Topic of the Week - Pacific Northwest Native Plants
Forum Archives
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-06-2004 at 12:16pm
I sat down to choose my all-time favorite native plants and discovered I had set a difficult task before myself. Too many choices - it couldn’t be done! So I compromised and selected three beloved spring blooming natives that aren’t included in Rainy Side’s Native Plant Gallery – yet.
I begin with red-flowering currant, Ribes sanguineum, a plant highly valued outside our region since David Douglas, Scottish botanist and plant explorer, sent seeds to Europe in 1827. It is reported that this export paid for his two-year expedition. Frankly, I don’t understand why, despite its beauty and garden suitability, it isn’t found in more Pacific Northwest gardens.
As I sip my morning tea at my kitchen table, I enjoy the red blooms of ‘Elk River Red,’ which show well against the backdrop of yews and Douglas fir. If I am distracted by its glory, it is to delight in the hummingbirds that vie for its nectar. The powdery blue-black berries ripen over a long period, which provide a continuous food source for the many birds that visit my garden. Fall color is variable; the leaves may turn yellow or soft butterscotch.
It prefers full sun to part shade sites in dry to moist, well-drained soil (it is intolerant of saturated soils). It grows quickly into a 6 to 8 feet tall upright shrub, although height and shape can vary. In shade, it may develop a somewhat leggy and interesting form. If a more controlled form is desired, you can prune to shape. Named forms with flowers in shades of red, pink and white include ‘Pulborough Scarlet’, ‘Pokey’s Pink’, ‘King Edward’ and ‘White Icicle.’ (‘White Icicle’ can be trained up a wall trellis).
For moist, part shade acidic garden sites, one of my favorite groundcovers is twinflower, Linnaea borealis. I delight in the twinned pink flowers that rise 3 to 6 inches on wiry stems in May above the glossy evergreen leaves. In my garden, it often blooms sporadically until fall. It offers up its petite beauty and delicate fragrance (more noticeable in the evening) as a reward for weeding its bed on my hands and knees. Native bees and syrphid wasps (a beneficial wasp) visit and pollinate the bell-shaped flowers.
This circumboreal plant is found in the Pacific Northwest, as far north as Alaska, south to California, Arizona and New Mexico, east to Connecticut and West Virginia and even “across the pond” to England. In the wild, I’ve seen it paired with bunchberry, Cornus unalaschkensis, and native violets, Viola spp. in open shade settings. In the garden, its twining, non-aggressive nature makes it a good companion with many garden plants, including hosta, deer fern, Blechnum spicant, maidenhair fern, Adiatum aleuticum and daylilies, Hemerocallis.
Near my front door, I paired it with black mondo grass, Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens.' In bloom, the pink bell-shaped flowers against the grass’s blackish blades remind me of a classic Coco Chanel suit. I’ve tried to establish it under my Japanese maple, Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Viridis’, but it hasn’t done well. However, that could be due to my neighbor’s cat’s tendency to lie under the maple on top of twinflower (it’s a big cat!).
I end my all-too-brief list of favorites with false Solomon's Seal, Smilacina racemosa. Its common name implies that this plant doesn’t deserve recognition as anything other than an imposter, which is far from the truth. It does bear a resemblance in form to Solomon’s seal, Polygonatum odoratum, but instead of bell-shaped flowers hanging below the non-branched stems, fragrant plumes of creamy white flowers grace the ends of each stem. Mottled green to red berries provide additional interest and feed birds, such as thrushes. In fall the leaves turn yellow and usually color better in prime conditions. It grows 1 to 3 feet tall and spreads slowly by rhizomes in moist humus-rich, somewhat acidic soils. It prefers part shade, although it will tolerate full shade. In coastal regions and other areas not subject to inland summer heat, it will tolerate full sun.
This well-mannered perennial is very showy planted en masse. Use it in moist perennial borders and along pond edges. Plant it on uphill slopes to enjoy the blooms as they droop forward. Frequent companions are sword fern, Polystichum munitum, Hooker’s and Smith’s fairybells, Disporum hookeri and D. smithii, wood sorrel, Oxalis oregana and Western bleeding heart, Dicentra formosa.
I can't wait to read about your favorite native plant and hwo you use it in your garden.
NOTE: We are referring to plants originally found in the Pacific Northwest prior to European settlement.
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Wanda
Posted: Jun-06-2004 at 4:01pm
Right now my favorite is the Ninebark (Physocarpos capitatus - not sure on that spelling). Mine is in full bloom with little puffball white flowers about the size of tangerines. And it tolerates wet clay soil. The bark is red and peeling but it is hidden under it's leaves right now. Next? -Wanda
Garden Spider
Posted: Jun-06-2004 at 7:51pm
Oh, gosh, I can't decide what my favorite native plant is! Right now, I am in love with the foamflower, Tiarella trifoliata. The tiny, delicate white flowers and small, graceful leaves make a nice contrast to the coarser Salal that is next to it. A list of my favorites would be: Sitka Columbine (Aquilegia formosa), Western Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa), Lewisias of any species (the L. cotyledons, with the technicolor blooms are wonderful!), Maidenhair fern (botanical name escapes me right now), the native Irises--I. tenax, I innominata (sp?), and I. douglasii, Tiger Lily (Lilium columbiana), Kinnikinnik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), Vancouveria for it's duck-foot shaped leaves, Erythronium (trout lilies, avalanche lilies), Red-Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea (sp? and the species name may have been changed), Pacific dogwood, Tall Oregon Grape . . . the list goes on. Silk Tassel Bush, Indian Plum, Red Flowering Current, Stink Current, Douglas' spirea. There are so many native plants suitable for the home garden!
Barb
Bill N
Posted: Jun-07-2004 at 12:22am
Evergreen Huckleberry, Ladyfern and Oregon Sunshine to add more to an already excellent list. A bird planted an Oregon Myrtle in one of our raised beds this winter so we potted it up. It's going to have to be Bonsai, those guys get big. I wish the little low growing Manzanita in Central Oregon could swim well enough to survive here, one of my favorite plants.
Bill
Corvallis
JeanneK
Posted: Jun-07-2004 at 8:57am
I would have to say trillium are one of my favs. Erythronium and lilium columbiana are right up there. I really enjoy my Garrya Eliptica (sp?). I love Manzanita for it's cute little bell shaped flowers and lovely, red bark.
