We are planning on putting in a few planters this spring (likely in the next few weeks), some to transplant some sunshine blueberries, and some to plant raspberries. I know they can spread like wildfire, so I actually have 2 questions. 1) Would a planter bed about 2 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide be able to contain the underground runners, or is this going to be impossible? 2) What type of raspberries would you suggest growing? Any favorites? We would love some that are tasty but are also known to be fairly disease resistant since we do do not use pesticides or non organic fertilizers. I know there are a ton of different varieties out there, and we are fairly new to berries, though we've been growing blueberries and currants for a little while. Just as a FYI, we are located in the Puget Sound area of Washington state. :) Our site gets pretty much full sun all day until about 3-4pm, then it gets a bit more dappled or shaded sun.

You might consider poa Trivialis (roughstalk bluegrass). There are several improved varieties. Sabre III is one. This species is recommended for use on poorly drained shaded sites, although it also grows well in full sun. Another grass that is well adapted to moist growing conditions in the PNW is poa Supina. I once saw an absolutely beautiful poa Supina lawn in a shaded back yard in Portland, OR.

Gean, DH said just the other night he was going to have to buy a lottery ticket (yeah, right). Don't remember what hugely expensive thing he was contemplating - maybe taxes, utility bills, etc. :)) What a thrill it would be to come see you AND help put up your greenhouse! Then, of course, you'd have to come to Florida to do the same. (I'm the type who keeps score.) Your DH isn't likely to give up his garage (I know mine wouldn't), so you could get the kind that attaches to the house/garage lean-to style like those curved-glass sunrooms. It's really an absolute must to get it before the gardens go in so as not to have to evict any roses. Thinking more precisely about the greenhouse visit, we'd probably have to be very efficient with our scheduling. Say, two days for greenhouse building and five days for rose garden touring, but, of course, with that winning ticket in hand time is no object, right? Love ya, Sherry

I bought dahlias that in my own experience have the characteristics of good cut flower dahlias. Our flower stands are outdoors and get way too hot in the summer so choosing flowers that will stand up to that is of utmost importance. I prefer waterlily and ball types that have a heavy substance to their petals. I also prefer mostly smaller sizes, with a few spectacular big flowers for special events. Also, in our experience, some colors sell better then others, i.e. it is hard to sell pink bouquets of any kind! Part of that may be the shade on my main stand as it is back under overhanging eaves of a large old country store. This is better for the flowers but makes difficult lighting conditions, so the brighter my bouquets the better they sell! Anyhow, those are the criteria I used. I would have probably not boughten a dahlia that was not listed as a good cut flower at Swan Island. I bought nearly all different dahlias. I have space for 130 and that is that. Any others have to go into my personal garden among the lilies and roses. That is also where I put the ones that failed as cut flowers but are pretty to look at, as well as the anemones and orchid types. I leave my dahlias in place for 3 years, and then divide all of them. I did have about 30 that survived last winter. Oe the new introductions, I especially am liking Sheer Heaven, Diva, Bluetiful, Mango Madness, Andrew Charles. Other favorites are Bahama Mama, Dazzle Me, Fatima,Jordon Nicole, Loverboy, Moonstruck,Nicholas,Polyvention Supreme, White Polyvention, Rip City, Ripples, Sandia Shomei, September Morn, Sun Kissed, Vessio Meggos,Voodoo, Wildwood MArie, Joel Lousisa, Ahoy Matey, Bracken Lorelie and can't remember the names of the others. I have other favorites among the Cowlitz River Dahlias, Clack's, Dan's Dahlias, particularly Sunshine Paul who just oped its first flower this week. Most of CRD flowers have not started blooming yet in this strangely cool summer, but are perking along.Ask me next month and I will probably have a whole new list :-) .