“Carpenteria California, Bush Anemone. Finally after almost three years, this evergreen shrub bloomed for me.” Viki Ashford, AGC Member
Today in the Garden
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/
Garden of the Month: June 2020
Near Hunter Park
There is a spectacular garden near Hunter Park that is the Ashland Garden Club’s Garden of the Month for June. The residents have lived there for 40 years, and had done smaller renovations in the past.
The owners re-landscaped about three years ago after they incorporated the back of another property nearby. The property boundary was legally redrawn at that time. The result is a very large garden, especially for the neighborhood.
Laurie Sager, Solid Ground Landscaping, and Tim Ferguson did the work in 2017. The workmanship throughout the property is exquisite: The metal and wood work of fencing and gates, the concrete retaining walls, and the gorgeous stone walkways and patios are impeccable. The deep red color of the metal is unexpected and just right.
An unusual feature is a geometric pattern of concrete pavers beneath a Japanese maple tree surrounded by “Brass Buttons” ground cover. A charming blue star creeper surrounds stone pavers in the front. 
A large Liriodendron (tulip tree) dominates the front yard and a Douglas fir shades portions of the back. Most of the mature rhododendrons are holdovers from earlier gardens here. Ornamental grasses are placed judiciously, particularly in front. Peonies are featured in front and back. A wonderfully diverse selection of plants are perfectly placed throughout the yard. 
Article by: Ruth Sloan, AGC Member
Photos by: Larry Rosengren.
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/