Early June Newsletter

Itoh peony ‘Cherry Garcia’ in Dorit Zingarelli’s garden

I know you recently got a May newsletter, but two new classes have been added for June I want you to be aware of – a fool proof pie making class and Fantastic Paper Flowers – plus there’s still room in the embroidery class on June 12th.

In addition to the classes I want you to be aware of classical music happening in lovely gardens on the island this summer courtsey of Whidbey Island Music Festival – details below.

June is certainly peony month and many of the Itoh’s have started to bloom. I’ll include more photos of Itoh’s from my garden.

Now anyone that likes to bake or eat pie may want to consider this fool-proof class in pie making which includes the often illusive part – a successful pie crust! Many years and hundreds of pies latter I can do this with my eyes closed and you will be able to as well. Pie Making was a huge success in 2019, so we are back with a second class. Click on the blue link to register.

This is my ‘little’ brother Frank who wanted to learn our moms recipe and as you can see his crust is even prettier than mine ( they both taste the same).

In this class you can will make a crust perfect for quiche, savory meat pies or summer sweet fruit pies. So many options!!

Peggy Moe with Fantastic Flowers

Peggy Moe is back this year with her very popular Fantastic Paper Flower class. With all supplies and some pre-cut shapes you’ll be able to make a bouquet of about 3 flowers and go home with supplies to add to your bouquet. A wide selection of great paper is provided so anything from bright to subtle can be created. It was super fun and I learned alot from her when she taught.

Itoh peony ‘Lollipop’

In the last few years the nursery was open I started carrying a wide selecion of Itoh’s – they are a cross between tree and herbaceous. They have strong stems like a tree peony, but dye back to the ground like an herbaceous. The stems are much shorter so not as good for cutting but the flowers come in a wide array of sorbet colors that are fantastic. I’ve used them in many design jobs as they are good for gardeners who don’t want to worry about staking floppy large headed peonys. Fall color in the foliage is also outstanding. I’d say worth the investment – they still cost much more but are long lived and carefree.

Itoh peony ‘Bartzella’

This was installed about 18 years ago at a job I continue to maintain and tweak. It was the first Itoh I carried and sold for 98.00 for a gallon – they have now come down to about 65.00 a gallon. In this garden it’s fantastic – deer and rabbit turn up their noses at it and it throws out a massive amount of huge fragrant blooms – I’d say a big return for the investment.

Not sure if there’s a better month than May for glorious bloom – besides the much loved rhododenrons ( which I own only 1 ) there are viburnum & philadelphus ( mock orange ) as well as species clematis which bloom early. This photo is Viburnum ‘Summer Snowflake’ – a tall and narrow grower – with Clematis spooneri clambering over the yew hedge behind as well as into the top of the viburum.

One year when I had to get a grip on the very overgrown yew I wacked it back until there was hardly any green needles. The clematis had to be cut to the ground as it was completley intertwined with the yew.

Well two years latter it was looking jolly again and now it’s more than jolly – it’s stunning.

Bird update!

My husband Tom kept seeing this little bird coming in and out of his shop – so upon closer inspection he found his trusty leather tool belt had an additional function. Our friend Russell Link also has a nest in his tool belt this year as well.

Deep into a pocket is a Bewicks wren nest – we think there is only 1 young but bit hard to tell as it’s way down there. He watches it come in the back door and sneakily go under the band saw and table saw as it makes it’s way to the front of the shop. Did you know wrens are actually very fierce birds? They will attack other larger birds nests and poke holes in the eggs so they abandon and the wren can take over the nesting sight – info courtesy of my ornothologist brother Sievert.

The spotted towhee young have their eyes open now. There were 4 eggs but I’m only seeing 3 young. I shant disturb them to see if another is tucked in the nest. Also being more careful with watering that areas so they don’t get wet and cold.

Sometimes I get excited when I see a long-term vision I’ve had for a garden work out well. This example in Langley I love to drive by, especially in the spring and summer. It’s a house across from the Methodist church postioned on a steeply sloping property. Before I added a wide border of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, it was wide open to all walking by. Now it’s a very lush mixed border – fairly low maintenence – with a wide mixture of colors from yellows to purples and greens.

I’m so excited Tekla Cunningham of the Whidbey Island Music Festival asked if we’d host a garden concert this summer. On July 17 we will have Franz Shubert songs wafting through the gardens!

Tickets for all their concerts are available at Whidbey Island Music Festival website. In addition to this concert, Shirley Collins will host a Bach concert in her garden on August 28. All are asked to bring their own folding chair or blanket to set up in the lawn at both Shirleys garden and my garden, as well as proof of vaccination.

Tekla & David will be hosting a concert of Brahms in June at their gorgeous historic reserve property in Coupleville, with a festive reception as well.

What a great way to celebrate summer and the easing of restrictions on gathering while still staying safe outside.

And don’t forget to put our Summer Arts & Crafts Market, July 31 & August 1 on your calendar. There will be about 25 different artists and wonderful food by a lovely chef. The garden setting is so delightful dotted with umbrellas and a variety of talented artists.

A selection of just a few of the artists are below: