For cut flower enthusiasts, winter-blooming plants can provide year-round interest and are beautiful as cut flowers to fill your vase on the dullest of days. These three native plants not only thrive in our Pacific Northwest climate, they’re great to bring indoors. Let’s explore these winter blooming wonders that will add beauty and vitality to your yard – and look great in a vessel.
Hellebores (Helleborus spp.):
Variety Selection: Choose from various Hellebore species, such as Helleborus orientalis or Helleborus niger, for a diverse color palette including shades of pink, purple, and white.
Planting Tips: Plant Hellebores in well-draining soil with partial shade. These hardy perennials are known for their tolerance to winter conditions and can bloom even in late winter.
Blooming Season: Hellebores start flowering in late winter and continue into early spring, making them the perfect choice for adding elegance to your garden during the colder months.
Cutting Tips: To prevent them from drooping in the vase, make a tiny vertical cut on the stem before submerging in water.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis spp.):
Blooming Season: Witch Hazel is deciduous shrub known for its medicinal properties and unique, spidery flowers that bloom in late winter to early spring. Varieties like Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’ or ‘Diane’ showcase vibrant yellow to red blooms.
Planting Tips: Plant Witch Hazel in well-draining soil with partial to full sunlight. This deciduous shrub provides excellent winter interest with its fragrant flowers.
Cutting Tips: Harvest just before their buds start to open for maximum vase life. Smash the ends of branches with a hammer or mallet before dropping in the vase to increase water intake.
Camellia (Camellia spp.):
Blooming Season: Camellias are prized for their elegant, rose-like flowers that bloom in winter. Varieties such as Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua offer a range of colors and sizes.
Planting Tips: Plant Camellias in acidic, well-draining soil with filtered sunlight. These evergreen shrubs provide a burst of color during the cooler months.
Cutting Tips: Before arranging, cut the stems at an angle by holding them under water. You can also smash the bottom of the stem to remove the outer layer and tear up some tissue.
By incorporating these winter-blooming plants into your Portland (USDA Hardiness Zone 8b) garden, you’ll have flowers to cut and enjoy in your house year round. From Hellebore to Witch Hazel and Camellia, these plants not only thrive in our climate, they also contribute to the ecological richness of your garden. Enjoy year-round interest with these winter wonders that celebrate the natural splendor of the Pacific Northwest. Happy gardening!
You can find specialty palms (like this Sago), succulents, and agave in the greenhouse at Cistus nursery on Sauvie Island. It’s just one of my five favorite nurseries in the Portland area.
It’s the last week of September, the mornings have cooled, and those drizzly days have started to show their face again. As the tomatoes do a nosedive and the dahlia pump out what feels like a final rush of blooms (trust me, they’ve got weeks left to go)- you might be thinking the season for planting is…. over!
But don’t put those garden gloves away just yet- autumn in the Pacific Northwest is an excellent time to get back in the dirt with a sense of enthusiasm. The days are still long, the temperatures warm enough to encourage plant vigor, and more frequent rainfall means your freshly buried babies will have the gentle hydration they need to get settled for winter.
If you’re a new (or, existing) homeowner who’s been waiting for the perfect moment to renovate a landscape, now is the time to do so. With weeks of gentle temperatures ahead of us, it’s generally safe to continue digging and planting until around our first frost (usually early November).
Fall is also a great time to lay fresh bark dust on your paths (to keep those muddy ruts at bay) and compost on your planting beds. The nutrient-dense layer will help insulate and feed plants through the winter, so they survive the cold temps and emerge satiated and strong in spring.
Whether you’re planting trees, shrubs, hardy perennials, or spring-blooming bulbs- we’re lucky to live in a city rich in high quality nurseries. Here are five of my favorite places to shop (as well as what I like to buy from each):
Portland Nursery: With two Southeast Portland locations (SE Stark and SE Division), you can find just about anything you’re looking for at this gardener’s paradise. While prices tend to be a little higher than your average box store, the quality and selection of plants available can’t be beat. If you’re looking for a special variety of Heuchera, Rose, Clematis, Japanese Maple, Hellebore, or flowering bulb- this is where you’re most likely to find it.
