Dirt Therapy - Gardening in the Pacific Northwest

Savill Garden - a second visit

2026-06-22T20:18:04.241-07:00

This was a repeat for me. The Savill Garden was on the tour last year. Of course, it is later in the year, so different things to see. Uncomfortably warm. The best thing were the hydrangeas and the stunning alstroemeria that you can see in the top photo. The rose garden was mostly spent which makes me wonder about Sissinghurst next week.

This was the most impressive Persicaria ‘Planter’s Palette’ I’ve seen. We grow it in our garden but it has never flourished. I’m sure it needs more sun.

‘Flame Thrower’ redbud is called ‘Eternal Flame’ here in the UK.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Windsor Castle

2026-06-22T20:10:22.722-07:00

After breakfast, the group walked up to Windsor Castle. Very crowded with people and souvenir shops. Unfortunately reminded me of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This was the line of people at the castle. The line moved fast though.

Most of my photos are exterior as indoor photography is not allowed. That did not deter people however. I took a few of Queen Mary’s dollhouse because it was in a dark room and very incredible.

The Queen Mary’s dollhouse stood at least 6 feet tall and had four sides.

The most incredible though was the chapel (outside view below). It was unbelievably beautiful- the architecture, ceiling, crypts, stained glass windows, arches, just stunning.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Eton College

2026-06-22T12:57:18.497-07:00

This morning after breakfast, John Barker and I walked around town, before our tour of Windsor Castle. We walked down to Eaton College where we saw amazing architecture. There were students all over the place, but apparently classes are over and this was the last day.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Windsor England

2026-06-21T14:56:45.309-07:00

I’m back in England again, this time for a garden tour of southeast England. I’m trying something different this time. Instead of waiting until I get back home and taking forever to get everything posted, I’m going to try it on my phone. Since I failed miserably at keeping a written journal on my last trip, this will be a true and original use of a blog - an online diary.

Unfortunately, there are limitations, the main one being that my text will probably be lacking.

My 11 hour flight landed today (Sunday morning) around 9:30 am. Right off the bat, I discovered that there is not a train from London to Windsor. That left me with either the option of a taxi or bus. I am still an amateur at all this (Lois Moss, where are you!). Despite the expense, I took the easiest option- a taxi. The 20 mile ride cost me 60 pounds!

Arrived at the hotel too early to check in, but they did hold my luggage. It was hot and I was overdressed to walk around too much. I spent a lot of time reading on a shaded bench in a charming little garden in front of the hotel. The hotel is the Christopher Wren. He has great historical interest, but there isn’t time to research.

After finally getting checked in around 2pm, the day improved. After taking a much needed nap, I went to the welcome dinner. I had cauliflower soup, lemon chicken and brownie. After dinner, I took a walk and took photos.

Tomorrow, Windsor Castle (which is right next door to the hotel) and Saville Garden.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Lychnis 'Orange Gnome'

2026-06-16T22:29:34.094-07:00

In an earlier post, I was praising Lychnis 'Petite Jenny'. Well, here is another one that I'm loving at the moment. It is named 'Orange Gnome' and the flowers are much larger.

I've actually tried to grow this before, in the ground, but wasn't successful. It is performing spectacularly in a pot. I have it planted with a canna and a celosia. The other two plants are not doing much yet, but 'Orange Gnome' has been blooming for weeks now, and I just deadheaded some of it today. The flowers are a vivid, neon orange, and the foliage is an attractive bronze color.

This is a sun-loving plant. I have it in a spot with mostly sun, although it gets morning shade. The pot gets watered daily and occasional fertilizing with bloom booster and sometimes fish emulsion.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Volunteering at Rogerson Clematis Garden

2026-06-15T17:32:06.085-07:00

I've been doing some volunteer work at the Rogerson Clematis Garden and, aside from the torturous drive, I've been enjoying it. Not only is it a beautiful place to spend time, but I'm also learning more about growing these lovely plants.

If you love clematis and have never visited the nursery, you're in for a treat. They have the largest collection of clematis in the United States. There is a plant trial garden, a beautiful display garden, and a sales area where you can purchase plants (their availability list is posted on their website).

