Wonder-Flora is dedicated to permaculture & ecological principles in the creation of sustainable landscapes.
This means carefully assessing the inherent potential and problems of a site, always building soil health and selecting appropriate plants. Pavement and garden structures are constructed with reused or renewable materials. The care taken in the initial creation of the landscape is rewarded by less need for maintenance- more of a stewardship of the land- in the future. As the landscape matures its functioning improves, including increasing yields of food and biomass, improved stormwater management and a multitude of benefits for wildlife.
Why rain gardens? Rain Garden plants and soils work together to store and filter rain water before it can wash pollutants into our waterways. Application of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and irrigation may overload that function and are not appropriate within a rain garden. In winter the bottom soil may remain wet for weeks or months at a time and in summer the entire garden is likely to dry out. To be sure of success take time to prepare the soil, use mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds and choose plants carefully. Native plants are highly recommended because they thrive in our climate and soils. Adapted plants originated in other parts of the world but can also grow here without special care or watering once they are established. Finding Inspiration in Nature Plants not only give us life in the form of oxygen- the communities they form can inspire peace and provide solace in our busy lives. Forests, meadows, alpine rocks and flowing streams all have distinct patterns that speak to our senses. The essence of these forms can be incorporated into our garden designs to remind us of what we love most in the natural world. Design Considerations Consider the sun or shade in your site, the space available for each plant as it grows to full size and paths needed to access the space. What are the design functions you hope to accomplish? Do you want to screen a view? Create a focal point, attract birds, bees, or grow flowers? Plan on layering the landscape from the ground up: bulbs provide early leaves and colorful blooms, the many patterns of groundcovers hold soil in place and protect it from compaction by rain. Self-sowing annuals can quickly fill in a space while perennial flowers reliably return to increase their blooms from year to year. Shrubs furnish the garden in a range of textures, shapes, and colors in both leaf and flower. The steady presence of evergreens provides structure while deciduous leaves grow and fall with the progress of the seasons. Trees draw the eye upward, eventually becoming a key player in the ecosystem by providing habitat for countless species. A mature tree can create its own microclimate by moderating the surrounding temperature and circulating thousands of gallons of water from roots to leaves and back into the air. Preparing the Soil Seasoned gardeners know their primary work is growing good soil. Healthy soil contains a stunning quantity and variety of life- fungal, bacterial, micro and macro organisms in a complex web, breaking down the structures of life so that plants can make use of the simple elements that remain. These processes are enormously complicated and fascinating to study, yet as gardeners we only need to remember to provide the basic conditions for life: air, water and food. Pore spaces within the soil- increased by the addition of organic matter, sand, root growth and tunneling soil dwellers- allows oxygen and water to enter. It is critically important to avoid compaction by machinery, tools or even walking on the surface when the soil is sticky- wait until the texture is crumbly. Fertilizers must be used thoughtfully to balance mineral deficiencies. Some plants are allies in soil building by fixing nitrogen or drawing up minerals to become available for plant growth. Surface mulching mimics the leaf litter created by mature plants, providing food for soil organisms. Remember: feed the soil, not the plants. Plant Selection Plant choices are critical to the success of the garden. Consider the native environment of that species and choose a place for the plant that replicates those conditions: sun, shade, moisture content and type of soil. A vibrant plant community has members at all levels: bulb plants and low growers, mid-sized and tall plants. Books to Read Elements of Garden Design by Joe Eck Teaming with Nutrients, Teaming with Microbes by Jeff Lowenfels Ann Lovejoy’s Handbook of Northwest Gardening, Naturalistic Gardening Real Gardens Grow Natives by Eileen Stark The Ultimate Guide to Permaculture by Nicole Faires Gaia’s Garden by Toby Hemenway Janaki Kilgore Wonder-Flora garden design & consultation 360-920-1082 
Red and yellow-twig shrub dogwoods underplanted with Primula veris (Cowslip), an early blooming perennial, Narcissus and Muscari bulbs brighten early spring in a lawn-to-garden design by Wonder-Flora.
Fine textured lavender and alliums weave a painterly color blend, contrasting with sage and oregano. These midsummer blooms are rich nectar sources for beneficial insects.
Permaculture students at Starhawk's Earth Activist Training use sheet composting to renew a garden bed; minimizing soil disturbance, nurturing the soil food web and increasing soil organic matter.
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Gregii species tulips are likely to return each Spring.
Plant Selection
Plant choices are critical to the success of the garden. Consider the native environment of that species and choose a place for the plant that replicates those conditions: sun, shade, moisture content and type of soil. A vibrant plant community has members at all levels: bulb plants and low growers, mid-sized and tall plants. Bulbs- early colorful blooms, the bulbs store water in the ground during the dry season Species Tulips are early bloomers and likely to be perennial. They favor wet springs and dry summers, neutral ph, well-drained soils and full sun. Daffodils (Narcissus) are rodent and deer proof - excellent for planting with fruit trees. Camassia is a native bulb with a blue flower for wet soil and summer drought. Allium species bloom in late spring and early summer, providing nectar for pollinators. Self-sowing Annuals- these plants grow easily in their season, leaving seed to sprout naturally the next year 
Natural gardening methods - without pesticides, herbicides or other chemical inputs-welcome wild creatures like this Western Swallowtail butterfly.
Claytonia sibrica is a native wet season annual, tolerates shade, with clusters of pink flowers. Limnanthes douglasii is native to moist western mountains meadows. It sprouts in fall, stays bright green in winter, attracting pollinators to the late spring, yellow and white flowers. Borage is a blue-flowered ,warm season annual attractive to bees. Biennials- Live over one winter to bloom, seed and die the following spring. Many are in the carrot or brassica families and attract beneficial insects. Perennials- The leaves and stems compost each winter and the roots sprout again each spring. Saxifrage family - Heucheras are adapted to shade and summer drought. Daisy family- Asters provide late blooms and are resistant to deer. Sedums- Very drought tolerant, adaptable plants that have a long season of interest. Shrubs- soften the edges of the garden, creating walls and screens, shelter for birds. Deciduous shrubs Yellow and Red-twig Dogwoods for wet and dry soil, colorful stems. Aronia is pretty in all seasons, spring flowers, summer berries and red fall color. Ribes (currants) & Vacciniums (Huckleberry, Bluberry, Cranberry) fruiting, both native and adapted. Salix (willow) species are generally fast growing and tolerant of wet soil. Evergreen Oregon box (Paxstima mersinites) is an adaptable native shrub with a neat habit. Eleagnus are easy, nitrogen-fixing shrubs, many evergreen and some with edible fruit. Arbutus, Mahonia, Manzanita are excellent for dry, well-drained soil in sun. Trees- are the over-story, permanent feature and vertical element in the garden. Slower growing dwarf forms are available for small spaces. Conifers: Native cedars tolerate wet soil. Hemlocks will grow in shade. Fir and Spruce thrive in dry, sunny conditions. Deciduous Trees- Many shrubs can be treated as multi-trunked trees for the small garden. Fruit and nut trees- Seek out disease resistant varieties including Centennial crabapple, plums, pie cherries, Shipova (a pear, Mountain Ash cross), chestnut, hazelnut Resources:Plants for a Future (PFAF) online database Local nurseries: Cloud Mountain Farm Center www.cloudmountainfarmcenter.org Fourth Corner native plant nursery www.fouthcornernurseries.com Catalogs/ Websites: Raintree www.raintreenursery.com One Green World onegreenworld.com ForestFarm www.forestfarm.com Janaki Kilgore janaki(at)wonder-flora.com Wonder-Flora Landscape Design 360-920-1082 www.wonder-flora.com |
