While native plants are all the rage these days some gardeners desire the look of a desert oasis. The members of the Pacific Northwest Palm & Exotic Plant Society plant hardy palms, New Zealand Flax and cold-tolerant bananas. The society holds regular meetings, plus garden tours, plant sales and social events. They also publish the quarterly newsletter The Hardy Palm with articles on culture, design and member profiles. While most members live in British Columbia they are looking to gain new members in Oregon and Washington. Membership costs $40.00 per year. To join contact Frank Hunaus at 604-271-9524 or go to www.hardypalm.com.
Archives: Garden Tips
Gardening tips and suggestions.
Garden Tip #196
Hostas are shade loving foliage plants that thrive in our moist temperate climate. The American Hosta Society is devoted to promoting the genus and introducing new cultivars. Visit their website to read about the most popular hostas and how to grow them to perfection. Membership costs $25.00 per year and includes a fabulous color journal three times a year.
Garden Tip #184
If you love Sweet Peas you may want to join the National Sweet Pea Society from England, or at least visit their website for tips on getting the most from this cottage garden favorite.
Garden Tip #102
To create a desert oasis look plant a few hardy palms and then add evergreen hardy ferns such as Deer fern (Blechnum spicant),Big leaf holly fern (Cyrtomium macrophyllum), Western Sword fern (Polystichum munitum), and Soft shield fern (Polystichum setiferum). Growing a few ferns usually leads to growing many ferns – there are so many cool species out there. Learn more about the world of pteridology (study of ferns) by joining the locally based Hardy Fern Society. Members receive a packet of fern growing information and a quarterly newsletter; they also participate in a spore exchange and produce the wonderful Fern Festival and plant sale each June. To join the society send $25.00 to The Hardy Fern Foundation, P. O. Box 3797
Federal Way, WA 98063-3797.
Garden Tip #142
By joining the North American Butterfly Association for $30 per year you will support habitat conservation and research, plus receive two magazine subscriptions to learn more about gardening to encourage butterflies. For more information go to www.naba.org or write to NABA, 4 Delaware Road, Morristown, NJ 07960. To identify butterflies and caterpillars visit the Butterflies and Moths of North America website.
Garden Tip #141
Interested in joining a garden club, but not sure where to find one? The Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs connects gardeners to garden clubs in their region. Email them your name and location and they will give you the name of the district leader for your area: stmembershipchair@WAGardenClubs.org.