The greenhouse as sanctuary

Published 6:57 am Friday, May 29, 2015

Q&A with Debbie Haugsten

Q: Tell us about your greenhouse and the advantages it provides your gardening?

A: My greenhouse is a true sanctuary for me. I love being surrounded by the foliage and flowers. The big advantage of having a greenhouse for me is being able to propagate with cuttings and seeds with the luxury of protection and climate control. I also use it for overwintering some of my plants like my collection of geraniums. And I can work in the greenhouse in the pouring rain.

Q: What has been your biggest gardening success?

A: I would say my biggest gardening success is growing plants from cuttings and seeds and then watching them flourish in my garden. I have grown a complete hedge of shrubs from cuttings. Propagating plants is almost magical to me.

Q: What part of your personality is reflected in your garden?

A: My gardens are eclectic and diverse just like the interior of my home. I plant what I love and do not concern myself with balance and symmetry. My gardens exhibit many different textures, shapes and colors, especially with my flowers. I am slowly cultivating a good group of perennial flowers that return every year — another bit of the magic for me.

Q: Describe the pleasure you gain from working in your garden.

A: I have always loved gardening even as a small child. I do so enjoy being outdoors in my own yard planting, cleaning up, and — yes — weeding. I don’t like to weed but after an area has been weeded I feel I have accomplished something great. And my husband says that when I finish gardening for the day I look like I have been rolling around in the dirt with our dog — so that’s proof positive that I am having fun.

Q: What’s the most recent gardening book you’ve read that you would recommend?

A: “Back in the Garden with Dulcy” by Ted Mahar is a wonderful collaboration of gardening columns from The Oregonian by the late Dulcy Mahar. Dulcy’s columns talk of her adventures in gardening in the Pacific Northwest, including gardening advice and some hilarious stories of her gardening successes and failures.

Debbie Haugsten, whose hobbies include gardening and jewelry making, became a member of the Clatsop County Master Gardeners Association in 2008. She is also a member of the Peninsula Arts Association. She is married to Dave Haugsten and their family includes Ralph, a Golden Retriever.

I plant what I love and do not concern myself with balance and symmetry.