourcupsjustwouldnotdo.Infact,"tea"

wasoneofherfirstwords–maybeeventhefirst.So,IthoughtitwouldbeenjoyableforustoplantateagardenthisSpring.Iwillhelpherplantjustafew'tea-making'plantsinasunnylocationwhereshecanwalkallthewayaroundherlittlegardenwithoutme,sometimesconsideredthegardengrinch,havingtocontinuallywarnheraboutsteppingonotherplants.Itwillbeinaportablegalvanizedtubshortenoughsoshecanreachalltheplantstowater,weed,fertilizeandharvest.Givenherloveforallflavorsofteawewillplantchamomile,lavender,lemonbalm,lemonverbena,mints,andscentedgeraniumsinthisfirstgarden.Thenshecanpickandmixfreshleavesandflowerstosteepinherveryownteapottoserveinherveryownteacups.AstheyearsgobyMaevewillbecomemorediscriminatinganddecidewhattoputinandwhattoleaveoutofhergardenaccordingtohertaste.AttheendofeachseasonwewilldryleavesandflowersfromtheseplantstouseforteaduringtheFallandWintermonths.Teawillbeservedeachdaydirectlyafterhernapalongwithasmallsnackofcheeseandcrackers.Or,betteryet,teawithwhateverberriesareripe,pickedstraightfromthegardenwhilestillwarmfromthesunandpiledhighoncrackerswithpeanutbutter.Whatbetterwaytoteachourgranddaughtertherhythmofseasonalpatternsinthegarden?Inwarmweatherwewilldrinkourteainthegardenwherewewilldiscussandenjoythescentsoflilacs,peonies,rosesandhoneysuckle.Inrainyweatherwewillhaveourteaontheporchwhereshewillseethechanginglandscapeofthefarmfieldsbelowandthesnow-coveredCascadesinthedistance.And,instormyweatherwewillsitinthepottingshedhuddlednexttotheoldparlorstoveandlistentotherainpoundingonthegreenhouseroofandthewindwhistlingdownthechimney.AsMaevegrowsourconversationswillgrowandasthecultureofourlivesissointimatelyentwinedinourcasualconversationsshewillsurelylearnbothtrivialandimportantthingsabouthermother'slifeandaboutthewomenwhocamebeforeher.ShewillhearhowhermotherworkedtorebuildbridgesandtrailsinNationalParks,sleepingunderthestarsandgoingforweekswithoutarealbath.Shewilllearnthatherfather'sloveoftheoutdoorsisoneofthemanyreasonshermotherfellinlovewithhim.ShewillrealizethatwhenIwasgrowinguptheacceptablecareersforwomenwereteachingandnursingwhilenowtheskyisthelimit.ShewillcometoknowthatthegrandmotherIdrankteawithhadmarchedinparadesdemandingvotingrightsforwomen.Andthatanothergreat-great-grandmother,despitebeingorphanedatayoungage,wentontocollegewhichwasanunusualoccurrenceforwomenattheturnofthelastcentury.Shewilllearnthatthewomenonherfather'ssideofthefamilywerefromstrong,pioneeringfamiliesallofwhomhomesteadedhereinWashingtonStateintheareanowknownasLaConner.IwilltellherthatanotherancestorhelpedestablishthefirstappleorchardsinWenatcheeandhadarosegardenconsideredthebestinEasternWashington.AndinthisrelaxedenvironmentMaevewilllearntocherishherfamilyandherselfwhilenurturinghergarden.Shewillundoubtedlyexperiencethesatisfactionofcompletingaprojectwhileenjoyingthefruitsofherlabor.Butperhapsmoreimportantlyshewilllearnhowwelltea,familystoriesandconversationgotogetheraswespendtimeinthegarden.

ToniChristianson

More Than Just A GardenO

February - March 2010 - 2 - Garden Gazette

A Fascination for HelleboresChristianson’s Annual Winter Festival—February 26th - 28th

withGuestSpeakersGlennWitheyandCharlesPriceSaturday,February27at1:00pm

Wearehappytoannouncethatthisyear’sguestspeakersforourannualtributetohelleboresareGlenn WitheyandCharles Price,curatorsoftheE.B. Dunn Historic Woodland GardenandconsideredtwooftheNorthwest’sleadinggardendesigners.Charles’lecture“MethodinHisMadness”willdescribehisinvolvementinhybridizingtheHelleborushybridus‘MardiGras’series.ThishybridispartoftheLentenRosegroupandisanexquisitedisplayofbeautifulcolorsfromnearlyblacktodeeppurpletorosetopinkwithdarkgreenfoliageandslightlylargerflowers.Thispresentationwillbeofferedinour1888HistoricSchoolhousealongwiththehelleboreexhibitinourPropagationhouseshowcasingthesewintertimebeautieswithsingleanddoubleblooms.OndisplaywillbeHelleborusargutifolius,H.foetidlus,H.niger,H.orientalis,H.sterniiandotherhybridssetamongwinterbloomingdaphnesandfragrantcitrustrees.LearnhowtogrowandcareforyourhelleboresandgetacopyofourCompanion Plants for Hellebores.Registerearlyforthiscomplimentaryprogram.

