Tag Archives: Hardy Shrubs

Oregon Native: Black Hawthorn

Posted on by

Plant Name:  Crataegus douglasii
Common Name:  Black Hawthorn
Plant Type:  Much-Branched Shrub or Small Tree
Plant Height:  6’ – 30’
Spread:  10’ – 25’
Bloom Time: May – June
Flower Color:  White followed by Blue-Black Berries
Exposure:  Sun – Part Shade – Shade
Soil Requirements: Moist
Water Needs: High
Attributes: Showy Fruits,  A few Birds consume Berries; Attracts Butterflies; Fragrant Flowers; Autumn Foliage; Drought Tolerant.
Note:   Prune in winter or early spring; Susceptible to: Rust, Fireblight, Powdery Mildew, Borers, Leafminers, & Scale.  Cons: Has Prickles & Thorns; Messy Fruits; Suckers Form Thickets. 
Uses: Hedge
Native to:  Alaska to Northern California, Rockies
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  3 – 9

Report by: Viki Ashford

Photo from: Oregon State University Department of Horticulture https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/crataegus-douglasii

Horticulture Report: Firepower Nandina

Posted on by

Plant Name: Nandina domesticanadina-firepower
Common Name:  Dwarf Heavenly bamboo
Cultivar: Firepower
Plant type: Evergreen Shrub
Height:   24 inches
Spread:  24  inches
Bloom Time: None–Prized for lime green leaves &  brilliant red fall color.
Exposure:  Full sun
Soil Requirements: rich, humus, well drained, acid soil.
Water Needs: 1st growing season water weekly until established, more in extreme heat.  Once established water deeply, but less frequent.
Attributes: Vibrant Fall Color,  Firewise Plant, Waterwise Plant, disease resistant,  hardy.
Uses: Urban Garden, Woodland Garden, Asian/Zen Garden, Borders, Containers, Mass plantings, Groundcover.
Note:  Firepower Nandina does not produce berries.
USDA Zone: 6-11

Horticulture Report: Oakleaf Hygrangea

Posted on by

Plant Name: Hydrangea quercifolia Hydrangea_quercifolia_ Oakleaf
Common Name : Oakleaf Hydrangea
Cultivar: Ice Crystal
Plant type: Deciduous Shrub
Height:   3-6 Ft tall – 3-6 Ft wide
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
Flower Color: Creamy White aging to Pink (clusters of conical shaped flower heads)
Exposure: Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Acid soil, Excellent Drainage
Water Needs: Low to Moderate ( prefers drier soil after established)
Attributes: Showy Flowers, Interesting Leaves that turn red in Autumn, USA Native, Compact Mounding Shrub, Papery Bark, Multi-Stemmed, Fragrant Flowers.
Note: Will not tolerate “wet feet”. Plant will get root rot very fast if left in soggy soil!
Uses: Woodland Plant, Borders, Group Plantings
USDA Zone: 5-9 ( hardy to -20 F)

By Carlotta Lucas

Horticulture Report: Physocarpus capitatus (Pacific Ninebark)

Posted on by

Plant Name: Physocarpus capitatus
Cultivar: Pacific Ninebark
Plant type: Deciduous shrubs
Height: 6ft to 15 ft (depends on the amount of sun it gets)
Bloom Time: May- June
Flower Color: White dome-shaped flowers
Exposure: Sun Sun or Shade ( it grows along stream banks)
Soil Requirements: Humus rich soil
Water Needs: Moist to wet
Attributes: NW native plant, Attracts bees & butterflies, Showy flowers, Seeds for birds
Notes: No Pests
Uses: Permaculture landscaping, Winter Interest (bark & seeds), Erosion control
USDA Zone: 4-10

Horticulture Report: Clerodendrum Trichotomum

Posted on by

Plant Name: Clerodendrum TrichotomumClerodendronTrichotomum
Common Name: Harlequin Glorybower
Plant type:  Deciduous Shrub or Small Tree
Height:   10 ft – 20 ft
Bloom Time:  July to September
Flower Color: White, Jasmine-like Tubular Flowers
Exposure:  Full Sun to Part Shade
(hardy but needs some protection)
Soil Requirements: Rich Well-Drained Soil
Water Needs:  Average, do not over water
Attributes:  Unique Leaf Aroma smells like Peanut Butter, Fragrant Tubular Flowers, Showy Iridescent Blue Fruit Surrounded by a Fleshy Red Calyxclerodendrum_trichotomum
Note: Seeds & parts of plant are poisonous if ingested, Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.
Uses: Hedges, Showy Ornamental,  Late Summer Flowers, Summer Interest
USDA Zone: 7a-9b

Horticulture Report: American Cranberry Bush

Posted on by

Viburnum trilobum (American Cranberry Bush)
Cultivar: Bailey Compact
Plant type: Deciduous Shrub
Height:   5-6 ft    Spread: 5-6 ft
Bloom Time: Late Spring -Early Summer
Flower Color: White
Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Acid, Moist well-drained
Water Needs: Average, do not overwater!
Attributes: Oregon native, low maintenance, dense, compact round shrub, burgundy fall foliage, showy fruit, seasonal interest
Note: Berries non-edible
Uses: Woodland Garden, Borders
USDA Zone: 2a – 7b