Today in the Garden: Attracting Pollinators

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

Oregon Native: Ribes aureum (Golden Currant)

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

Horticulture Report: Douglas Spirea

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

Walk Ashland

Ashland Garden Club member, Peter Finkle, has been walking Ashland neighborhoods and writing about Ashland’s history, architecture, gardens, yard art and people. Alida Street was his recent trekking adventure where he discovered:

Ghost stories at 92 Alida
A beautiful mural at 107 Alida
Dramatic flowering trumpet vine at 66 Alida
Writer of Westerns at 81 Alida
“Lord of the Rings” connection at 180 Alida

Follow the link below to read Peter’s article in full; it’s fascinating!

https://walkashland.com/2020/08/09/alida-street-flowers-ghosts-and-art/

Beautiful mural at 107 Alida Street, painted in June of 2020. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2020)

Submitted by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Board Member