Squak Mountain Greenhouses and Nursery

Although many of our nurseries and growers have gone out of business in the last ten years, we in the pacific northwest  are very lucky to still have so many fabulous nurseries to visit!  In July, after touring some gardens in the area, we stopped by Squak Mountain Greenhouses and Nursery in Issaquah.  

It's difficult to tell from the photograph but there were so many of these pink geranium (pelargonium) hanging baskets in this building that the light in the place had a pink tint.  Talk about seeing through rose-colored glasses.

The sight of Schefflera taiwaniana still brings a smile.  When they were much harder to find, I remember leaving work early and driving very quickly to a nursery an hour and a half away because they had been able to obtain three.  Once rare as hens teeth; now quite common, they're still beautiful.

Nice selection of perennials, herbs, etc. 

Agave celsii 'Multicolor'

Houseplants - of course, I was drawn to the succulent display. 

Lots of gardeney-gifty (they're now words!)  stuff  including ceramic flowers by the same maker as those that I've bought before although these are slightly different shapes/colors.

I'm fond of these and am pleased that Squak Mountain carries them.  Mine is in the room where I write my blog and holds a variety of seed heads including one from an actual lotus.

For heavy metal fans.

From across the room, these succulents appeared real.

Just think, they wouldn't ever be bothered by scale insects, get leggy reaching for light, or require repotting.

Just rinse the dust off every now and again. 

There's something special about an actual living plant though. 

The greenhouses in which many of the annuals that Squak Mountain sells are grown.

Petunia 'Limelight'  looks a little bit like P. 'Pretty Much Picasso" to me.  Maybe more compact?

 Impatiens 'Peach Frost' is a sweet thing with variegated foliage. 

Beautiful and luckily ubiquitous annual baskets.  These line many streets and add a nice jolt of summer color.

Contain your excitement!

I went back inside and was a bit disappointed.  What I'd seen was a good solid nursery but for some reason I though there would be more.

Turns out, there is!  I'd only explored a fraction of the place.  A peek around the corner revealed  much much more.

Shrubs, trees, foliage for all seasons.

Still like these circular arbors.  How about you?

There's even another level down from the one we explored. 

Shady characters.

First thought:  What kind of mistake is this.  However the tag calls it a twofer tree rose.  This combines 'Julia Child with Ebb Tide.  What do you think?

I was happily surprised to find Phormium 'Jubilee' for sale here at a very low price!  I'd not seen it in any nursery before and was delighted to take one with me.  

It's all fun and games until someone falls off of the ladder!