Both Portland Nursery locations have information/reference desks on site, which are often staffed by Master Gardeners knowledgeable in topics like pruning, pest management, and soil health. If you’re looking for houseplants, both sites have a great selection of indoor specimens; however, the plant atrium on SE Division is nearly quadruple the size of the one on SE Stark, and usually includes a variety of specialty cacti, citrus, and orchids.
Cistus Nursery: Located 15 miles NW of Portland on Sauvie Island, Cistus specializes in Mediterranean climate, southern hemisphere, hardy tropical plants, and more. Owned by renowned horticulturalist Sean Hogan, Cistus isn’t just a resource for interesting plants- it’s a botanical wonderland worth visiting in itself. Densely planted with species you wouldn’t expect to see growing in the PNW, Cistus is an inspiring place full of fascinating specimens you’ll want to take home- including Eucalyptus, Yucca, Agave, Manzanita, and Hebe (to name a few). If you’re looking for “standard” plants that you can find everywhere else- this isn’t the place for that. If you’re looking for something truly unusual- go here.
One Green World: This SE Portland nursery specializes in fruiting trees/shrubs, berries, vines, unique citrus, nut trees, and quirky southern hemisphere varieties like Chilean guava. While the bulk of their business is mail order, their nursery off SE Foster was recently expanded and is worth a visit- especially if you’d like to see what certain varieties look like once they’ve been planted in the ground and have a few years of growth behind them. If you’re a fiend for figs, a lover of olives, or interested in planting species like pineapple guava, yuzu citrus, or fruiting plum- OGW will usually have the best selection in town.
OGW’s online catalog is extensive and fun to browse- you can also usually grab a paper copy on site, which is great for wintertime browsing on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee/tea. They do tend to sell out of things quickly- so order early and sign up for notifications on items that are listed as out of stock.
Tony’s Garden Center:This family-run nursery has three Eastside locations – one on SE Holgate, one in Damascus, and the other in Happy Valley. Their prices are reasonable, the selection is solid, and the staff is super friendly. If I’m looking for general landscaping plants, vegetable starts, colorful annuals for my seasonal pots, or affordable (small) perennial flowers for my cutting garden, I go here.
Tony’s offers affordable delivery in the metro area, so if you’ve ordered too much to carry home, they’ll load it on a truck and drop it on your driveway- usually that same week.
Xera:Specializing in plants that are especially well-adapted to our Zone 8b conditions (wet winters, dry summers), this small SE Portland nursery is a must-visit resource for folks who are interested in native plants or xeriscaping (i.e., gardens that don’t need supplemental water in summer). While the footprint of the nursery is small (essentially, the front parking lot of an inner SE commercial building), the range of species offered is large.
Finding what you’re looking for at Xera can sometimes be challenging; their selection changes often, their hours are limited, and they sell out of certain things quickly. But, the quality of their plants is good and they carry things you won’t find anywhere else. While they post a new availability list on their website every week, plants are catalogued by their botanical/latin name (i.e., no “common” names). As a big plant nerd (with Master Gardener training) myself, I know the names of a LOT of plants. But I don’t always know their latin name- and the availability list doesn’t provide much detail in terms of plant habit, bloom color, etc. I recommend visiting the store in person so you can see the plants in person and talk to a knowledgeable staffer before buying.
While these five nurseries are my most-visited favorites, there are many other wonderful nurseries in and around Portland that I love patronizing. If you have a favorite, I’d love to know about it! And, if you’re interested in more plant talk with a plant nerd, I’m always sharing plant/garden photos, house/design inspo, and (occasionally) floral arrangements on Instagram: @hiredthumb
This bright and spacious home just minutes from Multnomah Village has wooded views and a private back patio with terraced garden, perfect for entertaining or enjoying a warm summer evening. The kitchen boasts a professional-grade range, stainless steel appliances, bar seating, and granite countertops. Cozy up by the fireplace in the living room for a movie or game night! The primary bedroom has an en suite bathroom and there’s room for hobbies or quiet office space in the downstairs bonus room. Conveniently located near all the shopping and restaurants that Multnomah Village and Hillsdale have to offer, plus easy freeway access delivers all the best of urban living.
Planting your own food is a wonderful way to eat the freshest, most deliciously healthy food you can get your hands on. It’s farm to table everyday when you harvest food from your yard. Ready to start planting your own food? Perhaps a spaghetti garden or salsa garden? A pickle patch?
Take a LOOK HERE at Portland Nursery’s helpful guide of when to plant food in Portland!
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
Happy Fall! It’s apple season and a wonderful time to get out to farms and enjoy apples.
HOW TO PLANT AN APPLE TREE
Growing a fruit tree on your property can be very rewarding for you and for your community! HERE are some tips for planting apple trees from Seed Savers Exchange.
HOT APPLE TONIC
While sipping on hot apple cider is a treat, for a health boost this fall, try this hot apple tonic from MaxLiving instead!
About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.
Boise Eliot Farmhouse. Vintage charm throughout; high ceilings, hardware, lighting, original millwork & mouldings. Wrap around front porch for morning coffee. Remodeled kitchen and dining area with pantry. Laundry on the main. Unfinished basement potential. Generous yard spaces for gardening & entertaining, established beds and storage shed. Blocks from restaurants, grocery, brewery, cafes, parks & Dishman Community Center.
Congratulations to my clients (and dear friends!) on the sale of their sweet little home!
Matthew and Kelly have been absolute dream clients, trusting my guidance and taking all the steps necessary to list their home from day 1. A lot goes into getting a home ready for market, even when it’s THIS market, prepping, cleaning and tidying inside and out makes a big difference!
All of their hard work paid off with multiple offers well over asking in the first weekend on the market. This is definitely one of those homes where you can feel all the love and energy put into it. Everyone who came through loved the warmth, charm and extra bonus workshop space — the perfect home for folks looking to garden, create and enjoy the sweet combo of brightness and coziness all in one home.
My sellers navigated a couple unexpected bumps like champs and I am delighted that they are on their way to the next dream home and new adventures to come! Congratulations Matthew and Kelly!
Beautiful South Tabor 3 bedroom. Charming vintage character; mouldings, built-ins, woodfloors, hardware & lighting. Formal dining room, updated kitchen, 3rd bedroom and bonus upstairs. Fireplace, fenced backyard w/gardening and entertainment areas. Unfinished basement with good ceiling height & space. Systems updates throughout; windows, insulation, furnace, water heater, some electrical & plumbing, new water & sewer lines. Blocks from Foster restaurants & cafes, a mile to Mt. Tabor Park.
Set on a huge corner lot in St. Johns, this 1950 turnkey home is packed with tasteful updates throughout. Recent remodel included the kitchen, bathroom, dining room and bedrooms. The large welcoming living room wows with huge floor-to-ceiling windows and recently refinished original hardwood floors. Two comfortable bedrooms with new sliding barn closet doors and light fixtures. The second bedroom features a Murphy bed, which the sellers are willing to include for added character and versatility. The large yard provides endless fun with so much space for gardening, playing outside and entertaining. Plenty of privacy thanks to the brand new architect-designed fence. Plus, covered, off-street parking! Prime location near Cathedral Coffee, food carts, restaurants and easy access to downtown St. John’s and public transportation.
This dreamy South Tabor farmhouse of infinite possibilities just sold in the midst of covid panic at $52k over asking with 7 offers in just 3 days. Many congratulations to my client — all his hard work getting this gem ready for market paid off big time!
Before covid began, we met to discuss how he could best prep his home for the market. I always recommend scheduling a consult and walk through with your REALTOR® before embarking on home projects. This can save you lots of time and money, as we are able to identify which changes will have the greatest impact on your sale in the current market. In this case, most of the work was focused on the exterior, but inside, fresh white paint and top notch staging brought the house to life in a whole new way!
Here is the living, dining area and kitchen before…
And after!!
It was as if the whole house sprang to life! I remember walking through after it was painted and could practically feel the walls beaming and calling out for the next stewards of home.
One of the aspects I love most about this home is the SPACE! All kinds of spaces for all kinds of imaginable fun. Outside there is not only a nice sized grassy backyard + side yard perfect for garden beds, but also a hot-tub cabana, big locking bike shed and a carport with storage and workbench. Inside, the 3 bedroom/2 bath home also includes a den and office upstairs while the basement offers a finished bonus room, laundry area and unfinished space for storage or projects. But I think my FAVORITE space is the upstairs bathroom ~ clawfoot tub and Mt. Tabor views? Yes, please!!
My seller put a lot of love into creating a lush grassy backyard where an old blank deck lived before and added many sweet details and upgrades to the exterior to boost curb appeal and honor the 1910 vintage of the home.
When the time came to list, we had just hit the 1 month mark into this new covid reality and I offered my best advice on competitive pricing as things were still feeling a bit uncertain in the market of pandemic proportions. Covid protocol for all potential buyers meant current preapproval letters, masks, shoe covers and hand washing at the beginning and ending of each showing. No more than 3 people in the house at a time and 30 minute showings with 15 minute buffers. When the listing went live we had immediate interest and within 48 hours over 40 showings were scheduled. Three days later, my seller went pending with a solid offer that beat out 6 others at $52,000 over asking and stellar terms.
Throughout this transaction, both my seller and the agent on the other side were excellent communicators, easy to work with, and at the end of the day everyone wrapped up feeling really happy about the outcome. I am deeply grateful to my client for his ease in trusting my expertise and putting in the time and energy to give his house the best possible outcome in our market.
These are the stories that really light up my spirit: feeling the energy of a home brighten up with a little bit of love and elbow grease ~ the house that calls in its new owner like a match that was meant to be ~ clients’ joys of new beginnings ~ and navigating through unprecedented times with presence, awareness and clear communication. If you are curious about the market in these times, or are looking at buying or selling now or down the road, I am happy to chat over some socially distanced coffee or tea. Let’s connect!
Stay safe out there, be gentle with yourself, and take care of each other ~ we will get through this ❤️
Valentine’s Day is will be here soon, and there’s a whole lot of love going around. How do you celebrate love? How do you feel loved? At Pringle Creek Community, we think love starts with you and self care, and a big part of your life is usually spent at home. Why not choose to live in a community that promotes health and well-being? The new Net Zero home is a sustainably built and innovative home that is now available in our community.
Inside the Net Zero home
This beautiful home has a spacious open plan positioned to let the morning sun spill into your kitchen, living room, and even the master on the main. It allows for you to breath easy by using healthy materials that have low to no VOCs. The home encourages indoor-outdoor living and extends out into the courtyard, which is great for outdoor barbeques and entertaining.
Take a jaunt around your community, where there is fresh honey from our honey bees and farm fresh eggs from Cluckingham Palace. Want to start a club on something you’re passionate about? Perfect. We also have the first LEEDPlatinum certified community center and events space that’s a resident amenity. There are so many wonderful and sustainable amenities offered at Pringle Creek Community.
Inside the Net Zero home: Master on the main
The Net Zero home is one of a kind, just like Pringle Creek Community. It’s made with sustainable materials like ICF (insulated concrete forms) that help make it highly energy efficient—so efficient and healthful that the home was just awarded with a LEED Platinum certification, the most stringent and highest green certification available for homes. So, not only is it gorgeous and healthy, but it will also save you money in the long run on energy costs. If you’re curious, contact us to take a tour or come by one of our open houses, and see what living sustainably looks like . Spring is around the corner, love is in the air, and this home might just take your breath away. Come see it before someone falls in love with this stunning home.
Open House: Sunday, February 10th, from 11 – 2:00pm
LOCAL U-PICK APPLES
If you are curious about the market in these times, or are looking at buying or selling now or down the road, I am happy to chat over some socially distanced coffee or tea. Let’s connect!