Lisa, it's to hard to pick even a few. My flowering current does not get as leggy as your link shows. Maybe more sunshine encourages more bushy growth.
Jeanne
Screaming Eagle
Posted: Jun-07-2004 at 9:28am
I'm really enjoying my Philadelphus lewisii - Lewis' mock orange - as it is in full bloom right now. I planted it last spring so this is it's first bloom. On our camping trip over the weekend we also found it blooming on the hillsides in Eastern Washington. Lovely fragrance and plant!
I've been recently thinking that my time would be better spent not cleaning house.....I'd rather make compost!
Sydnie
Posted: Jun-07-2004 at 11:47am
Great subject Lisa! This is one I have been trying to learn a lot more about. I also have been trying to figure out what all I have. I may have to post a couple pic's of unidentified plants later. We will see.
>>>>Theresa>>>Mock oranges are yummy!! Sounds like a good day trip for me & my honey to Eastern Wa might be called for. I also want a Madrona Tree. I have a place with a whole bunch to check out not too far from home! I love their unusual look. Maybe that would be cool above the pond area. Hmmm. (I'll plant the mock orange somewhere near the gunnera (sp?) plant for smell. LOL. (Which by the way finally has a 2 inch leaf. Whew! I thought it was a goner!!!)
Viney Maple (Acer circinatum) can't be left out. (I might of missed it.) It is wonderful! Currants are beautiful. I have three natives and one that is pink. I don't know if the pink is native or not. I am still looking for my info. LOL. I want a lot more, esp. of the red. I will be looking for that 'white icicle' Lisa!! I love the easy care of natives. How about wild honeysuckle (Lonucera ciliosa) and wild cherry trees (Prunus emarginata) (Bitter Cherry). (Rosa woodsii?) wild rose! Salmon berries (Rubus spectabilia)for the hummers! and Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus)for the other birds! How about Oregon Irus (Irus tenax)! It's in my bog along with (Typha latifolia) Cattail! Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)is always nice. Sword fern (Polystichum munitum)is great tho' self seeds too well across my rock wall.>LOL Sedum oreganum and Sedum spathulifolium 'Cape Blanco' are great. LOL> I wouldn't say blackberries are my fav's. But I wouldn't want to be without them. Evergreen, Himilaya's and the wee wild ones. All natives? We have lots of Bushes that I would like to ID. Ones that flower. I really loooove maidenhair ferns (Adiantum aleuticum). They are my favorites. Oh - and piggy back plant (Tolmiea menziesii) , trilliums, bleeding heart. A lot of the mentioned ones! I am working hard on working them into my 'inner' yard, too! I'm researching all of the plants that are your fav's that I don't know anything about!
>>>Jeanne>>> My currants are bushier too, still sort of small yet, tho', about 3 ft. One was mowed by my honey to the ground, it's doing the very best. LOL! Think I should of mowed the other 2 reds. Maybe not!
This site helped me with some information. I have only started to read through it!
Native Plants of the PNW Info Site
Can't wait for more info!!!
The Earth Laughs in Flowers.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Wanda
Posted: Jun-07-2004 at 12:50pm
Sydnie - go to Ellensburg and take the Canyon Road to Yakima. The mock oranges grow all along the west side of the canyon on the other side of the river. At least they used to - haven't been on that road in years. What a great topic, Lisa!
-Wanda
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-07-2004 at 4:55pm
Wow, it's great to see all the enthusiasm for native plants! I think everyone has listed other favorites of mine (how many are we allowed? ). Tomorrow I'll write about a few that have been missed - so far anyway.
Sydnie, Wallace Hansen's nursery is wonderful so I'm not surprised that his website is informative.
How about books on native plants? I wouldn't be without Arthur Kruckeberg's Gardening with Native Plants in the Pacific Northwest, Pojar and Mackinnon's Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast and April Pettinger's Native Plants in the Coastal Garden.
Sydnie, Himalayan blackberry, Rubus discolor, is classed as a noxious weed - a foreign baddie. IIRC it was originally imported to be bred with another blackberry but it escaped gardens and has done a good job of overtaking natural areas and creating monocultures. As anyone who has battled it knows, it isn't always an easy beast to eradicate from the garden. Evergreen blackberry, Rubus laciniatus, is another introduced blackberry (from Europe) that is also classed as a noxious weed (in Oregon, at least, not sure what Washington's rules are).
Our native blackberry is trailing blackberry, Rubus ursinus. Kruckeberg says it can become a garden pest. I know in the wild, it is usually the plant that trips me up. Here's an interesting fact I didn't know - R. ursinus has seperate sexes so not all plants will bear fruit (thank you, Kruckeberg!).
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
JeanneK
Posted: Jun-08-2004 at 9:44am
I get alot of my natives from Wallace Hansen. They have good prices on some of their bare root stock and during sales.
Lisa, I bought a Rubus ursinus. Maybe I ought to keep it in a pot with a trellis? I didn't know it could become a pest too.
Jeanne
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-08-2004 at 10:40am
I haven't grown it and the only opinion I've seen on it is Dr. Kruckeberg's. Since it is only one perspective (although a well-respected one), it might be a good idea to do further research. IIRC, one poster on the pnw-natives list recommends it often - it is one of his favorite plants. I think he says it will grow up a trellis, too. You can do a search through the archives to find more info about this plant. Type in site:tardigrade.org Rubus ursinus or site:tardigrade.org trailing blackberry and you should find posts to this discussion list on this plant. At least that is how I do it with google, not sure if other search engines will work the same way as well.
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Sydnie
Posted: Jun-08-2004 at 4:42pm
Wanda Thanks for that hint on the Mock Oranges!!!
I probably am keeping my blackberries down the hill below on our property. LOL. At least I know they are not sprayed with anything bad, for jelly!! Good information on those Lisa. Somehow I thought they weren't native to here. That is interesting about the Rubus ursinus having two sexes.
I seem to be able to find a lot of stuff with Google, too! I just forget to use it, sometimes- before I ask questions.
I got to run back to the garden. It's not raining!!! LOL.
The Earth Laughs in Flowers.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
DebbieTT
Posted: Jun-08-2004 at 8:44pm
Lisa A wrote:
"I sat down to choose my all-time favorite native plants and discovered I had set a difficult task before myself. Too many choices - it couldn’t be done! So I compromised and selected three beloved spring blooming natives that aren’t included in Rainy Side’s Native Plant Gallery – yet."
