Signs of Spring
Tag Archives: Flowers
Firewise Plant: Geranium cinereum
Ballerina Cranesbill
Plant Name: Geranium cinereum
Common name: Cranesbill
Plant Type: Semi-Evergreen Perennial
Plant Height: 4” – 6”
Plant Width: 10” – 12”
Bloom Time: May – September
Flower Color: Pink, White, Magenta
Exposure: Full to Part Sun
Soil Requirements: Chalk, Loam, Sand; Good Drainage.
Water Needs: Low to Average
Fire Resistant: YES – Zone 1-8, Plant 30’+ from House.
Attributes: Deer Resistant; Attracts Butterflies.
Uses: Ground Cover; Rock Gardens; Border Edging; Containers.
Note: Shear Plants by One-Half in Mid Summer to Encourage Bushy Growth & Repeat Blooming.
Native to: Pyrenees Mountains
Oregon Native: NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9
Firewise Plant: Prairie Coneflower
Plant Name: Ratibida columnifera
Common name: Prairie Coneflower or Mexican Hat
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Plant Height: 18” – 24”
Plant Width: 12” – 24”
Bloom Time: July – October
Flower Color: Yellow or Red with Distinct Tall Center.
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Dry to Moist Well-Drained; Loamy/Sandy.
Water Needs: Medium
Fire Resistant: YES; Zone 2 – Plant 40’+ from House.
Attributes: Drought Tolerant; Deer Resistant; Long Bloom Season; Nectar for Bees, Butterflies, Insects; Seeds for Birds.
Uses: Sunny Borders; Rock Gardens; Native Plant Gardens; Containers.
Native to: Most of North America, but NOT Oregon
Oregon Native: NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9
Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member/Master Gardener
Photo courtesy of: Stickpen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Firewise Plant: Lilies
Plant Name: Lilium species
Common name: Lilies
Plant Type: Herbaceous Bulb
Plant Height: 1’ – 4’
Plant Width:12” – 2’
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Early Autumn
Flower Color: Range of Colors: White/Yellow/Orange/Pink/Red/Purple
Exposure: Blooms in the Sun; Bulbs in the Shade.
Soil Requirements: Good Drainage; Moderately Acidic.
Water Needs: Moderate
Fire Resistant:YES; Zone 1 – Plant 10+ feet from Structure
Attributes: Good Cut Flower; Attracts Large Pollinators; Fragrant.
Uses: Herbaceous Border; Container.
Note: Plant Twice as Deep as the Height of the Bulb.
Native to: Old World; New World
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member/Master Gardener
Photos by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Member
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