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Elisabeth C. Miller Library

Archives: Garden Tips

Gardening tips and suggestions.

Garden Tip #114

Rose resources:

Online:

  • www.everyrose.com – the best online database with photos, sources and gardeners’ comments
  • www.justourpictures.com – great photos of roses
  • American Rose Society

    • Books:

  • The Graham Stuart Thomas Rose Book (Sagapress, 1994) -A revised edition from this late great British plantsman
  • Reliable Roses by Philip Harkness (Firefly Books, 2004) – Excellent photos and organized text describe 75 good roses
  • Roses for Washington and Oregon by Brad Jalbert & Laura Peters (Lone Pine, 2003) The best 144 roses for the Northwest
  • Lois Hole’s Rose Favorites (Lone Pine, 1997)- Has all the usual rose profiles and care information, plus lots of fun facts and lore.

    • In Seattle:

  • The Seattle Rose Society meets at the Center for Urban Horticulture (3501 NE 41 Street) on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm (except July and Dec.)
  • The Woodland Park Rose Garden, adjacent to the Zoo, is open to the public from 7 am to dusk, everyday. Admission is free.

Garden Tip #112

As the garden grows, so do the weeds. Act early before the problem gets totally out of hand. At the very least don’t let the weeds go to seed. The book Maria Rodale’s Organic Gardening (Rodale, 1998) has a chapter on fighting weeds that includes suggestions for getting motivated. The author suggests focusing weeding efforts on just one defined patch per session for a set amount of time. She also reports the best motivator of all is a deadline: invite your friends and family over for a Sunday afternoon barbeque and be amazed at how much weeding gets done in the morning.

Garden Tip #113

What is your favorite rose? Here are a few of the World Federation of Rose Societies “World’s Favorite Roses” chosen by a popular vote of the members:

rose name flower color ARS rating on a scale of 10
Double Delight Red/White Blend 8.6
Fragrant Cloud Coral 8.1
Pascali White 8.1
Peace Pink/Yellow Blend 8.3

Garden Tip #103

For long lasting summer color look to dahlias and daylilies. Both of these perennials come in all colors except blue. Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are especially hardy and carefree. Both need sun and regular water to bloom their best. Dahlias must have excellent drainage or else must be dug and stored for the winter.

Garden Tip #99

As the sun sinks a little lower in the sky in autumn ornamental grasses shift from filler to glowing star of the border. For ideas on using these textural plants read Grasses: Versatile Partners for Uncommon Garden Design by Nancy Ondra (Storey Books, 2002). The large color pictures inspire, while the detailed lists of “great grasses for every need” help gardeners choose the best grass for any situation. Two grasses Ondra recommends for fall color are Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘November Sunset’) and Frost Grass (Spodiopogon sibiricus).

For a primer on growing ornamental grasses online go to the University of Illinois

Garden Tip #43

Variegated cutworms are in full force in the garden this time of year(Feb-May). Some of their favorite foods include primrose, foxglove, variegated water figwort, bearded iris, and chives. The little vandals only feed at night, so if you have suspicious holes on the leaves of your plants go out at night with a flashlight. Hand picking works, but must be done frequently. Spraying with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis – Green Light BT Worm Killer is one name brand) works too, but plants must be re-sprayed after each rain. More information: North Dakota State University

Garden Tip #283

Straddling the US/Canadian border are the publications of Lone Pine, with authors from both sides. Three recent titles — “Water Garden Plants” , “Container Gardening,” and “Herb Gardening” — are each addressed to Washington and Oregon but certainly are applicable further north, too. These are very useful titles for beginners, with the Lone Pine trademark water-resistant covers and easy, travel guide style presentation. Stock up for the new gardeners you know.



Reviewed by Curator of Horticultural Literature, Brian Thompson. Excerpted from the Fall 2008 Arboretum Bulletin.

Garden Tip #251

If you’re a foodie as well as a gardener, you’ll love “The Northwest Herb Lover’s Handbook” by Mary Preus. The former owner of the Silver Bay Herb Farm in Bremerton, Washington has compiled her culture techniques based on 20 years of commercial experience. She includes garden designs, an unusual listing of northwest native herbs, recipes, and much more.



Reviewed by Curator of Horticultural Literature, Brian Thompson. Excerpted from the Spring 2007 Arboretum Bulletin.