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: Japanese Pachysandra

Plant Name:  Pachysandra terminalis
Common name: Japanese Pachysandra
Plant Type:  Herbaceous Perennial
Plant Height:  6” – 8”
Plant Width:  10”+
Bloom Time:  April – June
Flower Color: White
Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade
Soil Requirements: Moist, Organically Rich, Well-Draining Soil.
Water Need:  Moderate; Supplemental Irrigation.
Fire Resistant: YES; Zone 8 – 30’+ from house.
Attributes: Semi-evergreen; Winter Interest; Deer Resistant; Attracts Bees.
Uses:  Ground Cover; Erosion Control; Cottage Garden.
Note: Spreads by Rhizomes; Avoid Overhead Watering.
Native to: Japan, North Central China
Oregon Native:   NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 – 9

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member/ Master Gardener

Photo from: N. Carolina State University, Extension Service https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pachysandra-terminalis/

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