Tag Archives: Evergreen Shrub

Horticulture Report: Whiteleaf Manzanita

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Plant Name: Arctostaphylos viscida
Common name: Whiteleaf Manzanita
Plant type: Evergreen Shrub
Height: 8’ – 16′
Spread: 12’
Bloom Time: January – April
Flower Color: White to Pale Pink – Shiny Red Fruit
Exposure:Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Tolerates a variety of soils from clay to decomposed granite.
Water Needs: Very low; Water no more than 2 times a month once established.
Attributes: Showy red bark; Flowers attracts hummingbirds & insects; Birds & some Mammals are attracted to fruit; Host to some butterflies & moths.
Firewise: NO; Zone 3 – 70’ – 100’ +
Note: Not very garden tolerant, Native habitat is oak & pine forests and chaparrals.
Uses: Native Gardens, Bird Gardens, Bee Gardens, Hummingbird Gardens;
Native to: California & Oregon
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7a – 9b

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member

Photo from: Las Pilitas Nursery, Santa Margarita, CA; website: https://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/83–arctostaphylos-viscida-ssp-viscida

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

Hairy Manzanita

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Plant Name:  Arctostaphylos columbiana 
Common name:  Hairy Manzanita
Plant type: Shrub
Height: 3’ – 10’
Spread:  10’
Bloom Time:  March – May
Flower Color:  Pale Pink to White; Fruit is Tawny Orange to Bright Red
Exposure: Sun to Light Shade
Soil Requirements: Fast Draining; Rocky, Sandy Soil
Water Needs: Very Low
Attributes:   Evergreen; Supports Butterflies & Moths & Hummingbirds & Beneficial Insects; Distinctive Bark; Early Season Flowering for Pollinators
Firewise:  NO
Note:   Subject to Leaf Spot; Don’t Fertilize
Uses:  Pollinator Gardens, Native Gardens, Wildlife Habitat Gardens, Natural areas, Perennial gardens
Native to: Northwest California to Southwestern British Columbia
Oregon Native:   YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  8b -10a

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member & Master Gardener
Photo from Oregon State University: https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/arctostaphylos-columbiana

Firewise/Oregon Native: Evergreen Huckleberry

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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

Horticulture Report: Elaeagnus pungens ‘Hosoba Fukurin’

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Plant Name: Elaeagnus pungens ‘Hosoba Fukurin’
Common name:  ‘Hosoba Fukurin’ Variegated Silverberry
Plant Type:  Evergreen Shrub
Plant Height:  5-6’
Plant Width: 5- 6’
Bloom Time:  Fall
Flower Color:  Tiny Fragrant Off-White flowers followed by red berries
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Well Drained Clay or Alkaline
Water Need:  Regular Water, but Dry in Summer.
Firewise: YES
Attributes: Drought Tolerant; Gray-Green Leaves with Yellow Margins; Red Berries Attract Wildlife, Winter Interest; Good Cut Stems for Flower Arranging; Strong Fragrance; Deer Resistant, Salt ann Wind Tolerant
Uses:  Screen; Hedge; Container Plant, Plant for dry shade areas, Wildlife Habitat  
Note:  Prune Late Fall After Flowering; Thorny Branches.
Native to:  Japan
Oregon Native:   NO
USDA Hardiness Zone:  7 – 10

Report by: Viki Ashford, AG Member/Master Gardener and Carlotta Lucas, AGC Board Member

Photo: Forest Farm Nursery At Pacifica https://www.forestfarm.com/elaeagnus-pungens-hosoba-fukurin-elpu028

Southern Oregon Native: Cercocarpus montanus

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Plant Name:  Cercocarpus montanus
Common name:  Alderlead/Silverleaf Mountain Mahogany
Plant Type:  Evergreen Shrub or Small Tree
Plant Height: 8’ – 20’
Plant Width:  4’ – 8’
Bloom Time:  April – May
Flower Color: Non-showy Flowers followed by Feathery, Silver-White Fruit. Small flowers appear red when they first open, then turn whitish-yellow 
Exposure:  Sun; Tolerates Shady Sites.
Soil Requirements: Well-Drained
Water Need:  Low to Medium
Firewise: YES
Attributes: Nitrogen Fixer; Attracts Butterflies/Moths; Tolerates Drought; Bark is Dark Red Mahogany Color; Good Fall color.
Uses:  Erosion Control; Hedge
Native to:  SW Oregon – California – Rockies
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  5 – 10

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member, Master Gardener

Photos by: Nadiatalent, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Posted by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Board Member