Category: Pacific Northwest Flowers

What To Plant In The Pacific Northwest Zones 7, 8, 9

Posted on by levylawns

Planting outside your zone is an exciting experiment that can make your garden or yard stand out. However, zone denial requires a lot of work and is risky. The plant may not survive the Pacific Northwest climate, wasting all of your efforts.

So, instead of taking such a risk, it may be best to concentrate on growing plants likely to survive in your zone. The Pacific Northwest, which includes the states of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon, falls in Zone 7 to 9. And numerous beautiful and edible plants can withstand the region’s climate.

Plants To Grow In Zone 7

Despite its freezing winter season, zone 7 has a relatively mild climate and supports the growth of many warm-weather plants. You can grow annuals and perennials that will thrive all year round. This includes marigolds, geranium, black-eyed Susan, salvia, aster, and clematis.

You can plant cool-weather vegetables in early February for an edible garden, such as spinach, radish, kale, cabbage, and carrots. You can plant peppers, tomatoes, squash, eggplants, and beans in the warmer season.

Plants To Grow In Zone 8, in the Seattle region

Numerous flowers such as bird of paradise, hibiscus, butterfly bush, lantana, Mexican petunia, oleander, and phlox, thrive in zone 8. You can also plant herbs like rosemary, lavender, and sage and creeping juniper and English ivy for groundcover.

Like zone 7, you can plant vegetables twice a year in zone 8. First, sow the seeds in late winter/early spring to harvest in summer. Then again, in early fall to harvest in winter. Some vegetables to plant include carrots, peas, celery, and broccoli.

Plants To Grow In Zone 9

The weather in Zone 9 is slightly milder than the other two zones, with less winter freeze and a longer growing season. However, some plants may not survive the heat during summer in the zone, especially cold-hardy plants.

Nevertheless, you can plant nearly any delicious vegetable, including beets, cauliflower, leeks, onions, cucumber, okra, potatoes, and tomatoes. Also, you can grow several flowers to fill your garden with vibrant blooms, including begonias, cannas, dahlias, irises, jasmine, and sedum.

Need help growing plants that will thrive in your Pacific Northwest garden? Contact us at Levy’s Lawn & Landscape today!

 

Care and Feeding of Azaleas and Rhododendrons

Posted on by levylawns

So, you want to grow an attractive garden this springtime? Azaleas and rhododendrons are perfect choices. They bloom in beautiful pink, red and purple colors that will add charm to your garden.

Also, they are not as hungry as other blooming shrubs. However, they also require specific care and feeding to blossom. For instance, the soil must be well-drained and have a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Continue reading to learn how to care for and feed azaleas and rhododendrons in your garden.

How to Feed Azaleas and Rhododendrons in Your Garden

The first step to feeding your azaleas and rhododendrons is to test your soil. This will help you determine precisely what you need to feed your plants. You may need to adjust the soil’s pH and improve its nutrients.

Mix agriculture sulfur to the soil if the pH is above 5.5. If below 4.5, add garden limestone to increase the pH. To increase the soil nutrient, compost pine bark, and pine needles and mix with the soil. This compost mixture will also improve soil drainage.

When you notice your azaleas and rhododendrons are slow-growing, feed them with iron sulfate fertilizers. But if you’re unable to get one, you can use a balanced fertilizer with a 10-10-10 ratio. You can also replace fertilizers with organic mulch rich in nitrogen.

How to Care for Azaleas and Rhododendrons

Here’s how to care for your azaleas and rhododendrons to improve their growth.

  1. Apply mulch around the plant to retain moisture and protect the shallow roots. Make sure to leave a few inches around the trunk mulch-free.
  2. Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer when you mulch with wood chips or sawdust. While these materials add nutrients to the soil, they use nitrogen to decompose.
  3. Spread the fertilizer over the root area so the plant root can absorb the fertilizer. This may extend three times the distance between the trunk and the branch tips.
  4. Water the azaleas and rhododendrons as soon as you feel the topsoil is dry. However, be careful not to overwater them to prevent root rot.
  5. Snap dead or damaged flower heads and stalks to remove them. Prune only after the Spring flowering, and only to reduce the height of your azaleas and rhododendron.

