Tag Archives: Herbaceous perennials

Firewise Plant: Lambs’ Ear

Posted on by

Plant Name:  Stachys byzantina
Common name:  Lambs’ Ear
Plant Type:  Herbaceous Perennial
Plant Height: 12” – 15”
Plant Width:  15” – 18”
Bloom Time: July – Frost
Flower Color:  Purplish-pink spikes
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Dry, Well-Drained; Loam/Sand
Water Needs: Dry – Medium
Fire Resistant:  YES: Zone 2 – Plant 50’+ from Home.
Attributes: Attractive, Velvety, White-Silver Leaves; Tolerates Deer, Drought, Dry Soil; Foliage Provides Interesting Texture & Color; Attracts Butterflies
Uses: Ground Cover; Rock Garden; Accent in the border under shrubs.
Note: Spreads by creeping stems that root as they grow; Can be aggressive in rich soils; Damp leaves promote onset of disease; DON’T water overhead; Remove damaged leaves for neat appearance.
Native to: Turkey, Armenia, Iran
Oregon Native:  NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8

Report by: Viki Ashford

Photo credit :Jean-Pol GRANDMONT, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Firewise Plant: Hosta Lily

Posted on by

Plant Name: Hosta species
Common name:  Hosta Lily
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Plant Height: 6” – 36”
Plant Width:  20” – 24”
Bloom Time: July – August
Flower Color:  Purple, Lavender, White, Blue, Pink
Exposure: Shade
Soil Requirements: Rich, Slightly Acidic, Moist Soil.
Water Needs: Moist When Newly Planted; then Somewhat Drought Tolerant.
Fire Resistant:  YES; Zone 1:  Plant 30+ feet from Structure.
Attributes: Attractive Foliage in Shades of Green/Bluish-Green/Greenish-White; Fragrant Flowers; Attracts Birds/Butterflies
Uses: Border; Container; Rock Garden; Shade Garden
Note:  Cut Back After Frost
Native to: Asia
Oregon Native:  NO
 USDA Hardiness Zone:  3 – 8

 

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member/Master Gardener

Photo by: Qwertzy2~commonswiki, Wiki Commons

Firewise Plant: Prairie Coneflower

Posted on by

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: Heuchera sanguinea 

Posted on by

Plant Name: Heuchera sanguinea  

Common name:  Coralbells

Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial

Plant Height: 12” – 20”

Plant Width:  12” – 15”

Bloom Time: June – September

Flower Color:  Red, White, Pink; Foliage Dark Green, Maroon, Reddish, or Gold.

Exposure: Light Shade

Soil Requirements: Humusy, Rich, Organic, Well-Drained Soil.

Water Needs: Moist

Fire Resistant:  YES

Attributes: Attractive Foliage in Dark Green, Maroon, Reddish, or Gold; Attracts Hummingbirds; Nectar Source for Bees; Deer Resistant.

Uses: Rock Gardens; Borders; Containers; Edger along Walkways.

Note:  Divide Clumps every 3 – 4 years in spring; Remove Faded Flowers to Encourage More Blooms.

Native to: New Mexico/Arizona to Mexico

Oregon Native:  NO

 USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8

Photo from:

Annie’s Annuals & Perennials https://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/view/?id=5153

Firewise Plants: Heartleaf Bergenia

Posted on by

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: Blue Flax

Posted on by

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