Flowering in AGC member Janie Burcart’s garden today are yellow and pink abutilons, both from the Italio Garden in Medford, roses & crepe myrtles.
Today in the Garden:August 23, 2026
Category Archives: Horticulture Reports
Horticulture Report: Phuopsis stylosa
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’
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
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
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
Attracting Pollinators
Pollinator populations have declined significantly in recent years, mainly due to habitat loss. Homeowners can help by creating pollinator-friendly gardens. Knowing plant traits such as flower color, shape and scent will guide you to which plants to choose for pollinators.
Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers of vivid shades of red, yellow, and purple with a tubular shape that they can access with their long narrow beaks.
Bees prefer purple, blue, orange, or yellow flowers with short tubes or no tubes which they can easily access.
Butterflies are drawn to white, pink, red, yellow, or purple flowers with a place they can perch while sipping on nectar.
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ANISE HYSSOP (Agastache foeniculum)
Attributes: Hyssop supports a wide range of pollinators, including hummingbirds, honey bees, bumble
bees, carpenter bees, butterflies and night flying moths.
Bloom time: June until first frost
Exposure: Full sun
Habit: Upright habit with flower spikes blooming throughout summer.
Height/Spread: 2 to 4 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide
Flower color: Varieties available are purple, lavender, red, pink, orange-yellow
USDA Zones: 5-9, for most varieties
Native: North America
Firewise: Yes
Important Note on fire resistant plants: It’s crucial to remember that fire resistance can vary within the same plant species depending on local conditions and specific varieties and some plants considered fire-resistant, may produce flammable dry material that can negate their fire resistance.
Photo from University of Wisconsin Horticulture Extension: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/anise-hyssop-agastache-foeniculum/
Posted by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Member