What???? I don't Ribes in the Plant Gallery yet? How dare I! Its on the list. Actually I grow R. 'King Edward', 'White Icicle' and a pink form that the name escapes me and is in my plant database that is hopefully going to be retreived off my fried hard drive soon. The three extend the blooming season with the white one opening the first week the pink one the next and the red the next week. And at one time they are all in bloom, it is a spectacular show in late winter.
No one mentioned our beautiful native Rhododendron macrophyllum or did I miss the mention. Of course here on the Kitsap Peninsula when they are in bloom, YOWZA! I have a pic of one under our native madrone (follow the last link) a tree that I love and have a little tiny baby one planted last year. Peeling bark and evergreen leaves this tree is outstanding along our coastal waters! It grows all around my neighborhood and now I have one too.
For ferns my favorite one for now is Woodwardia fimbriata or chain fern. It can grow six feet tall but in my garden it only gets about 4 feet. Perhaps if I misted it all day it would probably get taller, but I love it anyway as it makes me think of dinosaurs and jungles.
Anyone mention Fringe cups a.k.a. Tellima grandiflora? Oh when it blooms in spring around the neighborhood it is heavenly! I grow it along with the hybrid Tellima grandiflora 'Forest Frost'.
Quite a few other favorites were mentioned too.
For outstanding evergreen shrub the award must go to our native evergreen huckleberry -- Vaccinium ovatum. Beautiful glossy leaves, early urn shaped white flowers and black-as-night delicious berries that follow. What more could one want? Well yes it is drought tolerant once established, you can grow it in sun or shade, although it will get twice as tall in shade. More? It provides shelter for wildlife, good hedging material. Still not satisfied? Then you are insatiable!
Great topic as always Lisa, and I would like to say that s also has quite a few native plants in the Native Plant Gallery; except NO ribes????
Gazebo! Explosive sound produced by hay fever sufferers. —A Gardener's Dictionary
JeanneK
Posted: Jun-09-2004 at 10:26am
LOL, Debbie. No ribes? DOH!
I just love that Woodwardia. Absolutely gorgeous. I can see why you like it so much. 9 feet? Wow! It would look great in my hardy tropical garden, my "dinosaur" garden as I am starting to call it. If you every want to get rid of some of them, let me know!
Great plant pics! We have such cool natives!
Jeanne
Sydnie
Posted: Jun-09-2004 at 11:46am
The Woodwardia is fantastic!!! That would look awesome by the pond! I think I need another- bigger pond. LOL!!! Great info Deb.
The Earth Laughs in Flowers.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-10-2004 at 7:59pm
Yeah, Debbie, I wondered about your oversight of Ribes. Shame! LOL
Okay, I promised more info on natives but it took me a little longer than I anticipated to get it done. Oops.
Anyone growing California wax myrtle, Myrica californica?
I planted 3 of them as 3 gal plants, about 2'-3' tall about 6 years ago. They are now 10'-12' tall and about 4' wide - with pruning. I have read eventual heights to be up to 15' and as wide. They are naturally found along the coastline so perhaps in environments similar to their natural habitat, they might reach a greater height.
They are incredibly drought tolerant. I planted mine in fall, intending to hook them up to our drip system the following year but back and shoulder problems sidelined me and it didn't happen. They didn't even flinch at the lack of supplemental summer watering in their first season and grew well. That pretty much cemented my affection for them. ;-)
From what I've read, I believe good drainage is an added plus for them. Sun is preferred although I have seen them growing in part shade conditions, too.
They are quite accepting of pruning. I wanted height and privacy quickly so I didn't begin to prune them until several years after planting. They grew tall with less branching, somewhat sparsely foliaged. I had a lot of long branches, which were very limber, with foliage at the ends and not a lot of bud or branch breaks along the branch length. I still want height but now I prune to increase their bushiness and to keep them narrow.
I had 2 of the 3 topple over at the base during high winds about 3 years after planting. One of them toppled the following year, despite staking (the plastic chain broke from the weight of the shrub). Since I've begun to prune, the branches have grown thicker and stronger and the whole plant seems to be sturdier. I don't know whether the toppling was due to long, limber branches with growth at the tips or a stronger, more developed root system. Some day I may try to learn more about what caused the toppling, if only to prevent it from occurring with future plants.
The leaves when crushed give off a light spicy fragrance. I can't help but "pet" them as I pass them to get a whiff of it.
I've discovered that there is abundant information available about common native plants, such as vine maple, Acer circinatum and Oregon grape, Mahonia spp. syn Berberis spp.. But try to find information regarding garden culture about some cool, but less common natives! That's a lot more difficult. There are books that discuss ID and where they can be found, which does help provide clues for growing them in the garden but not enough information is available. Even the Sunset Western Garden book doesn't list some natives that I deem garden worthy. I rely on information gleamed from other native plant gardeners as well as learning by trial and error in my own garden. Yes, it is half the fun and it certainly gives me a good excuse to buy more plants, but wowza, sometimes I wish it didn't take so much effort to learn about these plants!
Do you grow any less common native plants? Some of our natives that I'm trying to gather more information are mountain lover, Paxistima myrsinitis, rattlesnake plantain, Goodyera oblongifolia (one of our native orchids), Smith's and Hooker's fairybells, Disporum smithii and D. hookeri, mountain avens, Dyras octapetela (or so it was labeled when I bought it but I'm not sure if it was correct), tall bluebells, Mertensia paniculata and sticky monkeyflower, Mimulus aurantiacus. If anyone is growing these, I'd love to hear what you've learned about them. Thanks!
Carolyn, in some post you asked me where I bought Mimulus aurantiacus. I purchased it at The Berry Botanic Garden. They often have this for sale either at one of the bi-annual plant sales or at the garden. I bought 2, both in the same container. I plan to plant one in the ground (with good drainage - I've learned that much so far) and leave the other in the container. So far container culture has agreed with it but I'd like to see how it does in the ground, too.
More info another day.
