Ornamental Grasses

Written by: The Pecks
For The Oregonian/OregonLive

A highlight from the article:Muhlenbergia capillaris.jpg

Interview with Josh Cady of Monrovia Nursery:.
“–Ornamental grasses, though considered low maintenance, need to be cut back before new spring growth each year. I always tell people to wait until they can’t stand how they look anymore, and then cut them back, which for me is usually by late winter. They are wildlife-friendly and an important food source for birds. They also lend a surreal beauty to a frozen winter garden.
–The best time to plant is August and September, but any time of the year is fine for the more hardy varieties.  Amend the soil with garden lime when planting.
–Josh recommends cutting back small and medium grasses with shears or pruners and larger clumps by using duct tape to gather the blades into a tight bundle, then cut with hedge pruners.”

Pruning  (http://growbeautifully.monrovia.com/pruning-ornamental-grasses)

Read full article, Ornamental Grasses You Simply Must Have, here:
http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2017/10/ornamental_grasses_you_simply.html

November 11th: Garden Chores

  • Garlic:  Weather permitting, you still have a week, or two, to plant garlic.
  • Mulch around berry plants.
  • Drain watering systems.
  • Disconnect hoses from hose bibs to prevent hose bib ends from freezing.
  • Insulate outside faucets, if they are not frost-proof hose bibs.
  • Drain and store portable sprinklers, hose-end timers and hose-end sprayers.
  • Rake and destroy fruit tree leaves and fallen fruit to prevent the spread of disease.
  • Spray dormant oil on fruit tress to control overwintering insects and fungus.
  • Spray lime-sulfur of grapes, anytime from now to February.
  •  It’s a good time to plant new trees, fruit trees and blueberries.
  • Prune raspberries to 1 foot above wire, attach canes to wires.
  • Harvest fall crops.
  • Clean tools.

Horticulture Report: Fothergilla gardenii

Plant Name: Fothergilla gardeniiFothergilla_flower
Common Name: Dwarf Fothergilla
Plant type: Deciduous Shrub
Height: 2-3 ft
Spread:   2-3 ft
Bloom Time:  April – May
Flower Color:  White
Exposure: Full sun to part shade ( blooms best with full sun morning, afternoon shade)20171103_154812
Soil Requirements: Moist, acidic, organically rich, well-drained soil.  Grows well in sandy soils, but not clay.
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes:   Interesting bottle-bush fragrant flowers, Fall color, multi-stemmed, attracts birds, deer resistant,  year round interest.
Note: Easy care
Uses:  Shrub border, Foundation planting, Cottage Garden, Woodland Garden, Native Garden, Small hedge.
Native to: Southeastern U.S.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9

Siskiyou District Fall Meeting

Siskiyou District’s fall meeting, hosted by Grants Pass Garden Club, was held Wednesday October 18th.   The meeting was a well attended by all six garden clubs in the Siskiyou District and by a special guest, Oregon State Garden Club President, Gaye Stewart.  PenniesWorth Acres Nursery Co-owner, Christin Bryk, presented a lecture on,
“Fall interest in your Garden”