Venture Out for the Holidays!

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Venture Out Plant Nursery is open all year round, and we’re excited to share the magic of the holidays with you! Starting November the day after Thanksgiving, locally sourced Christmas trees will be available. We also have delightful ornaments, woodland-themed holiday décor, a hands-on wreath-making class, marshmallow roasting (on weekends only), and more. There’s something for everyone this season at Venture Out!

Whether you’re interested in a beautiful living conifer to plant after the holidays or a Washington-grown cut Christmas tree, we have the tree for you. Our selection includes the most popular Christmas firs: Douglas, Grand, Nordmann, and Noble. Will you be drawn to the classic look of our Pacific Northwest native Douglas fir or the rich green boughs of the Grand? The stiff branches of the Nobles are perfect for heavier ornaments, while the Nordmann is the preferred Christmas tree of Europe, with its dense rounded needles and minimal fragrance.

For your viewing pleasure, our Christmas trees are displayed upright and unwrapped. On weekends, shoppers can warm their hands at our cheery open fire, and even roast a marshmallow for a “make-your-own-s’more” experience… Christmas tree shopping has never been this fun! Our staff will wrap and load trees into your vehicle, but first the trees are shaken by Venture Out’s special machine, to shed excess needles and reduce mess on the way home.

Come find your perfect Christmas tree, and spread the holiday cheer!

For more information, contact us at the nursery: (360) 321-9931 or contact@ventureoutnursery.com.

Written by Olivia Round.

Winter Blooming Plants for Whidbey Island Gardens

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Winter on Whidbey Island can be hard. Short days, gray skies, and dormant plants can make for a gloomy garden. But your landscape doesn’t have to be all bare sticks and dark conifers! There are plants, shrubs, and trees that take a back seat all summer to showy perennials, just so they can shine in these colder months.

We’re offering a “Winter Interest Plants” class at the Nursery on Saturday, October 27 at 11:00 am. It will be a fun and informative showcase of plants that can bring joy and color to your winter garden! Register today by calling (360) 321-9931 or emailing olivia@ventureoutnursery.com

And if you can’t join us for the class, read on for an inspiring list of plants that bloom anywhere from November to February.

Winter-blooming herbaceous perennials

Hardy Cyclamen – Toxic to rabbits and deer. Leaves emerge in the fall and flowers bloom throughout winter. These tough, hardy plants will spread and colonize an area with time. Prefer very well-draining soils in shaded areas.

Hellebore – One of the first blooming plants in the New Year! Toxic to deer and rabbits. Prefer well-drained organic soils and filtered sun to shade. Hellebores are evergreen, but we recommend cutting the leaves off entirely by early January, before they flower. This will give the plants a fresh start and prevent any of last year’s mold or harmful bacteria from infecting the new blooms.

Winter-blooming Small Shrubs (4 to 6 feet)

Corylopsis Pauciflora aka “Buttercup Winter Hazel” – Fragrant yellow flowers. Grows to 6’ x 4’.

Winter Daphne – We have Daphne Odora “Marginata” in stock. Needs regular moisture and filtered sun. Fragrant, pale pink flowers continue from winter to early spring. Evergreen variegated leaves help to brighten shady spots. Grows to 4’ x 4’.

Mahonia x Media “Winter Sun” – An evergreen shrub with fragrant yellow flowers in late winter and spring, with dusty blue berries in summer. This tough plant can adapt to sun or shade, moist or dry, with time. Slow growing to 6’ x 5’.

Sarcoccoca – These are the small white flowers with a really BIG fragrance, appearing in late winter and early spring. Deer and rabbit resistant, it has evergreen, glossy leaves and is perfect for dry shade.  

  • S. Humilis “Sarsid 2” aka “Fragrant Valley” – Covered in small fragrant white flowers, it blooms for several weeks in late winter. Perfect for dry shade and very disease resistant. Grows to 15 inches high x 3 feet wide.
  • S. Confusa “Shrubby Sweetbox” – Blooms late winter to early spring. Grows to 3’ x 5’.
  • S. Ruscafolia – Blooms January and February. Grows to 4’ x 6’.

Red Flowering Currant (native) – One of the first blooms for hummingbirds in early spring. Attractive cascades of red to pink flowers. Grows to 6’ x 5’.

Winter-blooming Large Shrubs (6 to 12 feet)

Witch Hazel – Large green leaves appear in spring and summer, taking a back seat to other showier garden plants. But in the fall, a riot of reds, oranges, and yellows spread throughout the leaves, and then in late winter, fragrant blossoms appear on the bare branches.

  • Hamamelis x “Diane” – Mildly fragrant orangey-red flowers. Grows to 12’ x 12’.
  • Hamamelis x Intermedia “Jelena” – Colorful fall foliage followed by coppery-orange blooms. Grows to 8’ x 12’.
  • Hamamelis x Intermedia “Arnold Promise” – One of the best for year-round color. Yellow flowers bloom profusely, and they have a delicious scent! Grows to 12’ x 12’.
  • Hamamelis x Intermedia “Sunburst” – By far the brightest yellow flowers of any witch hazel. Grows to 12’ x 12’.

