Horticulture Report: Agastache hyssop

Plant Name:  Agastache hyssop ‘Black Adder’
(A cross between A. foeniculum & A. rugosum
Common name: Black Adder Giant Anise Hyssop
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Plant Height:  2’ – 3’
Spread:  1.5’ – 2’
Bloom Time: June – Frost
Flower Color:  Smokey Red Violet Flowers Emerge from Nearly Black Buds.
Exposure:  Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Well-Drained
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes: Tolerates Deer; Fragrant; Attracts Bees, Hummingbirds, & Butterflies.
Note:  Deadhead Spent Flowers to Promote Additional Bloom.  Leave Leaf & Flower Stems for Protection Over Winter.  Crown/Root Rot may occur in poor draining soils. 
Uses: Long-Blooming for Summer Border; Butterfly or Cottage Gardens; Good Cut Flower.
Native to:  North America
Oregon Native:  NO
USDA Hardiness Zone:  6 – 9

Submitted by: Viki Ashford

Pieris Japonica

This is a Pieris Japonica I bought at the Jackson County Master Garden Fair in a one gallon container about 7 or 8 years ago. The new growth is always this stunning pink color. At first, when I saw it I thought it was a cross between a Pieris and an Azalea. ~ Jeanne Arago, AGC Member

Pieris Japonica

Horticulture Report: 
 
Plant Name: Pieris Japonica, Japanese Andromeda, Japanese Pieris 
Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Height: 4 -8 feet
Spread: 3 to 6 feet
Bloom Time: April
Bloom Color: White
Exposure: Full sun (in northern climates)  Part to Full Shade (elsewhere)
Water: Medium
Attributes: Showy Flowers, Colorful Foliage, Evergreen, Winter Interest
Tolerates: Deer, Heavy Shade
USDA Zone: 5 to 8
 
Best grown in organically rich, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun (see above) to part or full shade. Weakened plants due to hot summer stress may cause to to succumb to a harsh winter. It grows best in locations sheltered from wind with some afternoon shade. Remove spent flowers immediately after bloom.

Douglas Asters

Botanical Name: Aster Symphyotrichum subspicatum
Common Name: Douglas Aster
Plant Type:Perennial
Height: Up to 4 ft
Spread: 3-4 ft
Flower Color: Yellow, Violet
Blooms: Summer into late Fall
Exposure: Full Sun – Part Shade
Soil: Moist &Rich, but will tolerate a variety of soils.
Water Needs: Medium
Wildlife: Host for 7 Butterfly & Moths species!
Habitat: Moist lowlands
Uses:Attracts Butterflies, Pollinator Gardens, Perennial Gardens, Native Gardens, and along Stream banks.
Native: Northwest USA
USDA Zones: 6a-9b

Photo from: https://klamathsiskiyouseeds.com/product/symphyotrichum-subspicatum-douglas-aster/

Oregon Native: Collomia grandiflora

Plant Name:  Collomia grandiflora
Common name: Large Flower Collomia
Plant Type:  Annual Herb
Plant Height:  4” – 3’
Bloom Time: April – June
Flower Color:  Yellow Salmon to White with Blue Pollen
Exposure:  Part Shade to Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Dry
Water Needs:  Low to No Water.
Attributes: Pollen for Bees.
Note:  Flowers are eaten by deer.  Powdery mildew is possible.
Uses: Cut Flower; Native Garden; Wildflower gardening; Pollinator Garden.
Native to:  Western North America
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  6a – 9b

Report by: Viki Ashford

Oregon Native Plant: Ceanothus cuneatus (Buckbush)

High risk plant for wildfire, so not a good choice for homes in wildfire  regions!

Plant Name:  Ceanothus cuneatus
Common name:  Buckbrush
Plant Type:  Native, Perennial, Evergreen Shrub
Plant Height:  3.3’ – 11.5’
Spread:  2.5’ – 3.5’
Bloom Time: February – April
Flower Color:  Creamy White to Pale Blue to Lavendar
Exposure:  Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Tolerates Sand, Clay, & Serpentine, but needs fast drainage.
Water Needs:  Very Low Moisture.
Attributes:  Pollen/Nectar for Native Bees; Host for some Butterflies; Drought Tolerant; Deer Tolerant.
Note:  Mature Plants are highly flammable.
Uses:  Fragrant Flowers; Hedge/Screen or Small Tree.
Native to:  Western States to Baja CA
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  7b – 10b

Report by: Viki Ashford

Photo by: Eric in SF [CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]

Oregon Native Plant: Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (Yellow Rabbitbush)

Plant Name:  Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus
Common name: Yellow Rabbitbrush
Plant Type:  Shrub
Plant Height:  8” – 39”
Bloom Time: August – October
Flower Color:  Yellow
Exposure:  Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Course to Medium; Well-Drained.
Water Needs:  Low
Habitat: Dessert and semi-dessert
Attributes:  Drought Tolerant; Provides Cover & Nesting Habitat for Small Birds; Fall Forage for Some Butterflies; Pollen/Nectar for Native Bees; Provides Cover for Rabbits.
Note:  Spring Forage for Deer.
Uses: Restoration & Re-vegetation Plantings; Drought-Tolerant Plantings; Native Gardens; Low Maintenance Gardens; Rock Gardens.
Native to:  Western North America
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  5b – 8b

Report by: Viki Ashford

Photo: Wikimedia Commons Taken By: Matt Lavin, Bozeman Montana, USA https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chrysothamnus_viscidiflorus_(3939348143).jpg