Viewing comments posted by Bonehead

Native in the Pacific Northwest, found on rocky slopes and meadows, often blooming as soon as the snow melts. It is said that these flowers came from the tears that Venus shed over the body of Adonis.

Nice red cherry tomato, delicious flavor, produced well. Love the name. I've only found this one year as a started plant, but always keep my eye out.

This is a bicolor beefsteak, kind of orangy-red on the inside. It was not real large for me, but did have good rich flavor with deep ribbing that didn't get all discolored as some tomatoes will. Good name, fits in with my Irish-German heritage!

This is a nice red salad tomato, with deep flavor. It was fairly productive for me in a short season region, had a bit of cracking, but not bad. I would grow this again. Love the name.

This is a cross between a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) and Korean maple (A. pseudosieboldianum), bred by Isili Nursery to withstand colder winters, and is hardy to Zone 4. The leaves open up red in spring, fade to bright green in the summer, then burst into brilliant orange in the fall. Definitely a head-turner.

This is a very prolific pie cherry, heavy enough harvest to abundantly share with the robins, jays, and other fruit eating birds. The fruit is quite juicy and will run down your arms so be prepared for a messy harvest. The cherries are edible out of hand if you like a tart fruit, or make a delicious pie. I've only done jam a few times, found it more trouble to de-pit and skin them for the yield. We lost a good portion of the main branches to a heavy snowfall one winter, but were pleased to see it rejuvenate nicely after a couple seasons. Very forgiving tree.

In the Pacific Northwest, this is a non-native invasive introduced from Europe, found in disturbed sites. It shows up mid to late summer in fields, flower beds and between patio pavers. I find it easy to pull, it has a short tap root. Quite similar in form to C. setosa (bristly hawksbeard), but easy to tell the difference by looking at the stems. C. capillaris is quite smooth, whereas C. setosa has lots of little hairs.

Washington State designated the apple as its state fruit in 1989, the year of its centennial. Washington grows over 40% of U.S. apples, and is also the top producer of U.S. organic apples. Although most commercial orchards are located in east or central Washington, I have had great luck with my inherited no-name apples on the cooler west side. The only problem I've noted is occasional tent caterpillars, which can defoliate a tree in bad years, but don't seem to kill it. An apple a day keeps the doctor away!

Triplesweet hybrid, 8" ears of rich sweet yellow kernels. Good holding ability, and tolerates cooler soil. Approximately 80 days to maturity.

This is a very easy going shrub. Grows quickly, yet responds well to pruning so you can keep it at whatever size you like, or let it grow as large as it likes. Beautiful foliage - bright copper red in the summer, and a darker magenta in the fall. I have not had any problems with this, likely because we have a PNW native ninebark so this cultivar feels quite at home. I have it in full sun on a west facing slope and it gets very little supplemental watering (just some sprinkler action in August).

Native in the Pacific NW, from Alaska to northern California. Found in wet mossy areas, often on deciduous tree trunks and branches (particularly maples). The rhizome tastes of licorice, and may be chewed for flavor or as a relief for colds and sore throats.

Upright and broad. Leaves are plum red in spring, bronze red in summer, and brilliant red in fall. The Japanese name means 'twilight.'

Native in the Pacific Northwest, from British Columbia to southern California, found along waterways and in marshy areas. Fast grower, but short lived. Provides food and cover for wildlife. Stabilizes stream banks and readily colonizes disturbed areas. The bark contains salicin and has been used medicinally since early times.

Native in the Pacific Northwest, from Alaska to central California. Found in moist woods and along water ways. Provides food and cover for wildlife. Fast growing, good for erosion control. The bark contains salicin.

Native in the Pacific Northwest, from British Columbia to California. Found in mixed forests, often along streams or as an understory to big leaf maples. The bark has long been used for its laxative properties. This tree has been described as "an alder crossed with a birch, with a cherry thrown in." The fruit are small red cherries that mature to a blue-black and are very attractive to birds. They are edible to humans, but have a laxative effect. Fall color is yellow/orange.

Upright narrow pine with lush branching. The needles are silvery blue on one side and green on the other.

Slow growing dwarf pine with pink new growth followed by creamy variegated foliage. Good in rock gardens or containers. Protect from hot afternoon sun.

Slow growing, drought tolerant once established. No serious pests or disease. In early spring, this graceful tree is covered with small pinkish pollen cones, which are nicely offset by the blue needles.

Tsuma gaki means 'red nail' which correlates to the red tips on light yellowish green leaves as they emerge. The leaves turn green during summer, then red and yellow in fall. This is a rounded form of J. maple which will mature at about 10'. The leaves may scorch in full hot sun unless the tree is kept well watered.

Well behaved shrub. Does well in part to full shade. It does get a bit brownish on the underparts, but I suppose that is to be expected. Good for year round interest, mounds nicely.