Swansons Stories
Aimée Damman
The Story of An Extra Special Holiday Train

This year, though, the train is even more magical and special. It’s partly because of the great theme - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - but mostly because of the people who made this year’s train happen. Especially one new addition to the train team, a boy named Sam. Sam is an autistic person who has specific and deep passions, one of which is Willy Wonka. He knows everything about the story, the characters, the setting. He can discuss the finer points all day long. And that’s how this year’s train took shape. So how did Sam get involved with the Swansons’ train?

The Story of An Extra Special Holiday Train
Gift Guides
Aimée Damman
Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide

Happy Holidays! This season, celebrate the joy of giving with thoughtful gifts that reflect the unique passions of your loved ones. Our carefully curated selection of gifts is sure to make this holiday season unforgettable for everyone on your list. Let us help you spread cheer with gifts that inspire and delight!

Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide
Birds & Wildlife, Gardening with Kids
Aimée Damman
6 Ways to Repurpose Your Christmas Tree After ...

The holidays are winding down and despite the desire to keep your beautifully-decorated Christmas tree as a centerpiece in your living room forever, at some point (sob!) it's gotta go. Here are 6 ways to transform your tree into a critter-feeding-bird-sheltering-kid-entertaining-garden-mulching thing of wonder this year.

6 Ways to Repurpose Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays
Planting & Plant Care
Dan Gilchrist
Cold Protection for Your Garden Plants

Here are some quick tips for protecting your less-hardy plants from cold damage.

Cold Protection for Your Garden Plants
Garden History & Lore
Mike Kohfeld
Cuetlaxochitl: A Cultural History of the ...

With cheerful red bracts and delicate yellow flowers framed against velvety green leaves, colorful poinsettias are an indisputable symbol of Christmas. In fact, poinsettias are the most commercially important potted plant in the world because of their endearing association with the December holiday season. But how did this warm-weather shrub native to western Mexico become so closely associated with Christmas?

Cuetlaxochitl: A Cultural History of the Poinsettia

hydrangeas

7 Things We're Buying With Our Swan Dollars

7 Things We're Buying With Our Swan Dollars

Do you know about Swansons’ Swan Dollars? This fabulous tradition is our way of saying “thank you” for shopping with us in the spring. Each April, May, and June, you collect Swan Dollars on every purchase you make. In July, it’s time to gather them all up and visit Swansons to redeem them. You can use Swan Dollars (from any year!) for up to half of your purchase throughout the month of July, even on sale items. Here are some of the things we’re using our Swan Dollars to buy this year. We hope it inspires you to come in and treat yourself!

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Hydrangea Care & Pruning

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Hydrangea Care & Pruning

Hydrangeas are classic garden shrubs known for their bold leaves and long-lasting clusters of flowers in shades of white, pink, red, or blue, blooming from mid-summer to autumn. More varieties are becoming available, featuring unique flower shapes, leaf colors, and even stem colors! Read on to learn how to care for your hydrangeas and help them thrive.

Shrubs with Beautiful Summer Flowers and Foliage

Shrubs with Beautiful Summer Flowers and Foliage

Many shrubs bloom in spring and there are lots of choices for gorgeous fall foliage but it can be harder to find the right stand-out shrub to highlight your garden in the summer months, especially if you are trying to complement colorful summer perennial or annual flowers. Here are a few of our favorites for summer flowers or interesting summer and fall foliage.

Summer Showstoppers: The Different Types of Hydrangeas

Summer Showstoppers: The Different Types of Hydrangeas

There are a multitude of summer flowers, but one particular shrub always wows us with beautiful, show-stopping flowers: the hydrangea.  With long-lasting pink, red, white, chartreuse, blue, and violet flower colors, hydrangeas will look right at home in any garden. I would like to feature a few most often seen growing in PNW gardens.  

 
 

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