Member Goly Ostovar shares her summer flowers.
Sacred Datura, planted from seed. Flowers open in a half hour window from bud stage to full bloom at dusk, they have a heavenly aroma and last for a day.
Canna lilies are putting on new shoots.
Flowers, Fruits and Wildlife
Photos by Lynn McDonald, AGC Member
Plant Name: Chamaebatiaria millefoloim
Common name: Fernbush Desert Sweet
Plant type: Deciduous Shrub
Height: 3’ – 7’
Spread: 5’ – 6’
Bloom Time: Mid to Late Summer
Flower Color: White
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Sun
Soil Requirements: Well-Drained; Clay, Gravel, Loam, Sandy
Water Needs: Drought Resistant; Moderate Watering Until Established
Attributes: Sweetly Aromatic; Leaves are Fern-like Appearance; Showy Flowers; Fruiting in the fall, persistent in winter; Attracts Native Pollinators; Mature Stems Exhibit Cinnamon Sheen; Fast Growing; Attracts Caterpillars; Butterflies; Deer Tolerant
Note: Tolerates Shearing; Pruning Well; Shear in Early Winter; Routine Pruning to Remove Aging, Interior Branches, Increase Foliage Density
Uses: Hedge Border; Mixed Bed or Border; Foundation Plant
Firewise: YES, (check your local Firewise information for how far to plant from a structure)
Native To: East of Cascades; Sierra Nevada to Southern CA, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Northern AZ, New Mexico
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4b – 10
Report by Viki Ashford, AGC member
Photo from Oregon State University https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/chamaebatiaria-millefolium
July 3, 2025 – Flowers and photos by Lynn McDonald, AGC Member
Ashland Oregon Garden Club
Plant Name: Cercocarpus betuloids/montanus
Common name: Mountain mahogany
Plant type: Evergreen Shrub
Height: 8’ – 20’
Spread: 10’ – 12’
Bloom Time: Winter – Spring
Flower Color: Yellow
Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Adapts to Variety of Soil Types; Slow to Fast Drainage
Water Needs: Low
Attributes: long, fuzzy seeds that resemble curled feathers and shine in the sun; Attracts hummingbirds & butterflies; Wildlife supported includes Bats, Birds, Caterpillars; Dark Bark Color; Aromatic
Note: Can be cut down to the ground for new growth;
Uses: In Narrow Areas and as a Hedge or Privacy Screen. Responds well to light or heavy pruning, which may be necessary when planted in small spaces; Bank Stabilization; Erosion Control
Firewise: YES
Native To: Southwestern Oregon south to Baja California and east to central Arizona
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6b -11a
Article by Viki Ashford, AGC Member
Photo courtesy of Oregon State University https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/cercocarpus-betuloides
On May 31st Ashland Garden Club members Dan, Mark and Lynn visited the California Peony Farm. The California Peony Company is owned and operated Anne Hilton. She and her family, including her husband Brent and their sons Wyatt and Finn, run the farm in Callahan, California, located outside of Etna, CA. in Northern California. The farm opened 6 years again and is growing 10 acres of peonies with at least 40 varieties. They are the largest peony grower in California.
Lynn reported the weather was perfect the day they visited and the fields of peonies were a beautiful sight. Two special treats happened on this field trip: a young couple became engaged among the peonies, and a group of Hmong people from Sacramento were visiting the farm and the women were wearing traditional clothing.
The farm is closed for the 2025 season, but check out their website. They will open again May 2026.
https://www.californiapeonycompany.com
Pictures by Lynn McDonald
