Something Old, Something New, Somethig Borrowed, Somthing Blue.

Did you think there might be wedding plans afoot?  Not so much, but on December 31st, we were kicking around the house and decided to pay a winter visit to Dig Nursery on Vashon Island.  The nurseries that push the plants aside to celebrate the carnival of the holidays are exciting but I'm especially fond of the places that keep the plants as the stars of the show during this darkest season.  Dig is one of those.  What better way to celebrate the passing of the year than to visit a place that continues to inspire gardeners each year with fresh ideas, fabulous plants, and unusual garden furniture, some of which is created on site by Ross and Sylvia, the dynamic duo behind Dig!  During our visit, several projects were underway including the removal of everything from the building that houses garden implements, interior accents, and house plants to prepare for renovation.  An exciting time to celebrate the old and welcome the new.

Something(s) old.

 

 

Looking wonderful in all seasons, this pot with a single grass shines in the gray northwest mist.

Sylvia's planted spheres looking festive.

Colletia hystrix, just finished blooming, seems to be taking  winter in stride.

Calluna vulgaris 'Firefly' screams to be noticed with its neon orange color.

Hebe ochracea 'James Stirling' is winning my heart as a great plant for year round interest!

 Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Howard McMinn'

 looks great with this bonsai-esque treatment.

Sarracenias still looking gorgeous.

My Melianthus looks just like this after the freeze.   They'll certainly come back from the roots but some of the stems still look happy lower down.  Here's hoping for mild temps!

Because my steel trap of a memory is coated in Teflon, I don't remember the name of this but isn't it sweet!

Phormium looking great and what's that to the left?

 Acacia dealbata has  only a few leaves that seem touched by the freeze and look, it's heavily budded!

Sylvia reports that this tree has, in past freezes, died to the ground but come back from the roots. Clearly not this year! Looks like in a week or so there'll be sweet yellow pom-pom blooms to enjoy.  Hooray!

 Prunus lusitanica 'Variegata'  looking quite handsome. 

Vaccinium glauco-album - good looks and yummy huckleberries - who could ask for anything more.

Mahonias were hummingbird central!

Euphorbia putting on it's winter/new growth blush.

Sedum palmeri

Sedum (spathulifolium?)

Rose hips

 

 

Something(s) New:

 

Sylvia and Ross are doing a major renovation on the garden around the house at the front of the nursery.   Take a gander at this gabion frame.  There will be several of these "arcs de triomphe" in the new garden design. 

Think of the possibilities for hanging plants, artwork, etc. on these. 

Or growing vines up and through them.  Of course, pruning in the middle could be a little difficult.

With the new year comes Helleborus foetidus pushing up their tough bloom spikes.

Something(s) borrowed.  O.K. I bought them, borrowing from a nursery is poor form and isn't looked upon favorably.  Anyway, here's what came home with me.

Giving Trachelospermum asiticum 'Ogon Nishiki one more chance.  I had a very small  one several years ago which sat and did very little so I gave it away.   Sylvia says that the secret to success with this one is full sun and sharp drainage. 

 

 Daphne odora 'Maejima'   You can't have too many good scents in the garden in winter, right?

Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Howard McMinn'

Arctostaphylos 'John Dourley' - oh that smooth bark...sigh.

 

 

Something(s)  Blue - well turquoise, but work with me here.

 

 

You're probably familiar with the rusty metal arbors, trellises, etc. carried by nurseries across the country.   Dig is the only nursery in our area who has them powder coated in brilliant colors. 

 

Look Alison, turquoise and orange just for you!

 

Aluminum hanging pots in far out colors.   

 Hope you enjoyed our little winter visit to Dig and that it inspires you to go plant shopping!