The Black-eyed Susan vine, with orange flowers highlighted by one big brown spot in the center, drapes casually and flowers throughout the warmest part of our summer. A golden hops vine (Humulus spp.) will cover a wall or climb a 10-foot post. The hops tunnel at the Fort Vancouver Garden is a fine example of a hops vine’s ability to cover a structure in one season. It’s also one place you can enter and feel instantly cooler on a blazing hot summer day.
I have two words of advice for the harried gardener. “Lighten up.” For one thing, there is only so much you can do. Gardening takes time, so enjoy the process, not just the results. Give yourself a pat on the back for remaining diligent to the garden’s needs so far this summer. It has been long and hot. Another thing to keep in mind is that most gardens can be brought back into bounds if you have had a lapse of attention for a week or two. Take your time and start again.
How odd that these long summer days, with daylight lasting until 9 o’clock at night, can pass so quickly. It makes me wonder how I get anything done in winter, when it grows dark before 5 in the afternoon. But no, there is too much to do and too many wonderful surprises yet to happen in the summer garden to think about that. For now, I’ll wander back, past the flowering tobacco plant, whose scent seems to heighten as the summer evening begins to cool.
Visiting a nursery
There are few things I like more than a visit to a full service nursery. My criteria for a plant retailer includes well cared for, healthy plants at a reasonable price; a staff that has enough interest in plants to point you in the right direction for answers and information, even if they don’t have an immediate answer for you; and a full selection of plants that includes newly introduced varieties of trusted plants such as hydrangeas, viburnums, spireas and barberries.
One reason I frequent Shorty’s Nursery is the plant selection. This is a great nursery if you want a large mix of plant types. They carry trees, shrubs, conifers, vines, groundcovers, perennials, annuals and vegetables. There are also grasses and a large assortment of plants on site that can be used as a groundcover. I enjoy taking clients to Shorty’s so that I can give them a good overview of all the choices available to the gardener today.
In the middle of Shorty’s on Mill Plain Boulevard there is a gift shop and I cannot make a trip to the nursery without stopping in. If you are looking for a piece of garden sculpture or a pot or planter take the time to look through the courtyard near the store’s entrance. The store carries a wide offering of garden gifts as well as seasonal cards, bird feeders and indoor plants. The buyer has a great eye for garden ornament as well as interior design items that will show well in any house surrounded by a garden. There is a distinctly elegant eye at work here tempered by simple, classic style.
Fair chance to exhibit
The Clark County Fair is less than two weeks away and that means that every one of us still has a chance to win a blue ribbon. Every year, the Clark County Fair offers amateur home gardeners the chance to exhibit their favorite introduction to the Floriculture, Veggies, Fruit and Forages exhibit at the fair. There is a prize for annuals, perennials, shrub and tree cuttings as well as container gardens and a floral design competition. Youth exhibitors are welcome, there is no entry fee and cash premiums will be paid to winners. What could be more rewarding than winning a prize for being a gardener?
You, one of your children or every member of the family can pick a special garden specimen — vegetable, fruit, berries and grains — and bring it to the fair for a chance to win. I’m considering an enormous, golden yellow hosta leaf from my favorite Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’. Have a look around your own garden and consider the fun of entering a contest together. An outing like this used to be the highlight of a family summer. Maybe this will be that one nostalgic event worth reintroducing to your own family.
With a bit of searching on www.clarkcofair.com you can find detailed information about preparation and display requirements for the show. The dates and deadlines to deliver your entries are listed. For more information: Sue and Art Feigion, sfeigion@gmail.com; Joy Arns, joyarns@yahoo.com; ccffloral@gmail.com, or 360-573-0007.
Robb Rosser is a WSU-certified master gardener.