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Garden Spider
Posted: Jun-11-2004 at 8:13am
Lisa A wrote:
"I've discovered that there is abundant information available about common native plants, such as vine maple, Acer circinatum and Oregon grape, Mahonia spp. syn Berberis spp.. But try to find information regarding garden culture about some cool, but less common natives! That's a lot more difficult. There are books that discuss ID and where they can be found, which does help provide clues for growing them in the garden but not enough information is available. Even the Sunset Western Garden book doesn't list some natives that I deem garden worthy. I rely on information gleamed from other native plant gardeners as well as learning by trial and error in my own garden. Yes, it is half the fun and it certainly gives me a good excuse to buy more plants, but wowza, sometimes I wish it didn't take so much effort to learn about these plants!"
Do you grow any less common native plants? Some of our natives that I'm trying to gather more information are mountain lover, Paxistima myrsinitis, rattlesnake plantain, Goodyera oblongifolia (one of our native orchids), Smith's and Hooker's fairybells, Disporum smithii and D. hookeri, mountain avens, Dyras octapetela (or so it was labeled when I bought it but I'm not sure if it was correct), tall bluebells, Mertensia paniculata and sticky monkeyflower, Mimulus aurantiacus. If anyone is growing these, I'd love to hear what you've learned about them. Thanks!
Lisa, lack of cultural information on natives is one of my big gripes, as well. Kruckeberg's book is about the best one I've found, but his notes on cultivation are often sketchy--a more experienced gardener than I might be able to figure it out, but I need specific instructions.
I am trying Smith's Fairybells in my woodland garden--I just planted them this spring. The last time I looked, they were still alive. I have them in fairly deep shade--at best, they will get filtered sunlight for several hours in the morning. It's the same exposure the Trilliums get.
I tried Mimulus this year, but it didn't survive. May have needed more shade, and more water. Also tried Shooting Star (Dodecatheon spp) this year, and it didn't survive a month. Does anyone know how to care for these? I think I may have planted it in too much sun. The Desert Parsley (Lomatium spp) I bought is also not doing well.
Barb
Debbie
Posted: Jun-11-2004 at 9:21am
With the Dodecatheon it goes summer dormant so maybe it decided to go dormant early? Hopefully that is the case. I grow mine in shade and they reliably come back every year. One I need to move because the new garage is going in that spot. Both varieties I began from seed and planted while young. I planted some new ones I bought last year and held over in pots until this year when I planted them out. They seem to be making it.
I have killed the Rattlesnake plantain, and Disporum smithii but both lived for several seasons in my garden. I know why the Disporum bit the dust and think the problem was too dry of shade and sun for the plantain under the cedar tree.
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-11-2004 at 12:30pm
I recall - and sorry, can't remember the source at the moment - that Dodecantheon doesn't like root competition. I had a clump of them growing really well in my garden for several years but either too much shade or pesky lawn grasses that crept into the garden bed done 'em in. I loved them so much and I will plant them again in another spot. They did go dormant not long after bloom, as Debbie said. With luck, Barb, that's what yours did and they'll be back next year.
I think my Disporum smithii bit the dust and I'm not sure why unless it was due to last year's more-than-usually-dry summer. At least I see no sign of them and they are usually up and bloomed by now. Bummer. I've got Disporum hookeri in containers just waiting for me to figure out where the heck I want to put them. I bought D. h. because of the ID trick I learned from Lori at Bosky Dell Natives some years ago. D. s. and D. h. are very similar but one way to tell them apart is by remembering that hooker's show what's under their skirts. In other words, you can see the stamens of D. h. You can't see them on D. s. without looking inside the petals. (following my analogy, I guess this is like looking up their skirts, which is very rude! LOL) I've learned this is not necessarily the most reliable ID method - it's not what botanists rely upon - but their tips are not nearly as much fun to recall! LOL
Which Mimulus did you grow, Barb? Some like more water than others and will grow in very boggy sites, others need really good drainage.
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Garden Spider
Posted: Jun-11-2004 at 5:29pm
Debbie, I hope my Dodecatheon merely went dormant, but since it never bloomed--just turned yellow and withered away--I'm afraid it's probably a goner. When I get my shade garden in, I will try them again.
Lisa, I can't remember the species of Mimulus right now--I have it written in my garden journal, which I am too lazy to get up for right now--but I remember looking it up in Kruckeberg, and it was the one that liked boggy conditions.
I am beginning to think that I need to take Kruckeberg's book with me, whenever I go to a plant sale or nursery, so that I don't keep murdering innocent plants! I should buy a second copy just to keep in my truck.
Barb
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-11-2004 at 5:37pm
Debbie wrote:
"I have killed the Rattlesnake plantain"
From what I've learned about this plant, it often grows in association with Douglas firs. I haven't determined if it has a symbiotic relationship with the roots, requires some soil fungus associated with the Dougs, likes fir needle duff or simply the same type of soil - fungal based - as conifers. This possible association was one of my deciding factors for choosing a Doug fir for my back corner. Further research leads me to believe I could have planted a different conifer but since we cut down Dougs to make space for our home (they were sickly specimens and happened to be in the middle of what would be our living room), I thought it appropriate that I replant one, even if it took me 9 years to do it.
My rattlesnake plantain isn't spreading quickly but it is still growing - even through last year's hard summer. They seem awfully brittle, prone to snapping off at the bases if I get too close to them during weeding. I don't know if this is because I had recently planted them or just the way they are. Did you notice that, Debbie?
I found more info and several images of it here It seems to have a larger distribution than I realized according to this site. The flower is not the knock-off-your-socks kind but the mottled pattern on the leaves is what attracted me, particularly since this will grow in dry shade.
In my google search, I found a site (Toronto origin) that says it grows in association with other types of conifers. It also said "Most often in mesic sites where there is a well developed humus layer overlying sand." Source: Flora of Muskoka
Lots of sites popped up in a google search so the info is out there, it just will take time to find something that is pertinent to garden culture. Hmmm, I wonder what kind of info will turn up with a google search of its name with garden culture or something along that line. . . I'm off to google! Woo hoo!
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Debbie
Posted: Jun-12-2004 at 10:53am
Garden Spider wrote:
"Debbie, I hope my Dodecatheon merely went dormant, but since it never bloomed--just turned yellow and withered away--I'm afraid it's probably a goner. When I get my shade garden in, I will try them again."
I hope its not a goner and maybe I am being overly optimistic about your plant. They do turn yellow and wither away when they go dormant. They may have had an early start in a greenhouse and went dormant early too. They don't neccessarily have to flower before they go dormant. Anyway don't toss it yet, it will probably surprise you with a great comeback next year.