A few weeks ago, I visited the garden and nursery with some friends and came home with two plants: Clematis 'Princess Kate' and 'Fond Memories'. I was especially excited to find 'Fond Memories'. I've wanted it ever since seeing it featured in Linda Beutler's book (Linda is the curator of the garden).

'Fond Memories'

In most photos, 'Fond Memories' appears predominantly white with just a hint of lavender along the edges. So I was surprised to discover that mine is mostly lavender. I'm certainly not complaining, though—I think it's gorgeous.

I haven't planted either clematis yet. I'm still deciding where they should go, and we're currently in the middle of a heat wave (96 degrees today). I also wanted to wait until they bloomed because they're best cut back when planted.

After that first shopping trip, I placed another order for a clematis. You can order online and pick up your plants at the nursery. Since I would have to make the long drive to collect it, I thought, why not volunteer and help with some weeding while I'm there? So that's exactly what I did, and I've since returned for a second volunteer session.

I've already learned a few things. For one, I had no idea you could buy horticultural grit at Wilco (although I think it's sold under a different name). This fine gravel is used to top-dress potted plants and is also incorporated into the soil when planting.

My first assignment was to plant four large "Montana' variety clematis, assisted by Peggy, who gave me tips and explained how they planted. My second discovery - a "Root Slayer shovel" - where have I been? This is the bed where the clematis were planted - along the side fence of the sales terrace. The clematis should cover the fence completely. The tall plants in front are non-climbing bush-type clematis.

These required quite a large hole, but the soil was very easy to dig, especially with the root slayer shovel. Compost and fertilizer are added to the hole. Mission accomplished -

Next up was some weeding, pruning a viburnum and more planting. On my most recent visit, I did more weeding and helped set up tables and chairs for an event they were having.

I did get a few photos of the display garden. Most of these were taken on my shopping visit a few weeks ago. The nursery is located at Luscher Farm in Lake Oswego. The display gardens surround the old farmhouse which you can see in the background -

Clematis mandshurica

The white flowered clematis is Clematis mandshurica. I was not familiar with it. It resembles the Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) that blooms in late summer.

Of course, like working at Yard N' Garden Land, one drawback to all this is being enticed by plants.

I meant to ask someone about the identity of the plant on the right. Maybe rhododendron? Most of the plants in the garden are well-labeled, but I could not get close to this one.

'Petit Faucon'

'Warszawska Nike'

A volunteer Verbascum

Such great fun and a wonderful group of people to work with. I hope to do more in a few weeks.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Campanula 'Birch Hybrid'

2026-06-13T13:33:29.340-07:00

I've finally discovered a groundcover that thrives in a challenging spot! I originally planted Campanula 'Birch Hybrid' along the edge of the north-facing border in my front garden, where it receives mostly shade from a large Skimmia and other plants behind it. Despite the limited sunlight, this resilient plant flourished, spreading cheerfully and adorning itself with beautiful lavender-blue blooms in late May. The blooming display lasts for quite some time.

Delighted by its performance, I decided to relocate some of it to another tricky area, specifically a tight spot right by the driveway entrance. This space is constricted on one side by a large boulder and bordered on the other by the concrete driveway. I’ve tried various plants here—pansies, lantana, thyme—and they all struggled. Yet, this Campanula has proven to be the best performer.

The "Birch" in its name comes from a renowned hybridizing nursery in England. It is a cross between the Dalmatian Bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana) and the Serbian Bellflower (Campanula posharskyana), both of which originate from the Balkans, particularly Croatia. These plants thrive in rocky soil and are excellent candidates for rock gardens.

Now, I'm experimenting with it in a third location. When I first transplant it, the plant often appears unhappy and tends to wilt. You might think there’s no hope for it, but patience pays off. It may take a few weeks, but in my experience, the plant will revive and flourish.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Dwarf Spirea (Spiraea Morrisonicola)

2026-06-09T09:34:51.596-07:00

I don't remember what prompted me to purchase this plant at Dancing Oaks Nursery a few years ago. I may have fallen for the nursery's description (I'm really good at that!), or perhaps it was simply because it was such a cutie patootie sitting there on the display table. I seem to recall buying it on impulse after I had already arrived at the nursery. Whatever the reason, I brought it home, read a little about its preferred growing conditions, planted it, and then largely forgot about it.

