Today in the Garden: Attracting Pollinators

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  • Verbena canadensis ‘Homestead Purple’ ‘Zaharia Yellow’ Zinnia
    ‘Landmark Sunrise Rose’ Lantana
    ‘New Look’ Celosia.
  • Native Plant: ‘Blue Fortune’ Agastache (bee in photo)
  • Native Plant: Arizona Sun’ Gaillardia

Today in the garden: Member Viki Ashford’s Garden                                  Photos by Viki

Oregon Native: Ribes aureum (Golden Currant)

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Plant Name:  Ribes aureum
Common name: Golden Currant
Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub
Plant Height: 3’ – 7’
Spread: 2’ – 6’
Bloom Time: Early to Mid Spring
Flower Color: Golden Yellow
Exposure: Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Tolerates Variety of Soils with Medium to Slow Drainage.
Water Needs: Low to High.
Attributes:  Attracts Hummingbirds, Monarch Butterflies; Red Autumn Color; Attracts Bees & Birds; Deer Resistant; Fragrance of Cloves or Vanilla.
Note: Surround with Mulch.
Uses: Bee, Bird, Butterfly Gardens
Native to:  North America
Oregon Native:   YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  4 – 8

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member

Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service – Al Schneider

Oregon Native Plant: Rubus ursinus (Pacific Blackberry)

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Plant Name:  Rubus ursinus
Common name:  Pacific Blackberry, or Dewberry
Plant Type:  Evergreen, Semi Evergreen Shrub or Low Trailing
Plant Height: 6’ – 10’
Spread:  6’
Bloom Time: February to May
Flower Color: White to Pink
Exposure: Sun to Shade
Soil Requirements:  Medium to Slow Drainage.
Water Needs: Moderate to High
Attributes:  Hosts several Butterflies & Moths. Leaves can be used to make herbal tea. Produces Edible Berries.  Sometimes plants are referred to as ground berries. 

Note: 1st Year Stems (Primocanes) produce only leaves;                                 2nd Year Lateral Branches (Floricanes) produce flowers & fruit.                 Canes are very prickly; Prune during winter dormancy.

Uses: Ground Cover; Bird Garden; Native Gardens; Pollinator Gardens, Native Berries.
Native to:  Western North America
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 – 10

Report by: Viki Ashford & Carlotta Lucas, AGC Members

Photo Credit:  Wikipedia / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

Horticulture Report: Douglas Spirea

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Plant Name:  Spiraea douglasii
Common name:  Douglas or Western Spirea
Plant Type:  Deciduous Shrub
Plant Height:  3’ – 7’
Plant Width:  3’ – 6’
Bloom Time:  June to August
Flower Color:  Deep Pink
Exposure:Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements:  Well drained, acidic, loamy, sandy soil.
Water Need:  Does well in wet areas;
Attributes: Retains brown seed heads; Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Other Pollinators; Deer Resistant.
Note:  Needs consistent moisture; Remove suckers; Susceptible to Fire Blight, Leaf Spot, Powdery Mildew, Aphids, Scale.  Prune after Flowering.
Uses: Hedge; Rain Garden; Cottage Gardens; Borders; Slopes.
Native to:  Oregon to Alaska
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 – 8

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member

Photo by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Member                                                                  Photo Location: Hyatt Lake, Oregon – July 25, 2020