One problem you have to be aware of with them. In fall if you are planting you don't want to be digging them up when they are invisible when dormant. Been there, done that.
Debbie
Posted: Jun-12-2004 at 11:08am
Hi Lisa, I had mine for about 2 years, as I got it down at Wally Hansons 3 years ago? When was the Corvallis get-together? It did fine just outside the root system of the cedar. It will be interesting to see if it does need the relationship with the Doug firs. It may have had enough of the fungus in the pot to see it through for awhile?
I did not notice it being brittle but I hadn't been paying that much attention to it. I too was attracted to the leaves.
Debbie
Posted: Jun-12-2004 at 11:11am
It cracks me up when I open this page and what stands out is:
Debbie wrote:
"I have killed the Rattlesnake plantain"
I confess, yes, I did kill the plantain. I now throw myself on the mercy of the court.
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-12-2004 at 12:55pm
LOL! What a hoot! I didn't realize when I quoted you that it would be the first post on a new page. We're going to give people the wrong idea about you. Still chortling . . .
Oy, think back . . . we did the first Rainy Side gathering for the Van Dusen show, June 2000. Then we had our Portland gathering that fall, so we had our Salem/Corvallis gathering, fall 2001. Wow, that is 3 years ago!
I only got my rattlesnake plantains planted last year, after planting the Doug and creating my "stump" for my red huckleberry. I was completely surprised that they survived pot culture for that long, especially because I didn't repot, didn't fertilize, just watered (and that was sometimes hit and miss). I'm hoping they will take similar abuse in the garden.
I'm disappointed that my google search for garden culture really didn't turn up anything new. I thought I'd found something only to discover it was a post of mine to the pnw-natives list asking for garden culture info on the plant (which is what sparked the info I initially posted). I'm going to try again with different words and see if that helps.
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Garden Spider
Posted: Jun-12-2004 at 2:59pm
Debbie, thanks for the info on the Shooting Star. I will leave it alone (not that there's anything left), and see if it returns next Spring. I hope it was merely an early dormancy. We did have that few weeks of unseasonably warm weather, and maybe that convinced it to estivate for the year.
Barb
Phlox
Posted: Jun-12-2004 at 3:52pm
Great Subject! I have been trying to gather native plants now for the last 3 or 4 years and, I'm sure, have only just begun......and me with limited space.
I love the the spring flowers of the Epimedium x versicolor (native?) and of course with 7 Lewisia's so far, they are a great fav. and I think I recall reading that the Penstemons are a native and one of my very favorites. One of my Ribes sanguineum is now aprox. 6 to 6 1/2 feet tall and looked like a big pink bouquet this spring.
I'm not sure if the monkey flower I have is a Mimulus Aurantiacus (does it have the yellow tube flower?) but, I have it in shade, north side of my shed, good drainable soil and it seems to do very well. I also had some in courser soil, in shade and it did well there also.
..........Its not raining........better get outside .........Linda
'Silently, one by one in the infinite meadows of Heaven, Blossomed the lovely stars, the Forget-Me-Nots of Angels' *Longfellow*
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-14-2004 at 9:45am
Someone mentioned they grew Erythroniums (too lazy to scroll back to 1st page). I'd love to know more about what part of the garden, how they perform, any special care, etc. Do you divide them? I remember being told that native bulbs dig themselves deeper as they grow. I can't recall my source or whether I ever verified this (and I need to). With this characteristic in mind, someone told me that to make digging and dividing easier, they planted each Erythronium on top of a flat rock to prevent the bulb from going deeper. Anyone else ever heard of this trick?
Since I have no free time (what's that?) to verify that information, I'm hoping one of you can help me out. TIA!
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
JeanneK
Posted: Jun-14-2004 at 10:49am
My goodyera is growing on the low side of a small berm, facing north. The area gets full sun but because the rattlesnake plaintain is somewhat at the bottom of the berm, it gets a more shade and water. So far, I haven't killed it. It is a bit brittle, as Lisa said. It seems to hug the soil pretty closely, so I have to be careful I don't step on it or accidently pull it up! Hoping to see the flowers soon.
Lisa, I have three Erythoniums, all growing in partial shade/sun, with somewhat moist but well draining soil. They bloomed beautifully this year, a cute, white/yellow lily with a darker yellow throat, beautiful green mottle leaves. I don't know if they dig themselves deeper. I have only had them for a year. Sorry! Good to note, though. No special attention.
BTW, Wallace Hansen has the Disporum Hookeri for sale for $3. I'm thinking of getting some.
Jeanne
Verena
Posted: Jun-14-2004 at 11:16am
Lisa, of my 20 (!) favorite native plants, the one that immediatley comes to mind simply due to tenacity and forgiveness displayed towards me is Cornus canadensis. 24 years ago there wasn't any shade in sight, only blazing sun, compacted soil, and a garden beginning in my head. I plucked a fistful of poor little unsuspecting bunchberry from its native home and transplanted it under a new rhodie, equally miserable and forlorn. The rhodie lived, the Cornus vanished. About four years later, a small patch of Cornus magically appeared under the same rhodie. I knew Cornus c. goes dormant in the heat and is extremely drought tolerant once established, but this was too much to expect; I didn't deserve this kind of loyalty after such harsh transplant! Twenty more years later and too much (!) shade in the garden, I now have 'bunches' of Cornus c. Just gotta love that little plant!
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-14-2004 at 3:57pm
Hi Verena, welcome to Rainy Side!
I love bunchberry, Cornus canadensis! It is another circumboreal native, found in many regions including the PNW (is that where you are located?). NRCS plant database shows it native to the upper US. I think it is also found in other countries (Greenland? can't recall).
That said, it seems that those durn botanists have gotten together again and, according to Scott Sundberg with OSU and The Oregon Flora Project, the bunchberry native to the PNW is correctly referred to as Cornus unalaschkensis, not Cornus canadensis. I haven't heard why it was changed, I was just informed of it a few weeks ago. I wish it hadn't changed because its new name is harder to say and spell! And to make things even more complicated, its synonym is Chamaepericlymenum canadensis. According to the Director of Horticulture at The Berry Botanic Garden, this name was given to it sometime back because botanists wanted to differentiate this herbaceous Cornus member from the rest of the woody Cornus group. It apparently hasn't stuck although I think he said he'd seen it in a Thompson and Morgan seed catalog not too long ago.
