Tag Archives: Ashland Garden Club

May 2020: Garden of the Month

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720 Forest Street

The wonderful garden at 720 Forest St. is a labor of love for homeowners Vicky Sturtevant and Alan Armstrong and is The Ashland Garden Club’s Garden of the Month for May. They have deftly combined edibles with ornamentals in this space they have gardened since 1983.

It is a heavily shaded lot, particularly the upper, forested quarter-acre parcel that they purchased separately. In all, they have a half-acre that they manage beautifully. The hardscape was designed by Covey-Pardee Landscape Architects in 2009. Eric Cislo welded the gates and Ted Loftus constructed the stone walls. The deer are kept out.

The couple enjoys being outside and are inveterate hikers, so they also love gardening. They devote a lot of time to it and it shows. Nothing is neglected. They follow the sun throughout the yard and throughout the year.

Grandparents of both instilled in them a love of plants and a tradition of gardening. Alan’s grandparents were farmers. Vicky’s had a large lot and grew all kinds of things, especially roses. There is a vigorous peony in the yard that came from Vicky’s grandparents. She speaks fondly of how much certain plants remind us of certain people. Happily, their adult son loves gardening, too.

Both Alan and Vicky are very knowledgeable about plants and have noticed that plants native to the Pacific Northwest, in which they have specialized, are beginning to struggle to survive and that now plants native to Northern California are more likely to thrive in Ashland. So it is to them they are turning their attention.

Visitors who walk or drive by will notice the great diversity of plant life in this garden. Among favorites of the couple are species rhododendrons (includes azaleas), Penstemons, Salvia, Agastache, and Marionberry. In May, dogwood, lilac, and rhododendrons make a stunning display.

Article by: Ruth Sloan, AGC Garden of the Month Committee Chair

Photos by: Larry Rosengren

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