Journal

2025 Fruit Tree & Shrub List

2025 Fruit and Berry List   2025 Fruit Tree & Shrub List: Great Varieties, Bare Root Bargains & Why Winter is the Best Time to Plant   As we move into 2025, we’re excited to share our updated list of fruit trees and shrubs for the upcoming growing...

2025 Rose List

The 2025 Rose List offers a carefully curated selection of rose varieties designed to thrive in a range of climates and garden settings, with a particular emphasis on roses suited for the Pacific Northwest (PNW). This list includes a rich variety of modern hybrid teas, English roses, climbers, and groundcover roses, each known for their exceptional color, fragrance, and resilience.

Growing Snowdrops in the PNW

The delicate beauty of Galanthus, commonly known as snowdrops, signals the arrival of hope in late winter and early spring. These small, white, nodding flowers thrive in the mild, moist climate of the Pacific Northwest, making them a favorite for gardeners eager to...

Plant Care Basics

Starting your gardening journey can be both exciting and overwhelming, but the good news is that with just a little knowledge, you can grow a thriving garden! Whether you’re growing flowers, vegetables, or houseplants, these plant care basics will help you build confidence and ensure your plants stay healthy and happy.

Best Trees for Color, Flowers, and Shape

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) offers a diverse climate that can support a wide variety of trees, from those with stunning fall foliage to those that bloom with beautiful flowers or offer striking shapes year-round. Whether you're looking to add seasonal color or a unique form to your landscape, here’s a list of some of the best trees for the PNW that deliver on all fronts: fall color, beautiful blooms, and distinctive shapes.

Succulent and Cacti Care

Growing succulents and cacti in the Pacific Northwest can be a rewarding experience if you understand their needs and make some adaptations for the region’s unique climate. While these plants are typically associated with warm, dry environments, they can thrive in the PNW with the right care. Here's your go-to guide for growing succulents and cacti successfully in our cooler, wetter climate.

Outdoor Gardening in the PNW

Welcome to your ultimate guide to outdoor gardening in the Pacific Northwest! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this page will help you grow a thriving garden with plants perfectly suited to our unique climate. From rainy winters to temperate summers, gardening in the PNW requires a little extra care and knowledge, but the rewards are worth it!

SKACOM Seed Swap & Fix-it Fair

Saturday, February 1st, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Get ready for the SkaCom Seed Swap and Fix-it Fair on February 1st in the Vinery! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this event is the perfect opportunity to stock up on seeds for your spring garden. Bring your extra seeds to swap with fellow gardeners or simply pick up new ones to diversify your planting options.

Genuine Skagit Mixer!

Tuesday, February 11th, 4-6 p.m.

Attend the first GSV Member Mixer of 2025! The event is free, but please RSVP. Not only are GSV Member Mixers a way to connect, but they are also an extension of appreciation of GSV membership. The Mixer will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in the Schoolhouse here at the Nursery.

The 2025 Northwest Flower and Garden Festival

The Northwest Flower & Garden Festival February 19th – 23rd

Don’t miss out on this amazing event—buy your tickets today using our exclusive link. The show offers a fantastic opportunity to explore beautiful garden displays, expert advice, and unique vendors.

5th Annual Orchid Festival March 8th & 9th

Saturday and Sunday, March 8th & 9th

This two-day event celebrates the beauty of orchids in all their varieties, offering something for every orchid enthusiast, whether you’re an experienced grower or just beginning your journey into the world of these extraordinary flowers.

Winter-esting Plants of the PNW

Winter Wonders: Fascinating Plants of the Pacific Northwest As the winter months roll in, the Pacific Northwest transforms into a landscape of muted grays and deep greens. While many plants retreat into dormancy, there are still vibrant and hardy specimens that...

weeping eastern white pine branches

Planting Balled in Burlap Trees & Shrubs

1. Choose the Right Spot Select a location with the appropriate light, soil, and space for your tree or shrub to thrive. Ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can damage the root system. 2. Prepare the Planting Hole Dig a hole that is twice as wide...

skyrocket juniper plants in a row

The Importance of Fall Mulching

As the colder months approach, mulching your garden in the fall becomes crucial, especially in the Pacific Northwest where fluctuating temperatures and heavy rains can be harsh on plants. Mulching acts as a protective barrier, insulating the soil to maintain a...

