Although the Pacific Northwest lies at the same parallel of latitude as Duluth , Minnesota and Bangor , Maine , the moderate ocean air keep its wintertime temperature fairly mild and its summertime temperatures fairly cool . The editors of the " Sunset Western Garden Book " remark that the climate is much the same as southern England , and that like that area , gardener in the Pacific Northwest have many unlike landscaping works to choose from .
Rhododendrons
The Northwest is one of the premier areas in the country for growing rhododendrons and azaleas ( which are actually a variety of rhododendron ) . The Pacific rhododendron is the only native plant , and most nurseryman opt for a plant from the Brobdingnagian variety of Asian rhodies or azalea that both come in many people of color , sizing and odor . Most gardeners shoes rhodies strategically here and there in the garden rather than creating a rhododendron bulwark or ghetto at the back of their property . Check the potential high carefully when buying plants , as some varieties are heavyset or miniature and others can make up to 25 feet improbable .
Eco-Friendly Practices
Using sustainable materials and method acting in landscaping is popular in the Northwest . Local nurseryman utilise a circle of stone and other earth - friendly materials , and most masses care to choose at least a few native plants that are sure to do well in their landscape painting . Because summers can be wry , plants that are large-minded of modest watering are popular too , such as lavender or vinca . The Washington Nursery & Landscape Association suggests other sustainable exercise for northwesterly gardener such as rock garden for dry landscape painting areas , bamboo for building arbor and recycle materials like previous headboard for mount plants , or an old smoothing iron bathtub for a water feature article .
Native Plants
The sword fern , a Northwest native that grow well in shaded field , is used extensively in Northwest landscape for easy caution and because it form well range throughout the landscape painting . In a shadowy location with rich dirt , sword fern can reach up to 4 foot high . Another popular landscaping choice is westerly hemorrhage pump , which provides feathery leaf and a dangling flower on stems that can develop up to 18 inches tall . For native shrubs to place in the midriff of the landscape painting , prefer either salal , which can get leggy without veritable pruning , or redtwig dogwood , which provides bright red stems for wintertime color .
Consider Removing Your Lawn
Because many Northwest lawns do n’t get enough summertime sun or piddle to really fly high , and because they are frequently overrun with moss , local householder sometimes eliminate a lawn altogether . Noted Northwest garden generator Ann Lovejoy wrote in her Kitsap Sun gardening column , " athirst lawn often jeopardise the health or tree and shrub , " and that northwest homeowners should consider replace their lawns with golden water grass and compact rhododendron to savour a rude " Japanesque moss garden . "
References
Related
