January 24, 2010

We'd like to introduce you to some of the plants that we will be growing at CMP.  CMP will be featuring a wide variety of native perennials, shrubs and trees.  Our goal at CMP is promote and feature local and regional natives for the inland northwest garden.  Native plants are our passion! 

What is a native plant?   Native plants are plants that have evolved over thousands of years in a particular region.  They are adapted to the geography, hydroloy, and climate of that region.  Native plants occur in communities, they have evolved together with other plants and animals and thus provide a rich environment for native species including songbirds and butterflies.

Why grow natives you ask?  Here's a few of the advantages and benefits.  Native plants are well adapted to our local climate and soils.  Compared to lawns and traditional perennial gardens, native landscapes require low maintenance once established.  They require little supplemental water, fertilizers, insecticides or herbicides.  Native plants add beauty to the landscape while preserving our natural heritage.  They provide food and habitat for native wildlife. 

Native plants can be grown in a native garden or may added to the traditional garden.  Native gardens do not have to be boring!  There are a wide variety of native plants with very attractive blooms, foliage, fall color, shapes and sizes.  Through proper plant selection and design, as with any traditional garden you can achieve a beautiful garden that last for many years. 

January 15, 2010

Much progress has been made at the nursery.  The greenhouse structure is finished.   Our plant list for 2010 is complete and seeds have been procured.  Jill has been working on a catalogue with photos and descriptions for each of the plants that will be featured.  Bob continues to work on construction, building benches and framing in a potting room in one of the bays in our shop. 

Our current plant list includes 62 perennial herbs and 9 shrubs.  We will begin growing in late february and plan to have plants for sale in May. 

Plants will be available at the nursery, though we recommend calling first before visiting, as well as through local farmer's markets.  We will update this site regarding availability and locations for sales.

The majority of the plants grown at CMP are inland northwest natives from a wide variety of habitats.  Native plants have many advantages for inland northwest gardens.  They are well adapted to our unique local climate and soils.  Many resist deer and rabbit feeding.  Native plants are not horticultural hybrids, they have not been genetically altered, so they produce viable seed that gardeners may collect and sew.  They produce seeds and nectar that are readily used by native butterflies, and birds.

Our selection includes a variety of plants that will fit into a wide variety of garden situations including perennial gardens, rock gardens, butterfly gardens, cutflower gardens, wildflower meadows and more. 

Through this Blog we hope to introduce you to the plants we will be growing, special news from the nursery and upcoming events.  Thanks for visiting!