Photography ContestIn conjunction with our Annual Winter Festival: A Fascination for Hellebores,we are excited to announce our Winter Gardens Photography Contest.Amateursand professionals alike are encouraged

to participate by submitting up to two digital images ofpreviouslyunpublishedimagesintwocategories(1)artistic(in-camera) impressionofawintergardenor singleplantutilizing close up, multiple exposure or special focustechniques and/or (2) an artistic (computer) enhancedimpression.5x7photosshouldbemountedonblackmatboardwitha2 to3 inchborder.Anentrycouponshouldbeaffixedtothebackofeachmountedphotograph.Entryforms are available at the Nursery or you may requestoneatchrisnsy@fidalgo.net.Entriesmustbepostmarkedor delivered to Christianson’s Nursery & Greenhouse byFriday, February 19, 2010. Submittals to Christianson’s Winter Gardens Photography Contest will beprofessionallyjudgedbyScottTerrell,PhotographyEditorfortheSkagitValleyHerald.Prizeswillbeawardedtofirst,second,andthirdplacewinners.Christianson’s Nursery & Greenhouse reserves the right to use the images in future publications with proper permission and acknowledgment. Foradditionalinformationcall(360)466-3821.

Time to Plant Sweet PeasAnheirloomSweetPeathatyoushouldplantoaddtoyourgarden this year is ‘Blushing Bride’ (Lathyrus odoratus),aSpencervarietyofsweetpeaknownforitlarge,ruffledpetals.Thisold-fashionedclimbergrowsto6’andcanadornarailingortrellisorclimbawoventwigteepee.Planningasummerwedding?Nothingcouldbemoreelegantthanthesefragrant,long-lastingblooms.BlushingBrideiseasytogrowfromseedandyouwillberewardedwithsoftpinkandcreambloomscontrastedwithblue-greenfoliage.

Flower and Garden ShowPlan to visit us at the 2010 Flower and Garden ShowFebruary 3 through 7 in Seattle. This year the Nurseryis participating in the Container Gardening Exhibitionlocatedon theSkyBridge. Wearekeepingour themeasurprise so you will have to come and see for yourself.Don’tforgettovoteforyourfavoriteentry!It’snottoolatetosignupforthebusesleavingChristianson’sWednesdaythroughSaturdayat8:30amandreturningat6:00pm.Call466-3821topurchaseyourcombinationbusticketandshowpass.TheSaturday“partybus”isafirstforusandyouwillride instyleandbeserved“libations”andhorsd’oeuvresandagoodtimewillbehadbyall!- Joanne Romann

Christianson's Event CalendarPruning Overgrown Fruit Trees

Saturday,February6 11:00am$5 reservationsrequired

Ani Gurneeof Morning Light Designwillhostthissecondsegmentofherthree-partpruningserieswiththedilemmathatnewhomeownersoftenface:howtorejuvenateworn-outfruittreesandreturnthemtobeautyandproductivity.As always you will leave well-informed and equipped totacklethissatisfyingchore!

Digital Photography SeriesFebruary13 11:00am

$5 reservationsrequiredCapturing Close-ups of Gardens in the ValleywillbethetopicofJohn and Kathy Willson’scontinuingphotographyseries. Award-winning photographers with the Museumof Flight and owners of Swede Hill Dahlia Sunflower FarmonWhidbeyIsland,JohnandKathysimplifydigitalphotographyandhelpyougetthemostfromyourcamera.

February - March 2010 - 3 - Garden Gazette

Celebrate Mardi Gras!Saturday,February13 1:00pm

$12 reservationsrequiredWithMardiGrasapproachingthoughtsturntoNewOrleansand thewonderful foods associatedwith this celebration.Joanne Romann will continue her Cooking with Herb Seriesfeaturingwell-knownfavoritesincludingjambalaya,redbeansandriceandwhitechocolatebreadpudding.

Ready, Set, GrowSaturday,February20 11:00am

$5 reservationsrequiredIt’s time to think vegetable gardens and no one can putyou in the planting mood better than our own vegetableguruBob Hart.Don’tmissthisfact-filledprogramthatisalwaysanannualfavorite.Bobwillprovideyouwithalltheinformationyouwillneed toplanta successfulvegetablegardenandsharewithyouhistopperformerssuitableforZones7and8.

A Method in His Mad nessSaturday,February27 1:00pm

Complimentary reservationsrequiredSeepreviouspage,"AFascinationforHellebores".