Camellia Sasanqua – Blooms in fall and winter, while other camelias bloom in spring. Glossy evergreen foliage can make an attractive informal hedge or privacy screen. Can grow well under large, established trees, but needs at least some filtered sunlight.

  • “Yuletide” – Red flowers with a yellow center bloom near Christmas, as the name suggests. Bush has an upright habit. Grows to 8’ x 10’.
  • “Kraemer’s Supreme” – Has large, double-petaled red flowers, reminiscent of Peony blooms. More shade tolerant than the other two varieties. Grows to 6’ x 8’.
  • “Setsugekka” – Ruffled white flowers with yellow centers. Bush has a semi-weeping habit and can be espaliered. Grows to 8’ x 10’.

Winter Jasmine – Jasmine Nudiflorum – Small white flowers in January are scentless, as opposed to other, more fragrant types of Jasmine. This evergreen plant can be described as a “scrambling shrub,” rather than a vine, because it can grow up to 15 feet tall with support, or just 4’ x 7’ on its own.

Stachyurus Chimensis “Joy Forever” – Long, lacey, pale yellow flower buds appear on bare branches of this deciduous shrub in late winter. Variegated foliage is green with creamy edges in the summer, changing to bronze in fall. Likes acidic soil. Grows to 6’ x 10’.

Stop by the Nursery to peruse our selection, or give us a call at (360) 321-9931 for more information!

Written by Olivia Round.

Japanese Maples

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We love Japanese Maples. These deciduous trees provide year-round interest, offering a wide variety of colors and texture in the spring, summer, and fall, with elegant branches visible in the winter.

Stop by the Nursery today to find your next fall favorite. Will it be the plum-colored Purple Sentinel? A blushing Red Emperor? A sneak-attack Osakasuki, that makes a sudden change from deep green to fiery red in the fall? Or perhaps you’d prefer the vibrant yellows of the Ichigyoji’s autumn leaves? We have all of these varieties and dozens more available for your viewing pleasure!

Tips for Success

Sun

Japanese Maples prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. Most maples will burn in the intense heat of the afternoon sun. Even the more “sun-tolerant” Maples can show signs of leaf burn during the first few growing seasons until they fully adjust to their location. Conversely, putting Maples in deep shade will make their fall color less vibrant.

Soil

Well-drained, compost-rich soil is best for Japanese Maples. If you have heavy clay or sandy soil, and need to amend it, we recommend products such as Gardner & Bloome’s Soil Conditioner or Purely Compost. Just ask us which soil amendment is right for you!

Salt

These trees are not suited for coastal areas with strong winds and salt spray. If there’s any chance that airborne salt will get on the tree, plant it somewhere more protected!

Containers

Japanese Maples can live for many years in large containers, provided they have good drainage and consistent watering. Proper pruning boosts a containerized Maples’ health and vigor. Also, a handful of all-purpose fertilizer applied once a year will be greatly appreciated by your tree! Depending on pot size, a small Maple may need to be root-pruned and re-potted as it grows.

Deer

Unfortunately, deer love Japanese Maples as much as we do. Younger trees are particularly vulnerable, whereas more established trees aren’t as affected by occasional grazing. You’ll want to protect small Japanese Maples from deer with a liquid spray or, preferably, a physical barrier. See our recent “Oh Deer!” blog post for more tips to keep your garden safe from deer.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call, email, or stop by the Nursery for more information. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Written by Olivia Round.

Plants, Shrubs, and Trees for Whidbey Island’s Heavy Clay Soils

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Hard-packed clay soils are a challenge. Clay is a common occurrence in Whidbey Island landscapes, and it poses unending challenges to local gardeners. Clay soils become mucky and wet in winter rains, then hard as concrete in summer drought. The wet winter clay mud can drown plant roots, whereas the bone-dry summer clay is difficult to penetrate with a garden hose.

Many landowners work to improve their clay soils with berms, drainage systems, and soil additives. Some Whidbey gardeners build raised beds, filling them with amended soil. (Here at Venture Out Nursery, we carry an excellent soil conditioner product from Gardner & Bloome that can be mixed into existing clay to help aerate and improve drainage.)

Fortunately, there’s an even easier method to dealing with clay: choose plants that thrive in it. Here are a few of our favorite plants that grow well in clay soils.

Clay-Tolerant Perennials

Blooming perennials for sunny clay spots include Bee Balm, Camas and Calla Lilies, Cardinal Flower, Ligularia, and Butterfly Weed. Siberian Iris, especially, are known for their ability to thrive in both drought and standing water.

Ostrich Fern is a great choice for a shady area.

Clay-Tolerant Grasses

Miscanthus Sinensis and Panicum Virgatum are two perennial grasses that can grow in clay.

Clay-Tolerant Shrubs

Red Twig Dogwood, Serviceberry, and Snowberry are all clay-tolerant native shrubs.

Clay-Tolerant Trees

Trees for clay soils are Gingko and River Birch. Gingko has the added benefit of thriving in coastal conditions. (For more plants that love the coast, check out our previous blog post: Plants for Whidbey’s Coastal Bluffs.)

