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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Thursday, March 22, 2018

The Northwest Perennial Alliance March Madness Plant Sale

In addition to offering a wide variety of classes and workshops, publishing a directory of members' open gardens, volunteering at the NPA border at the Belelvue Botanical Garden, and sponsoring neighborhood garden clubs, The Northwest Perennial Alliance hosts plant sales several times during the gardening season.  March Madness is the first of these and is always well attended.  (For more information about the NPA check out their website here.)

The two words that every winter weary gardener longs to read...


There was a nice variety of plant offerings from unusual to common and colorful.  It's the time of year when even the most jaded collector might be seduced by a vibrant pot of tulips or screaming yellow daffodils in full bloom.



A new hardy begonia with fabulously textured leaves and red fur called my name.

 The BBG gift shop was open and always has some fun merchandise to peruse. 


The sun was out so we didn't stay inside long.  Here are a few shots of spring in the garden.

 The Tateuchi Viewing Pavillion.  

It's an interesting building. How do you suppose it's used?


Looking down on the building where the sale is held.  Seems people are still finding treasures!

It's hellebore time!




While it may look like a plant graveyard with all of those markers, it's actually part of the fuchsia garden.  Must return later in the season to see this in all it's glory!

A thrown-rug of cyclamen.  BTW, how big does a clump have to get to be considered a carpet of cyclamen?


Cardiocrinum giganteum 

The alpine garden 


Farfugium japonicum 'Shishi Botan'  (guessing.)

Mystery perennial.

Hey look what else sprung up in the garden!  It's Tom and Linda Reeder standing next to Alison.  Tom and Linda are both rabid enthusiastic gardeners and tend a gorgeous two acre garden.  You may recognize Linda, Tom, and their  garden from Linda's blog, Linda Letters. It's always a pleasure to spend time with these fascinating folks!
Gardeners are about, plants are waking up, and the days are getting longer.  Spring has definitely arrived.

17 comments:

  1. How is The Tateuchi Viewing Pavillon being used, you ask? For viewing of course... I'd use it for yoga, meditation and tea, although beer would work just as well. It's hellebore time, yes, but right behind it is Daphne odora in bloom, which always makes me swoon.
    My cyclamen clump is definitely an area rug.

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  2. So interesting to see Hellebores blooming in the garden with other green plants nearby. I don't think I have too much else happening when my Hellebores bloom. But just writing that makes me wonder if that's true. I will have to try to remember to pay attention this spring. Could that mystery plant be a Trillium.

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    1. It could be but the trillium in my garden are all up and about a foot tall & the native white ones are blooming.

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  3. Speaking of variegated Daphniphyllum (as we were last weekend), did you see theirs? It's gorgeous. Sort of tucked between the gift shop building and the one the sale was in...

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  4. Tulips! to say that I am envious would be an understatement!

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  5. Yes. My two favorite words: PLANT SALE! What a fun place. I too wish you could have made it down south. It would have been great to meet you. Next time, hopefully. Your photo of the pond, with the mossy rocks and the backlighting on the iris, PERFECTION. Here's to a fantastic gardening year.

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  6. I'm glad you got some sun with your plant sale - that's like a sundae with the cherry on top.

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  7. Aargh, you couldn't have cropped that old white-haired bag lady out of the photo of Tom and Linda? Yes, Plant Sale -- magic words!

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    1. Careful what you say about that lady, she's my pal you know!

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  8. Nice to see that spring has arrived in your neck of the woods. Could the mystery plant be Asarum canadense?

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  9. Spring has arrived but no one told the garden fairies to turn up the temperatures here. It is so fun to go out and see plants peeking out of the soil. It makes this gardener so anxious for plant sales. None here as yet. I think the cyclamen patch you pictured is more of a throw rug than a carpet.

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  10. It was fun to see you there! And while it sometimes feels like two acres, when we are cleaning up after yet another windstorm, our garden is actually only 1/2 acre.

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  11. Drooling all the way through!
    This was SO inspiring.
    And I think that little shelter you showed might be used for meditation. Yoga, maybe? (Probably not.)

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  12. It was great to finally meet you in person! As I was scrolling down through the photos I was thinking “ oh no, is the next photo of me and my huge, over flowing plant wagon!?” That you sneaky took of me while I was waiting to check out! That was a fun sale, I bought soooo much!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.