More East Meets West

Nita-Jo’s Plant List — “Dan may win, but my slides are prettier.”  [Word docx]   [PDF]

The Foundation is especially pleased that these businesses are continuing to support the King County Master Gardeners. To make this event even more special, these sponsors have offered door prizes for some lucky attendees. Thank you to these sponsors for their generosity: Bellevue Botanical Garden, Bellevue Botanical Garden society, City Peoples Mercantile on Sand Point Way, Dunn Gardens, Eastside Fuchsia Society, Fran’s Chocolates, Wells Medina Nursery in Bellevue, and authors Nita-Jo Rountree and Jodi Helmer. Guests will have a chance to win one of these doorprizes during the event:

• Bellevue Botanical Garden (BBG): a personal tour of the garden for 6, hosted by Nancy Kartes, BBG Garden Manager – Winner: Barbara Waxman
• Bellevue Botanical Garden Society (BBGS): a Society membership – Winner: Gayle Olsson
• City Peoples Mercantile on Sand Point Way: two gift certificates – Winners: Alan Anderson, Mary Watson
• Dunn Gardens: docent-led tour of The Dunn for up to 6 people – Winner: Carin Dugowsin
• Eastside Fuchsia Society (a BBG Partner): 2 hardy fuchsias in gallon containers – Winners: Judy Olson, Pat Roome
• Fran’s Chocolates: a $50 gift certificate – Winner: Gudrun Utz
• McLendon Hardware: a $25 gift card – Winner: Suzi O’Byrne
• Wells Medina: a gift certificate to the nursery – Winner: Carolyn Tucker
• Woodland Park Zoo: guest passes to the Zoo – Winner: Jean Jones, Carol Scheuffele
• Nita-Jo Rountree: a copy of her book, Growing Roses in the Pacific Northwest – Winner: Carolyn Cox, and a copy of Dan Hinkley’s book, The Explorer’s Garden – Winner: Gabriele Hong
• Jodi Helmer: a copy of her book Growing Your Own Cocktails, Mocktails, Teas & Infusions: Gardening Tips and How-To Techniques for Making Artisanal Beverages at Home – Winner: Bob Stafford
• Pat Roome: a copy of her book Legacy of a Passionate Gardener – Winner: Lori Tadlock

Looking for a way to get a copy of any book mentioned here. Here is a link to a list of Northwest Independent bookstores where you may order these books: https://nwbooklovers.org/stores/ , or get them from your favorite online bookseller, too.

Mint Julep

• 2 ounces (60ml) bourbon
• 1 1/2 ounces (45ml) mint simple syrup (preferably made with Kentucky Colonel mint, which was cultivated for the julep, or another type of spearmint, but any mint can be used)
• 1/2 ounce (15ml) water
• 4 to 6 mint leaves
• dash of citrus bitters
• glass: julep or rocks
• garnish: mint sprig

Place all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake hard for about thirty to sixty seconds. Pour the mixture into a julep or rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with mint sprig.

Lavender Mojito

• 1 1/2 ounces (45ml) white rum
• 3/4 ounces (22ml) mint simple syrup
• 1/4 ounce (7.5ml) lavender simple syrup and
• 1/2 ounce (15ml) lavender simple syrup, separated
• 3/4 ounces (22ml) fresh lime juice
• 4 to 6 mint leaves
• ash of citrus bitters and/or lavender bitters
• 3 to 4 ounces (90 to 120ml) seltzer or club soda
• glass: highball or Collins
• garnish: mint sprigs and lime wedges

Place mint leaves, syrups (only 1/4 ounce [7.5ml] lavender syrup), lime juice, and bitters into the bottom of a shaker. Gently press a few times with a muddler, fill with ice, and add rum. Shake for about thirty seconds. Strain into highball or Collins glass filled with ice, then top with seltzer or club soda. Drizzle remaining 1/2 ounce (15ml) lavender syrup into the mojito. Gently slap the mint sprig before adding it to the glass with the lime wheel or wedge.

Master Gardener Foundation of King County