Sensational Seeds with Ed HumeSaturday,March6 1:00pm

$5 reservationsrequiredWeareexcitedtohaveauthorandTVandradiopersonalityEd HumevisitChristianson’sandtalktousaboutgrowingannuals and perennials from seed. This endeavor is notonly rewarding but also economical and the best way tocreatemassplantings.Edwillsharewithyouhisfavoriteannuals to produce an abundance of summer color andperennialstoprovidestructureandyear-roundcolor.Don’tmissthisexcitingandinformativeprogram!

The Art of Pruning Roses Saturday,March13 11:00am

$5 reservationsrequiredRobyn Swesey from the Tri-Valley Rose Society returnsto demonstrate her pruning strategy and share her tipson pruning roses including hybrid teas, floribundas,grandifloras and climbers. Like all members of theSociety,RobynispassionateaboutcollectingrosesandisdevotedtomakingthemlookliketheystarredinaDavidAustencatalog.Sharpenyourprunersandgetreadyforanentertainingshow!

Mosaic Design ClassSaturday,March13 1:30-5:30pm

$35 reservationsrequiredBack by popular demand is local mosaic artist Connie Funkwhowill leadyouthroughthisfunandfascinatinginteractivedemonstration.Conniewillsharehertechniquesandteachyouallyouneedtoknow:design,safetyproceduresandproductstocreateyourownhomeandgardenmosaics.Youwillreceiveaclassoutlineandresourcelistandcomeawayinspiredandinformed.Makeyourreservationearlyasthisclassfillsupfast.Light refreshments will be served.

Growing Vegetables in ContainersSaturday,March20 11:00am

$5 reservationsrequiredThedynamicduoisback:Karol WestonfromJoe’s Garden andchefandfoodentrepreneurMary Ellen Carter.Karolwillfocusonvegetablesadaptabletocontainersandexploreall the varieties she and her husband have successfullygrown at their Bellingham nursery. Mary Ellen, authorof“At Joe’s Garden”andotherwonderfulcookbooks,willhighlight recipes starring these top performers. A must-seeevent!

Spring Garden WalkSunday,March21 1:00pm

Complimentary reservationsrequestedJohn Christianson extends an invitation for you to joinhimonthisseasonalwalkwithSpringlessthan24-hoursold.YouwilltourtheadjacentgardensofLaConnerFlats,ownedbyMargieandBobHart.Explorethislovelyjewelwithitsformalandinformalplantingsandseespringopenbeforeyoureyes.

Allées to Espal iersSaturday,March27 11:00am

$5 reservationsrequiredThis is the third installment in thepruningseriesofferedby Ani Gurnee of Morning Light Design. Her espalierprogramsarealwaysafavoriteandinthisclassshewillalsodiscussotherintriguingaspectsofarchitecturalgardeningincludingthepopularallee.

What’s New in 2010?Sunday,March28 1:00pm

$5 reservationsrequiredAnnie ReissfromSkagit Gardenswilldelightyouwithherenthusiasm forwhat’snew in the flowerworld.Her slideshowwill feature triedand truefavoriteswithmanynew“relatives”thatwillappealtotheplantcollectorinusall.

360-466-3821 • 1-800-585-8200

Calhoun Rd.

CLASSES & EVENTSEarly Spring Specials

February1–7Blooming Witch Hazel Sale

ourwinterfavorite20%off

February8–25Rose Sale

ourbiggestRoseSaleoftheyear!includesthenew2010All-AmericaRose

selections,antique,English,climbinganddroughttolerantrugosaroses

20%off

February26-March11 Bare Root Sale

thebestselectionoftheyearfruit,floweringandshadetrees,berries,lilacsandhydrangeas

20%offalreadylowbarerootprices

March12–21Camellia Sale

WinterandSpringfloweringbeauties—manyinbloom

20%off

March22–April1Heather Sale

hundredsofwinterandspringfloweringplants

20%off

April2–15Magnolia Sale

hundredsofbeautifulbloomingtreeswithwhite,pink,purpleor

yellowflowers20%off

Pruning Overgrown Fruit TreesFebruary611:00am

Digital Photography SeriesFebruary1311:00am

Celebrate Mardi GrasFebruary131:00pm

Ready, Set, GrowFebruary2011:00am

A Fascination for HellaboresFebruary271:00pm

Sensational Seeds with Ed HumeMarch61:00pm

The Art of Pruning RosesMarch1311:00am

Mosaic Design ClassMarch131:30–5:30pm

Growing Vegetables in ContainersMarch2011:00am

Spring Garden WalkMarch211:00pm

Allees to EspaliersMarch2711:00am

What's New in 2010March281:00pm

Weekly Radio BroadcastThe Garden Show Sunday Mornings

WithJohn&MikeAM660KAPS•9:30am