SLOPES, DRY SOIL AND WET SOIL...what to do?

Last weekend I attended the Sunday afternoon lecture at Joy Creek Nursery. Richie Steffan of the Elizabeth C. Miller Garden and Great Plant Picks addressed 'Choosing Plants for Challenging Sites' - plants that perform well in dry shade, wet soils and on slopes. First, Richie spoke to the importance of prioritizing areas of the garden in terms of how many resources (money and time/maintenance) we wish to allocate to these areas of our gardens. Such areas of priority may include the entry areas to our homes. For most of us, these are areas that we see everyday and want to look good as well as function well (spacious and easy movement through the areas). After identifying our 'priority areas', we were cautioned to hire professionals to help us build in the difficult areas such as on slopes. "Always remember: long steep unstable or potentially unstable slopes are a professional job. Unstable or potentially unstable slopes near structures are a professional job. It is always better, if in doubt, to have a professional evaluate the slope". I couldn't have said it better myself! ...so I didn't...

Then we got to the plants.... Richie shared a collection from the nursery which are good examples of plants that perform in tough spots. One that I'm not familiar with is Euonymous fortunei 'Kewensis'. Its tag states that it reaches 4" tall by 3' wide and as this ground cover becomes established, its growth resembles waves and grows well in dry shade....sounds cool! Richie's hand outs were great - definitions of types of shade and types of wet soils and lists of plants that grow well in these conditions. You can find links to his handouts on the Miller Garden website.

Up next weekend (Sept. 5th, 1pm) at Joy Creek Nursery...

Black in the Garden - Paul Bonine

The allure of black plants has captured the imagination of gardeners and their use has gained popularity in garden-making.  Even an ordinary garden can be transformed into a canvas with a depth of light and shadow by using dark foliage and flowers.  Paul will discuss a sampling of these unique plants that can be used to create a mysterious beauty in the garden.  (Approved for 1 Technical CEH)Paul Bonine is co-owner of the wholesale nursery Xera Plants Inc. with his business partner Greg Shepherd.  He has worked in the nursery industry since 1992 beginning in Eugene and then moving to Portland.  Paul's special interests include plants that are adapted to low water usage, perform well in the Portland area and expand the plant palette for Northwest gardeners.  In 2009 he authored the book Black Plants:  75 Striking Choices for the Garden for Timber Press.