At September’s Garden Club meeting, members participated in the Club’s 2nd annual Lonely Bouquet Day. On this day member’s create flower bouquets, then set these bouquets randomly throughout Ashland to be found by strangers and taken home. The hope is this small act of kindness will add a little happiness to someone’s day.
Category Archives: Flowers
Today in the Garden
Cosmos (annual cut flower) , Japanese Anemone and Hydrangea paniculata (good for drying)
Horticulture Report: Verbascum
Today in the garden…
Plant Name: Verbascum
Common name: hybrid ‘Southern Charm’
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 2-3 ft
Spread: 1-2 ft
Bloom Time: May- September (de-head to continue blooming time)
Flower Color: Pastel shades: lavender, buff, cream, soft rose
Exposure: Full sun
Soil Requirements: Well drained soil, grows on rocky slopes. Avoid highly fertile and wet soils!
Water Needs: Dry to medium
Attributes: Showy erect flowers, velvet leaves
Note: Drought tolerate, deer resistant ( maybe!), short lived perennial but it self-seeds
Uses: Perennial garden, cottage garden, vertical accent, cut flower
Native to: Europe to North Africa to Western and Central Asia.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Today in the Garden!
Ashland Oregon August Bloomers: Gladiolus, Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), Malva sylvestris, Asiatic lilies, Snapdragons, Sweet Williams! 
Horticulture Report: Winter Flowers
Erica carnea…..Winter Heath
A dwarf evergreen shrub native to the European Alps which persist even under the snow. It often blooms at Christmas (“Winter Beauty”). Flowers are borne individually on the stem in masses of bell-shaped blossoms. Colors range from creamy white, rich pink, to deep ruby red (“ Ruby Glow”). Plant in well drained humus-rich soil. It needs partial shade in hotter areas. Prune yearly to prevent “legginess”.
Height 12-18”, spreading to 3 feet, so give it room. USDA Hardiness Zone: 2 to 10
“They are adorable, these clumps of winter heather. Actually they seem to welcome the snow, for it enhances their sweet complexions.” Beverley Nichols, Down the Garden Path
Grandpa Ott’s Morning Glory
Ipomoea purpurea (Grandpa Ott’s Morning Glory)
Plant Type: Annual (twinning vine)
Sowing Method: Direct sow seeds in spring (first soak seed in warm water for 24 hrs, then nick the seed)
Bloom Time: Summer until frost – 12 weeks
Flower: Royal purple trumpet with deep pink “star”.
Plant Height: 13-15 feet
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil: Average well drained soil
Attributes: Attracts Humming Birds, Hardy, Easy to Grow, Re-seeds freely, Covers fence or trellis in a profusion of lovely flowers.
USDA Zones: 3-10
