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

Cut Flowers : How to condition for freshness

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Helpful tips for conditioning cut flowers and foliage to stay fresh longer in bouquets.

1- Cut flowers and foliage the night before the sale or early in the morning when it is cool.
2- Use sharp and clean clippers and tools, scissors are not recommended. Cut stems at 45º, and under water if possible.
3- Place them in a 1/4 filled buckets of lukewarm water, and keep them in a cool place.
4- Flowers with strong and tall stems make the best cut flowers.
5- For bulbs flowers, cut the white section at the bottoms of stem so they can drink better.
5- Most flowers can be cut in bud stage as soon as they show a little color.
6- Zinnias, marigolds, mums, and dahlias, should be cut when the flowers are fully open.
7- For woody stems make a clean split at the bottom one inch, don’t crush or hammer!
8- Remove all the lower foliage which will be below the water level.
9- For hydrangeas, dip the head in cold water to firm up the petals for an hour, then drip
dry them, cut and place stems in warm water overnight.
10- Flowers like delphiniums, lupines, dahlias, hollyhocks which have hollow stems can be
filled water and covered with a cotton ball at the base.
11-  Flowers In a vase: Use a clean vase, maintain water level and change the water  frequently.

Submitted by Goly Ostovar, AGC Member

Photo by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Member

Easy-to-make Cut-Flower Preservative

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Using a preservative increases the longevity of your cut flowers. For flowers to survive they need three ingredients: carbohydrates for cell metabolism, a biocide to fight bacteria , and an acidifier to change the water’s pH and increase their water uptake.  This homemade mix provides them with what they need and it can be as effective as a commercial preservative, plus it’s easy to make and cost less.  

  • 1 quart lukewarm water ( warm water delivers “food” to the flowers faster)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon household bleach
  • 2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice

Stir thoroughly before using.

Horticulture Report – Fire-wise & Native Flower

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Plant Name: Brodiaea coronaria
Common name: Crown Brodiaea
Plant type: Deciduous Perennial Herb
Height: 10” – 24”
Spread:  1’
Bloom Time:  April – July
Flower Color: Blue, Lavender, Purple
Exposure:  Full Sun
Soil Requirements; Well-drained; Clay to Sandy Loam
Water Needs:  Low;
Attributes:  Attracts Butterflies; Nectar Source for Adult Butterflies; Bees & other Insect Pollinators
Uses: Rock Garden; Meadowscapes
Firewise: YES
Native To:  Western North America
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7a – 10a

 

 

 

Photo Credit: “Brodiaea coronaria” by davidbroadland is marked with CC0 1.0.