The Land is Green and We Make It Grow

Spring is finally a-bloom in Walla Walla this year after what seemed an interminably long, drawn out winter. We've had a fair amount of 60-degree days and even a couple approaching 80F. Currently the fruit trees are sending out their fragrant blooms, the first tulips are up as the daffodils and hyacinth begin to fade, and the forsythia are absolutely radiant. It is the best time of year to visit Walla Walla.

When you do, make it a point to take in the floral glories of Fort Walla Walla Museum. Between Jim, our multi-talented groundsman, and a slew of dedicated volunteers, a gardener's paradise is created every year. Gardens abound at the Museum and some serve as horticultural displays in support of Museum exhibits.

The Italian Herb Garden and the Black Prince* (also known as Cinseault) vineyard exist to help define the Saturno Italian Farmstead. The apple trees near the pioneer settlement help tell the importance of fruit farming in the pioneer era. If you know the wonderful Ritz Mansion on Plaza Way near the Country Club, you might be interested in knowing that Phillip Ritz was an early orchardist in the region. The Blalock Addition of College Place and Walla Walla was first the Blalock Orchards ... Spitzenberg (an apple variety) Street still hints at those origins.

The rest of the Museum's gardens exist to delight the eyes and nose. Throughout our season, new plants bloom and thrive making a stroll through the grounds a very pleasant experience. Of special worth are the dahlias Jim (that's Jim planting a tree above) grows each fall near the entrance and Store. These giant flowers are amazing and worth the trip by themselves.

*while the Museum's grapes are not used to make the wine, a local vintner (Morrison Lane in downtown Walla Walla) produces a varietal from locally-grown grapes.