PLEASE excuse a second March email – some couldn’t see photos and the link to the new class listed was not working so this is a corrected repeat.
Thanks for sticking with me through my technological problems!
Spring does indeed feel like it really has arrived beteen the hellebores, currents and narcissus that are blooming – to say nothing of the scent of cottonwood buds in the air and the unfurling of magenta salmonberry blooms. No matter how many years you live, it seems that spring always ushers in new hope, be it new projects or cleaning up and simplifying old gardens.
Primula veris – Cowslip
And what better way to clean up and simplify than sharing old plants and divisions with young people excited to make their home beautiful?
Caitlin and Sam Stanton and son Forrest, along with their friends Anna, Nicole and Kenny, were over recently digging plants I don’t need anymore. I meet Caitlin and Sam when they sold their Whidbey Herbal products at the Winter Arts & Crafts Market. We hit it off and I saw they were eager to make more gardens on their property. It’s certainly a win / win situation for us all.
The Whidbey Herbal products are really lovely and they will be participating in our July 30 & 31 Summer Arts and Crafts Market as well.
Forrest was entertained throwing hellebore blooms into the pond that I had to cut down in order to move a large dogwood. What better way to get kids to love gardens than playing in them and helping?
This darling child was totally entranced by floating flowers. Her parents also got plants for their new home. It feels fabulous to be able to share the wealth of this old garden and help young families who love to garden, since we can’t justify buying plants when putting food on the table comes first.
I recall selling used childrens clothes in order to buy my first very special plant – a star magnolia for $25.00 in a 5 gallon pot in 1985.
Garden clean up and restoration for a purpose.
Boxwood right against the lattice – almost 2 years after cutting back severely – with Lonicera ‘Baggesen’s Gold’ in front, which was cut back to 8″ tall. It came back much more quickly of course as it’s a fast growing shrub.
Close up of boxwood – you can see some branches can be cut even lower if desired – they will get covered up as the shrub grows
Cleaning up and simplifying is exactly where I’ve been headed the past few years. The very large boxwoods that surround the front porch were up to the railing. When the house got painted in 2020 they needed to get cut WAY back so the lattice could get fresh paint.
Cindy Smith, whose fabulous garden has been on the Whidbey Island Garden Tour, asked me recently if the boxwoods and osmanthus hedge I hacked back 2 years ago came back out. Hers were broken over by the snow this year. So here are photos to prove that you CAN prune some plants very hard.
Yes, you must have patience to put up with their skelton-like bones until new growth appears. It also helps to have a clever husband who jumps at the chance to turn thick boxwood trunks into spoons. It feels good for the many years of growth to be transformed into something useful and beautiful. Smoking pipes were traditionally carved out of boxwood, as the wood is so hard it could be finely carved.
We just added a new class to the website. On May 21st Barb Schlitz RN, MS, CN, as well as a long time volunteer and board member of Whidbey Island Nourishes will be leading the class Tasty & Healthy – Cooking Gluten & Sugar Free
The class will be held in Barbs spaceous kitchen on Whidbey Island. Her 35 years of working as a nurse, nutrition consultant, and projects with Dr Mark Hyman and Dr Jeffery Bland make her more than qualified to answer most questions. You’ll most likely be inspired to try new recipes, as well as understand how changing a few things in your diet can have an enormous benefit to your health and wellness.
You will leave the class with recipes and inspiration after tasting the delights that can be made. These gluten free cranberry muffins will be among the tasting items. Both savory & sweet items along with a gluten-free bread will be covered.
Barb will donate all her fees to W.I.N. – Whidbey Island Nourishes – as she has a passion that our local kids have enough nutritious food so they can thrive.
Back for a second round is the popular Indigo Gathering Weekend with Elin Noble – this year a two day class, July 9 & 10
Held outside in the gardens, you’ll have two full days of binding, wrapping, clamping and dying both supplies Elin provides as well as things you bring from home. It’s very inspiring to do this work in a class where you can see what others create. Elin is an accomplished artist and craftsperson. A lovely bio is included in the class description. We are all lucky she relocated to Whidbey recently.
15% of the class fees will go to Whidbey Island Nourishes as a way to give back to this community.
There are more upcoming classes which don’t have all the details determined just yet. A heads up is Sarah Slovensky of Hoffelt & Hooper Co will return to teach another embroidery class with a different focus than last years. That will most likely be scheduled the end of May.
I’m also talking to another basket maker for a late summer class. A few other surprises are in the works as well as the Summer Arts & Crafts Market July 30 & 31, so stay tuned!
Kaili, our pine needle, nettle cordage and cedar bark teacher is planning to jump back into teaching latter in the summer.
The largest cottonwood tree – Balm of Gilead – I’ve ever seen. I’m a bit late but will still gather buds to have oil for next years salve making.
The pileated woodpecker still visits the suet much to our delight.
Our April 2 Birds, Ducks & Forest Restoration class, which was listed last month, had to be canceled due to unforseen matters. My apologies.
White flowering current – Ribes ‘White Icicle’ in front of a restroom at the Washington Park Arboretum.
I hope you can enjoy the longer hours of sunlight and the renewing effects of spring.
Stay well,
Mary Fisher
www.cultusbaygardens.com
Cultus Bay Gardens
Whidbey Island
7568 Cultus Bay Rd
Clinton WA