AS WE MOVE closer to the first days of spring, and thus lay our plans for our coming year of gardening, let us take a look out over the year and see what we should be thinking and purchasing.
The yard and garden is a very needy thing. Thus, having the right thing is the trick to ease and appreciation. With that in mind, here’s the list of 12 must-have items for your home, yard and garden.
1. Dramm water breaker and wand. Yes, I know I’m a broken record, but when an item is truly the best, the message must be repeated. With its slow pressure, full water volume flow, this item is a must for all gardeners. Make sure you find the aluminum cast heads, and to be really in the know, get an 18- or 24-inch water wand (extended handle) — 95 percent of all greenhouses have this. Don’t leave your hose without it.
2. Felco pruners. Look at professional nurserymen, workers at Bouchard Gardens, arborists or horticulturists — those red-handled pruners hanging at their hip are Felcos. They are rugged with replaceable blades that have Swiss steel. On top of that, they come in numerous variations, including left-handed, pivot handle and, for delicate handwork, the smaller number #6 (preferable for smaller hands).
3. Dahlias. Remember, I came to the Peninsula to become “Dahlia Andrew.” Our climate is so perfect, I expanded that dream. Dahlias are heaven-sent. Big, tall, short, bright, long-lasting perennials supplying 100 to 300 blooms per plant — do you need more? By the way, one tuber this year is 6 to 12 plants next year. Dahlias are the plants for you.
4. Lilies. Lilies give your yard texture, height and bold strong colors and are extremely perennial. They are another spectacular-cut flower with good holding power. Purchasing Asians (May and June) with various Orientals and open face (July August, September) varieties will have lilies sprouting around your yard all growing season. With dahlias in the mix, make sure there are open sightlines to the street so folks can take pictures.
5. Clematis. Hundreds of varieties with bloom dates from May to November on top of a plant supporting hundreds of flowers — what more could you ask for? Clematis is that plant for any vertical space. Miniature varieties can be 2 to 5 feet tall, with aggressive tall varieties exceeding 20 feet. Think of it as the impatiens of the vine world, because that is the number of flowers you will get. The legal definition for clematis is a vine that doesn’t know when to stop blooming. Find several so you can mix their flowering dates. They are extremely hardy.
6. Germination inhibitors. Inhibitors do exactly that — inhibit seeds from germinating for 4 to 6 months. Remember that is not a weed killer, not a weed seed killer, but a weed seed preventer — a sort of birth control for weeds, and a surefire way to gain the hours needed to do all the deadheading.
7. Strong, rugged cultivator tools. I am always on the lookout for true garden tools. That would be any tool that does not break or bend after days of soil assault. The $9.95, mass-stamped-out products just don’t cut it (or till it). I want to see real steel, big gauge, reinforced handle-type cultivators and trowels. Nothing you can do for your body and garden will be better rewarded than professional, heavy-duty hand tools.
8. Weeping, contorted or pendulous trees and shrubs. Finally, an item where you can showcase your creative expression. Our climate is the best in North America for gardening. Now back that up by starting a collection of novelty items. Twisting, turning, draping, flowing — find these bizarre plants available in all shapes colors and sizes. These are the accent items that bring out your garden’s unique character.
9. Japanese and Palmatum maples. These abundant plants, when nestled by rocks and walls or set as an accent, are unbeatable. These maples have year-round interest — summer color on the leaves that changes to a brilliant fall color, then defoliates to expose an intricate branch system. Once you learn the hundreds of varieties, several will be perfect for your yard.
10. Native plants for the wildlife. Old way, new way, your way — use native and indigenous plants of the Olympic Peninsula any way in your yard. They are the most ideally suited for our weather conditions and the bugs and disease that live here. More importantly, as horticulture and landscaping replaced native plants with ornamental vegetation, a vital network is lessened. Native plants serve many purposes for wildlife — food, shelter, building material, cover and habitat. Purchase native plants, but pick them specifically for some value they will give to wildlife. The birds, butterflies, these varmints will thank you by staying alive.
11. Fall leaf color. The maples, contorted weeping bushes and clematis don’t count. We all live in elevations low enough and temperatures mild enough to grow magnificent fall foliage trees and shrubs. If for 30 years we all concentrate on buying and planting a fall color plant each year, then, like New England, people, cars and tour buses will roll along here in September and October to marvel at nature’s color box. Simplified to the personal, your yard in a decade will become a calendar photo. Fall leaf color is a must. Don’t wimp out and ignore September and October above 6 feet tall in your yard.
12. Hanging baskets. Hanging baskets are a must. That’s baskets, as in plural. Baskets and flower boxes will transform the image and perception of any spot. They alone will make us known and improve residence attitudes.
And please, stay well all.
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Andrew May is a freelance writer and ornamental horticulturist who dreams of having Clallam and Jefferson counties nationally recognized as “Flower Peninsula USA.” Send him questions c/o Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362, or email news@peninsuladailynews.com (subject line: Andrew May).
