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Lakamas Landscape Design
Landscape Design for Seattle and Camano Island
Where Artistry Meets Ecology
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The Botanical Rolodex
A curated collection of plants we return to often, each chosen for its beauty, resilience, and role in creating thoughtful Northwest gardens. Design notes, quirks, and garden-tested insights included.


Oemleria cerasiformis (Indian Plum / Osoberry)
Osoberry is one of the earliest signs of spring in the Pacific Northwest. Blooming in late winter when most shrubs remain dormant, Osoberry brings movement, subtle fragrance, and ecological value to both cultivated gardens and naturalistic designs. In Seattle and Camano Island landscapes, it signals the shift toward longer days and becomes an important nectar source when few others are available.

Jonna Semke
Dec 8, 20254 min read


Camassia leichtlinii (Great Camas, Large Camas)
Lovely soft lavender flower of the Great Camas plant in the wild Camassia leichtlinii (Great Camas, Large Camas) 🌿💙 Description 📝 Camassia leichtlinii is a striking native bulb of the Pacific Northwest, known for its tall spires of star-shaped blue to violet flowers in late spring to early summer. Historically valued as a food source by Indigenous peoples, Camas meadows once carpeted valleys and prairies in vibrant blue. Today, it is prized in both naturalistic and designe

Jonna Semke
Sep 25, 20252 min read


Serviceberry ‘Autumn Brilliance’ – Four Seasons of Beauty in One Tree
Serviceberry ‘Autumn Brilliance’ ( Amelanchier × grandiflora ) is a small tree with four-season appeal —from clouds of spring flowers and summer berries to brilliant red-orange fall foliage and graceful winter form. Ideal for Pacific Northwest gardens , it attracts pollinators, feeds songbirds, and thrives in a variety of soils. Whether planted as a specimen tree, a multi-stemmed accent, or in a wildlife-friendly landscape, this low-maintenance beauty adds both ecological val

Jonna Semke
Sep 23, 20253 min read


🌳 Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Pee Wee’
🌳 Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Pee Wee’ (Shrub – Oakleaf Hydrangea) 📝 Description ‘Pee Wee’ is a compact form of the oakleaf hydrangea,...

Jonna Semke
Aug 19, 20252 min read


Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’ (Witch Hazel)
🌿 Description ‘Diane’ witch hazel is one of the most admired cultivars, celebrated for its rich copper-red to brick-red ribbon-like flowers that unfurl in late winter when little else is blooming. The lightly fragrant blossoms brighten bare landscapes and are followed by fresh green summer foliage that turns brilliant shades of orange, scarlet, and burgundy in autumn. A true multi-season performer. Spidery red blossoms in late winter 🌸 Ideal Uses Winter garden interest Mixe

Jonna Semke
Aug 19, 20252 min read


🌿 Plant Profile: Arctostaphylos ‘Howard McMinn’
White flowers in spring, evergreen leaves and deep mahogony bark make this plant one of the most handsome in the garden 🌿 Plant Profile: Arctostaphylos ‘Howard McMinn’ ✨ The most adaptable Manzanita for gardens ‘Howard McMinn’ is a standout selection of manzanita, beloved for its year-round appeal and garden reliability . Unlike fussier species, this cultivar tolerates a bit more summer irrigation, making it a good fit for landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. 🌸 Description

Jonna Semke
Aug 19, 20252 min read


🌸 Japanese Anemone (Anemone × hybrida)
Description Japanese anemones bring a graceful, airy touch to late-summer and fall gardens. Rising on tall wiry stems, their delicate...

Jonna Semke
Aug 19, 20251 min read


Plant Profile: Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri)
Vibrant rose blooms on a variety of Gaura Plant Profile: Gaura ( Oenothera lindheimeri ) Description Gaura, also called Wandflower or...

Jonna Semke
Aug 19, 20252 min read


Solidago canadensis - Canada Goldenrod
A tall, sun-loving perennial, Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) brings a burst of golden-yellow color to late summer and fall landscapes. Its upright stems support dense plumes of small flowers that attract pollinators in droves, especially bees, butterflies, and beneficial wasps. Though often misunderstood as invasive, Canada Goldenrod plays an essential role in native ecosystems when used responsibly.

Jonna Semke
Aug 6, 20252 min read


Prunus emarginata - Bitter Cherry
White flower clusters in spring Prunus emarginata Bitter Cherry Description Prunus emarginata, or Bitter Cherry is a deciduous small tree or large shrub native to western North America, including the Pacific Northwest. It features glossy, finely toothed leaves and clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring that are highly attractive to pollinators. In summer, it produces small, bright red cherries that are sour to taste but provide valuable food for birds and wildlife. Its

Jonna Semke
Jul 31, 20252 min read


Plant Profile: Gaillardia aristata (Common Blanket Flower)
💬 Description: Gaillardia aristata is a hardy North American native that lights up the garden with flame-colored blooms in red, orange, and yellow. Its long bloom season and resilience to drought make it ideal for low-maintenance landscapes and restoration plantings. 🌿 Ideal Uses: - Native and pollinator-friendly gardens - Meadows and wildflower mixes - Roadsides and erosion-prone areas - Deer-resistant borders and waterwise landscapes 🌼 Plant Profile: Botanical Name:

Jonna Semke
Jul 31, 20251 min read
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