With proper care and adequate feeding, your azaleas and rhododendrons will bloom and beautify your garden. If you need help planting other colorful blooms, contact us at Levy’s Lawn & Landscaping today!

 

Preparing Your Yard for Springtime Flowers

Posted on by levylawns

Yay, it’s almost Spring. The weather isn’t bitter cold and the days are longer, so you can spend more time in your garden. If you’ve done everything on your Spring garden to-do list, then you can start preparing your yard for Springtime flowers. Continue reading to find out how.

Prepare Your Soil for Springtime Flowers

The soil is the primary environment in which your springtime flowers will grow. Therefore, you must prepare your soil so your flowers can bloom.

  • Warm the soil: Your garden soil is likely still cold from the winter months. Thus, the first thing to do is to warm the soil. One way to do it is to cover the soil with plastic burlap.
  • Loosen the soil: Your garden soil would have become compacted over the winter months. Flowers can’t grow in compact soil, so you have to till the soil to loosen it up.
  • Test the soil: Test the soil pH and adjust it to support the growth of your springtime flowers. Depending on the type of soil and flowers you want to grow, you may need to make it more acidic or basic.

Prepare to Plant Your Springtime Flowers

After preparing your garden soil, the next thing to do is to prepare to plant your springtime flowers.

  • Rehab beds: Rebuild unkempt and overgrown garden beds to enable your springtime flowers to flourish. Remove debris and dead leaves, as well as rocks and gravel. Then, re-dig the bed. You may also redesign the layout to make it more appealing.
  • Add Mulch: Mulching early will help prevent weeds from growing. So, it’s important to add mulch to the soil before planting your springtime flower. You can mix your mulch with some compost for additional nutrients.
  • Set up composting area: You need a regular supply of compost to feed your springtime flowers. So, create a compost area in the corner of your yard. For instance, Azaleas and rhododendrons benefit greatly from pine needles compost.

With these, you can easily prepare your yard for Springtime flowers. If you need more help making your yard bloom with flowers this Spring, reach out to us at Levy’s Lawn & Landscaping today!

Posted on by levylawns

Can Discarded Furniture Be Used To Plant Flowers In The Garden?

When you have furniture to discard, you probably think of your local thrift shop. Or, you come up with reasons to keep that old sofa and find ways to can still use it. If the question, “can discarded furniture be used to plant flowers?” ever crossed your mind, then the answer is absolutely! Yes, you can use discarded furniture to plant flowers in your garden. Continue reading to learn how.

How To Use Furniture To Plant Flowers

No matter the type of furniture you want to discard, you can repurpose it into a planter for flowers in your garden. Here’s how some discarded furniture can be used to plant flowers in the garden.

Desks and Dressers

Desks and dressers have drawers that can serve as containers for planting flowers. First, line the inside of the drawers with plastic garbage bags, and drill a couple of holes through the bags and drawer bottoms. This will enable sufficient drainage of water and prevent the wood from decaying quickly. Next, fill the drawers with potting soil and plant your flowers. Then, open some drawers a little and others entirely to create a layered effect.

Broken Chairs

Yes, even a broken chair can be used to plant flowers in your garden. Just cut out the seat and hang a plastic container in it to plant your flowers. You can even grow climbing plants that will twine around the back of the chair.  

Bed Frame

You can literally put the bed in “flowerbed” by planting flowers in an old bed. After taking out the mattress, cut out some sections of the bottom wood of the bed frame. Then, fit in several planters or containers to plant your flowers.