I didn't completely forget about it, however, because I planted it right at the beginning of the gravel pathway leading into the back garden. It's one of the first plants you see after stepping through the back gate. It turned out to be an excellent location because it has done very well there. It is a slow grower, remaining compact and small. As advertised, it would make an excellent plant for a rock garden.

The botanical name for this interesting little plant is Spiraea morrisonicola. It is also known as "Morrison's Spirea" and "Mount Morrison Meadowsweet", named after the mountain range in Taiwan from which it originates. There, it thrives in cool, moist conditions and rocky soils.

Astilbe 'Amber Moon'

2026-06-04T22:07:53.481-07:00

My favorite plant in the shade garden right now is Astilbe 'Amber Moon'. Once the rhododendrons have finished flowering and before the hydrangeas are blooming, the woodland border is a sea of green. This modest little plant suddenly stands out like a beacon. Its bright chartreuse foliage catches my eye every time, and is always surprising. I have to stop and think a minute to remember what it is.

'Amber Moon' is a form of Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis) and looks quite different from the more familiar astilbes found in gardens. It forms a neat, compact mound that reaches only about 18 inches in height, making it an excellent choice for the front of a shaded border. Although it is reported to produce flowers later in the season, mine has yet to bloom.

As striking as the spring foliage is, the plant becomes even more interesting as the season progresses. The vivid chartreuse leaves gradually develop warm coppery tones, creating a dramatic display that lasts well into the growing season.

In my garden, it grows in a predominantly shady location with a little early morning sun and dappled light for the rest of the day. The soil remains consistently moist, providing the woodland conditions that this plant seems to appreciate.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Joanne & Larry Turner's Garden (Kelso, Washington)

2026-06-01T18:22:50.490-07:00

Last week, I drove up to Kelso to visit Joanne and Larry Turner, who had cut some trees and had limbs for me to use in my twig fence. They have a great property, way out in the country. Fresh, crisp air and no traffic noise, just bird song. It is really beautiful.

The garden was at its peak, a tad behind our garden closer to the city. The dogwoods were magnificent. Joanne grew many of them from seed. The one in the above photo is 'Venus'. I'm not sure about the one below.

The Turners have a lot of rhododendrons and they were spectacular. Joanne told me the names of all of these and of course, I don't remember the names now.

I love to see rhododendrons that have been shaped into trees. They have a nice one -

I was impressed with their Mountain Laurel (Kalmia). In our garden, they are so slow growing, but perhaps we just have dwarf varieties. That occurred to me when I saw these, which were around 7 feet tall.

And, finally, Joanne has a lot of perennials and many unusual groundcovers. She shared some with me - Zebra Squill (Cooper's False Scilla, Ledebouria cooperi), Rhodoxis in two colors, a pale pink and a deep fuchsia, and Gentian, which I will be attempting for the third time.

Beautiful iris -

And this flower, which was new to me. It is Dichelostemma ida-maia (according to my plant ID app) -

I was happy to get the twigs, but so glad I was there at the peak bloom time in their garden. Thanks Joanne and Larry!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Take Time to Smell the Roses

2026-05-30T21:05:27.895-07:00

'Julia Child'

The roses look great right now, but then again, I think they always do when they are having that first flush, and the leaves are usually unblemished. They are definely the highlight of the garden at the moment.

'Eden' and 'Phyllis Bide'

'Robin Hood' and 'Alchymist'

'Veilchenblau'

'Westerland'

'Buff Beauty'

'Champagne Wishes'

'Chinatown'

'Dublin Bay'

'The Impressionist'

'Lady of Shallot'

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Open Garden this weekend

2026-05-19T20:52:20.856-07:00

Our garden will be open this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, May 23-24, 10am-4pm (both days). (If you are a member of the Hardy Plant Society, there is a mini-tour on Sunday with three other gardens in our area. Check their website for details. You do not have to be a member to visit our garden on either day)

The roses are looking nice, but the annuals and pots are having a slow start. So there may be some holes, but at least there will be cookies!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

The Marietta & Ernie O'Byrne Garden (Eugene, Oregon)

2026-05-12T16:43:00.000-07:00

Another road trip, this time to Eugene, Oregon (about 3 hours from Vancouver, Washington), to visit the garden of Marietta and Ernie O'Byrne. They and their gardens are well-known and they also operate a nursery, Northwest Garden Nursery, on site.

