In 1992, I moved to the Long Beach Peninsula from Seattle and by 1993 my gardening business had begun. By word of mouth, I soon filled a work schedule that has become ever more interesting and challenging. My original partner, the talented Robert Sullivan, left the business in 2003, and in 2005 I was joined by Allan Fritz, whom I had known since high school in 1972. Together, we care for gardens both public and private all over the Long Beach Peninsula. You can see regularly updated photo albums of most of our gardens on our Facebook page.
In 2010, we left our shady Spring Street garden and tiny cottage, hidden away behind the Ilwaco boatyard, and moved to a large sunny lot in the heart of Ilwaco where we have done our best to make a 1979 manufactured home look like a cottage!
I credit my grandmother, Gladys Corinne Walker, as my greatest gardening mentor and influence, followed by Ann Lovejoy, whose lecture on perennials in 1988 completely transformed my gardening style.
Some of the gardens we care for on the Peninsula have been on the Music in the Gardens tour, including our Spring Street garden in 2008, my mother’s garden in 2009, our new garden in 2012, and gardens of clients past and present: Jo’s garden, Klipsan Beach Cottages, The Shelburne Inn, Laurie’s garden, Discovery Heights, and The Boreas Inn.
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Just to let you know I’ve nominated you for a Liebster Award.
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Thanks, Loren; I had better proofread! Sorry you have such a bad cold (per your latest blog entry).
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I am seriously going to get around to doing something back about the Liebster award!!
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Thanks for nominating me for the Liebster award. This is very kind. It also brought me back here to see your site. I enjoyed reading about your battles with the undergrowth.
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Thanks to you for the beautiful bird art!
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I love your site! Flower photos to die for, and thank you for the honor of being on your blog roll. Look forward to exploring more great posts!
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Oh, and I was deeply influenced by Ann Lovejoy too; I’ve read The American Mixed Border at least a dozen times.
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So pleased to read of someone else who appreciates her!
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Thanks so very much. I have been enjoying your blog, too. Have been trying to catch up with mine.
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Hello! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog and am especially impressed with your inclusion of Cannon Beach. The Cannon Beach History Center is working on organizing the 10th Annual Cottage and Garden Tour and I would really love to hear any suggestions for gardens that you may have 503.436.9301
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If you were to be in the Tolovana neighbourhood, I would beg for June Kroft’s cottage and garden, and the cottage and garden with the square tower. There is a photo of the tower in this entry: https://tanglycottage.wordpress.com/2010/09/11/flashback-11september-2010-cannon-beach-cottage-tour-part-one/
I was so disappointed that the year my mom was sick and I FORGOT the tour!!!! I missed both June Kroft and the square tower.
In the Presidential blocks, I don’t know the street name locations of the gardens I admired while walking but I did photograph and include them in my blog entries for last year’s tour.
Thanks for liking what I wrote because sometimes I complain about one thing or another! However the tour is really one of the highlights of my year.
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I know June’s garden is amazing! I tried to get her to be on the tour last year and she declined. My fingers are crossed that she will say yes this year. We have one home in Tolovana and I’d love to have her garden. In fact, on Sunday I am hoping have gardening lecture/presentation at the Tolovana Inn with a brunch. This one brunch will be catered by Culinary Capers. I actually thought you might be interested in giving a talk??? I will call June again tomorrow and try to entice her back. I like constructive criticism it helps the event get better – and your notations were very helpful – thank you!
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I have way too much social anxiety disorder to give a talk, but thanks for asking. Oh, I do hope you get June….Tell her people are begging!!
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June confirmed today! She will be showing her garden for the 10th Annual Cottage Tour on Saturday September 14th! I sure hope that you can make it!
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I am ecstatic. Only a major catastrophe would keep me away.
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You’ve been awarded the Dragon’s Loyalty Award. I know that not everyone accepts awards. If I’ve linked to you and you don’t want it, please don’t be annoyed with me, just take it as a sign of appreciation for what you do. You do not have to accept this or any other award. It is a compliment, not a curse!
BB
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Thanks very much!
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Congratulations! You’ve been selected to win a blog award because I really enjoy your blog. If you hate awards, please just take it as a compliment and go about your business.
If you’re intrigued, please take a look here to find out more: http://bulgingbuttons.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/award-mania/
Either way, thanks for writing a blog that I enjoy and want to share with my readers.
BB
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Why, thank you, Ms. B Buttons! I love awards! I will be happy to accept and do what must be done!
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Oh, and it is especially nice since you “don’t like flowers!” 😉
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I have just started getting into succulents and planning for a veg garden this summer as well. I’m a newbie in this arena and would love to follow you !! I might learn sumthin!!
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Thanks, I don’t know as much as it looks like I know, if that makes any sense! So I do hope you find something useful.
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I have just spent much more time than I had intended reading your fascinating blog – time well spent I think – housework can wait! Thank-you so much for visiting my blog and for the follow. Clare
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Wow, thank you so much! I look forward fo following yours.
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Thank you for posting a Pic of me at the Market :), as it’s actually the very first picture that I have seen of myself there. Please stop by anytime, as I’m there every Saturday, and please accept any of my Plates of your choosing, as that Lunch will be on me!
Anthony De Luz – Owner
Blue Collar Eats
503.440.8419
anthony@bluecollareats.com
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That is mighty sweet of you!! Glad you like the picture!
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PS I think we have more than one pic of you there so will try to find the others for you.
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your rose looks like Lillian Austin….
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Oh, I googled and do think you are right, thanks so much!
Adding to my must have list.
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Skylar,
You’ve made several light references to something in your blog posts that I’d like to ask you about, but don’t think it’s appropriate to comment on in your blog. My email is redthistle1@yahoo.com. Could you contact me or let me contact you? Thanks, Laura
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I will.
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Just found your site, signed up for new posts. I fled the dark of Seattle, live now in the middle of downtown Phoenix. I am a passionate gardener focusing now on native plant gardening to create habitat for wildlife. Sad how many plants it precludes. Lilacs, peonies, most roses, etc!
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I just found your site also, following a thread about Beverley Nichols, one of my favorites. And then I saw your Ann Lovejoy references (I too re-read her books constantly) and Ursula LeGuin quote…. the final straw was seeing your new “cottage”. I just moved into an old doublewide myself on the shore of a small lake in Corvallis Oregon. No garden yet but I brought 250+ of my favorite potted plants, shrubs and trees with me and am starting to lay out garden beds. Can’t wait to read your whole blog!
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Thanks, and if this is my first reply to your kind comment, I apologize…it got sort of lost in pending posts. I hope your garden is coming along well!
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I love your site and look forward to your new posts. You made a comment in my blog that I should read Harriett Brown’s Body of Truth. Thanks very much- I consider that excellent book to be the most important I’ve read in a long time. I am going to cover that vital subject in my next post. With your permission, I’d like to credit you with referring me to the book.
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You certainly may, and thanks so much!
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