Tag Archives: Ashland Garden Club

Oregon Native: Monarda didyma (Scarlet Bee Balm)

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Plant Name:  Monarda didyma
Common name: Scarlet Bee Balm
Plant Type:  Perennial
Plant Height: 2’ – 4’
Spread: 2’ – 3’
Bloom Time:  May – October.
Flower Color:  Scarlet Red
Exposure:  Sun to Part Shade.
Soil Requirements: Rich, Moist, Acidic.
Water Needs:  Medium
Attributes: Attracts Hummingbirds, Bees, Butterflies; Nectar Source, Deer Resistant; Good Cut Flower;
Note: Susceptible to Powdery Mildew; in the Mint Family; Deadhead Flowers to Prolong Summer Bloom.
Uses:  Perennial Border; Cottage Garden; Native Plant Garden; Bird & Butterfly Garden.
Native to:   Eastern North America & Oregon & Washington
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9

Report by: Viki Ashford, Master Gardener & AGC Member

Oregon Native: Monardella odoratissim (Coyote Mint)

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Plant Name:  Monardella odoratissima
Common name: Coyote Mint, Mountain Pennyroyal
Plant Type:  Evergreen Herbaceous Perennial
Plant Height: 1’
Spread: 3’
Bloom Time: June – August
Flower Color:  Whitish to Pale Purple to Pink.
Exposure:  Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Sandy, Well-Draining.
Water Needs:  Drought Tolerant
Attributes: Aromatic; Hosted by Butterflies & Moths.
Note: Short-lived species; Deadhead spent blossoms; Cut back in fall.
Uses:  Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Gardens; Container.
Native to:  Western US & Canada
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 – 10

Report by: Viki Ashford

Photo by: Orchid Black / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)

Horticulture Report: Threadleaf Coreopsis ‘Zagreb’

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Plant Name:  Coreopsis verticullata ‘Zagreb’
Common name: Threadleaf Coreopsis ‘Zagreb’
Plant Type:  Herbaceous Perennial
Height:  18 – 24 inches
Spread:  12 – 18 inches
Bloom Time: May – June
Flower Color:  Bright Yellow
Exposure:  Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Tolerates Dry, Shallow, Rocky Soil;
Water Needs: Dry to Medium

Attributes: Showy Flower; Deer Tolerant; Drought Tolerant; No Serious Disease or Insect Problems; Attracts Butterflies

Note:  Deadheading encourages additional bloom & prevents unwanted self-seeding. Plants may be sheared in mid to late summer to promote fall re-bloom & remove sprawling foliage. Can spread aggressively by rhizomes & self-seeding. Crown Rot may occur in poor draining soils.

Uses: Native Plant Gardens; Cottage Gardens; Borders; Containers; Cut Flowers; Naturalizing, Butterfly Gardens, 
Native to:  Eastern USA
Oregon Native:  NO
USDA Hardiness Zone:  3 – 9

Report by: Viki Ashford

Globe Amaranth

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In Hawaii, Gomphrena globosa is commonly used in long-lasting leis since it retains its shape and color after drying. In Nepal, these flowers are in  garlands used for the last day of Tihar, a five-day-long Hindu festival when sisters adorn brothers with a garland. This day is called Bhai Tika – Worship of Brother.

Plant Name:  Gomphrena globosa
Common name: Globe Amaranth
Plant Type:  Annual
Plant Height:  1’ – 2’
Spread:  .5’ – 1’
Bloom Time: June to Frost
Flower Color:  Pink, Purple, White, Yellow, Magenta.
Exposure:  Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Tolerates most soils.
Water Needs:  Medium
Attributes: Showy Flower; Good Dried or Long-Lasting Cut Flower; Attracts Butterflies; Drought Tolerant; Tolerates Clay Soil.
Note:  If sowing seeds, germination rate is low; pinch plants to promote bushiness.
Uses: Borders, Rock Gardens, Cutting Gardens, Containers.
Native to:  Central America & northern South America
Oregon Native:  NO
USDA Hardiness Zone:  2 – 11

Wildflower: Phacelia campanularia (California Bluebell)

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Plant Name: Phacelia campanularia
Common names:  California-bluebell,
Desertbells, Desert bluebells,
Desert Scorpionweed, and Desert
Canterbury Bells
Plant type: Hardy Annual
Family: Member of the borage family
Height: 12 inches
Flower Color:  Blue
Exposure: Full sun
Blooms:  February – June
Soil: Sharply drained (sandy or granitic soil) , can tolerate other soils but needs good drainage
Water: Low – (arid climate plant)
Note: Grows in very arid environments; Adapts easily to gardens; not winter hardy but can reseed.
Attributes: Heart-shaped leaves, Vibrant Blue Color, Showy bell-shaped flowers, blooms in clusters
Uses: Wildflower gardens, Natural Gardens, Containers, Rock Gardens, Water-wise Gardens, Mass Plantings
Native to: Western USA
USDA Zone: 3-10

Report by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Member