Category Archives: Oregon Native Plants

Oregon Native: Blue Elderberry

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Plant Name:  Sambucus nigra caerulea
Common name: Blue Elderberry
Plant Type:  Deciduous Shrub or Small Tree
Plant Height: 6’ – 20’
Spread:  6’ – 20’
Bloom Time:  Spring to Fall
Flower Color: Cream or Yellow Flowers & Blue Berries in Fall.
Exposure: Part Shade to Full Sun.

Soil Requirements:  Tolerates a variety of moist soils,
but prefers well-drained.
Water Needs: Regular Irrigation.
Attributes:  Food Source for Birds; Deer Resistant; Attracts Bees & Butterflies.
Note: Accepts Pruning Easily; Susceptible to Canker, Powdery Mildew, Leaf Spot, Spider Mites, Aphids, Borers.
Uses: Bee, Bird, Butterfly Gardens; Bank Stabilization; Hedge; Pond/Steam Edge Planting.
Native to:  Western North America
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9

Report by: Viki Ashford

Photos from: Oregon State University https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/sambucus-nigra-subsp-cerulea

Oregon Native: Grindelia nana

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Plant Name:  Grindelia nana
Common name:  Idaho Gumweed
Plant Type:  Perennial Wildflower
Plant Height:  6” – 2’
Bloom Time: June to September
Flower Color:  Yellow
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements:  Sharply draining, rocky, gravelly soil.
Water Need:  Low.
Attributes: Highly attractive to native bees & butterflies; Drought tolerant; Deer resistant; Resinous & sticky leaves that appear to sparkle.
Uses: Wildflower Gardens; Drought Tolerant Gardens; Pollinator Gardens.
Native to:  Western US
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  8

 

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC member

Photo from: American West website: https://www.americansouthwest.net/plants/wildflowers/grindelia-nana.html

Oregon Native:Spaeralcea munroana (Orange Globe Mallow)

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Plant Name:  Spaeralcea munroana
Common name:  Orange Globe Mallow, Desert Mallow
Plant Type:  Perennial Subshrub
Plant Height:  8’ – 32’
Plant Width:  24”
Bloom Time:  May to August
Flower Color:  Pale Orange to Brick Red.
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements:  Tolerates Rocky, Sandy Soil or Clay with Fast Drainage.
Water Need:  Extremely Low.
Attributes: Attracts Bees; Deer Resistant
Note:  Cut Back to Ground Yearly; Susceptible to Fungal Rust Pathogen.
Uses: Rock Gardens; Along Driveways & Walkways; Container Planting; Bee & Butterfly Gardens.
Native to:  Western North America
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member

Photo by: Matt Lavin / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

Oregon Native Plant: Rudbeckia hirta

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Plant Name:  Rudbeckia hirta
Common name:  Black-eyed Susan
Plant Type:  Annual or Short-Lived Herbaceous Perennial
Plant Height: 2’ – 3’
Spread:  1’ – 2’
Bloom Time: June to September
Flower Color: Yellow to Orange-Yellow Rays with Dark Brown Centers
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements:  Well Drained; Moist & Organically Rich.
Water Needs: Medium;
Attributes:  Showy Flowers; Attracts Butterflies; Deer Tolerant; Drought Tolerant; Birds enjoy Ripe Seeds; Pollen & Nectar Source for Bees & Butterflies. 
Note: Usually a short lived perennial; deadhead to encourage additional blooms; at end of season let freely self seed; Susceptible to Powdery Mildew. 
Uses: Borders; Cottage Gardens; Wild Gardens; Mass Plantings.
Native to:  Most of North America
Oregon Native:   YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 7

Report Viki Ashford

Photo by: Carlotta Lucas

Oregon Native Plant: Rudbeckia glaucescen

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Plant Name:  Rudbeckia glaucescens
Common name:  Waxy Coneflower
Plant Type:  Perennial
Plant Height: 3’ – 4’
Spread:
Bloom Time: July to September
Flower Color: Yellow
Exposure: Full Sun.
Soil Requirements:  Moist.
Water Needs: Regular.
Attributes:  Nectar & Pollen Source for Bees, Butterflies, Moths.
Note: Deadheading prolongs bloom time.
Uses: Native/Wildflower Gardens; Stream side.
Native to:  California & Oregon
Oregon Native:   YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 9

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member

Oregon Native Plant: Ribes zoezlii

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Plant Name:  Ribes zoezlii
Common name:  Sierra Gooseberry
Plant Type:  Deciduous, Multi-Stem, Spiny Shrub
Plant Height: 4’ – 5’
Spread: 1’
Bloom Time: Late Spring
Flower Color: Burgundy and White
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade.
Soil Requirements: Coarse to Medium Texture.
Water Needs: Dry to Medium Dry
Attributes:  Hosts for Numerous Butterflies & Moths; Fragrant; Showy Tubular, Fuchsia-like Flowers; Fall Color: Fruit is covered in spines, but it is edible, great for gooseberry jam.
Note: As always, get professional advice before consuming any plant or berry in the wild.
Uses: Attracts Bee, Bird and Butterflies; Hummingbird Gardens; Pollinator Gardens; Native Gardens, Woodland Gardens
Native to:  California & Oregon
Oregon Native:   YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 – 9

Report: Viki Ashford, AGC Member, Master Gardener

Fruiting Photo: Dcrjsr / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)

Flowering Photo: USFS Region 5 / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)