Tag Archives: Ashland Oregon Garden Club

Firewise Plant: Heuchera sanguinea 

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Plant Name: Heuchera sanguinea  

Common name:  Coralbells

Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial

Plant Height: 12” – 20”

Plant Width:  12” – 15”

Bloom Time: June – September

Flower Color:  Red, White, Pink; Foliage Dark Green, Maroon, Reddish, or Gold.

Exposure: Light Shade

Soil Requirements: Humusy, Rich, Organic, Well-Drained Soil.

Water Needs: Moist

Fire Resistant:  YES

Attributes: Attractive Foliage in Dark Green, Maroon, Reddish, or Gold; Attracts Hummingbirds; Nectar Source for Bees; Deer Resistant.

Uses: Rock Gardens; Borders; Containers; Edger along Walkways.

Note:  Divide Clumps every 3 – 4 years in spring; Remove Faded Flowers to Encourage More Blooms.

Native to: New Mexico/Arizona to Mexico

Oregon Native:  NO

 USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8

Photo from:

Annie’s Annuals & Perennials https://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/view/?id=5153

Firewise Plant: Red-Hot Pokers

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Plant Name: Kniphofia uvaria

Common name:  Torch Lily or Red-Hot Poker

Plant Type: Perennial

Plant Height: 1’ – 4’

Plant Width:  2’ – 3’

Bloom Time: June – August

Flower Color:  Multi Color:  Orange/Yellow/White/Green

Exposure: Full Sun

Soil Requirements: Good Drainage; Sandy Soil; Favors Bog & Marsh Land.

Water Needs: Heavy in Spring & Summer.

Fire Resistant:  YES:  Zone 1 – Plant 10+ feet from Structure.

Attributes: Deer Tolerant; Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Pollinators; Cut Flower.

Uses: Border, Foundation, Container, Rock Garden.

Note:  Spreads by Rhizomes

Native to: South Africa

Oregon Native:  NO

USDA Hardiness Zone:  4 – 9

Growing Microgreens in Winter

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I start seeds in the clamshells you purchase spinach or salad in from the grocery store.

I drill holes in these containers top and bottom, add growing medium, sow the seeds, set up a “self watering” tray system [self-watering trays are double trays: bottom tray has no holes, and the top container or tray has holes], cover the seeds, then place trays on a heated mat [mat for plants].

Here I am starting speckled peas in a seed growing medium. [It’s important to use a good soil less growing medium. Some people use hemp fiber or coconut fiber growing mats]

I put weight on the seeds and keep them in the dark for a few days until they sprout, then I expose them to light.

It’s important to maintain even moisture; do not allow growing medium to dry out.

Speckled Peas seeds

I do the same with sunflower seeds. I start in seeds in growing medium in the dark and put weight on them, this way they make stronger roots and don’t dislodge each other. Then I expose them to light.

Sunflower Seeds

Below are Pea Shoots ready for harvest

Pea Shoots

Mung beans sprouts: I keep them in the dark so they get longer

Mung Beans

Radish sprouts: Next time I will let them grow longer.

Radish Sprouts

Sunflowers growing on a heat mat under lights, ready to harvest.

Sunflower Sprouts

Instructions & Pictures by Goly Ostovar, AGC Member

Firewise Plant: Blue Flax

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Plant Name: Linum perenne

Common name:  Blue Flax

Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial Wildflower

Plant Height: 12” – 20”

Plant Width:  12” – 14”

Bloom Time: May – June

Flower Color:  Light Blue or White

Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade.

Soil Requirements: Well-Drained; Loamy or Sandy.

Water Needs: Medium

Fire Resistant:  YES; Zone 1 – Plant 30+ feet from Structure.

Attributes: Showy Flowers; Drought Tolerant; Deer Resistant.

Uses: Mass Plantings; Meadows; Rock Gardens; Border Fronts.

Note: Self-sows; Remove Spent Blossoms for Longer Blooming; Flowers Open for Only One Day.

Native to: Asia, Europe

Oregon Native:  NO

Submit by: Viki Ashford

Providing water for birds in winter

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From the National Wildlife Federation  https://blog.nwf.org/2014/12/dont-forget-water-for-birds-in-winter/

Here are some tips for easily—and safely—providing water for wildlife during the cold months:

Dark Eyed Junco
  1. Before the cold sets in, replace delicate solar or fountain birdbaths with sturdier, winter-ready water features. Because ice can cause cracks and leaks, concrete baths should be stored or covered in winter.
  2. Place baths in a sunny area to make them more visible to birds and to help keep the water liquid.
  3. While birds are unlikely to submerge themselves in very cold weather, you can help them stay dry and drink more easily by adding several stones to the bath or placing a few sticks on top that the animals can use as perches.
  4. Even during winter, birdbaths (as well as feeders) should be cleaned regularly.
  5. To keep water from freezing, consider adding an immersion-style water heater. More recent models will turn off if the water in the bath dries up.
  6. If using a heater, add a ground-fault interrupted circuit (available at hardware stores) to prevent electric shorts. Check that cords and outlets are sheltered from snow or ice buildup.
  7. As a homemade alternative to a heater, place a light bulb in a flower pot and put a small water basin on top of the pot.
  8. A simpler option—particularly if you have no outdoor electric outlet—is to buy several heavy-duty plant saucers that will not be cracked by ice and replace frozen baths with fresh ones each morning.
  9. Avoid adding glycerin to a birdbath as antifreeze; if birds ingest too much, it can dangerously elevate their blood-sugar levels. Glycerin solutions also may mat birds feathers, decreasing insulation at a time when the animals need it most.

Posted by: Carlotta Lucas,

Photo by: Jocelyn Anderson, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons