Wild and full, this gorgeous preserved wreath is hand-crafted using organic botanicals harvested from a woman-owned farm in the Pacific Northwest.

Since opening in 1992, the 53-acre Bellevue Botanical Garden has become one of the most popular public gardens in the Pacific Northwest. The design of the new visitor center accommodates the garden’s growing visitation, while also blurring the boundaries between architecture and the gardens.

Listed below are arboretums and botanical gardens* in cities throughout the Puget Sound region. Most gardens specialize in one or more aspects of Pacific Northwest native plants. A few offer non-native varieties and some have exotic specimens from far flung corners of the globe. These public gardens are regularly open to visitors, some all year […]

Wild and full, this gorgeous preserved wreath is hand-crafted using organic botanicals harvested from a woman-owned farm in the Pacific Northwest.

Making your own complex and refreshing herbal liquor is easier than you might think... capture the healing properties and flavors of your own local herbs and spices in a delicious libation I call "Peridot," modeled after the mysterious Chartreuse.

Though mostly known for its woodland garden of choice woody and herbaceous plants, the Elisabeth C Miller Botanical Garden also offers a sunny, dry slope that is filled with equally exciting treasures suitable for the water-conserving Pacific Northwest garden.

Let me take you on a tour of my Pacific Northwest (PNW) cottage and cut flower gardens to show you what's been blooming this summer.

When we bought our first home, almost 25 years ago, the only thing I knew was that plants were green. Turns out that was wrong too! After a quarter century of gardening in the Pacific Northwest, I have learned a lot about the process and...

Since opening in 1992, the 53-acre Bellevue Botanical Garden has become one of the most popular public gardens in the Pacific Northwest. The design of the new visitor center accommodates the garden’s growing visitation, while also blurring the boundaries between architecture and the gardens.

Add these old-fashioned, low-maintenance perennials to your yard. They're among the easiest and most colorful you can grow.

When we bought our first home, almost 25 years ago, the only thing I knew was that plants were green. Turns out that was wrong too! After a quarter century of gardening in the Pacific Northwest, I have learned a lot about the process and...

Heliotrope is a sun-loving flower that blooms in summer and fills the garden with fragrance.

Achlys triphylla After 4 straight animal posts (3 of them vertebrates), I thought I’d turn to the botanical world for this profile. This plant goes by a variety of common names, including Deerfoot,…

The palette of native shrubs to choose from in the Pacific Northwest is so wide and varied that it can be difficult to narrow down your options when it's time to start planting. Marina French , restoration designer and landscape architect at The Watershed Company, shares five native shrubs that hav

This quirky illustration showcases the Wildflowers of the Northwest, from the thick stem aster and the lupine to the forget-me-not and the California poppy. This print is bursting with color, and each flower's name is incorporated. It is the perfect piece to hang in your living room, office, nursery, or gift to your plant loving friend. This print is is 8x10" and is available unframed or mounted. Unframed prints are ready for you to frame and display as you choose. Mounted prints are seamlessly mounted on a pine board, sealed with a matte varnish, and are ready to hang or display in your home. They have a saw tooth hanger on the back, as well as felt circles on the corners for easy hanging. // DETAILS: • 8” x 10” printed illustration • printed on thick, eco-friendly natural white recycled cardstock • lovingly packaged in a compostable cellophane bag and a sturdy mailer // U.S. SHIPPING: All orders are shipped via USPS First Class Mail (2-5 Days). If you purchase a shipping upgrade, your package will ship via USPS Priority Mail (1-3 Days). You will be emailed a confirmation once the package is shipped. // INTERNATIONAL: All international orders are shipped via USPS First Class International Mail. You will be emailed a confirmation once the package is shipped. These delightful illustrations are dreamed up and hand drawn in Northern California. Enjoy passing on their whimsical charm! All designs ©Pen&Pine.

See dramatic sandstone cliffs, secluded coves, a lush botanical garden, and tons of wildlife near Coos Bay, Oregon.

Although it looks exotic, Pacific madrone — a beautiful broadleaf evergreen tree with a captivating and distinctive presence that transforms with the seasons — is endemic to the Paci…

I consider myself very lucky to live where I do, in the Pacific Northwest. The temperate weather and ... Read More

We have always been fascinated with the Mediterranean—its culture, its art, its many languages, and, most of all, its plants. We even bought an abandoned village house in the mountains of Crete and, a few years ago, joined the Mediterranean Garden Society. Now we operate a greenhouse/nursery called Mesogeo (Greek for Mediterranean) and grow mediterranean-climate plants and hardy tropicals suited to the Pacific Northwest.

Map, photos and information to unlock the 10 most inspiring and best botanical gardens in the Seattle area -- from a Pacific Northwest local.

