Oregon Native Plant: Rudbeckia glaucescen

Plant Name:  Rudbeckia glaucescens
Common name:  Waxy Coneflower
Plant Type:  Perennial
Plant Height: 3’ – 4’
Spread:
Bloom Time: July to September
Flower Color: Yellow
Exposure: Full Sun.
Soil Requirements:  Moist.
Water Needs: Regular.
Attributes:  Nectar & Pollen Source for Bees, Butterflies, Moths.
Note: Deadheading prolongs bloom time.
Uses: Native/Wildflower Gardens; Stream side.
Native to:  California & Oregon
Oregon Native:   YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 9

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member

Oregon Native Plant: Ribes zoezlii

Plant Name:  Ribes zoezlii
Common name:  Sierra Gooseberry
Plant Type:  Deciduous, Multi-Stem, Spiny Shrub
Plant Height: 4’ – 5’
Spread: 1’
Bloom Time: Late Spring
Flower Color: Burgundy and White
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade.
Soil Requirements: Coarse to Medium Texture.
Water Needs: Dry to Medium Dry
Attributes:  Hosts for Numerous Butterflies & Moths; Fragrant; Showy Tubular, Fuchsia-like Flowers; Fall Color: Fruit is covered in spines, but it is edible, great for gooseberry jam.
Note: As always, get professional advice before consuming any plant or berry in the wild.
Uses: Attracts Bee, Bird and Butterflies; Hummingbird Gardens; Pollinator Gardens; Native Gardens, Woodland Gardens
Native to:  California & Oregon
Oregon Native:   YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 – 9

Report: Viki Ashford, AGC Member, Master Gardener

Fruiting Photo: Dcrjsr / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)

Flowering Photo: USFS Region 5 / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Today in the Garden

“Some pollinators in action in my garden this week.”                                       ~Goly Ostovar, AGC Member

Today in the Garden: Attracting Pollinators

Today in the garden: Member Viki Ashford’s Garden                                  Photos by Viki

Oregon Native: Ribes aureum (Golden Currant)

Plant Name:  Ribes aureum
Common name: Golden Currant
Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub
Plant Height: 3’ – 7’
Spread: 2’ – 6’
Bloom Time: Early to Mid Spring
Flower Color: Golden Yellow
Exposure: Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Tolerates Variety of Soils with Medium to Slow Drainage.
Water Needs: Low to High.
Attributes:  Attracts Hummingbirds, Monarch Butterflies; Red Autumn Color; Attracts Bees & Birds; Deer Resistant; Fragrance of Cloves or Vanilla.
Note: Surround with Mulch.
Uses: Bee, Bird, Butterfly Gardens
Native to:  North America
Oregon Native:   YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  4 – 8

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member

Photo Credit: U.S. Forest Service – Al Schneider

Oregon Native Plant: Rubus ursinus (Pacific Blackberry)

Plant Name:  Rubus ursinus
Common name:  Pacific Blackberry, or Dewberry
Plant Type:  Evergreen, Semi Evergreen Shrub or Low Trailing
Plant Height: 6’ – 10’
Spread:  6’
Bloom Time: February to May
Flower Color: White to Pink
Exposure: Sun to Shade
Soil Requirements:  Medium to Slow Drainage.
Water Needs: Moderate to High
Attributes:  Hosts several Butterflies & Moths. Leaves can be used to make herbal tea. Produces Edible Berries.  Sometimes plants are referred to as ground berries. 

Note: 1st Year Stems (Primocanes) produce only leaves;                                 2nd Year Lateral Branches (Floricanes) produce flowers & fruit.                 Canes are very prickly; Prune during winter dormancy.

Uses: Ground Cover; Bird Garden; Native Gardens; Pollinator Gardens, Native Berries.
Native to:  Western North America
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 – 10

Report by: Viki Ashford & Carlotta Lucas, AGC Members

Photo Credit:  Wikipedia / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)