Seattle Plant Exchange

Primrose?

My mom suggested this is a primrose.  They're absolutely beautiful, and if I can't decide where to put a few of them, they will be available for exchange.  In addition to the color above, there are plants with orange and yellow flowers.

What Am I?

Beautiful white flowers during the day that close as the sun sets.  Difficult to identify from grass until the blooms appear - or unless you dig and discover their tiny bulbs.

I've watched them grow and thrive this spring, but don't know what they're called. I also have a few available for exchange, if anyone's interested.

Historic Day

On Saturday, in the midst of the WSCGSD, some SPX members stopped by for the very first Seattle Plant Exchange plant meeting!  Let's hope the energy from the day continues into future events and we can look back on it as a historic day.  I will elaborate when I have a few more minutes, but here are some of the results of the meeting:

(THANK YOU, Cristine & Tom!  I can't wait to meet again.)

More soon....

Tissue Paper Petals

I was awestruck by these crepe paper flowers last year. There is nothing like them (that I've ever seen) back east. I still don't know what they are, but I'm distressed because the bizarre winter weather seems to have damaged them.  They are developing new leaves only in spots that were sheltered from the snow.  I'm hoping the plants bounce back, but I need pruning advice!

Treasured Until Trampled

This beautiful plant grew heartily in our back yard until our dogs trampled it. I did a bit of research and was able to identify it myself!  Drumroll, please....

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Mediterranean Spurge

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I would like to reintroduce it to our garden, so if you have any to swap, let me know!

WSCGSD Kickoff Plant Exchange

I'm having a mini plant swap at my place tomorrow. Have to get the exchange momentum going!

All of the plants on the left in the photo below are available for exchange:

Unfortunately, I have no idea what most of them are, but have taken a few close-ups (hoping other can identify):

 

(I apologize for the orientation of the image above...doing too much to futz with editing right now...this plant has a yellow flower, and I suspect it might be chamomile. I have two of them).

In exchange for my random assortment of plants, I am looking for:

• Ferns (any kind, but please label if you know specifically)
• Lily of the Valley
• White Bleeding Hearts
• White "bluebells"
• Sweet Woodruff
• Variegated Hosta (white/dark green)

For details on the location, join the Meetup Group for free. 

It's Very Purpley

 

These purple flowers seem to grow wild in one of my front beds...but I have no idea what they are.

Greenish Gardener

As I learn of Pacific Northwest gardening blogs, I will post them here. I am happy to link to the Greenish Gardener...her Seattle garden adventures are a year ahead of mine, so I've learned quite a bit from her already.

Greenish Gardener

Ivy Cutting Success!

I took some ivy cuttings in late March / early April and hoped for the best, but didn't have high expectations given the cooler weather and leaving the cuttings outside.

But I wanted to experiment, so I:

• Took cuttings from ivy in the front of the house
• Dipped the ends in rooting hormone powder
  
• Used regular potting soil (if I remember correctly from horticulture class, best practice involves some sand)
• Watered regularly, being careful to keep soil moist -- but not to over-water

I'm happy to report the cuttings have rooted, as demonstrated by new growth in the form of wee leaves:

I wanted to share my experience in case anyone else in Seattle is wondering when to take ivy cuttings and how to go about it.  Others' experiences are always encouraged as a response to this post...or within the Meetup Group message boards.

I am going to transplant the little plants to the back yard, where they will grow to green a gray masonry wall.

Osmanthus Fragrans in the Pacific Northwest?

There is a beautiful flowering olive at Smith, from which I took a cutting during senior year. The cutting lived indoors for two years or so, but didn't make it. I've always wanted to grow one in the garden, and I figure Seattle's climate may afford me the privilege.

So I'd love to hear from some seasoned Pacific Northwest gardeners - do you have or have you had a flowering olive in your garden?  If so, does it flower annually?  What type of location did you choose (full or partial sun? partial shade? sheltered?)?  Do you do anything special for pruning or for winter care?

I found one answer in University of Washington's Gardening Answers Knowledgebase:

http://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/resources/resource_search.php?term=1520

...but would love additional information!