Q: I'm opening a canine water-therapy facility in a few months — that's right, a pool for dogs! It's going to have a tropical theme.
The building is going to be very plain and utilitarian, so I would like to obscure the front of the building with tall trees or bushes. All I could think of here was bamboo, but my practical husband reminds me that it spreads everywhere.
A: I love the creativity of gardeners, and of dog lovers — a tropical-themed canine water-therapy facility sounds like a hoot. Such a facility screams out for windmill palms (Trachycarpus fortunei) and the soft splay of Tasmanian tree fern (Dicksonia antarctica).
Both are tall, showy, hardy and exotic-looking. Bamboo would be great for quick coverage along the front of the building. Just be sure to look for clumping bamboo rather than running kinds, and it won't take over. Clumpers such as Fargesia robusta or F. nitida grow as quickly and lushly as the more-familiar bamboos without all the problems. Take a look at the Web page for Anacortes grower Boo-Shoot Gardens (www.booshootgardens.com) to learn all about clumping bamboos and where to buy them locally.
Closer to ground level, you could plant hardy, large-leafed perennials mixed with tall ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus and Stipa gigantea for an easy-care tropical look. Consider Acanthus mollis, which has large shiny leaves and purple, hooded blooms; any of the ligularias; and ornamental rhubarb (Rheum palmatum).
If you have enough space, sun and an area with damp soil (or can create one with a liner), you'll get the most effect for your dollar by planting Gunnera manicata, which has the largest leaves of all, sure to impress both your human and canine clients.
Most of these plants can be found at area nurseries, but if you want to submerge yourself in tropical possibilities, visit Jungle Fever Exotics, 5050 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, 253-759-1669, near Point Defiance Park. This is a nursery that effectively defies our climate zone with an impressive stock of exotic plants.
Mesogeo Greenhouse (www.mesogeogarden.com) is a wonderland of hardy tropicals. Be sure to talk to owners Terry and Terri when you visit; they've lived in the Mediterranean and are dedicated to bringing its sumptuous plants to our corner of the world.
Open on Saturdays and by appointment, Mesogeo is located at 12364 Miller Road N.E., Bainbridge Island, 296-855-9017.
Q: My backyard has a waterfall, small creek bed and a pond — wonderful. The next step is to get plants for the pond or along the edges of the creek. Can you direct me to a source of info?
A: We're lucky to have three water-garden nurseries in our area filled with plants for just the situations you describe.
When we installed our pond, my husband and I took a class from Moorehaven Water Gardens and followed up with plenty of questions, all of which they answered graciously and knowledgeably. Just a visit to the place is a source of inspiration. Moorehaven Water Gardens, 3006 York Road, Everett; 425-743-6888.
In the south end, Oasis Water Gardens, 404 S. Brandon, Seattle; 206-767-9776 (www.oasiswatergardens.com) offers seminars, plants and supplies. Roadhouse Nursery, 12511 Central Valley Road, Poulsbo in Kitsap County (360-779-9589), also specializes in water plants.
Two thorough books on the subject, both with good and plentiful photographs, are "The Encyclopedia of Water Garden Plants" by Greg and Sue Speichert (Timber Press, 2004) and "The Water Garden Encyclopedia" by Philip Swindells (Firefly Books, 2003).
Beware, though — water gardening is a slippery slope starting with a water iris or two and ending up with expensive and beautiful koi dependent upon intricate filtration systems. Enjoy!
Valerie Easton also writes about Plant Life in Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine. Write to her at P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111 or e-mail planttalk@seattletimes.com with your questions. Sorry, no personal replies.
