Plant Name: Carex species: There are more than 1,500 species of these perennials.
Common name: Sedges
Plant Type: Deciduous or Evergreen Perennials
Plant Height: 12” – 4’
Plant Width: 10” – 12”
Bloom Time: Varies
Flower Color: Stems & Panicles of flower heads in short spikes. Provides Interesting Foliage and Movement.
Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade, some varieties will take Full Sun, (check specific plant’s preference)
Soil Requirements: Carex grow in soils ranging from 5.5 to 7.5 on the pH scale. Most average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Water Needs: Some like Wetter Sites, Some Drier Conditions. Check variety for water needs.
Fire Resistant: YES; Zone 1 – 8; Plant 30’+ from house
Attributes: Deer Resistant, Provides 3- seasons of Interest, Easy to grow, Low maintenance; Wide Range of Colorful Grass-like Foliage; Adds Drama to a Landscape, Adds Texture, Host plants for butterflies and skippers. Beneficial to pollinators by providing cover in the winter. Excellent seed source for birds. Provides Texture and Movement in a landscape.
Uses: Carex species to suit just about any situation. Mass plantings, Ground Cover, Container Plantings, Rockery gardens, Lining Sidewalks, Edging Flowerbeds, and more.
Note: May be Susceptible to Rust, Smut, Leaf Spot, Aphids.
Native to: Found Worldwide
Oregon Native: NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9, check variety for hardiness in your zone.
Carex buchananaii
Carex glauca
Carex morrowii (variegated)
Carex Albula
Report by: Viki Ashford, and Carlotta Lucas, both AGC Board Members
Photos by Monrovia Nursery: https://www.monrovia.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=carex
Plant Name: Aubrieta deltoidei Common name: Rock Cress Plant Type: Evergreen Herbaceous Perennial Plant Height: .5’ – .75’ Plant Width: 1’ – 2’ Bloom Time: Late Spring – Early Summer Flower Color: Purple-Red Exposure: Full Sun Soil Requirements: Well-Drained; Water Need: Low Fire Resistant: YES; 30’+ from house. Attributes: Deer Resistant; Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds; Uses: Rock Gardens; Front of Border; Containers. Note: Cut Back After Flowering, Not in Fall; Short Lived; Divide Every 1 – 3 Years; Native to: Eastern Europe Oregon Native: NO USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 -8
Purple Rock Cress
Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member
Photo Credit: Eli+, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Plant Name: Ceanothus prostratus Common name: Mahala Mat Plant Type: Evergreen Groundcover/Subshrub Plant Height: 6” Plant Width: 8’ Bloom Time: May – July Flower Color: Pale Purple to Pale Blue to White Exposure: Sun Soil Requirements: Average, Gritty Soil. Water Need: Regular; Drought Tolerant; Dry in Summer. Fire Resistant: YES; Plant 30’+ from house. Attributes: Attracts Bees; Fixes Nitrogen; Host Plant to Some Butterflies; Attracts Other Insects; Deer Resistant. Uses: Erosion Control; Bee/Bird/Butterfly Gardens. Note: Verticillium Wilt Resistant. Native to: California into Nevada; Pacific Northwest Oregon Native: YES USDA Hardiness Zone: 6 – 9
Plant Name: Thymus praecox Common name: Creeping Thyme Plant Type: Groundcover Plant Height: 1” – 4” Plant Width: 6” – 18” Bloom Time: May – August Flower Color: Pink White, Purple Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade Soil Requirements: Average, Dry – Medium, Well-Drained; Tolerates Rocky or Poor Soil. Water Need: Drought Tolerant Once Established Fire Resistant: YES. Plant 30’+ from house. Attributes: Leaves in Shades of Light to Dark Green Yellow, or Variegated; Deer Resistant; Attracts Bees/Butterflies. Uses: Rock Walls; Between Pavers; Rock Garden; Path Edging. Note: Cut Back Stems to Maintain Plant Appearance; Susceptible to Root Rot in Poor Draining Soils. Native to: SW & Central Europe; Greenland; Turkey Oregon Native: NO USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 10
