Author Archives: Ashland Garden Club

Garden of the Month: July 2019

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1313 Clay Street

The Country Willows Inn, at 1313 Clay Street, is the Ashland Garden Club’s Garden of the Month for July.  It is an extraordinary property, five acres in all, that has been lovingly developed by Kara and Dan Burian since they purchased the property in 2010.  The original farmhouse dates to 1896.  They added the small picturesque barn near the entrance to the property and have converted the original barn mostly to lodging space.

Dan, who has a keen eye for design, has directed the many landscape projects, relying on Sage Hill for hardscape installation, Karen Marshall of Naturescapes Designs for plant selection and design advice, Jenny Kuehnle of Ahimsa Gardens for maintenance of the raised beds and container plantings, and L&M for lawn, orchard, and planting bed maintenance.  Every project has been created with pollinators in mind.  They recently added a birding program to the list of amenities that they offer at the Inn.

The Burians have enhanced ponds and streams.  They are working assiduously to convert open pastures into wildflower meadows, battling native grasses that want to dominate.  Right now in the garden, hydrangea, gaura, lilies, agapanthus, and crocosmia are at their best.  In the Spring, rhododendrons, weeping cherry trees, and Spring wildflowers abound.  At other times, the lavender, ornamental grasses, and blueberries are sensational.  The willow tree is always majestic.

In an effort to assure privacy and tranquility for guests of the Inn, they ask that Ashlanders hoping to see the gardens call first to schedule a convenient and non-disruptive time.  See more beautiful photographs and learn more about the Country Willows Inn at their website: https://countrywillowsinn.com/.

Sweet Mock Orange

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Plant Name:  Philadelphus Coronarius
Common name:  Sweet Mock Orange, Sweet Syringa
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Height: 3-10 ft (depends on variety)
Spread:   3-6 ft
Bloom Time:  Mid to Late Spring
Flower Color:  White, Creamy White
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Tolerates a range of soils including clay, but prefers moist, well-drained soils high in organic matter.
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes:   Very fragment flowers, Attracts pollinators (especially butterflies), Deer resistant
Note:   Prune to control height, popular ornamental shrub
Uses: Woodlands, Foundation plantings, Shrub borders, Cottage garden, Hedge, Sitting garden, Sunny edges, English garden,
Native to: Northern Asia and Japan, Western United States, Southern Atlantic coast of USA and Mexico
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9 (depends on variety)

There are many hybrid varieties of Philadelphus Coronarius, below are few of the popular ones:

Philadelphus x lemoinei Hybrids   Hardiness zone 4-8
‘Avalanche’ – Low-growing 3.5′ tall, Arching branches. Very fragrant single flowers about 1″ across.
‘Belle Etoile’ – 6′ tall, Single white flowers with a dark center blotch.
‘Innocence’ – Very fragrant, 8′ tall, single white blooms,  slightly variegated leaves.

Philadelphus x virginalis Hybrids:  Hardiness zone 5-9 ( unless noted otherwise)
‘Philadelphus pallidus’ 6’ tall, snow-white double flowers, rich green color leaves
‘Minnesota Snowflake’ – Popular selection, 6′ tall, double, pure white blooms, very fragrant 2″ wide flowers
‘Virginal’ – An old-fashioned cultivar,10’tall, double blooms with intense fragrance.
‘Natchez’ – One of the best. 10’tall, Covered with 2″ white fragrant blooms in May. Hardiness zone 4-7

Dwarf  Hybrids
‘Miniature Snowflake’ – 4′ tall, double white flowers, fragrant, dark green foliage. Hardiness zone 4-7
‘Manteau d’Hermine’ –  Compact 2-3’ tall, profuse heavily perfumed blooms. Hardiness zone 5-9
‘Illuminati Tiny Tower’– Narrow upright shrub 3-4’ tall. Space-saving, fragrant flowers Hardiness zone 4-7

Horticultural Report: Mountain Laurel

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Photo by: Carlotta Lucas, Ashland OR

Plant Name:Kalmia latifolia,
Common name: Mountain Laurel
Plant type: Evergreen Shrub
Height: 3-15 ft (depends on variety)
Spread:3-15 ft (depends on variety)
Bloom Time:May to June
Flower Color:Rose, White, has purple markings
Exposure:Full Sun – Part Shade (Morning sun with afternoon shade is best)
Soil Requirements: Acid loving plant
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes:Excellent Showy Flowers, Multi-stemmed evergreen shrub, Year-round interest
Note: These shallow rooted plants are best in moist, cool, rich, acidic, well-drained humus soil
Uses: ;Compliments rhododendrons and azaleas.Use as border shrub, Woodland gardens Cottage gardens, Wild areas, Hedges, Foundation plants
Native to: Eastern USA
USDA Hardiness Zone:4-9