Since opening in 1992, the 53-acre Bellevue Botanical Garden has become one of the most popular public gardens in the Pacific Northwest. The design of the new visitor center accommodates the garden’s growing visitation, while also blurring the boundaries between architecture and the gardens.

These shrubs for shade add colorful flowers and foliage to low-light situations.

Let’s face it, Andrew Key’s new book Why Grow That, When You Can Grow This? 255 Extraordinary Alternatives to Everyday Problem Plants was not written for me. He begins by acknowledging that as gardeners the grass is always greener “in the other garden” you know...we want what we cannot grow. Sure, I hear that, Lord knows I hear that. But then he lost me. Get this, he suggests that by matching the plants we choose to our climate, soil and sunlight conditions they’ll thrive and we’ll be happier gardeners. What? I've been going about this all wrong. I thought you were supposed to choose the plants you love and then move heaven and earth to make them happy! (you know like the work involved in growing desert plants in rainy Oregon) Okay, I kid. As much as I love pushing what will grow in my garden there are times you just have to accept the plant you are drawn to is just not the right plant for you. Andrew helps readers through this realization by identifying plants that replicate at least three or more traits of the “problem plant,” things such as hardiness, shape, color, texture, light, and size. And as a bonus this also means if you adore a particular plant in your garden the alternatives provide ideas of how to include more of what you love. For instance as an alternative for Yucca filamentosa (evidently some people see this perfectly lovely creature as a “gas station plant” and thus an unsavory character, whatever!) he offers Dasylirion wheeleri, which I believe is a wonderful, yet underutilized, plant. This brings me to another point about the book; it was an education to read what some of the problem plants were and why they were seen as such. For instance everyone’s favorite hardy palm (at least here in the Pacific Northwest) Trachycarpus fortunei was said to look best “in the neighbors garden” because up close they are all trunk, oh my! That particular Trachy (above) is in my neighbors garden, but what I wouldn't give to have a few of those trunks in my garden! (then again I have a friend who is a little repelled by the hairy trunks so I guess to each her own) I asked Andrew about how he went about compiling the list of problem plants he addresses in the book. Here’s what he had to say… “You might have noticed a few categories, in no particular order: Plants like roses that tend to be problematic because they get pests or diseases that require unsustainable inputs of time, maintenance, fertilizer, chemicals, etc. Plants that only have one season of interest, especially when there are underused alternatives that do something similar in one season, but do other cool stuff the rest of the year. Plants that aren't hardy or don't thrive in or some significant portion of North America, like agave not overwintering in-ground in really cold, wet regions (oh, how I wish it would), or peony where it's hot. Plants that are considered invasive species in some significant portion of North America. Scotch broom in the Northwest, for example. Plants that are often pegged as boring or overused, like hostas, for better or worse. Plants that have plenty of redeeming value but are looked down on because, say, they're so tough they get planted at gas stations. Yep, this is my beloved yucca.” Thank god he see's beyond the Yucca's "gas station" reputation! I do love the problem/alternative section, there is so much information packed onto each page, and pictures too. The one puzzling thing is that Andrew gently urges his readers to get comfortable using a plants botanical name (and rightfully so), pointing out the confusion that can arise from the use of common names. But then the layout of the problem/alternative section puts the common name at the top of the page (prominent placement) with the botanical name appearing underneath in very small print, very small. Odd. So did I find an alternative for a problem plant in my garden? No not right away, mainly because I don’t really have any problem plants I want to replace, after-all I collect problem plants! I was however thinking about the book the day after I took cuttings of my Blue Senecio. I walked into the back garden and instead of seeing the lovely chalky blue on the left echoing the blue of my Melianthus on the right (and in the foreground, also on the right, the Echium wildpretii)… I saw just this, a green hole… I started thinking about what I could plant there that would give me the same look year round. I wanted something that popped with color and had a similar shape to the chalk sticks (which are not hardy here in Zone 8). That’s when it hit me. What plant have I recently been pining over that has nearly that same powder blue, and also includes the golden tones of the Hakonechloa under the Melianthus? Yep, I bought another Yucca ‘Bright Star.' How about another one? (this is fun!) Asparagus densiflorus (Asparagus fern) is enjoying resurgence in popularity, yet it’s not hardy to temperatures much below 25F. What plant could replicate the soft, fluffy fox-tail like spears of the Asparagus fern? How about a Grevillea that’s hardy to 15F? When posting photos of my Grevillea juniperina 'Molonglo' last week I noticed it had a definite resemblance … So for me the best part of this book might not be the actual substitutes presented within, but the way it gets me thinking about my plant choices. And that’s a very good thing! Want more? If you’re planning to attend the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle this February Andrew is speaking on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. No doubt he’ll be pulling case studies from the book, and something tells me he’s got a pretty wicked sense of humor too, I plan to catch at least one of his talks. Oh yes, and time for the disclaimer…Timber Press sent me a review copy of this book (yes free), but I was under no obligation to say nice things. If I didn't like it I wouldn't have written a review...

