“Carpenteria California, Bush Anemone. Finally after almost three years, this evergreen shrub bloomed for me.” Viki Ashford, AGC Member
Today in the Garden
Category Archives: Horticulture Reports
Oregon Native Plant: Ribes nevadense
Plant Name: Ribes nevadense
Common name: Sierra Flowering Currant/Mountain Pink Currant
Plant Type: Deciduous Multi-Stem Shrub
Plant Height: 3’ – 6’
Spread: 3’
Bloom Time: Late Spring
Flower Color: Soft Pink
Exposure: Sun to Light Shade
Soil Requirements: Tolerates variety of soil with good drainage.
Water Needs: Can tolerate moderate drought, but prefers consistent moisture.
Attributes: Attracts Bees, Other Insects, Hummingbirds; Host for Butterflies & Moths; Fragrant Flowers.
Uses: Bee, Bird, and Butterfly Gardens; Native Gardens.
Note: The fruit is an edible bluish-black berry, somewhat waxy and studded with glandular hairs. Always get professional advice before consuming wild edibles; in the wild this berry can be confused with poisonous berries in the area.
Native to: California, Nevada, Oregon
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 – 8
Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member & Master Gardener
Photo from:https://www.sevenoaksnativenursery.com/
Oregon Native: Black Hawthorn
Plant Name: Crataegus douglasii
Common Name: Black Hawthorn
Plant Type: Much-Branched Shrub or Small Tree
Plant Height: 6’ – 30’
Spread: 10’ – 25’
Bloom Time: May – June
Flower Color: White followed by Blue-Black 
Berries
Exposure: Sun – Part Shade – Shade
Soil Requirements: Moist
Water Needs: High
Attributes: Showy Fruits, A few Birds consume Berries; Attracts Butterflies; Fragrant Flowers; Autumn Foliage; Drought Tolerant.
Note: Prune in winter or early spring; Susceptible to: Rust, Fireblight, Powdery Mildew, Borers, Leafminers, & Scale. Cons: Has Prickles & Thorns; Messy Fruits; Suckers Form Thickets.
Uses: Hedge
Native to: Alaska to Northern California, Rockies
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 9
Report by: Viki Ashford
Photo from: Oregon State University Department of Horticulture https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/crataegus-douglasii
Horticulture Report: Polystichum setiferum (Soft Shield Fern)
Plant Name: Polystichum setiferum
Common name: Soft Shield Fern
Plant Type: Evergreen Fern
Plant Height: 2’ – 3’
Spread: 2’ – 3’
Bloom Time: N/A
Flower Color: N/A
Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade
Soil Requirements: Fertile, Humusy, Well-Draining Soil.
Water Needs: Dry to Medium
Attributes: Winter Interest; Stalks & Mid Ribs are covered with Cinnamon Color; Brown Scales; Deer Resistant.
Note: Plant Rhizome at Angel to Prevent Crown Rot; Cut Back Spent Fronds in late February or March.
Uses: Shaded Borders; Rock Gardens; Woodland Gardens; Wild Gardens; Containers
Native to: Southwestern & Central Europe
Oregon Native: NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 6 – 8
Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member & Master Gardener
Photo Credit: Monrovia https://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1244/soft-shield-fern/
Horticulture Report: Diabolo® Ninebark
Plant Name: Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo®’
Common name: Ninebark ‘Diabolo®’ 
Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub
Plant Height: 4’ – 8’
Spread: 4’ – 8’
Bloom Time: May – June
Flower Color: Pinkish White with Purple Leaves and Reddish Fruit.
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Tolerates many soil types.
Water Needs: Dry to Medium
Attributes: Drought Tolerant; Bird Friendly
Note: Prune immediately after bloom.
Uses: Hedge; Exfoliating Bark provides Winter Interest; Shrub Border.
Native to: North America
Oregon Native: NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 2 – 7
Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member & Master Gardener
Photo from: Monrovia https://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1926/diabolo-ninebark/
Sisyrinchium palmifolium (Palm-Leaf Yellow-Eyed Grass)
Plant Name: Sisyrinchium palmifolium
Common name: Palm-Leaf Yellow-Eyed Grass
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: Floral Stem 18-24” with 3-5 Flowers each, Leaf 20-24”
Spread: 8-12” Clump
Bloom Time: May- June 
Flower Color: Bright yellow with a tinge of orange in the throat.
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Soil Requirements: Well-drained; Rich
Water Needs: Moist in the spring; Tolerates dry Conditions summer & fall.
Attributes: Bright Yellow Flowers; Hardy Perennial; Deer Resistant; Attracts Bees; Carefree; Blue-green Semi-Evergreen Foliage; Siberian Iris-like leaves
Note: Similar to West coast Native: Blue-eyed Grass (sisyrinchium augustiifolium) and California Native Yellow-Eyed Grass (sisyrinchium californicum).
Uses: Cut Flowers; Deer Resistant Gardens; Perennial Gardens; Borders, Low-water gardens.
Native to: South America: Argentina, Brazil, And Uruguay
Oregon Native: NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7a-9b
Report and Photo by: Gena Goddard, AGC Member & Oregon State Flower Judge