Welcome to the last weekend of Le Tour de Plants.  For the last 7 days, 29 local nurseries have been swamped with people who have enjoyed free gifts, seminars, music, tasty treats and great plant specials.  Time is running out.  While we jump into fall, take time to stop by your local garden center and see what the new season brings!

This week we featured...

Le Tour de Plants

Drake's 7 Dees – Our first stop on this last weekend of the Le Tour de Plants is at Drake's 7 Dees (503-256-2223) on SE Stark in Portland.  Lynn Snodgrass told us about the great specials they have for everyone during this final weekend.  We started with ergonomic gardening.  If you are looking to make your gardening less painful and more enjoyable then check out this seminar.  During the seminar you can enjoy 10% off all tools.  They also have special on trees and a seminar on taking pictures in the garden.

Portland Nursery – Division – Our next stop was Portland Nursery (503-788-9000) on Division.  Michael told us about their Monrovia bracelet specials including a choice of a free t-shirt or a Portland Nursery canvas tote.  We also found out about their plant specials like an additional 10% off all Monrovia plants.  They are also packed with seminars including one on Feng Shui in the garden.  Other seminars include how to divide hostas with Thomas of Sebright Gardens and learning the basics on bonsai with Michael.  You can also meet William and Judy on Sunday from noon to 2:00pm.

Larsen Farm Nursery – Our final stop on the tour took us to Larsen Farm Nursery (503-638-8600) in Wilsonville.  Ryan met with Judy and William to explain some of the different events they have coming up for Saturday and Sunday.  Specials include 35% off all trees and shrubs, 30% off all pottery and ‘buy 2 get one free’ perennials.  Ryan also showed us the fountains and water features they have on display.  If you stop by the store on Saturday (Sunday in Hillsboro) they will show you how to make your own.  We also saw their new stone patio.  Western Interlock has set up a display patio the will give you some ideas for adding hardscapes to your garden.

Bulb Layering

As we enter fall we are reminded to plant our spring blooming bulbs.  Donna Wright from Black Gold  reminded us that bulbs are great in pots too!  You can create waves of color by layering your spring blooming bulbs.  She demonstrated that by using different layers of bulbs in a pot you can have color that lasts all spring!  She used daffodils, tulips and crocus in 3 different layers.  When the warm days of spring arrive she will have these bulbs blooming at different times and will have waves of color for months.  But always remember to start with a quality potting soil, like Black Gold!

Little Baja Tips

Pots that break in the winter cold are a myth!  Sort of… Wayne from Little Baja (503-654-5359) joined us to tell us how adding drainage will extend the life of our pots and our plants.  Wayne has become an expert on pots and container planting and he explained the importance of creating proper drainage for your potted garden.  Pots bust when they retain water in their clay.  The water expands and when it does it cracks the pot.  When you create better drainage you help the pot and it helps your plants as well.  Wayne also explained how clay pots can ‘breathe’ and how that helps your plants thrive.  Stop by Little Baja if you ever have any questions.

Chinese Lanterns

We found a unique lantern that doesn’t give off any light!  The Chinese Lantern (Physalis alkekengi) is a perennial that you can plant in your garden to brighten up these dull fall days.  Glenn Cavender of Cavender Farms walked us through his fields of Chinese Lanterns and explained how his farm grows these colorful plants to the cut flower market across the U.S.  The Chinese Lantern can be an invasive perennial if you don’t take care of it.  It can propagate by seed or root.  It likes full sun and can get as high as 3 feet tall.  Glenn’s family has been growing them for years in the Canby area but you can find their lanterns as far away as New York and parts of the east coast.