Aster Asters bring a burst of vibrant fall color, transforming the landscape as other plants start to fade. These hardy perennials thrive in the region’s cool, moist climate, offering rich purples, blues, pinks, and whites. Asters not only extend the blooming season but also attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies. Full sun to part shade Well-drained soil; low water-use plant 12″-48″ tall and wide, depending on variety Blooms August to November

Ornamental Sages thrive in sunny, well-drained spaces and are bee magnets! Try Hot Lips Sage, which never fails to delight with its two-toned red and white flowers. For cooler tones, Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia – not a true sage) and May Night Sage have tall spires of lavender and dark purple blooms, respectively, and are majestic in the late summer and fall garden.

Despite the common perception that summer = an abundance of flowers, late summer can actually be a somewhat quiet time in the garden. Many of the plants that are in bloom in late spring and early summer have tapered off, and colorful fall foliage is a little way off.  What’s needed is a pop of color to spruce up the garden, and even better if the plants continue to bloom well into fall. Luckily, there are plenty of flowers that are in their prime right now and that will keep on blooming into fall or even until frost! Here are…

Tip #5: Do a little plant-sitter training We all know plants need regular water but did you know that when and how you water can make the difference between a healthy plant and a sad (or even dead) plant? Well of course YOU did, but your chosen plant sitter may not. Our General Manager, Liane, suggests inviting your plant sitter to come over ahead of time for a tour of the garden/house so you can show them where your supplies are kept and what needs to be watered. Depending on your relationship, you could mention that the best times to…

Swansons has always appreciated our loyal customers and, in 2001, we created our very first Swan Dollars as a fun way of thanking them. Instead of the usual loyalty points program, we decided to get creative and design actual “dollars” that customers could redeem to save on their purchases. It’s now been 23 years of offering Swan Dollars. Over the years, these dollars have become a cherished part of the Swansons experience for our employees and customers alike. 2024: Swansons Nursery’s 100th Anniversary This year, we are excited to celebrate our 100th anniversary. In honor of this incredible milestone, we…

End clamps Finally, it is time to close your system! End clamps are the simplest way to close your system by bending a drip tubing back on itself. End plugs are a more efficient component, as they also function as a water release valve at the end of your system. You can also create a looped circuit by using a tee-shaped fitting at the beginning of your circuit. SETTING UP A DRIP SYSTEM First, have a plan before purchasing your components and starting your setup. Measuring your space and sketching out a circuit is a great place to start to…

One of the more common questions asked by newer gardeners is, “when is the best time of year to prune my __________?” The answers out there can vary from “the first hearing of tree frogs after the second full moon past the Summer Solstice” to “anytime your pruning shears are sharp.” Here in the Maritime Northwest, we recommend that most pruning be done during summer and winter, and minimize it during fall and spring, which are more sensitive periods when the sap is flowing. In warmer or colder climates (particularly where more extreme), timing recommendations may differ, depending on how…

Flytrap / Dionaea muscipula Arguably the most iconic carnivorous plant, the flytrap (aka Venus flytrap) is the only species within the genus Dionaea, D. muscipula. It has inspired a magnificent array of unforgettable works in popular culture, from the singing, man-eating monstrosity in The Little Shop of Horrors to the deadly piranha plant of the Super Mario Bros. media franchise. The flytrap is native to bogs and wetlands of coastal North and South Carolina. Like other carnivorous plants, D. muscipula prefers peaty, sandy soils that are low in nitrogen and phosphorus. It produces a tall scape with delicate white flowers…

While tomatoes are more cold-hardy than squash and peppers, their health can be severely damaged by the cold nights (and sometimes days!) of a Pacific Northwest spring. Without protection, they should not be planted outdoors until night temperatures stay about 50 degrees. However, you can plant your tomatoes earlier in the spring if you offer them protection from the cold. This gives them the extra time they need to mature and produce fruit in our short Northwest summers.  We recommend protecting your tomato with an insulated plant protector, a blue plastic “tent” of sorts. Fill the tubes of the Season Starter…

It’s Spring and I know you’re ready to get out there and plant since it’s sunny (wait… now it’s cold and raining…. wait! It’s sunny again… wait… ), but some vegetables won’t be happy (and grow into incredibly prolific tomato producers – yes, I’m talking to you, tomato fanatics) if you don’t protect them until night temperatures warm up consistently to 50 degrees and above. This doesn’t mean you can’t plant them right away – you can! But you should avail yourself of several excellent tools that allow you to get them in the ground and also keep them warm…