Q: I have a raspberry dilemma. In the spring, my raspberries come to life so healthy and green. They flower beautifully, then as the berries appear the leaves start to turn brown and continue browning almost to the bottom of the plant. The berries dry up and are not usable. It breaks my heart. Do you have any idea what the problem could be? P.S. We have Willamette berries.
A: The photos you sent me of withered dead leaves and berries are indeed heartbreaking. The problem is that raspberries can suffer from both viral and fungal diseases, and the symptoms appear somewhat similar. Preventative measures are the best defense, especially choosing disease-resistant types of raspberries.
The canes need to be planted in slightly acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. They need at least six hours of sun, and be sure and get rid of all perennial weeds that might harbor disease. Leave enough space between rows so the ground can be kept weeded, and avoid overhead irrigation and over-fertilization. Remove any canes that show disease the minute you notice it. Usually, removing infected plants or parts of plants will prevent the spread of disease.
If, despite your best efforts, the problem happens again this year, you might want to take a diseased branch into a local Master Gardener's Plant Clinic for a diagnosis. Call the King County Master Gardener hotline at 206-296-3440 to find a clinic near you or visit the Master Gardener Plant Clinic from 4 to 8 p.m Mondays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays at the Center for Urban Horticulture (3501 N.E. 41st St., Seattle).
You might also call Raintree Nursery in Morton, Lewis County (360-496-6400), as it offers reliable varieties of raspberries and other fruit along with expertise on how best to grow them in our climate.
Q: As a recent transplant from Kirkland to Leavenworth, I am in need of some good catalogues that have drought-tolerant plants and wonder if you could give me a few names? I miss the large, full-service nurseries in the Puget Sound area — any suggestions for plant shopping in Leavenworth or Wenatchee?
A: Since you're in such a different and harsher gardening climate, you might want to seek advice and camaraderie from fellow gardeners in a local chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society (www.wnps.org). Through this dedicated group, you'll meet experienced gardeners knowledgeable about area nurseries and local plant sales, as well as drought tolerant, hardy plants for your new rugged gardening conditions.
There's a recently revised publication that also should be helpful — take a look at "Landscaping with Native Plants for the Inland Northwest," a 46-page booklet available for $6 from Washington State University Publications (800-723-1763; pubs.wsu.edu).
Here are a few more resources:
• High Country Gardens in Santa Fe, N.M., (800-925-9387; www.highcountrygardens.com) specializes in Xeriscape plants (a water-conserving style of landscaping) and offers a great catalog as well as free monthly e-zine.
• For mail-order drought-tolerant plants, Joy Creek Nursery in Scapoose, Ore. is an inspiration (www.joycreek.com; 503-543-7474).
• Colvos Creek Nursery (P.O. Box 1512, Vashon Island, WA 98070; 206-749-9508) and Siskiyou Rare Plant Nursery in Medford, Ore., (www.srpn.net or www.siskiyourareplantnursery.com; 541-772-6846) also offer an array of tough, tempting plants, but be sure and pay close attention to hardiness ratings, for you're gardening in a colder zone than these nurseries. Which is why native plants may well be your best bet for a durable, rewarding garden.
Valerie Easton also writes Plant Life in Sunday's Pacific Northwest magazine. Send questions to her at P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111 or e-mail planttalk@seattletimes.com. Sorry, no personal replies.