Map, photos and information to unlock the 10 most inspiring and best botanical gardens in the Seattle area -- from a Pacific Northwest local.

• Provide essential habitat for at-risk native pollinators, birds and wildlife • 100% native to the Pacific Northwest with over a dozen wildflower varieties adapted to your local ecosystem • These long-lasting, resilient native wildflowers are extremely low maintenance once established • Expertly curated for Northern California, Western Oregon, Western Washington and the Province of British Columbia • All of our seed is 100% pure, non-GMO and neonicotinoid free

Since opening in 1992, the 53-acre Bellevue Botanical Garden has become one of the most popular public gardens in the Pacific Northwest. The design of the new visitor center accommodates the garden’s growing visitation, while also blurring the boundaries between architecture and the gardens.

These native plants help keep your gardening looking good through the seasons.

Since opening in 1992, the 53-acre Bellevue Botanical Garden has become one of the most popular public gardens in the Pacific Northwest. The design of the new visitor center accommodates the garden’s growing visitation, while also blurring the boundaries between architecture and the gardens.

Since opening in 1992, the 53-acre Bellevue Botanical Garden has become one of the most popular public gardens in the Pacific Northwest. The design of the new visitor center accommodates the garden’s growing visitation, while also blurring the boundaries between architecture and the gardens.

From the best water conservation practices to xeriscaping ideas, here's what you need to know to help your landscape survive during a drought.

Peruse our list of native plants of the Pacific Northwest. Natives are beneficial for wildlife and add natural diversity to your garden. Includes Alpine Strawberry, Broadleaf Lupine, and Columbine, among others.

Since opening in 1992, the 53-acre Bellevue Botanical Garden has become one of the most popular public gardens in the Pacific Northwest. The design of the new visitor center accommodates the garden’s growing visitation, while also blurring the boundaries between architecture and the gardens.

Since opening in 1992, the 53-acre Bellevue Botanical Garden has become one of the most popular public gardens in the Pacific Northwest. The design of the new visitor center accommodates the garden’s growing visitation, while also blurring the boundaries between architecture and the gardens.

Making your own complex and refreshing herbal liquor is easier than you might think... capture the healing properties and flavors of your own local herbs and spices in a delicious libation I call "Peridot," modeled after the mysterious Chartreuse.

Add the beauty of the Pacific Northwest to any room with this stunning botanical art print. Featuring ferns of the region, it's a perfect way to appreciate nature from the comfort of your own home. Its accurate identification of the plants helps you to learn more about the natural world around you. Enjoy the beauty of the northwest with this Pacific Northwest Ferns art! Museum quality art print created with fade resistant 19pt Savoy Cotton archival paper and ink.  Packaged in a plant-based commercially compostable cello sleeve with sturdy recycled backing board. (Frame not included.) DETAILS: 11 x 14 inches. Art print only, frame not included. Museum quality art print created with fade resistant 19pt Savoy Cotton archival paper and ink.  Ships flat, sealed in a compostable cello sleeve within a sturdy cardboard mailer. Due to monitor variations, colors may differ slightly from those on your screen. Copyright © 2023 by Brigida Swanson. All rights reserved. Questions about shipping? Visit our Shipping FAQ's. Other questions? Visit our general FAQ's. About Yardia:  Yardia is a gift and stationery company owned and operated by me, Brigida Swanson. I create nature-inspired watercolor home decor, gifts and stationery that help gardeners and hikers to express their intersectional identities and love the place they live. Learn more on our About page. About the Artist I'm Brigida, a CHamoru and multiracial artist based in Seattle, Washington. Nature's like family to me. Creating art about nature is how I feel most connected to the ancestral values of my CHamoru heritage, and to the Pacific Northwest culture in which I was raised. It's why I create products that express a kinship with nature, so that we can all experience a sense of belonging and wonder.

There's no better spring activity than visiting gardens to see flowers in bloom. Here are 10 amazing gardens in the Pacific Northwest.

Since opening in 1992, the 53-acre Bellevue Botanical Garden has become one of the most popular public gardens in the Pacific Northwest. The design of the new visitor center accommodates the garden’s growing visitation, while also blurring the boundaries between architecture and the gardens.

Since opening in 1992, the 53-acre Bellevue Botanical Garden has become one of the most popular public gardens in the Pacific Northwest. The design of the new visitor center accommodates the garden’s growing visitation, while also blurring the boundaries between architecture and the gardens.

You've got to check out these magical places in the Northwest!