The Rite Of (Almost) Spring

In catalogs, we find recreation, temptation and even inspiration

IT'S EASY TO forget the true nature of seed and plant catalogs because they feel like heralds of bountiful springtime rather than marketing tools designed to sell us stuff. It's possible to float your way through the dreary winter months, basking in the near-unbelievable richness of planting possibilities on offer.

And if you practice a little restraint, catalogs can be a cheap high. Most are free, and even those that charge usually have online versions. Just remember to keep the actual size of your garden firmly in mind, and be a little skeptical about the glowing plant descriptions.

Here's a short list of catalogs specializing in plants for our unique Northwest climate:

Joy Creek Nursery. 20300 N.W. Watson Road, Scappoose, OR 97056; 503-543-7474; www.joycreek.com.

Known for an impressive variety of hydrangeas, clematis, penstemon and hosta, Joy Creek has grown into a powerhouse of desirable plants. This year the Web site has more than 1,000 plants that couldn't be crammed into the paper version. Owner Maurice Horn deserves an award for his no-frills, knowledgeable plant descriptions. New introductions this year include a long-blooming Peruvian lily in pink splotched with yellow (Alstroemeria 'Pink Lemonade') and a new clematis from Japan, C. 'Hoshi no Flamenco' with rounded, purple-red flowers.

Nichols Garden Nursery. 1190 Old Salem Road N.E., Albany, OR 97321; 800-422-3985;www.nicholsgardennursery.com.

This catalog is the ultimate temptation for foodies, filled with organic and high-nutrition vegetables, herbs and flowers. Included are color photos, cultivation tips and the most alluring lettuce mixes ever. The print version is satisfying, but the Web site has even more information, including recipes for cooking what you grow.

Heronswood Nursery. 7530 N.E. 288th St., Kingston, WA 98346-9521; 360-297-4172;www.heronswood.com.

If you loved the plant-and-personality-dense Heronswood catalog of years past, prepare yourself. The '06 catalog is briefer and more colorful. This new photo-plumped version will be a big help in picturing new introductions like Galtonia candicans 'Rising Sun' and the purple primrose 'Kingston Twilight.' But it is much abbreviated from the catalog we've known and loved, and relies on frequent referrals to the Web site, where you'll find all the rest of the plant descriptions. Unfortunately, Dan Hinkley's travel stories and essays, as well as Heronswood's event listings, can be found only online now. I guess we should be thankful that the exciting selection of plants we depend on from Heronswood is still available, no matter what the format.

Territorial Seed Co. P.O. Box 158 Cottage Grove, OR 97424; 800-626-0866;www.territorial-seed.com.

At 160 pages, this catalog contains an education in edibles, from green tea plants to a cornucopia of tomatoes, sunflowers, basil, kale, mushrooms and garlic. You won't believe the variety of watermelon meant for Northwest gardens. Seeds, plants, descriptions, photos and products are all between the pages of this well-designed fact book of a catalog.

Raintree Nursery. 391 Butts Road, Morton, WA 98356; 360-496-6400;www.raintreenursery.com.

Open these pages and I dare you to resist ordering at least a few each of the luscious raspberries, strawberries and blueberries. Nurturing fruit and nuts to healthy maturity is a challenge on this side of the mountains. Raintree's varieties are selected especially for our less-than-hot summers as well as disease resistance.

Also worth perusing:

Terrapin Gardens. 13825 162nd Ave. N.E., Woodinville, WA 98072; www.terrapin-gardens.com.

More than the name is original at this interesting little nursery where wood turtles are raised along with uncommon varieties of perennials, trees and succulents. You can stop in to pick up your order if you'd like. Online catalog only.

Mesogeo Greenhouse. 12364 Miller Road N.E., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110; 206-855-9017; www.mesogeogarden.com.

This one has an inspiring selection of tropical and drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants well-suited to our climate. There's an online catalog, on-site sales and plans to offer mail order soon.

Goodwin Creek Gardens. P.O. Box 83, Williams, OR 97544; 800-846-7359; www.goodwincreekgardens.com.

A family-owned nursery specializing in heirloom and contemporary cultivars of useful and ornamental plants like scented geraniums, lavenders, medicinal herbs and hummingbird and butterfly attractants. Catalog online and in print.

Valerie Easton is a Seattle freelance writer and contributing editor for Horticulture magazine. Her e-mail address is valeaston@comcast.net.