Author: Whatcom Hort Society

  • Think, Plan & Imagine

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    The color of springtime is in the flowers; the color of winter is in the imagination.

    Terri Guillemets

    December gives you a chance to think, plan, and imagine your upcoming garden. Organizing and taking stock of what seeds you have can get you started. Priming your imagination with a variety of seed catalogs is an enjoyable way to spend a dreary afternoon. One of the most extensive and affordable seed catalogs available to home gardeners is Geoseed. This professional seed vendor also sells to home gardeners. It is worth viewing their massive selection available on their website at https://geoseed.com/

    Consider supporting our home-grown local seed suppliers. There is much to be said for sourcing your seed locally as research shows that seeds planted in the environment in which they were grown are more adaptive to their environment. They are genetically predisposed to this climate; the phenomenon is referred to as “local adaptation”. Whatcom County is home to some wonderful local seed sources. Check out the links below (also available on our Links section of the WHS website)

    Resilient Seeds
    Salish Seed
    Uprising Seeds

    For more eye candy here’s a link to Birds & Blooms’ 10 Best Seed Catalogs suggestions: https://www.birdsandblooms.com/gardening/gardening-basics/10-seed-catalogs/

    If you are looking to cozy up with an amazing book this winter don’t forget “What We Sow” by Jennifer Jewell. Jennifer was our very inspirational guest lecturer last year. Here’s a review from Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/196056626-what-we-sow

    Sandi Madison, Publicity Chair

  • Deck the Old City Hall holiday wonderland and New Year’s Eve celebration

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    Celebrate the season with us at Deck the Old City Hall. From November 28 through January 4, Whatcom Museum’s historical Old City Hall is transformed into a festive holiday wonderland filled with twinkling trees, garlands, wreaths, and cozy winter charm. Wander through decorated galleries, explore seasonal displays, and enjoy the magic of the holidays inside one of Bellingham’s most iconic buildings.

    Admission is by condition and supports Museum programs and exhibitions.

    For visiting hours and more details about the New Year’s Eve Celebration check out these links:

  • Making A Bug Hotel 

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    Written by Sylvia Briggs-Bauer

    Bugs are everywhere. There are bumblebees in the garden, fruit flies in the plum tree, wasps’ nests in the tool shed, and ants on the sidewalk. I couldn’t count how many times I’ve walked through a spider web, or the number of mosquitos I’ve swatted.   

    It turns out, many of these insects help backyard ecosystems more than we think. From pollinators to pest predators, bugs are essential to a healthy garden. The sad news is, due to the use of pesticides and habitat degradation, many beneficial insects are on the decline, especially native species.

    According to the Center of Biological Diversity, 1 in 4 native bee species are at risk of extinction in North America and Hawaii.

    So, what can I do to help? There are simple answers to your question. Encourage native bugs into your yard by: 

    1. Plant natives to create habitats for native insects. Check online plant lists for the best options in your yard or garden space 
    2. Don’t use Pesticides or Herbicides  
    3. Mow your lawn less! Native bees enjoy lawn flowers such as dandelions and clovers 
    4. Build a bug hotel!! 

    Are you wondering about the fourth option? Well, you are reading the right article! 

    A few years ago, I started to build a bug hotel, and this summer I finally had the chance to finish my creation. 

    My materials were simple: recycled wood from the ReStore, old bricks excavated from my yard, some old stumps, pinecones, bamboo, and wire. I assembled the pieces like a three- dimensional collage in a simple wood frame. The last and most important piece was drilling nesting cavities for native mason bees. On trip to the hardware store, I got a foot long, 5/12-inch drill bit to provide the exact hole size these bees need. I drilled over 15 nest cavities, 6 inches long, into pruned branches. I also drilled shorter holes in a small wood block for any other bugs who may be interested in staying.  

    The bug hotel now serves as an artistic structure, and a refuge for insects and mason bees in my native garden. I encourage anyone to build a bug hotel – they are easy and fun to make, and they can be made in many different sizes depending on the space you have!  

    So, you should give it a try! I bee-lieve in you! 

    Sylvia Briggs-Bauer

    Sophomore at Bellingham High School
    Environmental Youth Activist & Author of
    Columbia Nature News

    Sylvia is a member of the Whatcom Horticultural Society and contributor to our newsletter. She is a 10th-grade student at Bellingham High School who caught our eye through her informative creation of the Columbia Neighborhood Nature News. We are excited to work with her! To find out more about Sylvia Briggs-Brauer, click here to check out the Whatcom Talks article.