The bottom line is that discarded furniture can be repurposed as planters. So, before you discard that old piece of furniture, first think about how you can use them to plant flowers. If you need more creative ideas to make your garden look even more fabulous, reach out to us at Levy’s Lawn & Landscaping today!

 

Best Plants to Plant in The Shade for Seattle, WA

Posted on by levylawns

Not all plants can thrive in the shade of Seattle. As a gardener, knowing what plants fits where is the first step to cultivating a beautiful garden. So, if you’ve recently moved to Seattle or found it challenging to find plants that can thrive in the shady areas of your Seattle garden, this post is for you.

Top 5 Shade-Tolerant Plants For Your Seattle Garden

Whether a particular part of your garden is shaded for a couple of hours or does not get direct sunlight all day, these plants will bloom in the Seattle shade.

#1: Lenten Rose

The Lenten Rose is a low-growing perennial plant that blooms with beautiful tropical foliage. If you fancy a colorful garden, then you should definitely plant the Lenten rose. They come in various colors, and due to their dense nature, they can help control weed growth.

#2: Hostas

Hostas can thrive beautifully under shades. They even attract animals such as bumblebees, hummingbirds, and slugs. They can do well without much attention, but when in need of water, they start wilting. However, they don’t die quickly, and will regain their glow immediately they are watered.

#3: Bleeding Hearts

This plant thrives excellently in shades, and when summer comes, it goes dormant. Its flowers come majorly in three variations; white, red, and pink. Depending on your garden goals, the bleeding hearts can be a beautiful addition to your garden.

#4: Indian Plum

The Indian Plum is a deciduous plant. The female species have pendant-like white flowers that give off a faint fresh scent. During the fall, the leaves of the Indian Plum turn yellow. Having the Indian Plum means your property will be home to birds as they are attracted to the tiny plum fruits of this plant.

#5: Ferns

Unlike the previously discussed plants, ferns don’t have beautiful, colorful flowers. In fact, they have no flowers at all, and this can be discouraging for many gardeners. Nevertheless, ferns can be a great planting option for your shady garden as they are durable and can survive harsh weather conditions.

Need more suggestions or help planting beautiful plants in the shade of your Seattle garden? Contact us today at Levy’s Lawn & Landscaping!

 

 

Different Types of Pots to Use for Plants

Posted on by levylawns

Trying container gardening in the Pacific Northwest, and wondering what containers to use? There are different types of pots to use for plants in your container garden. We’ve put together a list of pots that will not only protect your plant from diseases and pesky pests, but also decorate your landscape.

5 Types of Pot Plant Containers for your Garden

If you are exploring container gardening, here are the different types of pots you can use for your planting:

1.     Terracotta Pots

These are sometimes referred to as clay pots as they are made from clay. They are usually very durable and can be affordable or expensive depending on your pocket’s weight. Given their colors and warm appearance, terra cotta pots can give your garden a classic look.

2.    Metal Pots

As the name implies, these are made from metal materials such as aluminum, tin, and steel. You can turn almost every metal container you no longer use into a planting pot. This way, you reduce waste and save money. Metals pots can serve your garden for years before they give into corrosion.

3.     Wooden Pots

These are favorites for many gardeners, and this is because wooden containers offer a kind of flexibility that other containers do not offer. You can construct your wooden containers yourself, which means you can make them to fit perfectly into a space in your garden. If properly maintained, wooden pots can serve your garden for years.

4.    Concrete Pots

Concrete pots are like clay pots, only heavier and made from concrete. They have a range of striking designs that can give your garden a classic or contemporary look. Concrete pots are long-lasting and can endure years of freezing and thawing without breaking down.

5.     Plastic Containers

Although technically not a pot, plastic containers can serve as pots to use for plants in your container garden. What’s more, you don’t have to buy them. You can repurpose some of your old gallon jugs and plastic bowls for planting.

These different types of pots will serve you, whether you’re short on yard space or new to gardening and want to start small. If you need any more help with planting a garden in your yard or corridor, reach out to us at Levy’s Lawns and Landscaping today!

