Tag Archives: Herbaceous perennials

Osmunda cinnamomea (Cinnamon Fern)

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Plant Name:  Osmunda cinnamomea
Common name: Cinnamon Fern
Plant Type:  Perennial Herbaceous Fern
Plant Height: 2’ – 3’
Spread: 2’ – 3’
Bloom Time: May – June
Flower Color:  Cinnamon-Colored Sporangia; Cinnamon Fronds occur in groups; Fertile Fronds appear first as Silvery Fiddleheads which turn Upper Portion from Green to Chocolate Brown; Sterile Fronds bend outwards enclosing Cinnamon Fronds.
Exposure:  Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade to Full Shade
Soil Requirements: Tolerates Various Calcareous/Acidic Soils.
Water Needs: Medium High
Attributes: Attracts Birds looking for nesting material of Fiddleheads; Contrasting Fertile & Infertile Fronds Make Dramatic Accent.; Deer Resistant.
Note: Can grow in Full Sun if Constantly Standing in Water.
Uses: Bogs, Ponds, Water Gardens; Shaded Borders
Native to:  Eastern North America
Oregon Native:  NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 10

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member & Master Gardener

 Photo by David J. Stang – source: David Stang. First published at ZipcodeZoo.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61095231

Horticulture Report: Phlox divaricata (Woodland Phlox)

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Plant Name: Phlox divaricata
Common name: Wild Sweet William/Woodland Phlox
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Plant Height: .75’ – 1’
Spread: .75’ – 1’
Bloom Time: April – May
Flower Color: Rose/Lavender or Violet/Blue
Exposure:Part Shade to Full Shade
Soil Requirements:Medium, Humus, Well-Drained Soil; Drought Tolerant.
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes: Showy, Fragrant Flower; Attracts Butterflies & Hummingbirds; Deer Resistant.
Note:Powdery Mildew can be a problem; Cut back stems after bloom. Roots at Nodes to Form Mat Foliage.
Uses: Evergreen Ground Cover; Rock Gardens; Border Front & Cover for Early Spring Bulbs.
Native to: Eastern North America
Oregon Native:NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8

Report: Viki Ashford, AGC Member

Photo: The Missouri Botanical Gardens http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/phlox_divaricata

Horticulture Report: Jeffersonia diphylla (Twinleaf)

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Plant Name:  Jeffersonia diphylla 

Photo by James Henderson, University of Tennessee Herbarium

Common name: Twinleaf
Plant Type:  Herbaceous Perennial
Plant Height: .75’ – 1.5’
Spread: .5’ – .75’
Bloom Time:  March – May
Flower Color:  White
Exposure:  Part Shade
Soil Requirements:  Moist, Humusy,
Well-Drained.
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes: Showy Flower & Fruit; Tolerates Heavy Shade; Interesting fruit after flowering.
Note: Susceptible to Slugs & Snails.
Uses:  Shade Garden; Native Plant Garden; Ground Cover; Shady Rock Gardens.
Native to:   Eastern North America
Oregon Native:  NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 – 7

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member

Oregon Native: Potentilla gracilis (Slender Cinquefoil)

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Plant Name:  Potentilla gracilis
Common name: Slender Cinquefoil
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial Wildflower
Plant Height: 1’ – 2’
Spread: 1’ – 2’
Bloom Time: June – September
Flower Color: Golden Yellow
Exposure: Full Sun to Light Shade.
Soil Requirements:  Average, Moist, Well-Drained.
Water Needs: Medium; Drought Tolerant once Established.
Attributes:  Nectar & Pollen Source for Native Bees, Butterflies, Beneficial Insects; Attractive Seed Heads; Fall Foliage Color Interest; Deer Resistant.
Uses: Perennial Garden Border; Cottage Garden; Wildflower Gardens.
Native to:  Canada & Western North America
Oregon Native:   YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  3 – 7

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member & Master Gardener

Photo credit: Stan Shebs / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Sisyrinchium palmifolium (Palm-Leaf Yellow-Eyed Grass)

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Plant Name: Sisyrinchium palmifolium
Common name: Palm-Leaf Yellow-Eyed Grass
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: Floral Stem 18-24” with 3-5 Flowers each, Leaf 20-24”
Spread: 8-12” Clump  
Bloom Time: May- June 
Flower Color: Bright yellow with a tinge of orange in the throat.
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Soil Requirements: Well-drained; Rich
Water Needs:  Moist in the spring; Tolerates dry Conditions summer & fall.  
Attributes:  Bright Yellow Flowers; Hardy Perennial; Deer Resistant; Attracts Bees; Carefree; Blue-green Semi-Evergreen Foliage; Siberian Iris-like leaves
Note: Similar to West coast Native: Blue-eyed Grass (sisyrinchium augustiifolium) and California Native Yellow-Eyed Grass (sisyrinchium californicum).
Uses:  Cut Flowers; Deer Resistant Gardens; Perennial Gardens; Borders, Low-water gardens.       
Native to: South America: Argentina, Brazil, And Uruguay
Oregon Native:  NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7a-9b

Report and Photo by: Gena Goddard, AGC Member & Oregon State Flower Judge

Oregon Native: Monardella odoratissim (Coyote Mint)

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Plant Name:  Monardella odoratissima
Common name: Coyote Mint, Mountain Pennyroyal
Plant Type:  Evergreen Herbaceous Perennial
Plant Height: 1’
Spread: 3’
Bloom Time: June – August
Flower Color:  Whitish to Pale Purple to Pink.
Exposure:  Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Sandy, Well-Draining.
Water Needs:  Drought Tolerant
Attributes: Aromatic; Hosted by Butterflies & Moths.
Note: Short-lived species; Deadhead spent blossoms; Cut back in fall.
Uses:  Bee, Butterfly, Hummingbird Gardens; Container.
Native to:  Western US & Canada
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 – 10

Report by: Viki Ashford

Photo by: Orchid Black / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)