  • 2025 Members Meeting – Brews & Bouquets

    ByWhatcom Hort Society
    Fall Meeting 2024

    “Brews & Bouquets ~ Creating a Seasonal Bouquet”

    Tuesday September 16, 2025
    Stemma Brewing Company – West
    508 Carolina Street, Bellingham
    7:30pm • Doors open at 7
    Materials fee $45 – pre-registration online is required! You can pay online or at the door but please pre-register by September 11!
    Seating is limited, this event will fill up fast.
    You must be a current member to attend.
    Join or renew online or at the door for 2025 and 2026.

    Registration is closed – there may be 1 seat left, check at the door.|
    Stemma Brewing Company – West, 508 Carolina Street, Bellingham – doors open at 7.

    We’re back with one of our favorite member events – making your own arrangement! We’re excited to be at a new location: Stemma West’s private taproom on Carolina Street. The first beer or wine is on us, delicious snacks and desserts will be served!

    Stemma West’s Private Taproom can be entered Carolina Street (to the left of the main entry). There will be a WHS sign to guide you. Parking is on Carolina, Humboldt or Grant Street.

    We invite you to socialize with us! Join an informal group that will meet up at Stemma starting at 5:30 in the main dining area. The menu is from The Rivera Club.

    Our very own Kelly Swordmaker will facilitate this workshop and we’ll be joined by local flower growers. In this hands-on workshop she will guide us in creating our own seasonal fall bouquet. Also joining the presentation is Jillian Sullivan, an up and coming floral designer known for her stunning arrangements that incorporate both local and exotic elements. We are locally sourcing all of the flowers that we can find and we ask you to check your garden and help with flowers, greens, grasses and other seasonal plant material. Some of you have fabulous plant material to share! Suggestions: any flower, salal, miscanthus seed heads, rose hips, ferns, unique evergreens, ilex (please strip and bring in a bucket if possible).

    Bring with you: clippers, gloves, vase, and box to carry your arrangement home in. We will provide floral and greens, inspiration, chicken wire and floral tape.

    Please help with clean up: wipe surfaces, sweep, recycle, put away tables and some chairs (round tables stay up).

  • Fall Lecture Series ~ September 25 ~ Amy Campion

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    Amy Campion

    “Boost Biodiversity in Your Garden with Insect-Friendly Habitat”

    Thursday September 25, 2025
    Whatcom Museum • 121 Prospect Street
    7:30pm • Doors open at 7
    Tickets: $10 Members • $15 General

    Buy Tickets Now
    Amy Campion

    ”News of crashing insect populations may make you feel hopeless about the future. However, there are many things you can do to make a real difference in improving insect biodiversity where you live.“

    There is so much that you can do to make a difference in your garden! In Amy’s engaging and informative talk, you’ll learn about keystone plants, the fascinating creatures that show up when you welcome them in, and the importance of your garden’s habitat. She will give detailed information about eight simple steps that you can take to increase biodiversity and create a more insect-friendly habitat in your garden.

    Amy Campion grew up in Minnesota and gardened in the Cincinnati area, where she worked at a wholesale nursery for 16 years. In 2013, she and her husband moved to Portland, Oregon. Amy is the co-author of Gardening in the Pacific Northwest: The Complete Homeowner’s Guide, along with Paul Bonine. She currently works at Garden Fever in Northeast Portland. Amy writes and speaks about gardening for insects and other wildlife, and she’s passionate about helping others make their own gardens more biodiverse.

    To learn more go to Amy’s website and blog
    The World’s Best Gardening Blog https://amycampion.com

    Lecture Tickets for Amy Campion – Sept 25, 2025

  • Fall Lecture Series ~ October 9 ~ Dr. Ross Bayton

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    Dr. Ross Bayton

    “Hot Hardy Plants for Super Shady Gardens”

    Thursday October 9, 2025
    Whatcom Museum • 121 Prospect Street
    7:30pm • Doors open at 7
    Tickets: $10 Members • $15 General

    Buy Tickets Now

    We are excited to welcome Heronswood Garden’s Director Dr. Ross Bayton for a talk on the best that shade gardening has to offer. Expand your plant palette to include shade-loving plants that are grown in the famous garden that is known for its rare plants and cutting edge design. As with many Pacific Northwest gardens, shade is a predominant feature and the garden utilizes a unique palette of plants to create beauty under the trees. Dr Bayton will reveal a wealth of richly hued and elaborately textured plants that flourish in various shade conditions.

