Flowers Archives - Skagit County Master Gardener Foundation

Bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and tubers

Geophytes which include bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and tubers are, depending on your area, perennial plants with underground storage containers. Northwest Washington is known for commercial and native varieties, with proper planting ensuring beautiful seasonal blooms.

Libraries: A Gardener’s Resource

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or planting your first seeds, your local library is ready to support your journey.

Rain Barrels

drops of rain on large puddle

Rain barrels offer an affordable, practical way to collect and use rainwater for gardening. Proper installation, maintenance, and safety precautions are essential.

Garden Tours 2.0

large garden with people walking on paths

Whether you are planning a trip, or are an armchair traveler, go with fellow master gardeners as they visit various gardens located in the US and Canada.

Hellebores

dark purple flowers with snow on petals

Hellebores are hardy, deer-resistant perennials that bloom in winter, offering vibrant color in shades from white to nearly black. They thrive in shade, require little maintenance, and resist most pests.

Tools for Gardeners

garden tools and accessories laying on green grass

The holidays are perfect for gifting gardeners tools and gadgets tailored to their interests, from seed starting supplies and pruning tools to maintenance aids, enhancing their gardening experience.

Greenhouses

metal framed glass house in garden

As winter approaches, gardeners dream of options to extend the growing season. Key decisions involve what to grow, usage, design, materials, and whether to start seeds or protect delicate plants year-round.

Cut Flower Garden

colorful flowers in garden with sun setting on the water in background

Master Gardener Karen Bruce discusses the joys and considerations of starting a cut flower garden, highlighting the importance of planning, choosing annuals and perennials, and ensuring success from spring through fall.

Attracting Pollinators

summer garden with colorful flowers and birdbath

Key to crop production and creating a diverse environment, pollinators are also entertaining to watch in the home garden.

Pet-Friendly Gardening

retriever in yard

Both pets and gardening require planning, patience, and a healthy dose of reality—learning methods to avoid pitfalls and lead to a happy coexistence between plants and pets.

Plant Fair 2025

The 2025 Skagit County Master Gardener Plant Fair is scheduled for Saturday, May 10.

Pruning Hydrangeas

pink and blue hydrangeas blooming in garden with bird house

Master gardeners explain the types of hydrangeas and when to prune them.

Rhododendrons

Warmer Summers Impact Local Rhododendrons From sun scorch to lace bug, local gardeners protect their beloved rhododendrons with these conscientious tips. FacebookPinEmail Subscribe to the Blog > By Sonja Nelson, Skagit County WSU Extension Master Gardener Author Sonja Nelson Rhododendrons in our gardens, along with the native state flower Rhododendron macrophyllum, the Western or Pacific…

Drying Herbs

Capture the seasonal flavors by preserving fresh herbs. Get started drying, freezing, dehydrating and enhance your meals deep into the winter.

Plant Spring Blooming Bulbs Now

Master Gardener Jessamyn Tuttle explores the many wonderful bulbs which, if planted now, will bloom as early as late January.

Seed Saving 101

Master Gardener Sheri Rylaarsdam shares the fun of getting started saving and sharing seeds from your garden.

Discovery Garden Open House June 24, 2023

Join us for a day of discovery and learning at the Skagit Master Gardener’s Discovery Garden in Mount Vernon

2023 Master Gardener Plant Fair

Skagit County WSU Extension Master Gardeners are preparing for their 2023 Plant Fair at the Skagit County Fairgrounds in Mount Vernon on May 13. Free Admission

Midnight Marauders

Master Gardener Diana Wisen discusses slug damage and eradication, one of the most discussed topics among PNW gardeners.

January is a Perfect Time to Start These Cool Hardy Beauties

While hard to find in flower nurseries it is possible to start lisianthus from seeds. Mastering the seed-starting techniques was a months-long process, but well worth it.

Dahlias: To Dig or Not to Dig

field featuring 100's of dahlia varieties grown for cutting

Master Gardeners share their overwintering techniques FacebookPinEmail By Anne Hays, Skagit County WSU Master Gardener Anne Hays is a resident of La Conner and a Skagit County Master Gardener Dahlias, first imported from Mexico and Central America, provide a rich and enthusiastic floral display in Pacific Northwest gardens. Continuous hybridization of Asteraceae has resulted in…