Arrangement by Brita Fisher
Brita Fisher with arrangements – she’s our stellar floral & wreath teacher. She’s wearing a new Maemae dress – more good dresses and tops will be at our Summer Market
Our pie making class last Saturday was a big success – as one person wrote to me ” thanks for demystifying pie making for me – I’ll be making more!”
We had a great group including 3 tall men who needed to work at the island for rolling out their dough.
Everyone made an apple /raspberry pie to take home and bake. I do believe they got my old family recipe down as well as my pie philosophy – lots of fruit with a minimal amount of sugar encased in a thin flaky crust!
NOTICE – the Fantastic Flower Class scheduled for June 26th was canceled sadly due to low numbers. It was such a popular class in 2019 I certainly want to offer it again but Peggy needs a minimum of 8 students to make it fly. Do let me know if you’re interested in another date.
Old nursery friends will be happy to see the shining face of this stellar plantswoman and friend, Linda Apsitis, alive and well among the treasures we found at Cistus Nursery on Suavy Island outside of Portland. This incredible plant with the cut leaves is Corylus avellana ‘Burgandy Lace’ – headed to grace the double border at Shirley Collins home.
Shirley and I visited Linda at her new home in Vancouver WA and of course our time was primarily spent visiting 3 great nurseries.
The most theraputic thing Linda could do after the lose of her dear husband Clarence was fill her space with plants. Linda always had a great eye for combinations – she set up the amazing displays at my nursery which inspired and calmed people just to walk through.
Her groupings are so lovely and everywhere we turned it was a feast for the eye.
The begonias, in the photo above, were inspired by a mass potting for a client we did for many years for their shady entrance – so much inpact having all one kind of flower together.
Linda also had a long bed with many vegetables intersersed with flowers that control insects – beauty and function together. We also had salad for dinner from this thin long garden.
After soaking up the peaceful beauty with a glass of ice tea we headed out to Portland Nursery – large and so many great plants – nothing extrememly rare – although I did find a new salix I love which looks more like a sage! Prices are great – a trip to Portland is worth it – bring a truck and trailer so you can hit a few.
The entrance gardens at Cistus Nursery are pure magic – so many very unusual plants woven together in combos that I would not have thought of. It’s completely inspiring to see such design work. This strappy kangaroo paw was paired with this delicate pale yellow rose – not a combo that would have crossed my mind – plus it was very shady and the rose was so healthy.
Inside the nursery are many great tropical plants and many other hardy ones as well for sale.
As you can see some of these specimens are just for show.
Linda, Shirley and I had no problem finding many treasures to pack in the rather small car.
Shirley takes the prise for the largest plant we packed in – a 15 gallon speciman of Corylus avellana ‘Burgandy Lace’. It’s an outstanding plant with gorgeous cut leaves and burgandy new growth.
Back home to some simple but ever-sweet pleasures of plants in my garden – golden hops with the blue leave rose – Rosa glauca.
COMING RIGHT UP – SUMMER ARTS & CRAFTS MARKET
kimber elements is one of our Seattle artists with stunning beadwork and other jewelery. Her IG site is @kimberelements if you’d like to see more of her work.
Succulents-in-Bowl by Trisha Gilmore
Tree Seed by Trisha Gilmore- acrylic and vintage collage papers.
Trisha will have her delightfully fresh paintings – most botanically inspired – at the Summer Market. She’s taught art and exhibited in the NW. Trisha’s IG site is @trishagilmore
Painted agate necklace – Renee Boyce
Local artist Renee Boyce will return this year with her popular tightly painted stones and rocks creating jewelery and mandala like rocks. Renee’s IG site is @freelandartshack
Jesse Proebstel
Jesse Proebstel
Seattle woodworker Jesse Proebstel will have spoons, brooms, bowls and stirring untensils – both attractive and useful tools.
Jesse’s IG site is @jesse_proebstel
If you’re from Whidbey good chance you know this artist. Paula Pugh is creating delightfully whimsical paper bird collages. Many talents from this well known local musician!
Cotton & Linen tops and dresses in great fabrics – all prewashed and ready to go by Maemae.
I took on my grandmother name as my brand for the clothing I love to make – all so comfortable and stylish. Custom orders if you can’t find you’re size.
Many more artists will be particiapating so be sure to mark your calenders for July 31 & August 1. Both days from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
We have some classes forming for September. – I’m taking August off due to a family from California visiting.
An all day indigo dying class on Sept 11, from 9am – 4 pm will be held with the accomplished textile artist Elin Noble . We will work outside so you will have plenty of space to manipulate your fabric and dip your piece. Elin as taught in numerous locations, as well as having her art work in mutiple locations and galleries.
Patti King , textile artist in multiple mediums will be teaching the Korean based art of bogagi on Saturday Sepember 18 – also an all day class.
Bogagi is both a beautiful craft and mediative practice – Patti has a great outlook on this tecnique and will have a wide selection of fabrics to use.
Patti is a weaver, dyer, pillow maker, and hand stitch artist. It’s always great to see what she’s created.
Nettle cordage making and pine needle basket making are also to be scheduled for late summer / early fall.
Don’t forget about getting your tickets to Whidbey Island Music Festival – concerts in gardens will be delightful, We host one on July 17th starting at 4 pm. You must also bring your own folding chair to the concerts at my garden and the one at Shirley’s garden on August 28th.
Vaccinations are required.
Hope to see you at the concert or the market.
Mary Fisher
Cultus Bay Gardens
7568 Cultus Bay Rd
Clinton WA