Hello

My yoga teacher says that beginnings are potent. It was a cold sunny February day four years ago when my son helped me set the paver, (pictured on the left) into a little terrace in our under-construction garden. I hadn't seen a single bee in the new garden yet, and as we struggled to get the heavy paver laid square and straight, a couple of fat, furry bumblebees, still logy from winter chill, suddenly appeared and buzzed lazily around. One joined us, landing nearly atop the mosaic bee.  The paver was designed and crafted by Clare Dohna  of Vashon Island, whose artistry was potent enough to conjure up bees on a chilly February morning. Clare's mosaics have held a special place in my heart and garden ever since. Thanks, too, to photographer Jacqueline Koch for the  images of my garden you'll find in the banner above and throughout the blog.

I hope such synergy of collaboration lends energy to this brand new blog - welcome to the first-ever posting. Simplified gardening is the focus, in tune with my new book, due out in fall '09.  I'll also answer reader's questions, keep up to date on cool new plants and horticultural goings-on, review books, let you know where I'm speaking, and write regularly  about what's happening in my little garden on Whidbey Island.

I come across so many garden adventures and characters, fresh ideas, plants and materials when working on my column and stories for the Seattle Times -  I'll fill you in on the backstories that never see newsprint. I promise you plenty of photos, links and quotes from others, with a minimum of words and musings.

Here I am with Bridget, my constant companion and writing "familiar", at my desk on Queen Anne, where she presides. I just wrote this post....and tomorrow I'll blog (this is a new verb for me!) about December storm damage (What lived? What died?) that we need to deal with before moving on to oh-so- welcome springtime....stay tuned....

 

Comments

[Debbie Loudon]

Congratulations, Val! I'm excited about this new venue for you to express your thoughts and knowledge not only about plants and gardens, but also about yoga, design, and heck, whatever else you want to write about. I'm looking forward to seeing what unfolds.

[Susan E. COhen]

Val-leave it to you!!!!!!!!!!
As talented as you are-you too had winter damage! If Val's garden looks yucky in the winter-then I don't feel so inadequate until summer, of course!!!
Teach us-show us- and continue talking to us as if we are all your friends!!
xo
Susan

[Sancho]

Your website is Valorious! No doubt you are on your way to once again teach us plant dummies through this new and exciting venue. I love it. Congratulations.

[David Lewis ( Little and Lewis)]

Hi Val: The blog is wonderful, well designed and I have made it a "shortcut" on my desktop. I look forward to my daily reads.

I always love to read what other's say about an experience similiar to what I just had.I attended the NWFGS yesterday morning with my friend Linda. Not feeling very social I wore a hat and glasses to try keep a low profile. It didn't work...I saw everyone I know in the Hort world ( except for you!)

Some observations:

1. NO one was there. As I wandered the aisles I saw Ciscoe sitting by himself in a booth. When was the last time you saw Ciscoe alone and unmobbed?

2. It was good to read your take on the display gardens. I was a bit more disappointed. They were well-constructed but the majority lacked any creativity or "risk". Everything felt safe and built for an audience reaction of
" that's nice dear....." and not Wow.... that's different". I agreed that the Smith and Hawkin garden which won nearly every award was by far the best and most innovative.

3. The booths seemed more sparse this year and many of the past perennial participants have reduced their space dramatically ( Luccia comes to mind). The aisles were empty of lookers( at least late morning....)

4. I have been irratated by the PR for the show this year. " It is our last show.....but.... maybe not!" It is playing with us.Perhaps I would have been more sentimental and forgiving if I knew IT WAS the last show.

While the show was a lovely morning diversion, there was nothing new (for me) that I hadn't already seen in the years past and I am afraid to say it felt like a "swan song" this year.

Perhaps, on the off chance, it does continue, I need to go every other year to not be so jaded.

[Stephen Flume]

Hi Val,
I like your website, nicely laid out and easy to navigate. I always look forward to your articles about "Plants I can't live without." I wonder if you could add a category for them; it could turn into a nice catalog and reference list for those times when you're at the nursery and confronted with lots of cultivars.

[Nancy Rankin]

Valoricious in the garden! Great website Val. I had major winter damage this year. Glad to know I wasn't the only one. Thankfully planted some bulbs which are beginning to appear. Chuy saiz arf to Bridget. We be bloggin'.

[Karla Waterman]

Val-
Loved your newsy blog. The Garden Show outside and inside caused quite an attraction so it seems. I'm in Indian Wells taking in the sun.
Karla