- You've probably heard how to properly prune hydrangeas, magnolia, camellias, rhododendron and azalea, etc. People say ‘prune just after the bloom’. But why? To understand, now is the time to notice. Take a look at hydrangeas, magnolia or camellia in your neighborhood. Do you notice the swollen buds? Those are next years flowers, and they were set on the stem after the previous bloom. Prune the stem now, and you'll remove the flower bud. Of course you can prune a bit if the plant is too large, but in that case you'll just have fewer flowers in the spring. Next year, after the bloom, make your larger shaping/pruning cuts. 

- Clip from your garden for winter wreaths, boughs and other decorations. Mountain ash berries, rosehips, conifer branches, pine cones, rosemary, eucalyptus and holly - tune into your garden to see what it's offering you today. Gather lightly and compost your creation after the season!

- If you have not done so already, plant spring blooming bulbs as soon as possible to ensure roots have enough time to develop and support a spring flower. (Hint: the time to do it is today). Don't be intimidated! Root side down, pointy side up, and the depth chart is below :) Your future self will thank you. And a note on the plants in the image below: Grape Hyacinth and and Glory-of-the-Snow in our area can become invasive (or at the very least, aggressive), so I'd stay away from those. Crocus is a very early season bloomer so a nice addition to support our pollinators in lean times. Not on the image - Camas is a native plant, and worth a deep dive about its use in our PNW region.

- Take note if you have water pooling anywhere in these rainy months - we can work on water absorption and redirection strategies using this information. Take photos and measurements, as memory fades in that gorgeous summer weather! More thoughts on this, below.

 

- Hummingbird feeders this time of year are important and entertaining! We have three on our deck and the in-flight communication and nectar negotiation is incredible to witness.

 

- Consult with an arborist for any fine pruning (of Japanese Maples especially) so you can enjoy that gorgeous structure throughout the winter months. For excellent arborist recommendations, go to Plant Amnesty: https://www.plantamnesty.org/services/referral-services/

 

- Take photos of any bare spots in the garden to add winter interest plants in 2026! 

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Here in the Pacific Northwest we are in an atmospheric river, with inches of rain falling every 24 hours all week long. It's a test of endurance and makes me think.

 

Yesterday, I was walking my dog and encountered a neighbor over on 29th and Denny in the Central District/Madison Park area of Seattle. If you can imagine the rolling mountain that is the foundation of this hilly city, she's in the valley. Her house sits where heavy rain pools after flowing down the mountain side, previously absorbed by a diverse forest of understory and canopy along its path. When the roads were built and houses permitted, the workhorses of absorption: roots; soil, and naturally occurring streams were all removed, redirected or displaced. And as a result, until a few years ago, rainwater flowed down those hills without stopping - straight into peoples basements. Basements and roads flooded every rainy season, until the city was finally held accountable for not properly creating a water overflow system to manage the water. To address the consistent problem, the city had to purchase and remove a block of homes in this valley and build a rainwater catchment park, which now holds approximately 2 million gallons of water. 

 

We can try to separate ourselves from nature. But if we take a moment to see how we are a part of it, and how our decisions have tremendous ripple effects, we can very clearly see how interconnected everything on this earth is. It's a tapestry I find endlessly fascinating, joyful and empowering. Returning to the garden always teaches me something. 

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