Article by: Lynn Kuntsman, Jackson County Master Gardener & Wildlife Management
Posted by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Member
Horticulture Report: Sambucus nigra
Tag Archives: Pollinator Plants
Firewise Plant: Evening Primrose
Plant Name: Oenothera species
Common name: Evening Primrose
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial or Biennial
Plant Height: 2’ – 6’
Plant Width: 1’ – 2’
Bloom Time: Spring, Summer, Fall
Flower Color: Yellow or Pink or White
Exposure: Sun to Shade
Soil Requirements: Rocky or Sandy Soil; Well-Drained
Water Needs: Low to Medium
Fire Resistant: YES; Zone 8 – Plant 30’+ from Structure
Attributes: Attract Moths; Birds Eat Seeds; Attracts Hummingbirds; Fragrant Flowers; Deer Resistant; Drought Tolerant
Uses: Full Sun Ground cover; Rock Gardens; Erosion Control; Native Plant Gardens
Note: Flowers Open in the Evening
Native to: Eastern North America
Oregon Native: NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member & Master Gardener
Firewise Plant: Penstemons
Plant Name: Penstemon species
Common name: Penstemon or Beardtongue
Plant Type: Perennial
Plant Height: 4” – 48”
Plant Width: 6” – 36”
Bloom Time: June – August
Flower Color: Pink, Purple, Blue, Red, White
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Fast Draining; Gravelly/Sandy;
Water Needs: Deep, but Infrequent Watering
Fire Resistant: YES: Zone 1 – Plant 30’+ from Structure
Attributes: Nectar-Rich Flowers for Pollinators;
Uses: Rock Garden; Cottage Gardens; Borders; Pollinator Gardens; Wildlife Habitat Gardens; Native plant areas; Perennial gardens.
Note: Leave Some Seeds to Ripen When Deadheading;
Native to: Continental US
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
Report by: Viki Ashford AGC Member & Master Gardener
Photo by: JerryFriedman, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
Firewise Plant: Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Plant Name: Gaillardia varieties
Common name: Blanket Flower
Plant Type: Perennial
Plant Height: 8” – 36”
Plant Width: 12” – 24”
Bloom Time: June – September
Flower Color: Red, Gold, Burgundy
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Well-Drained
Water Needs: Low
Fire Resistant: YES; Zone 1-8, Plant 30’+ from House.
Attributes: Drought Tolerant; Deer Resistant; Attracts Birds & Butterflies; Other Pollinators.
Uses: Good Cut Flower; Container Plant; Borders; Butterfly Gardens;
Note: Deadhead for Continuous Bloom; Keep Some Seed Heads for Birds; Cutting Back Clumps in Late Summer Increases Chance of Winter Survival; Divide Clumps Every 2 – 3 Years in Spring or Early Fall for Plant Vigor; Susceptible to Powdery Mildew, Leafspot, & Leafhoppers.
Native to: Western North America
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 10
Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member/Master Gardener
Photo credit: Lazaregagnidze, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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: Heuchera sanguinea
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