ARBOR DAY
EVERY DAY

National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April. Arbor Day in Washington state is the second Wednesday in April. Arbor Day may be different in other states. Different countries celebrate their version of Arbor Day in different months, depending on the best time to plant trees.

The mission of Arbor Day is to encourage people to plant trees. But why should we do that? Many reasons. Trees provide beauty, shade, and privacy. They clean the air and cool down cities. They create a habitat for birds, animals, and other creatures.

Frankly, we think that Arbor Day should be every day.

Here are a few trees (of many) that we are fond of this year:

Japanese Maple 'First Flame' (Acer Palmatum) - First Flame (picture above) is named because the spring growth is fiery orange-red, then the leaves turn a coppery-green in the summer, and then back to orange in the fall.

Katsura 'Claim Jumper' (Cercidiphyllum japonica) - The Claim Jumper Katsura is great for areas of the garden that are naturally moist. This is an unusual variety because the foliage is golden, unless the green-leafed species.

Japanese Cedar 'Sekkan Sugi' (Cryptomeria japonica) - The Sekkan Sugi stays chartreuse to gold year round stays columnar even though it can grow to 20 plus feet tall.

Dove Tree 'Sonoma' (Davidia involucrata) - The Sonoma Dove Tree has flower petals that look like dove's wings or handkerchiefs, which is why it's also called a Handkerchief Tree.

Serviceberry 'Autumn Brilliance' (Amelanchier x grandiflora) - The Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry has small blue berries that provide food for songbirds, like Cedar Waxwings. They also bloom eraly in the spring and have orange fall color.

MOTHER'S DAY
IS MAY 12th

Enter our Mother's Day raffle at the nursery. Details below.

Don't forget Mom. Hopefully, you are already formulating your Mother's Day plans, but if not, here are a few ideas:

• Gift a basket of color or create your own basket, we have lots of flowers and containers to compose a basket or planter in your mom's favorite colors! We can also create one for you.
• Gift a basket of tomatoes, herbs, or veggies. For the practical mom, a collection of tomatoes and herbs is both pretty and delicious.
• Fragrant plants are a hit. The 'Monge' lilac is gorgeous purple and quite fragrant. 'Beauty of Moscow' has pink double flowers and fills the air with lilac fragrance. Daphne 'Eternal Fragrance' like the name has long-lasting fragrance and lovely pink flowers.
• Indoors, there's a large selection of houseplants as well as a large selection of pots. Yes, we have classics such as miniature roses and African Violets, but also some cool rare items for the enthusiast.
• Donna, of course, has great selection of unique Mother's Day cards and thoughtful gifts.
• Candles always make a good gift. There's a nice selection of funky and fun candles! And right now, candles are 30% off!
• And just for fun, we have a Mother's Day raffle going on. Come on in to enter. You can enter once a day through Mother's Day. Here's what you can win:
  -Hanging Basket
  -Bonsai Tree in Pot
  -Farmhouse Chicken Tray and Dishtowels
  -Hori Hori Knife
  -Veggie Starts
  -Japanese Maple
  -David Austin Rose
  -Kids Gardening Tools
  -Tropical Houseplant
  -Bird Feeder
  
• Deliveries for purchases under $125 are a flat fee of $20 on Bainbridge Island, now through Mother's Day.

WHAT'S NEW!
 

Now that Spring is in full swing, the nursery is filling up quickly. Trucks are coming in almost daily, and frankly, we're looking for places to put things. Hopefully, they will make it into your shopping cart soon.

Anyway, during this busy time, we'll try to keep you informed of what's coming through the gate, both in this column and in the What's New link in the menu above. Also, you'll see our weekly posts on Facebook and highlights on Instagram.

So without further ado, what's new?

• Indoor plants - Lisa has been receiving indoor plants about every other week. Is there a hard-to-find plant that you are seeking? Let Lisa know and she'll try to hunt it down for you.
• Veggies - Shipments every week. Veggies can be planted now. Potatoes, onions, asparagus, garlic, leeks are almost gone.
• Lots of tomatoes and peppers. Check the links at the top of the page for a listing of what has come in this year.
• By the way, have your kids try planting a potato. It's very easy, with a high rate of success, and you can do here at Bainbridge Gardens. We have the pot, the soil, and the potatoes. You supply the kids. You can pot up one in a hemp seed bag for $7.99.
• Flowering annuals are here: Geraniums, begonias, fuchsias, marigolds, etc, etc.
• Ornamentals - Another shipment of rhododendrons. Bamboo, maples, natives, pollinators, and conifers have arrived recently.
• Decor and housewares - Mother's Day cards are here. Spring colors. Cottage blue and white collection, handmade fused glass mushrooms, and soothing indoor water features are on display.