“Some pollinators in action in my garden this week.” ~Goly Ostovar, AGC Member
Today in the Garden
Tag Archives: Butterfly Gardens
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: Rhamnus californica (Coffeeberry)
Plant Name: Rhamnus californica/Frangula californica
Common name: Coffeeberry
Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub
Plant Height: 4’ – 8’
Spread: 5’ – 15’
Bloom Time: Spring/Summer
Flower Color: Greenish White Flower with Red, Purple, then Black Berries over Summer.
Exposure: Sun or Shade
Soil Requirements: Not particular about soil, but good drainage.
Water Needs: Low
Attributes: Valued by Birds; Butterflies & Moths Hosted; Deer Resistant; Bee Garden.
Note: Takes well to Pruning.
Uses: Fire Resistant Hedge.
Native to: Western North America
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-10
Report by: Viki Ashford
Flower Image Credit: Evangele19 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
Berry Image Credit: Brofri / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
Horticulture Report: Phacelia tanacetifolia
Plant Name: Phacelia tanacetifolia
Common name: Lacy Phacelia, Fiddleneck
Plant Type: Annual
Plant Height: 1’ -3’
Spread: 1.5’
Bloom Time: March – May
Flower Color: Lavender Blue
Exposure: Sun
Soil Requirements: Rocky, Sandy, Dry Soil.
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes: Value to Bumble, Honey, & Native Bees; Good Insectary Plant; Deer Resistant; Drought Tolerant; Attracts Butterflies
Note: May produce skin irritation.
Uses: Bee & Butterfly Gardens; Cover Crop & Nitrogen Fixer; Water-wise gardens; Mediterranean-style Gardens, Cottage Garden, Container Gardening, Wildflower Gardens, Natural areas, Pollinator gardens
Native to: California & Southwest US
Oregon Native: NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 1 – 10
Report by: Viki Ashford
Photo Credit: Zanchetta Fabio (faxstaff) / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)
Horticulture Report: Mountain Mint
Plant Name: Pycnanthemum muticum
Common name: Mountain Mint
Plant Type: Perennial
Plant Height: 1’ – 3’
Spread: 1’ – 3’
Bloom Time: July – September
Flower Color: Pink, White, Red, Purple, Blue
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Fertile, Well-Drained.
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes: Attracts Butterflies & Bees, Wasps; Drought Tolerant; Spearmint Aroma.
Note: Aggressively Spreads by Rhizomes.
Uses: Naturalize in Native Plant Gardens, Cottage Gardens; Border Perimeter’ Vertical Structure in Winter Garden.
Native to: Midwest to South to Eastern North America & California
Oregon Native: NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
Report by: Viki Ashford
Photo from: The Day –Green and Growing: Some native plants get aggressive, and that’s why we love them Author: Kathy Connolly https://www.theday.com/storyimage/NL/20190718/NWS01/190719660/EP/1/1/EP-190719660.jpg&MaxW=800&q=62
Oregon Native: Monarda didyma (Scarlet Bee Balm)
Plant Name: Monarda didyma
Common name: Scarlet Bee Balm
Plant Type: Perennial
Plant Height: 2’ – 4’
Spread: 2’ – 3’
Bloom Time: May – October.
Flower Color: Scarlet Red
Exposure: Sun to Part Shade.
Soil Requirements: Rich, Moist, Acidic.
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes: Attracts Hummingbirds, Bees, Butterflies; Nectar Source, Deer Resistant; Good Cut Flower;
Note: Susceptible to Powdery Mildew; in the Mint Family; Deadhead Flowers to Prolong Summer Bloom.
Uses: Perennial Border; Cottage Garden; Native Plant Garden; Bird & Butterfly Garden.
Native to: Eastern North America & Oregon & Washington
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9
Report by: Viki Ashford, Master Gardener & AGC Member