Tag Archives: plants for containers

Horticulture Report: Phuopsis stylosa

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Botanical Name: Phuopsis stylosa

Common Name Creeping Crosswort; Caucasian Crosswort

Plant Type: Perennial

Height: 8-inches Spread: 1-2 feet

Flowers: Globular clusters of fragrant tiny pink flowers

Bloom time: June- August ( can re-bloom if flowers are trimmed after blooming)

Attributes: Bright green aromatic narrow-leaf foliage; Soft in appearance; Rapid but low spread, not aggressive; Forms a “loose” semi-evergreen mat; Low maintenance.  

Uses: Perennial gardens; Rock gardens; Borders; Containers; Provides birds with nesting material; Provides texture in a layered garden; Mass plantings; Ground-cover; Slopes; Attracts Bees, Butterflies & Birds

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Soil requirements: Rich/Average/Moist well-drained

Water requirements: Moderate, Semi-drought tolerant once established

Firewise: Yes- foliage has high moisture retention and no flammable oils

Native to: Caucasus, Asia Minor, and Iran

Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9.

Article by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC President

Horticulture Report – Fire-wise & Native Flower

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Plant Name: Brodiaea elegans
Common name: Elegant Cluster Lily/Harvest Brodiaea
Plant type: Perennial Herbaceous; Grows from a Corm
Height: 2’
Spread:  6”
Bloom Time:  Spring – Summer
Flower Color: Pale Purple/Purple/White
Exposure:  Full Sun to Partial Shade
Soil Requirements:  Does well in Clay Soil; Medium to Slow Drainage
Water Needs:  Low to Very Low
Attributes:  Supports Butterflies; Drought Tolerant
Note: Plant in Groups; Insect Pollinated
Uses: Containers; Beds & Borders; Rock Garden
Firewise: YES
Native To:  Mountain Ranges of California & Oregon
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7a – 10b

Photo Credit: Tom Hilton, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Com

Horticulture Report: Polygala fruticosa

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Plant Name:  Polygala fruticosa
Common name: Dwarf Sweet-Pea Bush
Plant type: Evergreen Shrub
Height: 3 feet
Spread:   3 feet
Bloom Time:  Spring-Summer
Flower Color: Vibrant, purple-magenta, pea-like flowers
Sun Exposure:Full Sun to Part Sun (4-6 hours)
Soil Requirements: Well-drained, humus-rich soil
Water Needs: Moderate
Attributes:   Green-Gray Foliage, Attracts Pollinators, Nectar-rich flowers
Firewise:  Status unknown
Note:  Only Hardy above 20 o, NOT a perennial in areas where temperatures drops below 20o, but in Zone 8A it will typically recover.
Uses:  Flowers for Cutting, Long Bloom Season, Repeat Flowering, Showy Flowers, Container Plant, Perennial Garden, Cottage Garden,  Wildlife & Pollinator Gardens
Native to: South Africa
Oregon Native:   NO
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-10

Photo by: Joanie Kintscher, Past President AGC

Report by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Board Member

Firewise Plant: Geranium cinereum

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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: Lathyrus odoratus

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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

Horticulture Report: Armeria maritima (Sea Thrift)

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Plant Name:  Armeria maritima

Common name:  Sea Thrift
Plant Type:  Herbaceous Perennial
Plant Height:  .5’ – 1’
Plant Width:  .5’ – 1’
Bloom Time: April – May
Flower Color:  Pink to White
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Infertile, Well-Drained Soil.
Water Needs: Low
Fire Resistant:  YES; Zone 8 = Plant 30’+ from house.
Attributes: Showy Flowers; Drought Tolerant; Deer Tolerant; Attracts Bees; Butterflies.
Uses: Ground Cover; Edging/Border Fronts; Rock Gardens; Containers.
Note:  Deadhead to Encourage More Blooms.
Native to: Northern Hemisphere
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Board Member

Photo by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Board Member