Category Archives: Horticulture Reports

Fire-wise & Native: Fernbush Desert Sweet

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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

Horticulture Report: Firewise/Native Plant

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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

California Peony Farm Visit

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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

Horticulture Report – Fire-wise & Native Flower

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Plant Name: Brodiaea elegans
Common name: Elegant Cluster Lily/Harvest Brodiaea
Plant type: Perennial Herbaceous; Grows from a Corm
Height: 2’
Spread:  6”
Bloom Time:  Spring – Summer
Flower Color: Pale Purple/Purple/White
Exposure:  Full Sun to Partial Shade
Soil Requirements:  Does well in Clay Soil; Medium to Slow Drainage
Water Needs:  Low to Very Low
Attributes:  Supports Butterflies; Drought Tolerant
Note: Plant in Groups; Insect Pollinated
Uses: Containers; Beds & Borders; Rock Garden
Firewise: YES
Native To:  Mountain Ranges of California & Oregon
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7a – 10b

Photo Credit: Tom Hilton, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Com

Horticulture Report – Fire-wise & Native Plant

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Common name: Deer Fern
Botanical Name: Blechnum spicant
Plant type: Fern
Height: .75’ – 4’
Spread:  1’ – 2’
Exposure:  Part Shade to Full Shade
Soil Requirements:  Humusy, Acidic, Evenly Moist, Well-drained
Water Needs:  Medium
Attributes:  Winter Interest; Tolerates Heavy Shade; Two Different Types of Fronds; Deer Resistant
Note: Spreads somewhat slowly by short creeping rhizomes; May be divided in Spring; Leaf Spot & Rust May Occur; May Go Dormant in Winter; Cut back dead fronds in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges; Fertilize Frequently During Growing Season
Uses: Shade Garden; Shaded Border; Rock Garden; Containers
Firewise: YES
Native To:  Temperate Northern Hemisphere
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 – 8