Gonna be hard to get used to its new name . . .
If you are in the PNW, I'd love to know what kind of soil conditions your plant is in and what your elevation is. I have heard some suggest that this plant does better at higher elevations in our region but I've never seen that in any book. TIA!
btw, your garden situation sounds like mine. Too much sun initially, planted lots of trees, slowly getting shady and someday I may curse 'em all . . . nah, that will never happen - I love trees!
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-14-2004 at 4:02pm
Thanks for the info on Erythroniums in your garden, Jeanne. I think I will plant a mass of these and trilliums, with who knows what else, under my sourwood, Oxydendron arboreum. They seem to like the same culture and if I can plant and leave 'em alone, that will work the best.
I can't recall the source or how valid the info about it growth habit and the tip to plant a rock under it might be, Jeanne, so don't put a lock of stock into it yet. I really need to take the time to verify this bit of info. Someday!
Great deal on those fairybells!
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Debbie
Posted: Jun-14-2004 at 9:34pm
I grew Erythroniums and the slugs really like them, so just a warning, mine were always eaten each year and by the third year they gave up the ghost.
Debbie
"I used to have a handle on life, than it broke."
JeanneK
Posted: Jun-15-2004 at 10:28am
That's good to know, Deb. No slug bites on any of my Erythroniums this year but we did have a dry early spring and of course now the Fawn lilies are dormant.
More trilliums and Erythoniums! That sounds like a great plan, Lisa! I bet it will be beautiful under your sourwood. I have an area that is dry shade in the summer under my neighbors oak tree. Currently it is covered in hyacinthoids. I wonder if the Erythroniums could handle sharing the bed with these brutes. The trilliums seem to do okay.
Jeanne
Red Hare
Posted: Jun-15-2004 at 1:48pm
I had never heard of the Wallace Hansen nursery - thanks for the link! Sounds like another road trip brewing... stop off in St Paul at Ferguson's Fragrant Nursery and Heirloom Roses... hmmm...
I think I need some sticky monkeyflowers, just so I can say the name (am I the only one who does this?), only it will end up being stinky monkeyflowers. For the same reason, I need to find a spot for sisyrinchium - too much fun to say.
Okay, native plant fans, why are you so keen on natives? Because the plants are cool on their own merit, or because there's some other benefit to growing in your own yard what's growing in the woods or fields a mile away? Are you contributing to ensuring the survival of some of these species? Or do they make happier plants because they're in their native climate (although not necessarily in native soils)?
I'm just curious - I haven't gone out of my way to find native plants; maybe I should. Hmm?
Black Bill, the Dread Pirate Kidd
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-15-2004 at 3:42pm
Why do I grow natives, you ask, and then list possible reasons. My answer? Yup, all of the above plus native plants provide the best and richest habitat for native wildlife and I enjoy their visits (usually, see post about skunk on another thread).
And then there's the cool geek (is that an oxymoronic statement?) side to it, too. I'm growing plants discovered by Lewis and Clark or considered a main staple food for Native Americans. I like to grow some natives because of their folklore tales. When I point out the fringecups, Tellima grandiflora, in my garden, I can relate that, according to legend, woodland elves eat them to improve their night vision. It must be true - I never hear them bumping into things at night! LOL
I'm not a purist. I'm too much of a plant geek to only plant natives but I incorporate natives when possible.
I grow plants with fun names, too, Jeannean - you are not alone. btw, when you make this nursery road trip, let me know and maybe I can meet you for a fun-filled plant frenzy day.
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Garden Spider
Posted: Jun-15-2004 at 7:58pm
Lisa A wrote:
"When I point out the fringecups, Tellima grandiflora, in my garden, I can relate that, according to legend, woodland elves eat them to improve their night vision. It must be true - I never hear them bumping into things at night! LOL"
I thought it was possums living under our house all this time--it must be the woodland elves making all that noise, bumping into things because I don't have Tellima gradiflora in the garden!
Must go to the nursery and rectify that oversight!
I grow natives simply because I like them! They remind me of the places I have always loved to be--out in the woods, or the meadows, or on the Oregon Coast. I also like the fact that they are adapted to the climate, soil and pests that we have, generally don't need a lot of coddling to establish or maintain, and provide habitat and food for wildlife and birds.
Barb
JeanneK
Posted: Jun-16-2004 at 9:19am
I grow natives because they are such a beautiful and diverse group of plants. Everything from moist, shade lovers to dry, sun lovers. They remind me of all my trips around the PNW and I love identifying and seeing them in there native habitats. I also like the fact that I am trying to help wildlife in a world where native habitat is decreasing at alarming rates. Also, since I live in an urban area, there isn't a lot of native plants close by. Jeannean, it sounds like you have forest really close by. Maybe that's why growing natives haven't been a priority for you?
I also have a separate garden area in non-natives, going hardy tropical.
Jeanne
Verena
Posted: Jun-16-2004 at 2:47pm
Native plants in a garden seem to make a garden endure, even expand itself long after the original keepers have gone. Have you ever noticed what endures when a place has been abandoned? I'm 45 miles south of Portland, Or. elevation 950. The soil in that region is a jory/silty/clay/loam, heavy, but very well draining (only know that because that's what the resident geologist told me when I had a "perk" test done for the septic system). I've planted all kinds of natives alongside the 'outsiders'. The marriage seems to be a happy one. I don't pay attention to elevation, but I pay very close attention to moisture and exposure similarities, having made YEARS of match-making mistakes, as in, "I want you to live with HER because your colors are so cool together". Everybody seems to grow well in the same dirt (except for the water lilies and their ilk!). Well, I mess with the 'dirt', adding as much homemade compost as I can. Little Cornus c. is directly in the ground among moss and 'duff'. Thanks for the heads-up on the name change, Lisa. Too bad I can't pronounce it, so I'll do the next best thing--ignore it! With all the extra shade and more moisture, there are also extra slugs. I buy the nontoxic bait with active ingrediant 1% iron phosphate and have been going around to all the retailers asking they carry it, to give people a choice other than methylaldehyde products. I did the beer, I did the yeast/flour/sugar/water, I did the melon rinds, I did the half rotten iris foliage as bait--it all works BUT it doesn't KILL 'em (except for the beer). The garden is now 2 acres big, and it was just too much work emptying out and refilling cottage cheese containers. Besides the Yorkies were turning to lushes. By the way, Jeanean, I started all my Trilliums, Erythronium from seed. Find a spot they like (well drained, filtered light to shade), spread the seed lightly in the fall, let ma Nature do the stratification, and watch them emerge. Really enjoyed reading all the interesting posts.
