Are you longing for flowers during winter’s dark days? Try forcing flowering tree branches to bloom 
indoors.
Cut branches from spring-flowering trees such as forsythia, dogwood, and crabapple and place them in container of warm water for an hour to bring them out of dormancy. Then re-cut their stems to enhance their water absorption and arrange them in a vase which has warm water in it with a drop of bleach added. Set the vase in a sunny window and before you know it, Alakazam, flowers appear!
City of Ashland, Oregon Firewise class. It’s free.
Monday, February 12th at the Ashland Hills Hotel.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-firewise-class-tickets-42104678226
New Annuals for 2018
from Proven Winner
Golden Butterfly™ Marguerite Daisy Argyranthemum – https://goo.gl/wQpsCM
Plant Type: Annual
Flowers: Golden yellow
Exposure: Sun to Part sun.
Height: 18-36 “
Attributes: Blooms continuously into late fall, Self-cleaning, Heat tolerant.
Uses: landscape, Containers, Mass plantings.
USDA Zones: 10a-11b
Lady Godiva™ Orange Calendula – https://goo.gl/4koUjU
Plant Type: Annual
Flowers: Orange with darker centers
Exposure: Sun to Part sun.
Height: 10-16 “
Attributes: Large cut flowers, Blooms until a hard frost, No deadheading, Heat tolerant.
Uses: Containers, flower gardens, Cut flower garden.
USDA Zones: 7a-11b
Hippo™ Red Polka Dot Plant – https://goo.gl/h1JqLi
Plant Type: Annual
Flowers: none- grown for foliage
Exposure: Morning Sun, Afternoon shade.
Height: 16-22 “
Attributes: Interesting foliage.
Uses: Landscape, Containers, Mass plantings, Filler plant.
USDA Zones: 10a-11b
Dahlightful® Tupelo Honey Dahlia – https://goo.gl/UmCqey
Plant Type: Annual
Flowers: Yellow flowers with amber tones. Semi-double.
Exposure: Morning sun, afternoon shade. Heat tolerate but does not like hot afternoon sun.
Height: 24 – 30” tall,
Attributes: Does not form tubers (*see note) . Blooms early & continuously into late fall. Chocolate foliage. Resistant to powdery mildew.
Notes: *Breed to not form tubers, but it can form tubers. Dig tubers and store in the fall like other Dahlias.
Uses: Attracts Butterflies , Containers, Flower garden, Specimen plant.
USDA Zones: 8a-11b
Rockin’™ Deep Purple Salvia – https://goo.gl/7cpchr
Plant Type: Annual
Flowers: Purple & Black
Exposure: Sun to Partial Sun
Height: 30 – 40”
Attributes: Excellent plant for pollinators. Deer Resistant. Heat tolerant.
Uses: Containers, Flower garden, Border plant, Mass Plantings.
USDA Zones: 10a-11b
Watch a Proven Winner new 2018 annuals introduction video at Garden Answers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2oRyDfTqkw
Photos by: Proven Winner
Often these terms are confusing even for a seasoned gardener, so below are some 
guidelines to shed light on the subject, and help you plant with confidence.
Full Sun: 6 hours of direct sunlight anytime during the day. It could even be 3 hour in the morning, then 3 more in the afternoon, but 6 hours total is the minimum.
Partial Sun: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight, but provide some relief from hot afternoon sunshine.
Shade: Less than 6 hours of sunlight, is considered a shady area.
Partial Shade: 3-4 hours of morning or early afternoon sunlight, then shaded or getting indirect light in the late afternoon.
Dappled Sun: Similar to partial shade, some sunlight makes it through the branches of deciduous trees.
Full Shade: Lessen than 3 hours of sunlight. Morning sunshine is the best, then receiving some dappled sun or filtered light during the day.
Shade Tolerant: Plant prefers more sunlight, but can be planted in partial shade. Possibly deceiving statement, because plant performance could be substandard if planted in partial shade.
Note: Some plants listed for shade gardens in USDA Zones 7-8 may perform better in full sun in Zones 4-5.
Submitted by: Carlotta Lucas
Ashland Garden Club’s 2017 holiday party was festive and fun!
Plant Name: Salix purpurea ‘ Nana’
Common Name: Dwarf Purple Willow
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Height: 6 ft
Spread: 6 ft
Blooms: April – May
Flowers Color: White, Green
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Lean, well-drained
Water Needs: Evenly Moist, somewhat drought tolerant when established.
Attributes: Prized for it’s blue-green foliage and deep purple stems. Quick growing. Deer resistant. Showy flowers attracts butterflies & hummingbirds.
Note: Can be kept smaller with winter pruning to the ground. Tolerates Black Walnut.
Uses: Pollinator garden, Good for wet areas, Beds and borders, Foundation planting, Rain garden. Whips used in basket making. Pond and Creek-side plantings.
Native to: Europe and Western Asia
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-8b