Feel free to contact us at Venture Out Plant Nursery for further information! We love finding just the right plants for your unique landscape.

Written by Olivia Round.

Got Western Exposure? Plants, Shrubs, & Trees for Whidbey Island’s Coastal Gardens

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Hot afternoon sun, salt spray, strong winds, and sandy soils pose a special challenge to Whidbey Island’s coastal gardens. Luckily, some beautiful plants can thrive even in these tough conditions! Here is a list of plants for coastal landscaping that are typically in stock at Venture Out Nursery.

Groundcovers for Coastal Conditions

Sedums: Tough, deer-resistant, and drought-tolerant, these evergreen groundcovers practically thrive on neglect! We have many awesome varieties at Venture Out, such as Blue Spruce.

Coastal Strawberry: A hardy Northwest native, this compact plant spreads well in coastal conditions. Small white flowers appear in spring, becoming red summer fruit that attracts birds. We have Coastal Strawberries currently on sale for 30% off while supplies last!

Sage, Rosemary, & Thyme: These hearty herbs are tough enough even for coastal conditions. Their beautiful, compact foliage is evergreen and spreads happily. (Over time, Rosemary and Sage can grow to be shrub-sized.) We have many different colors and textures of these perennial wonders available at Venture Out.

Perennial Blooms for Coastal Conditions

Lavateras: Many species are native to the California coast, and these tall plants with their large, sweetly colored blooms are a welcome addition to any Northwest coastal landscape as well! Both the pale pink “Barnsley” and magenta “Bredon Springs” Lavateras are available here at Venture Out Nursery.

Wallflowers: Tough, deer-resistant, and colorful, these are a staple in many Northwest gardens and are hardy enough to handle coastal conditions, too. We have yellow, “Apricot Twist,” and purple Wallflowers available here at the Nursery.

Yarrow: Drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and bursting with summer color, Yarrow are available at Venture Out in “Moonshine” yellow, “Siren Song Little Susie” pink, and “Fireland” orange.

Lavender: A hardy Northwest favorite! Check out our selection at the Nursery, which includes the unusual “Platinum Blonde” variegated lavender, as well as more traditional varieties like “Phenomenal” and “Hidcote.”

Irises: These perennials are amazingly tough. Some varieties, like the “Rose Ark” Iris, can tolerate both standing water and dry sand. They’re carefree, easy to grow, and may even naturalize in your garden. We have some of these beauties currently on sale at Venture Out for 30% off while supplies last!

Bergenia: With its leathery green leaves, these super hardy plants can handle life on the coast. We currently have “Diamond Drop” in stock, a rare dwarf variety with lovely white flowers in summer.

Santolina: Silvery evergreen foliage is drought-tolerant and ready for the coast, with a strong camphor smell that can be used to repel moths. It produces cheery yellow flowers in summer. Come smell our Santolina at the Nursery today!

Grasses for Coastal Conditions

Blue Fescue: Drought-tolerant in shady conditions, but equally happy in full sun, this beautifully colored grass is a great addition to seaside garden borders. We’re featuring some Blue Fescue in our front display tables right now!

Miscanthus: So many tall, tough Miscanthus varieties to choose from! They add texture to any garden. One of our favorites is Morning Light with its shimmering silvery appearance.

Shrubs & Hedges for Coastal Conditions

Rock Rose: The cistus family make excellent evergreen groundcovers, with rose-like blooms in the early summer. These shrubs can spread and grow up to 4–6 feet tall! Visit us at the Nursery to see the different colored blooms and foliage on varieties like “Orchid,” “Mickey,” and “Sunset.”

Escalonia “Pink Princess:” A fast-growing, drought-tolerant, deer-resistant evergreen shrub with shiny leaves that show no signs of spotting—even with salty spray. It produces beautiful pink flowers in summer and can be pruned to create a nice screen or hedge.

Barberry: From neon yellow and green to fiery red and deep purple, there’s a Barberry for every Northwest garden. Drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and brilliantly colored, this deciduous shrub is a great choice for hedges and colorful landscape accents. Come see our collection at Venture Out today!

Dwarf Shore Pines: These slow-growers are one of the few varieties of conifer that can handle salty ocean spray, and they’re available here at our Nursery.

Rugosa Roses & Rugosa Rose Hybrids: These hearty Roses form nice hedges in seaside gardens, thriving even in wind, salty air, sun, and sandy soils. (Venture Out is currently sold out of these beauties, but we’ll have them again next year!)

Trees for Coastal Conditions

Hornbeam: A beautiful deciduous tree with eye-catching foilage, the Hornbeam grows to 20–30 feet high and is at home on the coast and in the sun. Four of these trees are currently available at our Nursery!

Ginko: Heralded as a “living fossil” and one of the oldest tree species on the planet, the deciduous broadleaf Ginko tolerates coastal conditions and likes sunshine. We have just a couple left here at Venture Out, and they’re gorgeous!

Whether you live high on a western bluff or down by the Sound on Whidbey’s east side, Venture Out has plants for you. We love catering to our Whidbey Island clientele and encourage you to drop by our Nursery or call with any questions!

Written by Olivia Round.