One of their specialties are hellebores and every year, they have a sale, usually in February. Back in 2020, I drove down for that, but I've always wanted to return and see their garden in spring. I would also love to see it in autumn. It is a fantastic garden! And one more plug - they wrote a wonderful book called "A Tapestry Garden" that I highly recommend.

Speaking of hellebores, I saw this one in the garden, and I must find it. I don't know if this is one of their introductions, but it is very unique -

It was another beautiful, sunny day. When we arrived, Marietta and Ernie, as well as other workers, were busy in the garden. We chatted briefly with them and then went out to explore the garden. Above, in the treetops, was a boisterous symphony from a flock of Evening Grosbeaks.

A long driveway divides their house and main garden. A small creek runs alongside the driveway. The side opposite the house is a shady, woodland garden. Towering above, and providing the shade, are massive Douglas Fir and Norway Spruce trees. The Douglas Firs were planted in the 1970s from small seedlings found in their forest that surrounds the home. The Norway Spruce was a transplanted Christmas tree.

Trails bordered with shade-loving plants, like ferns, trillium, epimedium, etc. are packed. There is no ground uncovered in this garden!

I was excited to see their 'Esk Sunset' Sycamore Maple (Acer psuedoplatanus). We have one in our garden. Had I read their book before planting it, I would have taken their advice and put it in a shadier spot. Ours eventually acclimated to full sun, but the first couple of years, it wasn't the happiest.

After leaving the long shade border, we walked across to the back of the garden, to the Chaparral Garden. This is a dryland garden with pines, manzanita, yucca, and plants that grow with limited water.

There were many iris in the Chaparral Garden, including this beauty that I would love to find -

Adjacent to the Chaparral Garden, beyond the fence and the pasture - peacocks! I could not get a photo of the colorful ones, but I did get one of the spectacular white one. I know a lot of people don't like their cries, but I do.

Heading back to the main house and surrounding garden, I began to notice the pebble mosaics that were made by the artist Jeffrey Bale. The largest one is in the photo at the beginning of this post. There were also smaller ones -

And this one close to the house. I think this was might be new, as I don't recall seeing it in their book -

The house is surrounded by perennial borders, conifers, heathers, rockeries and alpine troughs.

An elevated platform, with a spiral staircase, offers an aerial view. It also appears to be a favorite spot for the cat -

They also had several Corgis -

A goldfish pond and resident frog on the side of the house -

The Shade Garden -

A bamboo forest resides on a berm. They control them from spreading by digging a deep trench around the berm.

I'm so glad I finally got to see this garden in spring. I hope I can return to see it in the autumn season. I know it will be wonderful.

.
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Lychnis 'Petite Jenny'

2026-05-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

My favorite perennial for the last two weeks has been Lychnis 'Petite Jenny'. Lychnis has always been a confusing group to me. I'm very familiar with Maltese Cross

(L. chalcedonica) and Rose Campion (L. coronaria), which are quite different in appearance. And now, another species to know - L. flos-cuculi, with a variety of common names - "Ragged Robin", "Cuckoo Flower", "Catchfly", and I'm sure there are more.

This was the first perennial to bloom in our little garden off the deck a few weeks ago, and Michael asked me what the beautiful pink flower was. I had to go to my spreadsheet to find it. Last year, it was Lychnis 'Petite Henry', a white-flowered variety, that bloomed so beautifully in the front garden. This year, it doesn't look as good, but 'Petite Jenny' is another story. A billowy cloud of lavender-pink flowers has increased dramatically from last year and makes a definite statement. It is lovely, especially when blowing in the breeze.

This perennial grows in sun to part shade and is tolerant of damp soil. Ours gets shade in the morning and sun in the afternoon. The blooms keep producing if you keep them deadheaded. This is the second year for this plant (it was planted in June 2024) and is about a 2 feet tall and wide mound. It does need a hoop or support to keep it from flopping. Today was the first day I used the sprinkler for watering and I was careful to not let it hit this plant. The things we do!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Bastard Balm

2026-05-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

I beg your pardon! This is indeed the common name of this unusual perennial. The botanical name is "Melittis melissophyllum". More on the name later.