    London-born botanist and gardener Dr. Ross Bayton gained his PhD at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He’s the author of several books on horticulture including New Trees: Introductions to Cultivation (with John Grimshaw), Plant Families: A Guide for Gardeners and Botanists (with Simon Maugham), and most recently The Gardener’s Botanical: An Encyclopedia of Latin Plant Names. Formerly the Gardening Editor of the UK’s best-selling gardening periodical, BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, he is now the Director of the world-renowned Heronswood Garden in Kingston, WA, and gardens on a 5-acres in Bremerton.

    To learn more about Heronswood go to www.heronswood.com

    Accessibility at Whatcom Museum (Old City Hall)

    An accessible parking space is located in the rear of the building, on the brick parking platform directly behind the back entrance doors. The accessible building entrance ramp is also at the back side of the building. Take the ramp down to the basement level door and press the buzzer for assistance with opening the door. A desk attendant will open the door. From there you can take the elevator.

    For additional assistance entering Old City Hall, call the front attendant desk at 360.778.8977. An elevator is located on the basement level that accesses all levels of the building. An accessible/family restroom is located on the first floor of the building.

    Lecture Tickets for Dr. Ross Bayton – October 9, 2025

  • The 35th Annual Tour of Private Gardens is Saturday, June 28!

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    Join Us on a Tour of 5 Amazing Bellingham Gardens!

    • A cozy cottage style garden connecting three homes
    • A tapestry of mature trees and shrubs on a south hill slope
    • A colorful textured garden anchored by evergreens, ground covers and maples
    • A garden with an exceptional plant collection and amazing garden structures
    • A big view of the islands, big rocks, collectable plants and a crazy swing
    Tour Details
    Garden Descriptions
    Tickets

  • #1 Jepson Families: Chelsea Jepson & Eric Schuster, Chris & Emma Jepson, Donna Lee McBride

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    This unique setting of three adjoining gardens was created by Chelsea who moved here in 2012. As neighboring homes became available, her brother Chris’s family and her grandmother, Donna joined her. On Alabama, a border of native sedge, Carex obnupta, connects the homes and provides a substantial barrier to a busy street. A row of variegated dogwoods is the next layer to add cohesiveness and seasonal interest. The back gardens have archways and paths to connect them, but each has their own look. Donna is the rose expert and has vegetable patch along with an old-fashioned cottage garden. Chris & Emma designed theirs for family gatherings and child’s play all overlooked by a loved katsura tree. Chelsea’s features custom fixtures and panels (created by her), an elegant side gate, fountains and an elaborate covered seating area. Look up so you don’t miss her very cool “living” patio roof.

  • #2 Jane Talbot & Kevin Williamson

    ByWhatcom Hort Society


    Much of the South Hill slope has been conquered over the years by stone masons who added rock walls and created terraces to hold back the hill and give homeowners some flat areas. The terraces and flat areas inherited by Jane and Kevin in 2008 were all lawn, and in 2009 they began converting these terraces into this amazing rocky outcropping of mature and maturing evergreens. Now nestled among the rocks and boulders are weeping deodar cedars and fascinating dwarfs, bright sedges and perennial grasses. Flowering trees and shrubs, like dogwoods and spirea add color without requiring much maintenance. This peaceful setting is artfully planted and pruned, so that you have a layered view between the plantings. The garden is not irrigated and was designed to be drought tolerant. The stone steps and patio are edged with river rocks which lends another dimension all its own to this garden. There is something beautiful to see in every season from the patio and on the way to their smartly remodeled sauna with its unusual siding and outdoor galvanized bathtub. There is so much to admire here, what would you take to your garden?

  • #3 Alan Eininger & Susan Brady

    ByWhatcom Hort Society

    When Alan and Susan moved here in 2020, their yard was dominated by an overabundance of grey concrete block retaining walls, poor soil and grass that quickly died.  Five years later, after a total makeover, only two original plants remain.  Susan wanted color and Alan wanted interest and now both have been achieved in a garden filled with amazing textures and colors.  You will see broadleaf plants selected for the leaf color and dwarf evergreens with unique needle patterns and pink cones. On the walking path from sidewalk to upper lawn area, the light green shade and mounding habit of the Bolax gummifera ‘Nana” groundcover contrasts with the dark mulch. The ‘rusty’ color of the sinuous steel border edging, and sculptures of herons and a lone wolf add more texture and interest. Your attention will be captured by the sounds and form of a natural basalt water feature.  As you walk around take the time to notice the needle structures and leaf colors of this collection. The combinations are stunning!