Posts by Lucinda O'Halloran

What else are you going to do when it’s cold, wet, rainy—and snowy—in January? This is the perfect time to pour your favorite hot beverage, cozy up to the fire with your furry friend (if you have one), and reflect on last year’s garden performance. Then you’re ready to plan your garden for the coming…

Years ago in my neighborhood, before the developers moved in, the lot next to our townhome was vacant—and it was dotted with multiple volunteer holly trees of varying sizes. I had long visualized chopping down one of these invasive hollies and using it for a Christmas tree, so one year, when it was Dec. 23…

In the Northwest, bulbs prefer to be planted in November and December—and since November has already passed us by (how did that happen?), the time to plant is now! Planting in late fall (and maybe early winter) gives the roots plenty of time to grow and establish before the ground freezes—if it freezes, that is. Growing…

We can talk all we want about thoughtful garden design, but the proof is in the results! That’s why we like to revisit projects from time to time and show you how we help our clients create outdoor spaces they love. This Seattle client was seeking a backyard spot for dining and a fire pit—and…

We can talk all we want about thoughtful garden design, but the proof is in the results! That’s why we like to revisit projects from time to time and show you how we help our clients create outdoor spaces they love. A pair of do-it-yourselfers in Seattle sought a more functional front yard—and potentially one…

Have your rhododendrons (aka “rhodies”) stopped blooming lately? Do the buds fall off without opening, or are there fewer of them? The reason could be nutrient-related, but they also might not be getting enough moisture during the fall months. Rhodies set their buds during fall, and without sufficient moisture during this crucial time, the buds…

So you have a landscape design and are waiting for the contractor or gardener to implement the plan. What will it look like once the plants are in? Will they be full and lush, or will they be small and spaced out? At first, it’s going to trend more toward the latter—but that’s a good…

The end of summer is around the corner, but this is still one of the most common questions we get throughout the year: “How can I get my perennials and annuals to bloom continually during the summer?” The answer, as with so many things garden-related, is that it depends on the plant. Some perennials, such…

Even if you don’t know Daphne, you probably know Daphne If you think late winter and early spring have a distinct smell in the Pacific Northwest, you’re right—that intensely sweet fragrance so common around here is Daphne odora; many will tell you it’s a favorite of theirs, even if they don’t know its name! Daphnes…