This plant is in the mint family (Lamiaceae), and the leaves do resemble mint, but are very stiff and upright. The leaves have an odd fragrance when crushed. Many describe it as honey or lemon scented, although to me, it has a more chemical/medicinal smell. The flowers are orchid-like, white with a mauve/pink lip.

A friend shared this plant with me a few years ago, and every year, I'm more impressed with it. This year, it looks better than ever, and it has become a favorite of mine. Apparently, it is somewhat rare and not easily found in nurseries. I couldn't even find it listed in any of my books on perennials or herbs, although it could be listed under a different name.

Despite being related to mint, this is a well-behaved plant. It forms a tidy mound and has not spread. Many descriptions refer to it as a woodland plant. It hails from the UK and Ukraine, where it is found in woodland areas and along roadways. In our garden, it gets mostly sun this time of year, before the redbud above it leafs out. It does not seem to mind the sun and is flourishing.

Now, back to that name. In doing some research, I found that the prefix "bastard" was common in historical botany to refer to a lesser hybrid, or an imperfect version of a superior plant. Bastard Balm is similar to other balsamic plants, but it lacks the essential oils found in true balm (like lemon balm).

Another interesting fact - Bastard Balm was once called "melissa' after the Greek word for "bee". It is referred to as a pollinator and bee-loving plant, but I haven't noticed bees on my plant.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Vista Gardens

2026-05-02T23:55:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, a group of friends and I made the drive up to Bremerton, Washington, to visit Vista Gardens, a remarkable garden created by John Albers. Albers, a retired Research Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington, has clearly channeled his scientific curiosity into a deep passion for horticulture and environmental sustainability. He’s written several books on gardening in the Pacific Northwest, with another on the way later this year.

Vista Gardens began in 1998, when Albers and his wife Santica started developing what was then a 2-acre property. Over time, it has grown into a 4-acre nonprofit botanical garden featuring more than 1,200 plant species and cultivars. The collections are especially strong in conifers, heaths, heathers, and Japanese maples.

The garden sits on a steep hillside overlooking Phinney Bay, and the views alone would be worth the trip. But what really caught my attention right away were the rocks—huge ones, scattered and stacked throughout the landscape. It’s hard to imagine how they managed to haul them up that slope, let alone position them so artfully.

We arrived on a warm, sunny day, expecting crowds, but were surprised to find few people there. As we tried to get our bearings, we were greeted by Baqi Kopelman, the garden’s Executive Director. He suggested we start at the top and work our way down—a simple tip that made a big difference, especially as the temperature climbed.

In addition to plants, there is garden art strategically placed along the trails, like these beautiful glass structures.

The higher we climbed, the more expansive the views became, with glimpses of the bay opening up between the trees.

One highlight was “Sam’s Conifer Reserve,” named after Sam Pratt, who began volunteering in the garden at just fourteen. His connection to the space continues through his work with Conifer Kingdom, which now collaborates with Albers—an exchange of cuttings for plants that keeps the collection evolving.

Nearby is “Santica’s Perfect Solitude,” a peaceful area featuring a gazebo, a rose garden, and a particularly stunning crabapple tree.

Heading back down the slope toward the front of the house -

Heading away from the house and back towards the entrance gate is the "John Lentz Garden", a shady glen of ferns, rhododendrons, camellias, and Japanese maples.

This is a very special garden and one that I would like to see again in the autumn. As a bonus, we even had the chance to meet John Albers himself, who came out to greet us as we were getting ready to leave.

It was well worth the three-hour drive. And if you can’t make the trip yourself, there’s a wonderful video on YouTube that offers a virtual visit—

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Rhododendron ‘Loderi King George’

2026-04-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

I've always been intrigued by flowers that start out with a deep color in the buds and open to a different color, particularly pure white.

Rhododendron 'Loderi King George' is an example of this. The buds begin in almost a solid deep pink, opening to white. I would not call them "pure white", as there are traces of pink left, but the pink is on the underside of the blooms. When backlit by sunlight, the pink softly glows through the white. Lovely!

I remember looking at photos of massive rhododendrons in my early gardening days, and it was one of the features that lured me to the Pacific Northwest. They were difficult to grow in Alabama, not liking the hot, humid conditions.

After finally moving to Washington state, I was a bit mystified to learn that many gardeners here tend to dismiss them as "common". I suppose they are over-used and often not grown under the best circumstances, but seeing them used properly and grown in the right conditions, they are magnificent.

