Today in the Garden: August 4, 2021

Flowers & Photo by Carlotta Lucas, AGC Board Member

Firewise/Oregon Native: Evergreen Huckleberry

Plant Name:  Vaccinium ovatum
Common name:  Evergreen Huckleberry
Plant Type:  Shrub
Plant Height:  3’ – 5’
Plant Width:  6’
Bloom Time:  Spring
Flower Color: White Flowers followed by Edible Blue-Black Berries in Late Summer.
Exposure:  Full Sun to Deep Shade
Soil Requirements:  Well-Drained, Acidic, Sandy Soil; Will Tolerate Clay if Good Drainage.
Water Need:  Regular Water to Drought Tolerant.
Firewise: YES
Attributes: Evergreen; Attracts Butterflies & Hummingbirds; Multiple Season Interest; Deer Resistant.
Uses:  Stems Used in Flower Arranging; Hedgerow; Container Plant; Shrub Border; Foundation Plantings. Native Gardens, Woodland gardens, Edible native plants
Note:  Little Pruning Needed.
Native to:  Pacific Northwest
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  7 – 9

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member/ Master Gardener

Firewise Plant: Dianthus, Garden Carnation

Plant Name:  Dianthus species
Common name: Garden Carnation or Pinks
Plant Type:  Annual; Evergreen Perennial; Subshrub; Over 300 Species
Plant Height:  2” – 12”
Plant Width:  6” – 16”
Bloom Time:  May – August
Flower Color: Pink, White, Red, or Yellow
Exposure:  Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Well-Drained Soil
Water Need:  Low
Fire Resistant: YES; Zone 1 – 20’+ from House.
Attributes: Grayish-Green Foliage; Deer Resistant; Attracts Butterflies; Good Cut Flower; Sweet Clove Fragrance.
Uses:  Rock Gardens; Cottage Gardens.
Note: Regularly Deadhead for Repeat Bloom; Do Not Mulch in Winter with Compost.
Native to: Asia & Europe
Oregon Native:  NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 9

Viki Ashford, AGC Member / Master Gardener