Julie Lane Gay

Julie Lane Gay lives and gardens in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she previously owned a nursery specializing in climbers and perennials.

  • Design

    Summer Stalwarts to Carry Things Through to Season’s End

    Dwarf panicle hydrangeas and a few masses of some dependable perennials add instant interest to this collection of summer stunners. The water feature could be replaced by a piece of…

  • Design

    Exciting Plant Selections to Add Softness in the Shade

    It’s great to have some suggestions of plants that can take a beating, but unless you pair them with ideal partners, your garden could still fall flat. Here are a…

  • Design

    Sturdy Spring Plant Options to Lean On

    With the addition of a couple of four-season evergreens and a few long-blooming perennials, these spring options could be just the ticket for a corner of the landscape that’s lacking…

  • Design

    A Garden That’s Younger Than It Looks

    They never weeded a bed or planted a seed, but our four teenagers were heartbroken to leave the big garden of their childhood. Why couldn’t we wait 10 years? Where…

  • Design

    Plants for Shady Passageways

    The frequently used pathway along the west side of my house is shady all day. Wedged between the house and a 5-foot fence, this narrow space was once a homeland…

  • Design

    Surprising Shrubs for Small Spaces

    My old garden was big. There was room for tree-size lilacs, billowy shrub roses, and rhododendrons so sturdy that you could climb on them. I knew that moving across town…

  • Article

    Regional Picks: Plant This With That—Northwest

    Plant this . . .   Sunset Celebration™ rose Name: Rosa ‘Sunset Celebration’ USDA Hardiness Zones: 6–9 Size: 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide Conditions: Full sun;…

  • Article

    Regional Picks: Color in the Shade – Northwest

    Northwest   Heart-leaved disanthus (Disanthus cercidifolius) USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8 Size: 5 to 7 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide Conditions: Partial shade; moist, well-drained soil…

  • Article

    Vines: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle

    Climbing plants are like a troupe of exceptionally versatile thespians—pleased to perform a myriad of roles in an endless number of plays. Are you in need of a shining star…