5 stories from Marianne Binetti for thriving NW gardens

This list of stories illustrates how local expert Marianne Binetti's recommendations for Pacific Northwest gardens. She says that shade gardens benefit from plants like hosta, astilbe and hellebores and annuals such as impatiens, which thrive in cool areas. Top plant picks for the region include Japanese maples, lilacs, peonies and Nandina. Creative ideas for container gardening and using hanging baskets extend color and interest from spring through fall.

Lilacs in Western Washington can be thinned out by removing weak or crossing branches and by cutting the oldest stems or trunks close to ground level. This gives the younger side shoots a chance to take over.

NO. 1: NEED INSPIRATION? HERE ARE OUR GARDENING COLUMNIST’S TOP 5 PLANTS FOR NORTHWEST GARDENS

These plants seem to thrive in the Western Washington climate and adapt to many different types of growing conditions. | Published April 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marianne Binetti

Triadic harmony in flower color is not exact but allows for close approximations and even substitutions. This container features Superbells Grape Punch calibrachoa, Supertunia Mini Vista Scarlet petunia but yellow was not available and The Garden Guy selected the white blooming Snow Princess sweet alyssum. (Norman Winter/TNS)

NO. 2: CONTAINER GARDENING IS AN ART, NOT A SCIENCE, SO DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET CREATIVE

No design is permanent, gardening columnist Marianne Binetti reminds us. | Published May 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marianne Binetti

Fuchsia baskets are how most new gardeners first meet hummingbirds up close.

NO. 3: TOP BOOKS AND PLANTS FOR MOM OR ANY GARDENER WHO WANTS TO BRIGHTEN THEIR YARD AND HOME

In honor of Mother Nature and in homage to Mother’s Day, consider extending the flowering season by learning how to grow plants all year long. | Published May 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marianne Binetti

A bed of Boston lettuce ready for harvest. Now’s the time to plant cool season crops such as beets, lettuce, spinach, Swiss Chard and radishes for a fall harvest. Succession planting will give you a continuous supply of leaf greens. By MIKE MERGEN

NO. 4: AS PUGET SOUND GARDENERS DIG IN, HERE ARE TIMING AND LOCATION TIPS FOR FLOWERS AND VEGGIES

It’s still too early for some heat-loving plants. But it’s a great time to sow yourself all the salad fixings. | Published May 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marianne Binetti

Hosta are tough but beautiful with varieties that range from 4 feet to 4 inches. And most importantly in Western Washington, they thrive in the shade.

NO. 5: HERE ARE BLOOMING PLANTS THAT THRIVE IN THE SHADE. PLUS TIPS FOR PLANTING DAHLIAS

The planting season is underway, and gardeners are making tough decisions about perennials, annuals and what to put where. | Published May 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marianne Binetti

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.