Firewise Plant: Red-Hot Pokers

Plant Name: Kniphofia uvaria

Common name:  Torch Lily or Red-Hot Poker

Plant Type: Perennial

Plant Height: 1’ – 4’

Plant Width:  2’ – 3’

Bloom Time: June – August

Flower Color:  Multi Color:  Orange/Yellow/White/Green

Exposure: Full Sun

Soil Requirements: Good Drainage; Sandy Soil; Favors Bog & Marsh Land.

Water Needs: Heavy in Spring & Summer.

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

Attributes: Deer Tolerant; Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Pollinators; Cut Flower.

Uses: Border, Foundation, Container, Rock Garden.

Note:  Spreads by Rhizomes

Native to: South Africa

Oregon Native:  NO

USDA Hardiness Zone:  4 – 9

Firewise Plants: Heartleaf Bergenia

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: Lonicera ciliosa

Plant Name: Lonicera ciliosa

Common names:  Western Trumpet Honeysuckle, Orange Honeysuckle, Climbing Honeysuckle

Plant Type: Twining vine, twigs hollow

Plant Height: 10-30 ft

Plant Width:  10-inch +

Bloom Time: Late Spring

Flower Color:  Orange/Red

Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade

Soil Requirements: Organically Rich, Well-Drained, Moist Soil.

Water Needs: Moderate

Fire Resistant:  YES; Zone 1 – Plant 30’+ From Structure.

Attributes: Not Fragrant; Pollinated by the Rufous Hummingbird, Attracts Hummingbirds; Orange-Red Berries Attractive to Wildlife. Native range: British Columbia South to California, East to Montana and Utah.

Uses: Covering Fence or Trellis.

Note: Prone to Aphids, Powdery Mildew

Oregon Native or Naturalized in Oregon:  Yes

 USDA Hardiness Zone:  5

Resource: https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/lonicera-ciliosa

Firewise Plant: Blue Flax

Plant Name: Linum perenne

Common name:  Blue Flax

Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial Wildflower

Plant Height: 12” – 20”

Plant Width:  12” – 14”

Bloom Time: May – June

Flower Color:  Light Blue or White

Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade.

Soil Requirements: Well-Drained; Loamy or Sandy.

Water Needs: Medium

Fire Resistant:  YES; Zone 1 – Plant 30+ feet from Structure.

Attributes: Showy Flowers; Drought Tolerant; Deer Resistant.

Uses: Mass Plantings; Meadows; Rock Gardens; Border Fronts.

Note: Self-sows; Remove Spent Blossoms for Longer Blooming; Flowers Open for Only One Day.

Native to: Asia, Europe

Oregon Native:  NO

Submit by: Viki Ashford

Firewise Plant: Lathyrus odoratus

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

Firewise Plant: Tall Bearded Iris

Plant Name: Iris hybrids
Common name:  Tall Bearded Iris
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Plant Height: 16” – 30”
Plant Width:  14” – 24”
Bloom Time: May – June
Flower Color:  Multi-colored including Bicolor
Exposure: Full Sun
Fire Resistant: YES; Zone 1:  Plant 30+ feet from Structure.
Soil Requirements: High Organic Matter; Good Drainage.
Water Needs: Infrequent Watering, but Deeply.
Attributes: Good Cut Flower; Deer Resistant; Drought Tolerant.
Uses: Perennial Border; Cutting Garden; Mass Planted in Naturalized Area.
Note:  Lift & Divided Clumps Every 3 – 4 years in Late Summer After Bloom;
Plant at Soil Level or Slightly Covered; Fertilize in Early Spring; Iris Borer is an Insect Pest;
Additional Problems:  Fungal Diseases/Crown Rot/Mosaic Virus.
Native to: Mediterranean Area
Oregon Native:  NO
USDA Hardiness Zone:  3 – 10

AGC Board Members:

Report by: Viki Ashford, Master Gardener

Photos by: Carlotta Lucas (All photo rights reserved)