‘Easy care’ plants gaining popularity

It’s almost summer, a time when living is supposed to be easy. Gardeners are increasingly taking that cue as they look for trees, shrubs and other plants that don’t require elaborate care, according to manager Lisa Bradford of Tsugawa Nursery in Woodland.

“People are getting tired of pruning things,” she said. “They want easy care plants."

That includes spirea and various items in the Weigela family, Bradford said. She noted that Tsugawa has Weigelas ranging from 15 inches high to four or five feet. Likewise, spirea can be found from 18 inches to five feet in height.

Don’t expect to water the “easy care’’ varieties once and forget about them, though. Hillary Jensen, vegetable and edible plant specialist at Tsugawa, cautioned that “most plants will require some kind of care.”

Hanging baskets are popular this time of year, Jensen said, especially as gifts for Mother’s Day next month. Tsugawa is holding a special moss basket workshop Sat., May 3, at 1 p.m. It’s limited to 20 people and the cost is $55, which includes taking home a moss-lined basket each participant will make during the afternoon.

“People are always wanting to put together their own baskets,” Jensen said. “If they have an idea what they want their project to look like, there will be people here during the workshop to help them.”

Bradford added, “It won’t just be a few plants. (The baskets) will be loaded. There are some tricks to it.”

The nursery will hold a free seminar titled “What to Do in the Garden in May” starting at 11 a.m. the same day (May 3). May is the busiest month for sowing summer food crops, but the seminar will include information about other landscaping and gardening projects, too. People are encouraged to bring photos and samples from their gardens for the Tsugawa staff to look at during a question-and-answer period.

The May 3 events will be Tsugawa’s only workshop and seminar during May due to the high volume of plants and hanging baskets arriving during the month. The staff will present an expanded number of educational events in June.

Last week, customers from Longview and Vancouver were among those browsing through Tsugawa’s outdoor displays. They ranged from beginners to old hands.

Mike Bonafede filled his vehicle with several plants, admitting he was new to gardening and had used an unscientific method to make his purchase choices.

“They looked good,” he said with a grin. “We just bought a huge property and have a lot to do.”

Nearby, Vancouver resident JoAn Gulbrandson had her eye on roses, especially the Double Delight Hybrid Tea Rose. She’s a longtime gardener who enjoys the peacefulness and relaxation it provides.

“I have to do it,” she said. “It makes me feel good, especially in the nice spring weather. And it spurs my creative juices.”

Mark Kelley of Yacolt was taking his time making selections. He pulled granddaughters Finnley Lightfoot, 5, and Peyton Lightfoot, 2, both of Battle Ground, on a wheeled cart as he surveyed the options. The girls appeared to be enjoying the spring sunshine and the ride whether their grandfather actually bought any plants or not.

Another free event coming up at Tsugawa Nursery is a potting party on Sat., April 26. People may bring their own containers, buy some some plants, and receive free potting soil and fertilizer on site.