I find myself gravitating to the larger rhododendrons, and they are too large for our small garden. However, that hasn't always stopped me. 'Loderi King George' was one that I liked early on, but it was many years before I finally located one, and then it showed up at the nursery where I worked. This one can grow up to 15 feet tall. Right now, it is a mere 5 feet.

Another great feature about 'King George' is that it is fragrant! The scent is a light, fresh, and sweet. It has been blooming now for several weeks. A definite highlight of the early spring garden.

The name "Loderi" is for Sir Edmund Giles Loder (1849-1920), who was a plant collector and breeder.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Earth Day Garden

2026-04-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

Kiwi Vine (Actinidia kolomikta) 'Arctic Beauty'

This and that on a very rainy Earth Day 2026. Many of these photos were taken during the past two weeks.

Chilean Potato Vine (Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin')

Brunnera 'Diane's Gold'

Redbud (Cercis 'Flame Thrower')

Clematis 'Pauline'

Maidenhair Fern and Epimedium

Geranium pyenaicum 'Bill Wallace'

Anise (Illicium floridanum 'Woodland Ruby')

Michelia 'Fairy Cream'

Peony 'Shima Nishiki'

Rhododendron 'Loderi King George'

Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty'

Columbine (noid)

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Sping Has Sprung - a neighborhood walk

2026-04-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

I usually do most of my walking during the winter months, so getting out for a spring walk feels like a bit of a rarity. The garden was still soaked from a night of rain, and a light drizzle hung in the air, so I decided to get exercise elsewhere.

The first things that caught my eye were the groundcovers, profuse blooming carpets.

Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)

Lithodora

I'm not sure what this groundcover is with the tiny, daisy flowers. I suspect that it is native. This garden has habitat signs, nice plants and landscaping.

Lilacs are very popular in the neighborhood and I saw several -

I'm a sucker for plants falling over walls, and this camellia caught my eye -

Dogwoods are another popular tree. The one in our garden is just beginning to show color on the buds. These were in farther along -

A gorgeous Japanese maple and azaleas -

My favorite garden along my route. I remember this stunning Darwin's barberry (Berberis darwinii) last year.

A more adventurous garden along the route. This one has a Monkey Puzzle Tree -

On my way back, I walked by the track behind the middle school at the end of our street. I noticed this massive tree blooming - it looks like a pear or maybe cherry. I did not know they grew this large. I wonder how old it is -

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Tulips and more April beauties

2026-04-10T20:08:00.000-07:00

Narcissus 'Sweet Ocean'

Tulips, Pansies & Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa)

Rhododendron 'Loderi King George'

Rhododendron 'Blue Baron'

Tulip 'Icoon'

Skimmia & Pieris 'Little Heath'

Red Flowering Currant (Ribes Sanguenium)

Saxifrage 'London Pride' (?)

Foamflower (Tiarella 'Pink Skyrocket')

Veronica 'Georgia Blue'

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Ruby Tuesday's Strawberry Tall Cake

2026-04-05T22:42:00.000-07:00

Much to my dismay, I have cut back on sugar consumption. Difficult, because I love sweet treats, but on the other hand, I want to be a healthier person. I still like to bake and I've just discovered "Prue Leith's Cotswold Kitchen" on You Tube and enjoying it very much.

That said, I normally make a dessert at least once per week, but I try to have only a piece or two, and share the rest. Going through some of my cookbooks, I came across a series of books by Todd Wilbur, who reproduces recipes from popular chain restaurants.

In the first volume, I saw the Ruby Tuesday Strawberry Tall Cake and remembered that it was a favorite of ours. I haven't visited a Ruby Tuesday in ages and I don't know if they still serve this. I decided to give it a try and it turned out pretty good. The photo I took doesn't show the cake layers and is not a very good representation, but you get the idea. Actually, we thought the best way to eat this was in a bowl, kind of like a trifle.

I am so used to Maida Heatter's recipes, which I am still going through on my other blog. Her recipes are so detailed (I learned to bake from her) that I am spoiled. The recipes in the "Top Secret" books are not as detailed as Maida's. They also have illustrations that look like a construction blueprint. Here is the illustration for the Tall Cake - how does this not terrify someone wanting to try this?

