An April visit to Spokane, Washington

I've recently returned from an extended stay in Spokane with my mom, while my brother was off getting some well deserved R & R. Naturally there were plant capers, this photo was taken at Judy's Enchanted Garden, where mom stocked up on flowering plants to add color to her summer garden. The lady who was working that morning could not have been more helpful, including taking our photo.

After Judy's we visited Appleway Florist and Greenhouse, and a couple of big box stores. Here's mom's haul...

There were several picture-perfect Pulsatilla vulgaris already blooming in mom's garden, I couldn't resist snapping a few photos, but managed to edit down to just one.

While in Spokane I was able visit the gardens of a couple plant-people friends, one I've known for years, Cathi, and one I've followed online and just finally met in person, Michael. I'll have future posts on both of their gardens, but today I'm sharing photos of the nurseries/garden centers I visited. I stopped in at Barn & Blossom on my way to Cathi's. 

This location used to be Tower Perennials, but was sold a few years back. The new owners are definitely capitalizing on the beautiful location, it has more of an event space vibe now.

Although there are still hoop houses full of plants for sale.

I think there's a cafe in the mix too.

Next stop (after Cathi's) Haase's Greenhouse...

Here's the crazy thing, they're celebrating 75 years in business, and this is the first time I've been there! I grew up in Spokane, I moved back (from Seattle) in 1998 and in the early 2000's owned a house just 3.5 miles away, and yet I'd not visited until last week.

A greenhouse named Petunia...

I'd hate to be standing under that in a rainstorm.

So as you look at these photos I want you to think about this fact. Haase's is only open for 3 months a year; April, May, and June. They are closed from July-February (yes I realize that leaves out March, I wonder what that's about? Maybe hedging their bets and open if they want to be?).

This is a lot of plants to sell in just 3 months.

Spokane gardeners must turn out in a very big way to buy from Haase's...

Yes that's moss growing on the liner under the sweet potato vine.

Begonias! ($4.75 ea)

There were many Fuchsia...

And oh so many Coleus ($4.50 ea).

This was a surprise, I think he was just taking a nap?

Senecio candidans 'Angel Wings' was available in every nursery or garden center I visited in Spokane. It must be a very popular annual there.

I suspect there have been issues.

In case you're wondering just how big this place is...

One of these things is not like the others. Before I left I meant to ask if they wanted to get rid of that lone aloe, but I forgot.

Out back. Yes I always make it a point to nose around the entire nursery area if I can.

Oh gosh no. Please don't sell the dreaded Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegata' (variegated bishop’s weed) without a warning! Sure, they say "aggressive" but really that word should be in bold caps and highlighted.

Another day, another nursery; the Plant Farm is where I spotted this Aglaonema pictum tricolor, or yes, the camouflage plant. A tropical houseplant, I managed to leave it behind.

One last nursery, which I visited simply to see the greenhouse structure again, Liberty Park Greenhouse. I occasionally drove by this nursery when I lived in Spokane, as it was just a mile and a half from my house.

So many bedding annuals!

This hybrid Delphinium 'Red Lark' caught my eye, but I left it behind.

So what did I bring home? A bunch of dark sempervivum from my mom's garden...

For years I've considered her a "hens and chicks" pusher, generously giving a handful of plants if you asked about them. This time though, she told me to dig them up and take them all, she was done with them. There may have been mention of the flowers and the fact they "look like a penis" (so said my aunt, and my mom couldn't stop seeing it there after). 

Okay... they'll be doing their penis thing in my garden now.

From my mom's garden I also clipped this little piece of fasciated or crested growth on Sedum rupestre 'Angelina'. I'm hoping it will transplant well and keep growing in my garden.

Mom bought herself a Crassula 'Garnet Lotus' and picked up one for me too.

The rest of my haul are all gift plants from my visit to Michael's garden. First up, Impatiens morsei (Velvet Love)...

A leaf cutting from Begonia 'Taconite', Michael's plants were showing off an impressive blue iridescence. 

And a rhizome cutting of Begonia 'Steve's Leaves Deb's Fireflies' 

And finally (saved till the end) a group photo of all the good things from Michael, including an amazing fern!

Neolepisorus ovatus

Michael bought the mother plant on a trip to Hawaii and has since cut the rhizome and propagated additional plants. I feel so very lucky to have been given one and just hope I can keep it alive!

The Bit at the End

If you're in the area, Spokane has quite a selection of spring plant sales. The Master Gardener Foundation of Spokane County held their spring sale last weekend (info here), unfortunately even though I was in town I missed it. The big Spokane Garden Expo happens on May 9th, and on June 6th the Friends of Manito Park hold their plant sale. 

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Santa Cruz drive-by garden

Driving the streets of Santa Cruz, CA, on our way to the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, I caught sight of an interesting home. Andrew was behind the wheel, and he requires plenty of warning before making an unscheduled stop, so I mentally filed the location away for after the Arboretum visit.

You'd be curious if you saw this too, am I right?

When we returned, we parked on a side street, and the back of the house was visible. I started snapping photos as soon as I got out of the car.

I later learned (doing a little research, which I'll share below) the home's address and main entrance used to be on this side.

But somewhere along the way this corner spot became the address.

Curious what the sign on the door says? I feel a little like they were inviting me in.

Instead I just peeked through the cracks...

Moving on... wowsa, that's a nice Echium.

Another Echium, and Agaves...

Beyond the charming entrance, these are what told me I needed to stop and take a closer look.

Hmmm, another entrance!

These days everyone has security cameras, I was pretty sure I was being recorded as I scanned with my eyes, and pointed my camera. 

Are you looking at me?

More Agaves...

More Echium...

Backtracking along the oddly rustic fence.

Back past the front entrance...

And to where I started, but in the five or so minutes since my first photo, the light has changed enough that you can better see a few details, like the pond and the conservatory off the back of the house.

Rock-edged bridge.

Kind of a jumble...

Zoomed in.

The best shot I could get of the conservatory.

Online sleuthing is where I found this, the property's Historic Building Survey. The home was built for Aloysius G Finn, a Santa Cruz insurance firm owner in the fall of 1926. Estimated costs of permitting and building were $7,500.

The "small" house is listed as 2,170 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. I know that's not McMansion sized, but still, I don't think over 2,000 sq ft qualifies as small? Perhaps it was enlarged after this survey was done. If you click on this link and then on the words Fly Around you can take an aerial cruise over the property. I just wish you could see more of the garden!

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All material © 2009-2026 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.