It was exactly 18 years ago, on April 1, 2004, when I was sitting at my computer straining my brain to come up with a timely subject upon which to pontificate. It occurred to me that my column was going to appear exactly on the first of April - a day that traditionally has been set aside for enjoying a practical joke or two…


Over eons, the kingdom of plants has stretched across the globe and filled almost all climates with stellar botanical treasures, even continuing to evolve to this day. The variations in attributes offered by plants is extraordinary when you think about it, and we are lucky as PNW gardeners to be able to…