Christianson’s Famous Molasses Cookies

A holiday favorite here at the Nursery from Toni Christianson's family recipe book... 1  1/3 cup butter 2 cups sugar 2 eggs 1/2 cup molasses (dark) 4 cups flour 4 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 2 tsps cinnamon 2 tsps ginger Beat butter until soft and add sugar; add one...

molasses cookie

Planting Roses in the Summer – tips!

While it is not the ideal time to plant your roses, you can still plant during the summer months with adequate watering and care. To help your rose establish itself this summer, here are a few tips to follow:   Choose the Right Time: Wait for a cooler week...

Foliage for Year Round Interest

  Rhododendrons come in such a wide variety of beautiful colors, but their flowering time only occupies about one-twelfth of the year. So why not choose Rhodies for their beautiful foliage, too? When selecting plants for a garden, it’s easy to be swayed by the...

The Adoring Sweet Pea

The Adoring Sweet Pea   Growing sweet peas in the Pacific Northwest offers a delightful experience for gardeners, thanks to the region’s cool, moist climate that suits these delicate flowers. To cultivate sweet peas successfully in the PNW, it’s essential to...

2024 Fruit & Berry List

Now is the best time of year to plant fruit trees and berries. We have an incredible list this year, ranging from Goumies to espalier combo fruit trees. With a wide variety to choose from, we encourage you to browse our 2024 FRUIT TREE & SHRUB LIST to find the...

PNW Garden Glossary

A - Acidic Soil: Soil with a pH below 7, common in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). B - Beneficial Insects: Predatory insects that help control pests naturally. C - Composting: Decomposing organic matter to create nutrient-rich soil. D - Drought-Tolerant: Plants...

Multi-Stakeholder Working Group on Agritourism

We have proudly owned our business in the Skagit Valley for 33 years and in that time we have preserved multiple historic Skagit Valley buildings, hosted garden clubs, enjoyed Farm Bureau meetings, art shows, and celebrations. It is our strong recommendation that...

Christianson’s Rose List 2024

    Adding a rose variety to your garden is an exciting process for gardeners. While so many of the new and returning varieties have exquisite blooms, and wonderful fragrances, choosing unique rose characteristics, such as specific growth habits and...

Winter Gardening in the PNW

Winter gardening in the Pacific Northwest requires some attention even during the colder months, and we suggest taking on a few garden projects this winter. Now is an excellent time to prune deciduous trees and shrubs while they are dormant. Be cautious not to...

The Enduring Daffodil

The Enduring Daffodil In the Nursery business, we measure the seasons and the years by weather that is not average. We remember Spring as pleasant or disastrously wet, Summer as hot and pleasant or disastrously wet, Autumn as warm and colorful or disastrously wet,...

Daffodil

Fall is for Planting!

Plant Fall Bulbs for Spring Color A colorful spring garden of tulips and daffodils requires planning and planting in October and November. Our spring bulbs are arriving now and are available to purchase in the Garden Store where our selection will be at its very...

Tulips

Bare Root Season at Christianson’s

Now through the end of March is the best time to buy fruiting, flowering, or shade trees and shrubs in bare root. What does purchasing bare root look like? In our south field, near the 1888 Meadow Schoolhouse, we have row after row of ornamental trees and shrubs,...

Harvest Veggies Year Round!

Harvest veggies year round! Now that days are getting shorter again, it is time to prep and plant your veggies for fall, winter, and overwintering harvest. In our mild climate (even with a winter like last year!) if you plant in August, you can enjoy your own...

A Sure Sign of Spring – Geraniums

Geraniums are here, which signals warm weather plants are starting to arrive in earnest. It's still too early to put them outside, though. Go by the weather, not the calendar, and be sure to wait until the evening temperatures are 50 degrees or so.  Geraniums, or...

January Brought the Roses, A Note from Nancy Stewart

  Hello Rose enthusiasts and welcome to the 2023 rose season! Another wonderful year is ahead of us, full of new varieties to evaluate for our gardens. Much thanks to the tireless hybridizers out there in the world who do the splendid work of putting new roses...

Camellias

Camellia sasanqua 'Pink-A-Boo'  If you have been looking for a perfect shrub for your garden, look no farther than the Camellia. These hardy, low maintenance, evergreen shrubs look wonderful on their own or when paired with a companion plant to help create...