Aside from this intimidating illustration, I plunged forward. In the end, it all worked. It has motivated me to try some of the other recipes, particularly some of the main-dish ones.

Ruby Tuesday Strawberry Tallcake for Two

There are several components to the recipe -

Strawberry Mousse and Sauce

1 10-oz. package frozen strawberries in syrup
1 3/4 cups water
1 3 oz. package strawberry Jello
1 cup heavy cream

Defrost the strawberries and pour the entire package, including the syrup, into a blender

or food processor. Blend for 10-15 seconds, until you have a smooth puree.

Combine the puree with 1 1/2 cups of the water (reserving the remaining 1/4 cup) in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Add the Jello, stir to dissolve, and remove from the heat. Set aside to cool.

After the mixture has cooled, divide it into two bowls.

Whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Fold ONE bowl of the strawberry mixture into the whipped cream, a little at a time, until incorporated. Cover and chill. (This is the mousse).

Whisk the 1/4 cup of water into the other bowl of the strawberry mixture. Cover and chill. (This is the syrup).

Sponge Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

5 eggs, separated

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup cold water

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Beat the egg yolks until they are light in color and creamy, about 4-5 minutes.

Blend in the sugar, water, and vanilla.

Reduce the speed of the mixer and add the dry ingredients a little at a time, until blended.

In a clean mixer bowl with clean beaters (I use the whisk attachment for this), beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until stiff peaks form.

Fold the egg whites into the cake batter.

Pour the batter into an ungreased 11 x 17" cookie sheet that has a rim. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top of the cake is lightly golden. Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes, then invert it onto a board to remove it from the pan. Let it cool completely.

After the cake is completely cooled, it can be sliced. How you do this depends on how you plan to serve it. If using a goblet (the way it is served in the restaurant), you can use a cookie cutter or biscuit cutter to cut the cake into discs that will fit into the goblet. Alternatively, you could make a trifle out of it and cut it into larger pieces.

After the cake is cooled and the sauce and mousse have firmed, it is ready to assemble.

Toppings

Vanilla Ice Cream

1/2 pint strawberries, sliced

1 can whipped cream

First, place a layer of cake on the bottom of the container. Spread a layer of mousse on top of the cake layer. Repeat this two or three times, depending on what size of container you are using.

Next, top the cake and mousse layers with scoops of ice cream and strawberries. Drizzle with the strawberry sauce. Top with whipped cream.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum)

2026-04-02T18:10:00.000-07:00

For several years, I've been slowly adding more and more native plants to the garden. One of the most spectacular of spring-bloomers is the Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum), which I've had from the beginning, but there is another Ribes relative that I didn't know about until a few years ago.

This is the Golden Currant (Ribes aureum). It was planted in the fall of 2023, and heading into its third year, it is 5 feet tall. The flowers are not as showy as the Red Flowering Currant, but they are attractive in their own way. I was enticed by the wildlife benefits of this shrub. The flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. It is a host plant to bees, moths and butterflies. Fruits will hopefully follow in summer and are loved by birds (particularly the elusive cedar waxwings which I've yet to see in the garden).

Golden Currant grows in moist to semi-dry soils and tolerates drought after it is established. It does well in either sun or light shade.

The Red Flowering Currant has also been blooming for weeks now.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Camellias in the Late Winter Garden

2026-03-24T18:11:00.000-07:00

'Donation'

The camellias are very nice this year, probably due to the mild temperatures and lighter rainfall. I adore camellias and have eight varieties in the garden. Of course, the flowers are lovely but I like the foliage just as much.

'Donation'

'Donation' is one of the most popular camellias. It is a hybrid and has been around since 1941. It is very dependable, with blooms appearing continually for a long period (about a month). I've seen very large specimens of 'Donation' in photos, but for me, it has been a slow grower, not yet surpassing 4 feet tall.

'Nuccio's Bella Rossa'

The award for most blooms on a plant, however, goes to 'Nuccio's Bella Rossa'. This red-flowered camellia is dense with flowers. It has bloomed reliably over the years but sometimes the weather can interfere. This happened last year but this year, it is making up for lost time. This camellia has a very neat, compact habit. The leaves are glossy green and densely packed. It is currently about 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide, and 10 years old.

Magnoliaflora (?)

