All images in this post are courtesy of Ella Schwab who is a talented young photographer and my beautiful daughter.
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Tag Archives: flowers
Orange Squash Blossoms and Deep Green Chiles
The Pike Place Market brings their roving Express Markets to South Lake Union on Thursdays. It’s so cool to walk out of work and find a mini farmer’s market has appeared out of nowhere. The bright yellow fresh flowers and deep red ripe berries draw you in.
Organic peppers on sale at the SLU farmer’s market. Santa Fe Chile, Fresnos, Jalapeño and Floral Gem. Seattle 2014
The chile peppers are in showing every shade of green and the purple bell peppers are amazing.
Organic purple bell peppers on sale at the SLU Farmer’s Market in mid-August. Seattle 2014
This past week I noticed the squash blossoms because their orange color reminded me that fall is coming. Fried squash blossoms stuffed with with mushrooms or cheese are easy and delicious as appetizers. Check out Heidi’s recipe for Squash Blossoms Stuffed with Sautéed Chanterelles and Buerre Blanc.
Fresh organic squash blossoms. South Lake Union Farmer’s Market, Seattle 2014.
Mammoth Sunflowers and the Yang Wood Element
It’s been a great year for those hot weather plants like sunflowers, just as I predicted. I planted nine mammoth sunflowers on the south side of the house near the sidewalk. They are on the dragon side. Sunflowers are a … Continue reading →
Tall Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
Flower buds of Oregon grape or Mahonia aquifolia
One of the stars in the Pacific Northwest garden in the month of March is Tall Oregon Grape, also known as Mahonia aquifolium. This super hardy evergreen will thrive almost anywhere you put it. It tolerates wet or dry soil, sun or shade, but prefers shade to semi-shade.
Tall Oregon grape can grow as high as 10 feet and can be used as a hedge. The thorny, stiff and leathery leaves will deter those dog and cat “visitors”. In a shady location it tends to be thinner and leggy so pruning is a must if you want a thicket. It could be used as an alternative to bamboo.
Oregon grape in bloom
The yellow flowers that attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are followed by bitter blue fruit which will attract other birds.
Grapes with spider web
The leaves will turn a reddish color in the fall.
There is also a dwarf variety called Mahonia nervosa.