Swanson's Nursery - Celebrating 150 Million Years of Gardening

Being somewhat of a Luddite, I never thought I'd own a cell phone.  If Tom had not presented me with one as a gift,  I probably would still be scribbling directions to places on scraps of paper and taping them to my dashboard.  The lady in the phone who tells me where to go is a dangerous woman to be sure.  I'd visited West Seattle Nursery, Sky Nursery, and stopped for a bite to eat when a quick glance at the map app. let me know that Swanson's was only 15 minutes away and wouldn't be closing for a few hours.  One must make hay while the sun shines and I'm not often so close to this grand nursery.  It's the lady's fault.  

I learned that this large fellow's name is Humphrey.  Notice the rain hat.

Humphrey has a little friend tagging along behind.

Do you get the feeling that we've had an extremely wet winter and spring? 

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Alstroemeria 'Rock & Roll' has flowers that will complement those of A. 'Indian Summer' that came home with me from West Seattle Nursery.  Their foliage colors will compliment each other as well.  Let's just hope I can keep this alive this time.  (In and out of the cart several times before it finally made the cut.)

Love those brightly-colored Adirondack chairs with their colors echoed in  the big mixed pots.  

What a sign!

What plant promises joy if planted?  (Do you suppose it's the act of planting that brings joy or the plant itself?)  Allium karataviense 'Ivory Queen.'  Maybe I should add a few bulbs to my fall order. Who couldn't use  a little more joy in his/her life?

Swanson's mixed pots always inspire me.  Gray-sky weary gardeners revel in the saturated colors of spring.

Another of those fancy-leafed geraniums (pelargonum) that have been catching my eye lately.  This one is 'Brocade Fire'  and looks similar to 'Indian Dunes' which I've grown before.  Maybe the dark blotch is more pronounced or the flower is different.

Because my garden becomes increasingly shady, (someone keeps planting trees!) the shade area always gets a close look.  Interesting concrete flowers adorn the center of this table.

There were some new-to-me plants.  Always a temptation. 

Epimedium sempervirens 'Creamsicle'

Cacalia delphinifolia 'Sanshou'  may require a return visit.

Ranzania japonica

A variegated Jeffersonia dubia?  Yup!  'Variegata'

I do NOT need another hosta.  Nope, no, nix, forget it, never.  'Liberty' has  already found a place in my garden.

Much less fattening than the other curly fries.

Do I like this or just admire the novelty?  What do you think of it?  Rocks in the air instead of anchored on the ground.  Interesting or unsettling?

Meanwhile, inside...Oh those bromeliads. 

Pacific northwest much? 

The cafe keeps regular hours even when the nursery is open late.  That delectable bistro fragrance lingers.

So subtle, so tasteful, so calm and relaxing, so not me.  I admire such restraint.

Much more to explore in this large nursery.  Do stop in when you have a couple of hours to experience it all!