'Magnoliaflora' was the name on the label of this beautiful pink camellia. Photos show it as a much lighter color than this one, a very pale pink. So the jury is out as to if this is indeed that variety. I moved it to a new location last fall and it made the transition well. It has been blooming for weeks now, but just a handful of blooms. This camellia comes from Japan, where it is known as 'Hagoromo', a word that means 'feathered robe", referring to a magical cloak worn by celestial beings in Japanese folklore.

Our oldest camellia is 'Mathotiana'. It is also one of the oldest camellias, originating from Belgium in 1847. It was a gift from our realtor. It has an odd color (wine?) and is very difficult to photograph properly. It is not a profuse bloomer.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Early Spring Preview

2026-03-19T10:30:00.000-07:00

Anemone blanda and Orange Sedge (Carex testacea)

The first day of spring is not until tomorrow, but the garden is ahead of the game. The blooms are everywhere. Some of them are minuscule and require looking very closely.

I was thrilled to see a new addition in bloom—Epimedium 'Amber Queen.' I have many of these plants, but this is the first with orange blooms. They are not that easy to spot on a new plant, but the orange makes it easier.

Epimedium 'Amber Queen'

Another new one, this was a gift from my friend Linda Rectanus. It is Haquetia epipactis, a plant native to the woodlands of the European Alps.

Haquetia epipactis

I forget how early some of the groundcovers are, in this case, Lithodora and Omphaloides cappadocica ('Blue -eyed Mary') -

Lithodora 'Grace Ward'

Omphaloides cappadodica (Blue-eyed Mary)

No blooms yet, but I love the foliage of Potentilla 'Orange Starlit' -

Potentilla 'Orange Starlit'

The most spectacular native plant, the Red-Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum). I pruned ours back drastically last year and as a result, the plant looks tiny this year. This can be a large shrub if you have the space to let it do its thing.

Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum)

Brunnera 'Diane's Gold' just starting to bloom -

Brunnera 'Diane's Gold'

Of course, the hellebores are still going strong.

The bay tree, in a pot on the back deck, has never bloomed like this. We didn't even realize it did this. What a treat! -

Pansies in a pot with tulips that haven't started to bloom yet -

Spirea 'Ogon', another shrub that I pruned strong last year. It is always a reliable bloomer -

Spirea 'Ogon'

As are the Lily of the Valley shrub, the Pieris. This one is 'Little Heath' -

Pieris 'Little Heath'

My favorite Rosemary, the 'Foxtail' variety -

Last, but certainly not least, are the camellias -

Camellia 'Bella Rosa'

Camellia 'Donation'

Camellia 'Magnoliaflora'

Camellia 'Mathotiana'

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Postcards from Alabama

2026-03-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

I’m back from my annual visit home to Alabama. The weather was… interesting. While I was there, we had two nights of thunderstorms (including a tornado warning on my last night), several blustery days with temperatures in the low 80s, and a cold front that brought bone-chilling winds. I was anxious to get on the plane, just to get warm. A record low was forecast for Monday night (after I left), which was unfortunate since things were just starting to leaf out and bloom.

All of these photos were taken in the woods behind my childhood home. The land slopes downhill to a creek that runs along the edge of the property. My brother likes to go there every day, and we did—except for a few days when it was too muddy. We spent many hours in those woods and at the creek, and it hasn’t changed much.

I wasn't into in plants then, but now it is interesting to see what actually grows there. It is not a very diverse landscape and is mostly filled with cedars, pines and oaks.

One very common plant here is the Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia). I don’t remember noticing it as a child, but it grows happily in these woods and reseeds freely, though not too aggressively. It was in bloom, and I remembered that Margie Anderton, a local wildflower expert, always said to put out hummingbird feeders as soon as it blooms—that’s when the birds arrive in our area.

Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia)

Other natural residents -

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata)

Mississippi River Wakerobin (Trillium foetidissimum)

And some of my introductions that have survived -

I planted various things here when I thought we were going to live here. Almost all have perished with the exceptions of a few. The most successful is this Mahonia -

I planted many daffodils but only a few were blooming. I don't recall planting Snowdrops, but apparently I did and there were at least two healthy clumps that were blooming beautifully. This made my heart sing -

Back in my Washington garden, I returned to find things popping all over. I can't wait to get out and explore.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy