The Whistling Gardener

by Steve Smith

Steve Smith is owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville, located at 3915 Sunnyside Blvd., and a respected local expert on all things horticultural. You can reach Steve at 425-334-2002 or by e-mail at info@sunnysidenursery.net.

Indeed, spring is in the air--or to be more precise, the sounds of spring are in the air. In the last week I have observed the cacophony of tree frogs in the nearby retention pond, the cries of killdeers in our gravel parking lot, the very loud and very early morning chirping of robins on my back lawn and flickers drilling on the roof vents of my house. These avian sounds always remind me that spring is close at hand.

Of course there are many indicators in the plant world that also tell us that spring is coming. Early blooming shrubs, perennials and bulbs are also dependable signs of spring. Here are a couple of early bloomers that are sure to get us in the mood for gardening.

Bergenia "Morning Red"-I have often spoken of the attributes of this workhorse perennial which is evergreen, adaptable to moisture, drought, sun or shade and virtually bullet-proof in our gardens. There are many forms with flowers in a range from white to a rich pink, and foliage that can change to a delicious mahogany in the winter. While walking through our perennial department today I couldn't help but notice a variety called Morning Red. The flower spikes have already emerged and extended up to 12 inches tall with dark pink stems topped with a cluster of rich pink flower buds. This is a reliable bloomer every year and requires minimal maintenance during the season to keep it looking tidy. Slugs don't seem to bother it, aphids ignore it and it never gets mildew or any other diseases to speak of. You can tuck it into a rockery, use it as an edging plant in your borders or even plant it in a combination container as a filler or spiller plant. What's not to like about Bergenia "Morning Red"?

Pieris Valley Valentine-if ever there was a broadleaf evergreen that personified the northwest (other than a rhodie or azalea) it would have to be Pieris. Commonly known as Andromeda, this shrub has been used for centuries for foundation plantings and for good reason. Through the last three nasty winters it has soldiered on without any damage at all. The bell-shaped flowers come out early in the season and last for at least 6 weeks and draw our native mason bees and honey bees into our yards to help pollinate our fruit trees and blueberries. The bell-shaped flowers are reminiscent of heather and are, in fact, in the same family. Usually white in color, Valley Valentine is a stunning dark pink to red and is a real standout in the garden compared to the other white or pale pink variations. If I was to pick one Pieris for my garden it would be Valley Valentine, without question.

This week's chore-well, as always, I am torn as to which task to give the highest priority. I think the most critical thing for us to do this week or next is to finish (or start for some of us) the removal of debris from our beds. While I like to leave my beds in a "messy" state most of the winter so the birds can rummage in and over all the fallen leaves and stems, it is time to clean up and remove the carnage from winter's winds and rains so the ground can see the light of day and begin to wake up, warm up and make way for the new shoots of our perennials. If we wait too long, we often end up damaging these tender shoots which can lead to very disappointing results in summer. So, carefully clean out your flower beds this coming week, remove whatever weeds have already sprouted, start thinking about what you would like to add, and by the end of the month it will be time to fertilize and spread a layer of mulch over the bare ground. This ritual will almost always guarantee a weed-free bed for the rest of the year.

Steve Smith can be reached at the nursery at 425-334-2002 or online at info@sunnysidenursery.net