 

Sun-Loving Plants For Seattle, WA

Posted on by levylawns

Many times, we’ve had people reach out to us asking what plants would thrive in the sunny and rainy Seattle climate. To put that question to a final rest, we’ve curated a list of some of the sun-loving plants for Seattle.

Top 5 Plants for Full Sun Gardens in Seattle

These plants will transform your yard into a beautiful garden with their colorful blooms radiating in the sunlight.

#1: Cranesbill

This is a blue-flowered geranium. It can thrive in partial or full sunlight. The great thing about the Cranesbill is that it is easy to grow and requires little to no maintenance.  It is also quite resistant to most pests and diseases.

#2: Rock Rose

This is not exactly a rose flower, but it has the same appeal as one. The Rock Rose colorful flowers can transform your landscape into a stunning space. Typically, its flowers come in shades of white, yellow, orange, and pink. The plant thrives better in full sunlight. At maturity, it grows to 15cm-30cm in height.

#3: Russian Sage

The Russian Sage is a tall flowering plant that grows up to 60-90cm in height. It thrives in both full and partial sunshine and produces violet-colored flowers. The flower is aromatic and, when bruised, produces a sweet-smelling lemony scent.

#4: Catmint

This is a favorite for many gardeners in Seattle. The plant can survive several harsh conditions ranging from drought to poor soil and pests. The Catmint love full sun, and at maturity, they grow up to 90-120cm

#5: Painted Daisies

The Painted Daisies plant bears breathtaking flowers, and they thrive in full or partial sunshine. The flowers can be as wide as 7cm with a large golden center that contrasts with the petals’ colors. Furthermore, they produce chemicals that repel insects, so having them in your garden helps prevent pest invasions. The Painted Daisies grow to 60-90cm at maturity.

Need more suggestions or help planting sun-loving plants in your Seattle garden? Contact us today at Levy’s Lawn & Landscaping!

 

Posted on by levylawns

 

Planting Bare Root Stock

Bare rootstocks are young trees, shrubs, and flowers transplants with roots that aren’t contained in the soil. They are sold with their roots free of dirt and wrapped in plastic. 

 

When most people hear of bare rootstock, they wonder if such a stock will grow when transplanted.

Well, if you’re one of them, in this post, you’ll learn all you need to know about planting bare rootstock.

First of all, bare rootstocks grow into healthy plants faster than container stocks, as they don’t have to transition from container soil to local soil. They are also up to 50% more affordable and can be shipped from anywhere in the world. So you can easily buy trees native to other parts of the world.

Picking Bare Root Stock To Plant

When planting a bare root tree, you have to choose the right bare root stock carefully. First, ensure it has a straight trunk and that the branches are evenly distributed. Next, the roots shouldn’t be dry nor mushy, but moist and firm. If you’re ordering it online, buy from a reputable grower and examine the root packaging immediately it arrives – it should be moist.

How To Plant Your Bare Root Stock

Step #1 – Remove the bare rootstock from the packing for inspection. If you are not ready to plant the bare stock right away, repack the moist roots or cover it with damp wood chips. When you’re ready to plant, check the stock and cut off any dead, broken, frayed, or diseased root or branch.

Step #2 – Dig a tapered, shallow hole in moist soil that crumbles readily. The hole should be about three times the diameter of the root spread and resemble a shallow cone. Then, poke the inside of the hole with your shovel to give it a few twists that will make root penetration easy.

Step #3 – Create a mound to place the bare root stock by shoveling a little loose soil into the hole.  Then, spread the root on the mound and backfill the hole while using your hands to work the soil in-between the roots.

Step #4 – Check if the plant is standing straight, and backfill the hole completely. Then, spread some wood chips on the ground a few inches from the trunk to retain moisture. You can use a cylinder mesh hardware cloth to protect the plant and keep mulch away from the trunk to prevent rot.

Step #5 – Lastly, water the soil slowly, allowing the water to soak into the ground before adding more. Subsequently, water it at least once per week so the root doesn’t get dry. You may also stake the plant to give it more stability and strength against wind.

Need help planting bare rootstock?

Let Levy’s Lawn & Landscaping help you transplant bare rootstocks that will grow into healthy and beautiful plants.  Contact us today!

planting bare root roses levy's landscape washington

 

 

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Fall Garden Cleanup: Where to Begin

Posted on by levylawns

Fall Garden Cleanup

Many gardeners do not know the proper way to clean a fall garden, so they just overhaul the entire garden. But, here’s the thing: overhauling is a whole lot of work! Fortunately, we’ve figured out where to begin a fall garden clean up without having to take down everything. Keep reading to find out what we know.

Step #1 – Clear Out the Layers of Leaves

When you take one quick look at your garden, you most likely will see a bunch of leaf litter all over the place. This makes clearing out leaf litter the perfect place to start your fall garden cleanup. Of course, leaf debris can be beneficial for pollinators, but you do not want to have thick layers of leaves in your garden, as they tend to block out sunlight and trap too much water.

Step #2 – Remove Thatch Buildup

All things die, grasses too. After a while, your lush green grasses will begin to die, and this could be marked by the sharp change in color from green to yellow and, finally, brown. These dying grasses are known as thatch and must be removed to allow nutrients to reach growing plants/grasses’ roots.

Step #3 – Rid Your Garden of Weeds

For your plants to thrive, they need all the nutrients they can get. When weeds compete for these nutrients with them, the plants you want to keep may not survive the competition. So you do not spend resources on plants you do not have use for, get rid of them!

Step #4 – Make Your Waste Valuable

All the waste you’ve gathered in the form of leave litter, thatch, weed, and other organic matter can be deployed into making composts. When they decompose, they can serve as a rich nutrients source for your plants.

Need help cleaning up your fall garden and making your landscape beautiful? Reach out to us at Levy’s Lawn & Landscape today!

fall garden cleanup in the pacific northwest seattle wa

 

 

What to Plant in Fall for Early Spring Color

Posted on by levylawns

Allium flowers for spring color seattle

Do you want a beautiful spring garden bursting with beautiful colors? Well, don’t wait until spring is almost here to get started. There are so many flowers you can plant in the fall to get a colorful early spring garden. Here’s a list:

1.     Dwarf Iris

Also known as Iris reticulata, this plant is an absolute favorite! Its rich blue flowers start to bloom in early spring, giving your garden a boisterous royal look. Plant them now with full exposure to sunlight for a colorful spring bloom.

2.    Allium

These plants stand out in your garden like the beauty queens that they are. They have long stems with bright-colored flowers that appear in a ball shape. Like the Dwarf Iris, growing Allium in the full glow of the sun helps them bloom beautifully.

3.    Daffodils

Nothing announces the arrival of spring like Daffodils. The beautiful thing about Daffodils is that they cater to whatever needs you to want them to, from size to scent. You can get tall, scented species if you fancy those or unscented species with your preferred height.

4.   Bleeding Heart

If you consider yourself an old soul, the Bleeding Heart will make a great addition to your spring garden. The plant produces heart-shaped white or pink flowers with arching stems that will truly add beauty to your landscape.

5.    Scilla

Scilla plants look weak, but in truth, they are tough and can thrive in rock gardens. They come in various colors, including pink, violet, white, and blue. If you need a mix of different beautiful colors for your garden, come spring, you should consider planting a Scilla this fall.

6.   Salvia

What is a garden without brightly-colored butterflies? To attract butterflies that serve as pollinators, you should add this plant to your spring garden. Salvia blooms are not only beautifully colored but also attractive to butterflies.

For more ideas on what to plant in fall for a colorful spring, or need help planting, you can contact us at Levy’s Lawn & Landscape today!