Red Hare
Posted: Jun-17-2004 at 2:14pm
You all are downright poetic describing why you grow natives. I'm convinced.
Verena, sounds like you've tried everything but the French Solution.
You know, sauteed in butter, with garlic....
Black Bill, the Dread Pirate Kidd
Sydnie
Posted: Jun-17-2004 at 3:11pm
Great info. I thought I was going to miss this. Life can get busy. Whew!
How about digitalis purpurea?? Foxgloves!!! No one mentioned them did they? I love them! I never appreciated them near as much until I started taking photos of them. Each one is very unique. Easy care.
Does any one recognize a tall shrub that has tons of red berries right now??? That's a loose description. But I thought that that might be enough.
How about a plant with a teeny whitish pink tinged flower that grows smack out of the middle of 5 leaves. The leaves are just about three in. long each going to a point. This has been growing under our porch forever. It seems to be about 6 inches tall in this ultra dry area and seems to spread via underground. I plan on putting it above the pond, since gravel eventually will be put under the porch.
The Earth Laughs in Flowers.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-17-2004 at 3:59pm
Foxgloves aren't native here, Sydnie, but they are certainly naturalized in our region. For that reason, they are one of the plants that native plant conservationists consider an alien invader. Pity, since they are cool flowers.
If your red-berried shrub has pinnately compound leaves, I'm guessing it is red elderberry, Sambucus racemosa.
Your 5-leaved pinkish-tinged white flower sounds like starflower, Trientalis latifolia. I have heard it spreads quite well.
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-17-2004 at 4:11pm
Thanks for the info on growing bunchberry, Verena (you notice I'm ignoring the unpronouncable name as well? LOL). You are at a higher elevation than where I garden near the Tualatin River. Not sure how much difference this makes but it's another bit of info to stash in my ever-growing bits of knowledge about this plant.
Well-draining soil is a must, I have heard, so since I can't do anything about elevation in my garden, I will work on improving the drainage as much as possible and see if I can get my small starts to grow a little better. I've also heard they are not fond of root competition. What do you have yours growing with?
LOL, Jeannean! Love the French Solution! I spray my slugs with a solution of vinegar water - smaller ones that is, bigger ones just slime out of it so they get snipped. The first time I did this, my boys asked me what I was doing. I looked 'em straight in the eye and said I'm marinating our dinner! Their dad is the one who pulls their legs more often than I do so they weren't sure at first if I was kidding or not. I had a good chuckle over that one!
I think I'd prefer woodland elves under the house than oppossums, too, Barb! Now if we can only train these elves to do our weeding . . . we give them room and board, you'd think this is the least they could do in return!
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Sydnie
Posted: Jun-17-2004 at 4:41pm
Lisa - Your info was right on. I have lived with these plants all my life- you'd think I'd know what they were. But the names haven't really been important until now. Thanks- That's strange to hear about the foxgloves. I did not know that.
The Earth Laughs in Flowers.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Verena
Posted: Jun-21-2004 at 9:47am
Hi Lisa- My bunchberry (back to common names, are we?) is growng under mature, large rhodies and dwarf conifers. The soil is very well draining. There is a good humus layer; root competition is minimal. Native plants also have their cultivars, and I'm wondering if such cultivars would still qualify them as 'native'? Would you or anyone know what these cultivars would be? For example, I grow many dwarf conifers with mini rockery plants. A lot of the dwarf conifers aren't grafted, they're sports which have been discovered and put into cultivation through cuttings. Maybe 'native' just means the original plant? Another example would be the succulent Semperviren group. Another interesting approach to gardening with natives is using mosses, lichens, Lychopodium, Selaginella combined with rocks, with or without a water feature. You decide how 'native' the rocks should be! The beauty of this is the moss garden can be very small, yet impart huge impact on the senses. It can also be dry, depending on which native mosses are used; many go naturally dormant in summer, so why not let them. I have several small enclaves of microgardens within the larger gardens, and that's where I go sit to contemplate my navel (occasionally even a native slug shows up there, and in the spirit of tranquility, I leave it alone).
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-21-2004 at 10:59am
Verena wrote:
"Native plants also have their cultivars, and I'm wondering if such cultivars would still qualify them as 'native'? Would you or anyone know what these cultivars would be?"
Well, I don't know how technically accurate my interpretation is, but I consider all forms of native plants as native. I might differentiate, if I know it, whether the named form is of garden origin, human cultivated or is a naturally occurring sport (witches on native conifers are a great source of dwarf forms). I realize that selected "garden worthy" forms might have reduced habitat value (double flowers tend to be less approachable to pollinators) but I don't see them as having less value or less native pedigree because of that. Purists might but I'm not a purist.
Are you asking about cultivars for bunchberry? AFAIK, there isn't one for our native form. At least google searches and book searches haven't turned up any named forms. There are many named forms of other native plants. I have found The Pacific Northwest Plant Locator book is a good resource for finding what named forms of natives are available.
I'd love to see photos of your moss garden areas. I've gently nurtured the mosses (assuming native but don't know for sure) that have appeared in my garden.
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-21-2004 at 11:01am
Sydnie wrote:
"Lisa - Your info was right on."
Glad I helped you solve your plant puzzle, Sydnie.
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
JeanneK
Posted: Jun-21-2004 at 11:27am
I have a "moss garden" under my grape arbor. It's not getting any water now that summer is here. But it is still soft to the touch. I've been thinking of putting a cafe table and chairs. But I better water it to keep it soft.
Verena, sounds like you know a thing or two about moss gardening. I've been thinking I need to get a book on mosses.
Interesting question about cultivars. I've wondered that also. I guess it depends on how much of a purist you are?
Jeanne
Verena
Posted: Jun-21-2004 at 4:03pm
My garden is more blur than pure, so I guess I'm not a purist! There is a great book on moss gardening called--what else--Moss Gardening by George Schenk. It's actually a fun read. Also, thanks Lisa, for the source book info.
Sydnie
Posted: Jun-26-2004 at 8:45am
Has anyone mentioned Queen Anne's Lace or fireweed or cleome. I finally got Queen Anne's lace started this year, one lone flower! But I am thrilled!!! I am wondering if these are all native plants??? I really like the Cleome that grows here in the woods.
Mosses are really nice in the garden! (I too assume- that the mosses that have just popped up are native, Lisa.) I have considered a similar grape arbor idea Jeanne! Our grape arbor is made from rough cedar logs. (We've only had it a yr, so the grapes don't produce any shade.) I have thought about using moss and adding a bench in that area. This is in one of the few flat area's that we have and actually retains more water than all my other area's put together. I have Irish moss on one of my walk patio's that gets almost full sun. More to the point even when it gets very dry & since it is matured, it has never gotten dry and icky, or died, even with barely being watered. Though it tends not to grow in the summer hot period. I give it a "haircut" along the edges in the spring and sometimes in the fall depending on the growth. Note that moss patios can be extremely slippery when they are wet, LOL. How do I know this. I ran to answer the phone one day. Ouch! I have found that the pnw mosses don't take full sun very well- at least without water. I have been working at adding more native mosses here and there, esp. near the pond. When I get started on the waterfall and upper mini-pond, I want a slightly shaded area and plan on having them in the 'decor'! I really need to start adding to my sad book collection. I'll note that moss book Verena. The internet has lots of info, but nothing beats a good book!
The Earth Laughs in Flowers.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Lisa A
Posted: Jun-26-2004 at 10:45am
Queen Anne's lace and cleome are not natives, Sydnie. In Debbie's article on cutting gardens, she shares the native region for Queen's Anne lace, Ammi majus. Cleome is an annual, native to South American countries (Argentina, Paraguay and others). Fireweed, Epilobium angustifolium, is native here. Find out more about it on WSU Native Plant site.
If you don't have one already, add a plant encyclopedia to your list of must-have books. My AHS A-Z Encyclopedia lists a plant's origins. This helps me correctly determine which plants are native to our region. Also, the more I know about where a plant is from and its native region's soil and weather, the better I am able to grow it well in my garden.
I find Pojar and MacKinnon's book, Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast useful when trying to ID the plants I find in my garden and in natural areas.
Keying mosses for correct ID is beyond me - I understand it is a challenge to do this correctly. Since it is inaccurate to state that plants that seed into my garden are always native, I'm not sure it is safe to assume that mosses that appear in our gardens are native, Sydnie. Perhaps George Schenk's book or Pojar and Mackinnon's might be useful for this.
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Sydnie
Posted: Jun-26-2004 at 4:36pm
Thanks Lisa for the info and esp the book info. This year I'll get started on a good garden library, with a bit of help from my freinds. I didn't know that there were so many things here that weren't native. Go figure!
The Earth Laughs in Flowers.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Andrea
Posted: Jul-01-2004 at 8:15pm
Wow! Hello there.
Another native plant nerd here and newbie to the forum. I'm not a purist by any means but surprisingly to many I know almost nothing about ornamentals. So I think I'll mainly stick to the natives forum. For my bio and biases, see my nursery and naturescaping webpage at cedarandsagenn.com My business isn't a full time gig, I have a day job I love as well but its a great outlet and gives me an excuse to grow large numbers and a large variety of native species!!!
I'm glad there are forums like this out their with such great info exchange. Verena, thanks for posting the Moss Gardening book. I've had a few people ask me about moss lately.
My current fascination is Corydalis scouleri. Its in Pojar, and is a cousin of sorts to bleeding heart. Its really fun to collect the seed because they are spring loaded and jump! Of course I have oodles more to name off, and many are have been listed. I also have a certain fondness for subalpine and prairie perennial species and their beautiful appearence in suburban/city gardens, where shrubs can be too big and there is no shade to be had and droughty summer soils for our lovely shade-thriving groundcovers. Any subalp and prairie species come to mind to try?
Thanks and happy garden relaxing,
Andrea
Wanda
Posted: Jul-02-2004 at 7:55am
I just checked out your webpage - very cool! I just clicked on the little house at the bottom of your post. If you want to change your link to a clickable link in your text, there are directions in the help desk.
Wow - what fun to have your own natives nursery. I'm glad that these are popping up here and there - the birds are grateful! Now if we can just get the city people to catch on.
I think you will need to add some Latin names eventually - especially for the plants that have a couple different varieties with the same common name (like Inside-Out Flower). Speaking of Inside-Out Flower I drove all the way to Scappoose Oregon this spring to buy Vancouveria planipetala (along with a bunch of other plants and also to visit my Rainyside buddies!) so if you decide to grow that one, let me know! They are painfully slow to thrive and take over.
Now, I'm off to look your list over a little more carefully! Thanks for sharing! And Welcome to Rainyside!
-Wanda
JeanneK
Posted: Jul-02-2004 at 8:08am
Welcome to Rainyside, Andrea! It's always great to see another native nursery out there! Hope to have many more interesting native plant discussions. Did you check out some of the great articles and plant bio's that Debbie has in plant gallery?
Jeanne
Lisa A
Posted: Jul-02-2004 at 3:39pm
Welcome to Rainy Side, Andrea. I look forward to talking plants with you. I see you have experience with invasives removal. I know that will be helpful to many here.
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Lisa A
Posted: Jul-02-2004 at 3:41pm
Andrea wrote:
"Any subalp and prairie species come to mind to try?"
I'm not very versed in these forms yet but I think I have some resources to share. I'll post those later today (just taking a quick break from the garden).
Gardening in Sunset Zone 6, USDA Zone 8.
"There is more pleasure in making a garden than in contemplating a paradise."
- Anne Scott-James
Andrea
Posted: Jul-13-2004 at 1:03pm
Hello,
Thanks for the welcome and the tips. I agree, I should put the scientific names on my webpage as well. Some of the common ones are misspelled at this time. My friend, the webpage designer is an enthusiast but not familiar enough to catch her misspellings. I'm working with her to add a portfolio page, and eventually I'd like to put a full catalog/gallery/resource pages detailing species requirements. I'd love to check out the gallery here too, so thanks for the tips!
Andrea
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton