Oregon Native Plant:  Iris tenax (Oregon Iris)

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Plant Name:  Iris tenax
Common name:  Oregon Iris
Plant type:  Perennial
Height:  1’ – 3’
Spread: 2’
Bloom Time: April – June
Flower Color:  Pink, Purple, White, Yellow
Exposure: Part Shade
Soil Requirements:  Drier, Well-Drained
Water Needs:  Medium
Attributes:  Attracts Hummingbirds; Drought Tolerant once established; Evergreen.
Note:  Rhizomes may be poisonous to animals & humans.
Uses:  Rock Garden Plant; Edge of Gravel Path or Front in the Perennial Border.
Native to:  California, Oregon, Washington
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  7 – 9

Report submitted by: Viki Ashford

Photo Resource: Wikimedia Photo by: Peter B James Pbjamesphoto

Oregon Native: Tufted Hairgrass

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Plant Name:  Deschampsia cespitosa
Common name:  Tufted Hairgrass
Plant Type:  Ornamental Grass
Plant Height:  2’ – 3’
Spread:  1’ – 2’
Bloom Time: July – September
Flower Color:  Tones of Gold, Silver, Purple, Green
Exposure:  Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Average, Medium, Moist, Well-Drained Soil;
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes:  Showy Flowers; Attracts Birds; Winter Interest; Airy Panicles of Variably-Color form a cloud that is attractive when backlit; Deer Resistant.
Note:  Cut Foliage to Ground in Late Winter
Uses: Ground Cover; Rock Gardens; Mixes well with Shade Loving Perennials; Butterfly Gardens, Woodland Gardens.
Native to:  Most of North America
Oregon Native:   YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  4 – 9

Report by: Viki Ashford

Ashland: Wildfire Safety

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“As of Oct 2018 all homes within the City of Ashland, Oregon are considered to be in the Wildfire Hazard Zone. In addition, forested lands in and around the city lead into the Ashland Creek Watershed, the source of the City’s drinking water. Fires have been a frequent visitor to our landscape and will return due to accidents or lightning strikes. Fire plays a natural role in our forest ecosystem but can threaten homes and lives in our town. Wildfire awareness is essential to living in a wildfire hazard zone. Ashland Fire and Rescue is a valuable resource for homeowners and citizens concerned with wildfire in Ashland. The resources located here include plans, maps, and detailed information for homeowners and citizens.”   Resource: https://www.ashland.or.us/ashland_wildfire_safety

Firewise Plant list: ashland.or.us/plants

Oregon Native: Thalictrum sparsiflorum (Fewflower Meadow Rue)

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Plant Name:  Thalictrum sparsiflorum
Common name:  Fewflower Meadow Rue
Plant type:  Herbaceous Perennial
Height:  4’ – 6’
Spread: 2’ – 3’
Bloom Time: June – August
Flower Color:  White to Pinksh
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements:  Average to Medium Well-Drained Soil
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes:  Showy Flower; Deer Resistant.  Blueish, Columbine like foliage with airy clusters atop sturdy stems.
Note:  Powdery Mildew & Rust can occasionally be a problem. Contrary to its name, it produces many flowers.
Uses:  Good Background Plant when grouped.
Native to: Western North America
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  4 – 7

Submitted by: Viki Ashford

Jackson County MG Class: Demystify Vegetable Gardening

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Demystify Vegetable Gardening with a Spring Seed to Supper Class

Whether you live in an apartment or on acreage, learn low-cost gardening techniques for building, planning, planting, maintaining, and harvesting a successful summer vegetable garden from Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association members.

Choose a convenient location and join community members for six weekly Seed to Supper classes, learning the ins and outs of good flavor, nutrition, and accomplishment from your bountiful and thrifty new vegetable garden.

Who: Adults        Cost: Free       To Register: Call (541) 841-6487 or email  freshaccess@accesshelps.org

Locations, Dates, Times: Six weeks, during March to June.

OSU Extension Office,
569 Hanley Rd., Central Point,
Thurs, March 26–April 30, 2–4pm

New Beginnings Christian Center,
270 W Evans Creek Rd., Rogue River,
Thurs, April 16–May 21, 2-4pm

Phoenix Elementary,
215 N Rose St., Phoenix,
Tues, April 7–May 12, 5–7pm

Medford Library,
205 Central Ave., Medford,
Wed, March 18–April 22, 2–4pm

Medford YMCA,
522 W 6th St., Medford,
Wed, May 6–June 10, 6–8pm

 

In Love with Lavender

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Why we Love Lavender:

  • Scent/Fragrance
  • Color
  • Easy to Grow
  • Flowers can be enjoyed fresh or dried
  • Flowers can be used in crafts, cooking & medicinally
  • Thrives in poor soil
  • Drought tolerant
  • Attracts pollinators
  • Deer and rabbit resistant

Lavender has its roots in the Mediterranean Counties. So think in terms of full, intense, hot sun and rocky stony soil that’s not especially nutrient rich, but has good drainage. Southern Oregon has ideal conditions for growing lavender.

Most garden centers offer three major species of lavender:

  • Lavandula stoechas  (aka: Spanish Lavender) – Can be recognized by it cone-like spikes, it is usually the first to bloom in late March or early April. It has a strong camphor or piney scent. This pollinator friendly is not used in cooking, crafts or in oil production, but because it is the first to bloom, it has a place in the garden; it looks nice planted in mass and provides an early food source for bees and pollinators. If pruned it may re-bloom in August or September. Not as cold hardy as English or French lavenders.
  • Lavandula angustifolia (aka: English Lavender) – English Lavender is the scent most people associate with lavender. Its colors range from white, pick, blue to deep purple. English Lavender is used for fresh cut flower, dried flowers, potpourris, cooking, and for oil distillation.  English lavender can range in size from dwarf (12 inches), semi-dwarf (20 inches) and tall (46 inches).  Plants bloom May though June and are cold hardy.  Some varieties will re-bloom if pruned after flowering.
  • Lavandula X intermedia (aka French Lavender) – French Lavender is a hybrid of L. angustifolia and L. latifolia. French Lavender blooms in mid-summer. It is one the tallest of the lavenders and its long strong stems are good for using in crafts. French lavender produces more oil than L. angustifolia, but the quality is not as fine. Plants are cold hardy.

Guide to Growing Lavender

  1. FULL SUN – 6-8 hours of sun or more. Less than six plant may become spindly and leggy and with fewer blossoms and less scent.
  2. GOOD DRAINAGE- Lavenders tolerate poor soils, but they must have good drainage.  In areas of clay amend the soil to improve drainage. Or build raised beds, or berms using compost, sand and decomposed granite to produce optimal soil for lavenders.
  3. Water Infrequently – Lavenders are drought tolerant meaning they prefer dry conditions. Once the rains ends, water once in June, then every two weeks when temperatures reach high 90s-100s. Scratch the soil’s surface, or use a water gauge to determine if the lavender needs watering.  (Note: first year water more frequently until roots are established)
  4. Pruning – Harvesting flowers is not the same a pruning. Prune lavenders at least once a year to maintain size and shape. To prune cut back about 1/3 of the plant.
  5. The best time to harvest lavender is when the bottom flowers of each stem are just beginning to open. This is when the lavender is at its most vibrant and fragrant. Cut the flowers at the base of the stems near the foliage.

Mark your calendar:
Southern Oregon Lavender Festival
June 19th, 20th, and 21st, 2020

The following are some of the Lavender varieties developed, or identified, by Oregon Lavender growers:

  • Betty’s Blue,
  • Buena Vista,
  • Melissa,
  • Premier,
  • Royal Velvet,
  • Sachet,
  • Sharon Roberts,
  • Ana Luisa,
  • Jennifer
  • Goodwin Creek

Article by: Rosenelle Florencechild, Jackson County Master Gardener, and JCMG Lavender Garden’s Manager & Head Gardener