The Angry Gardener

06/16/2026

When I started my focus on a tropical style garden in my PNW backyard , the evergreen, hardy, Fatsia rose to the top of the List quickly, then became an obsession as I learned of the various varieties.
Year 2 seemed to be when each really kicked in and started sizing up and filling in.
A few still to add to my collection but here are those I’m currently enjoying.

I’m growing these in a variety of locations, morning sun, partial shade to even shade. I gave them consistent water first season and then moved to supplemental watering during dry spells as needed.

Which do you have?
Which is your favorite?
Have one not represented?

06/15/2026

06/14/2026

On my first visit to the WSU Pierce County Master Gardener demo garden (Puyallup) back in 2023, I immediately fell in love with 2 plants….one was a Himalayan Honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa) , it took almost a year to get a specimen for my garden and while it grew and grew last season, this season it looks to be just as impressive as the one I first saw. Just starting to bloom…the bumbles approve ….

The other plant I fell in love with I was able to obtain that same day and continues to impress me year after year….any guesses as to what that Mediterranean plant that was???

Here is some internet info on the honeysuckle.

Key Characteristics
👉🏻Appearance: Upright, multi-stemmed shrub with grey-green, hollow stems and dark green leaves.
Flowers: Small, white, and mildly scented, appearing in drooping clusters with showy, deep red bracts from summer into fall.

👉🏻Fruit: Fleshy, purple-black berries that are edible and taste like caramel or toffee, loved by birds.

👉🏻Size: Typically grows 3–6 feet tall and wide.

👉🏻Hardiness: Hardy in USDA zones 7–9, with some cultivars tolerating zone 6.

Growing Conditions & Care
👉🏻Sun: Full sun to light shade; best color in full sun.

👉🏻Soil: Adaptable to many soil types, including clay, but prefers moist, well-drained soil.

👉🏻Water: Occasional watering once established.

👉🏻Pruning: Can be cut back hard in late winter to control size and encourage new growth.

06/12/2026

When those leaves stop you in your tracks.
Only sightseeing today so I left this beauty behind….they’ve also got a nice selection of other begonias in stock including some sweet brevimosas.
Alpine Nursery & Landscape

Begonia sulawesi

06/12/2026

Just a couple poppies still doing what they do…

06/04/2026

From the Ground and Up - PCMG - Cheddar Up. Collect online payments for events and fundraisers with Cheddar Up.

06/02/2026

05/30/2026

So this has taken a hot minute this spring to get to this point ….usually by May 1st my patio is ready for company….this year by Mother’s Day I had only managed to fill the patio and table with nothing but potted plants from every nook and cranny from my grow room, gifted, or greenhouse using this table as a gardeners work station. Probably spent too much time on my feet but I saw the end in sight and made it happen.

Gonna put my leg up for a bit and recharge…then time to get the patio decorations out!

05/30/2026

The Garden on Grandview isn’t just a backyard garden, I’ve been developing the front yard as well. Don’t get out there much these days, but enjoy a couple pics of the current options catching my eye this morning.
See pic comments for more info, ask me anything ….

05/28/2026

This gave me a good chuckle this morning.