Tag Archives: Cut Garden plants

Horticulture Report: Polygala fruticosa

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Plant Name:  Polygala fruticosa
Common name: Dwarf Sweet-Pea Bush
Plant type: Evergreen Shrub
Height: 3 feet
Spread:   3 feet
Bloom Time:  Spring-Summer
Flower Color: Vibrant, purple-magenta, pea-like flowers
Sun Exposure:Full Sun to Part Sun (4-6 hours)
Soil Requirements: Well-drained, humus-rich soil
Water Needs: Moderate
Attributes:   Green-Gray Foliage, Attracts Pollinators, Nectar-rich flowers
Firewise:  Status unknown
Note:  Only Hardy above 20 o, NOT a perennial in areas where temperatures drops below 20o, but in Zone 8A it will typically recover.
Uses:  Flowers for Cutting, Long Bloom Season, Repeat Flowering, Showy Flowers, Container Plant, Perennial Garden, Cottage Garden,  Wildlife & Pollinator Gardens
Native to: South Africa
Oregon Native:   NO
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-10

Photo by: Joanie Kintscher, Past President AGC

Report by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Board Member

Firewise Plants: Heartleaf Bergenia

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Plant Name:  Bergenia cordifolia

Common name:  Heartleaf Bergenia

Plant Type:  Herbaceous Perennial

Plant Height:  12” – 14”

Plant Width:  12” – 18”

Bloom Time: May – June

Flower Color:  Pink/White

Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade.

Soil Requirements: Average, Medium, Well-Drained Soil.

Water Needs: Medium

Fire Resistant:  YES – Zone 8 – Plant 30’+ from house.

Attributes: Green Leaves in Summer Change to Burgundy in the Fall; Showy Flower; Good Cut Flower; Deer Resistant; Tolerates Heavy Shade.

Uses:  Groundcover; Rock Gardens; Shaded Front-of-the Border; Edger.

Note: Remove All Damaged Foliage in Late Winter/Early Spring; Remove Spent Flower Stems; Spreads Slowly by Rhizomes .

Native to: Russia

Oregon Native:  NO

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8

Firewise Plant: Lathyrus odoratus

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Plant Name: Lathyrus odoratus

Winter Elegance Mix

Common name:  ‘Winter Elegance’ Sweet Pea

Plant Type: Annual

Plant Height: 8” – 8’

Plant Width:  2’ – 3’

Bloom Time: May – July

Flower Color:  All Colors

Exposure: Full Sun

Soil Requirements: Well-Drained Sandy/Loam

Water Needs: Low – Average; Avoid Overhead Watering.

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

Attributes: Good Cut Flower; Fragrant; Deer Resistant; Attracts Bees/Butterflies.

Uses: Arbors; Trellis; Beds & Borders; Containers; Cottage Garden.

Note:  Fertilize Regularly During Growing Season with Balanced Liquid Fertilizer; Deadhead to Prolong Bloom; Don’t Plant in Same Area in Consecutive Years.

Native to: Crete, Italy, Sicily

Oregon Native:  NO

 USDA Hardiness Zone:  2 – 11

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member, Jackson Co. Master Gardener

Scabiosa ( Pincushion Flowers)

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Plant Name:  Scabiosa
Common name: Pincushion
Plant Type:  Herbaceous Perennial
Plant Height: 1’ – 1.5’
Plant Width:  1’ – 1.5’
Bloom Time:  April to Frost
Flower Color:  Lavender Blue
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements:  Average, Medium, Well-Drained.
Water Needs:  Medium
Attributes: Showy Flower; Attracts Butterflies; Deer Resistant; Drought Tolerant
Note: Remove Spent Flowers to Encourage More Bloom; Watch for Aphids, White Flies, Powdery Mildew.  80 species of annuals, biennials and perennials primarily from the Mediterranean region 
Uses: Massing in Border Fronts; Cottage Garden, Perennial Gardens, Cut flowers, Mediterranean Garden
Native to:  Mediterranean, Africa, Asia
Oregon Native:   NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 – 9

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member, Master Gardener

Photo by: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org

Oregon Native: Collomia grandiflora

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Plant Name:  Collomia grandiflora
Common name: Large Flower Collomia
Plant Type:  Annual Herb
Plant Height:  4” – 3’
Bloom Time: April – June
Flower Color:  Yellow Salmon to White with Blue Pollen
Exposure:  Part Shade to Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Dry
Water Needs:  Low to No Water.
Attributes: Pollen for Bees.
Note:  Flowers are eaten by deer.  Powdery mildew is possible.
Uses: Cut Flower; Native Garden; Wildflower gardening; Pollinator Garden.
Native to:  Western North America
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  6a – 9b

Report by: Viki Ashford

Dahlias

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Plant name: Dahlia
Plant type: Tuberous flowers; biennial tubers are planted in the spring
Height: Large: 3-4 feet, Medium: 1-2 feet, Small: 10-20 inches
Spread: Varies with variety
Bloom Time:  Summer, fall
Flower Color:  Orange, Pick, Purple, Red, White, Yellow, and Multi-color
Exposure: Full Sun. (6-8 hours of morning sun is best)
Soil Requirements: Sandy Loam
Water Needs: Moist to Moderate
Attributes:   Large flamboyant flowers

Notes:  Will not tolerate frost. Not suited for hot/humid climates.
Tubers struggle in cold soil, plant after ground temperatures reach 60o F
Tubers typically dug in the fall, stored for winter, replanted in late spring. Uses: Display Gardens, Cut flowers, Late-season color, To “wow” your neighbors & friends!
Native to: South America Andes
USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-10