Horticulture Report: Phuopsis stylosa

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Botanical Name: Phuopsis stylosa

Common Name Creeping Crosswort; Caucasian Crosswort

Plant Type: Perennial

Height: 8-inches Spread: 1-2 feet

Flowers: Globular clusters of fragrant tiny pink flowers

Bloom time: June- August ( can re-bloom if flowers are trimmed after blooming)

Attributes: Bright green aromatic narrow-leaf foliage; Soft in appearance; Rapid but low spread, not aggressive; Forms a “loose” semi-evergreen mat; Low maintenance.  

Uses: Perennial gardens; Rock gardens; Borders; Containers; Provides birds with nesting material; Provides texture in a layered garden; Mass plantings; Ground-cover; Slopes; Attracts Bees, Butterflies & Birds

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Soil requirements: Rich/Average/Moist well-drained

Water requirements: Moderate, Semi-drought tolerant once established

Firewise: Yes- foliage has high moisture retention and no flammable oils

Native to: Caucasus, Asia Minor, and Iran

Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9.

Article by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC President

Syringa Vulgaris ‘Charles Joly’

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Today in the garden:  Syringa vulgaris ‘Charles Joly Lilac’ – This french lilac hybrid was introduced in 1896 by Charles Joly.  The Charles Joly Lilac is a multi-stemmed reliable old classic lilac.  It’s double florets form tight clusters of dark magenta-purple flowers which are extremely fragrant.  It works well in the landscape as a specimen shrub,  an ascent shrub, and an informal hedge. It’s disease resistant and deer resistant and preforms well in cold landscapes. USDA Zone: 3-8

This deciduous shrub likes full sun and will grow to the height of 12 -15 feet. Blooms often start early to mid-April and continue into late May.

Article and Photo by: Carlotta Lucas , AGC President

Fire-wise & Native Plant: Western Clarkia

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Plant Name: Clarkia purpurea

Common name: Western Clarkia

Plant type: Annual Wildflower

Height: 3’

Spread: 1’

Bloom Time: April – July

Flower Color: Pink, Purple, Deep Wine Red

Exposure: Full Sun

Soil Requirements: Drainage can be Fast, Medium, or Slow

Water Needs: Low

 

Attributes: Supports Bats, Bees, Caterpillars, Butterflies; Conspicuous Flower; Slug Resistant

Uses: Containers; Bedding Plants

 

Firewise: YES

Native To: Western North America

Oregon Native: YES

USDA Hardiness Zone: 6b – 10b

 

 

Report by Viki Ashford & Carlotta Lucas, AGC Members

 

Photo by: John Doyen, Calscape.org

Fire-wise & Native: Clarkia Amoena

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Plant Name: Clarkia amoena

Common name: Farewell to Spring (Godetia)

Plant type: Annual

Height: 2’ – 3’

Spread: .75’ – 1’

 

Bloom Time: June – August

Flower Color: Shades of Pinkto Purple

Exposure: Full Sun – Part Shade

Soil Requirements: Drainage fast, medium or slow; tolerates clay or sandy soil. Minimum fertilizer needed.

Water Needs: Low, but soil should be moist until flowering, then it can be dry.

 

Attributes: Attracts Bees & Butterflies; Deer Resistant; Supports Bats & Caterpillars; Conspicuous Flower, Self-seeding: pinch out the central leader to encourage branching and heavy bloom. Do not thin seedlings as crowding encourages blooming

 

Note: Susceptible to powdery mildew, Verticillium wilt, Stem rot and Leaf spot.

Watch for aphids and mites.

 

Uses: Native Plant &; Cut Flower Gardens; Containers; Beds, Borders, Cottage Gardens

Firewise: YES

Native To: Western North America

Oregon Native: YES

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8b – 10b

 

Report by Viki Ashford & Carlotta Lucas, AGC Members

Photo by: Stephen Lea. Wikipedia

 

March – Gardening Tasks

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March Garden Tasks (Rogue Valley, Oregon)  

 

Vegetable Gardens

Seeds to direct Sow in mid to late March:  Peas, radishes, spinach, lettuce, kale, arugula, chard, carrots, beets, and parsnips. Also Plant:  Onion sets, and perennial roots like asparagus, artichokes, and rhubarb.

 

Seeds to start indoors for May Transplanting:

  • Tomatoes & Peppers:Essential to start NOW for transplanting in mid-to-late May.
  • Brassicas:Broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.
  • Herbs:Basil, parsley and cilantro
  • Other vegetables :Celery, eggplants, and leeks
  • Potatoes:Buy seed potatoes, sprout (“chit”) them in a cool, dark place, then plant.

 

Fruit & Berry Crops

  • Planting:March is ideal for planting fruit trees, strawberries, and cane-berries (raspberries and blackberries).
  • Pruning:Finish pruning fruit trees (apples, pears, cherries, peaches) before buds swell.
  • Fertilizing:Feed raspberries and blueberries with organic, acidic fertilizer.

 

Flower Beds & Landscaping

  • Clean & Mulch:Clear away dead foliage, apply compost, and mulch beds to suppress weeds.
  • Divide Perennials:Divide and transplant summer-blooming perennials.
  • Bulbs:Plant dahlia, lily, and gladiola tubers.
  • Pruning:Prune winter-flowering shrubs after they bloom and ornamental grasses.

 

Maintenance & Pests

  • Slug Control:Actively monitor and manage slugs using baits like Sluggo or traps, as they love new spring growth.
  • Soil Care:Avoid walking on or tilling heavy, wet, or saturated soil to prevent compaction.
  • Fertilizing:Apply fertilizer to evergreen shrubs (rhododendrons, azaleas) and roses.
  • Lawns:Sharpen mower blades and set the mower height to 1.5–2.5 inches. Apply Lime to increase alkalinity, boost nutrient uptake.   Treat lawn for moss with ferrous sulfate (iron sulfate).