Tag Archives: Small Trees

Southern Oregon Native: Cercocarpus montanus

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Plant Name:  Cercocarpus montanus
Common name:  Alderlead/Silverleaf Mountain Mahogany
Plant Type:  Evergreen Shrub or Small Tree
Plant Height: 8’ – 20’
Plant Width:  4’ – 8’
Bloom Time:  April – May
Flower Color: Non-showy Flowers followed by Feathery, Silver-White Fruit. Small flowers appear red when they first open, then turn whitish-yellow 
Exposure:  Sun; Tolerates Shady Sites.
Soil Requirements: Well-Drained
Water Need:  Low to Medium
Firewise: YES
Attributes: Nitrogen Fixer; Attracts Butterflies/Moths; Tolerates Drought; Bark is Dark Red Mahogany Color; Good Fall color.
Uses:  Erosion Control; Hedge
Native to:  SW Oregon – California – Rockies
Oregon Native:  YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  5 – 10

Report by: Viki Ashford, AGC Member, Master Gardener

Photos by: Nadiatalent, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Posted by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Board Member

Today In the Garden: Witch Hazel ‘Diane’

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Plant Name:  Amamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’
Common Name: Witch Hazel ‘Diane’
Plant Type: deciduous shrub or small tree
Height: 8 – 10 feet
Spread: 6 – 8 feet
Bloom Time: Mid to Late Winter – February and March
Flower Color: Red – Orange Red
Flowers: Spider-like clusters
Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Part Sun
Soil Requirement: Moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soil; tolerates clay soil.
Water Needs: Medium to Moist
Attributes:Striking fall color; Showy Flowers; Winter Interest; Deer Tolerant
Uses: Forrest margins, along stream banks, Screen or tall hedge, naturalized landscapes, cottage gardens, shrub borders, woodland gardens, specimen plant.
Note: Protect from strong winter winds, deep freezing may damage the early blooms.
Native to:Diane is a hybrid, but common witch hazel is native to eastern North America.
Oregon Native: NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-8

Report and Photos by: Carlotta Lucas

Horticulture Report: Ginkgo biloba ‘Marieken’

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Plant Name: Ginkgo biloba -‘Marieken’ginkgo-biloba-mariken.jpg
Common Name: Maidenhair Tree – Dwarf
Plant type: Deciduous Conifer
Height: 2-3 feet
Spread:   2-6 feet
Foliage: Green
Golden Yellow in the Fall)
Bloom: April
Flowers:  Insignificant
Exposure:  Full Sun -Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Prefers average well-drained soil but tolerates clay
Water Needs: Medium, even moisture needed
Attributes:   Scalloped Leaves, Fall Color, Dwarf Tree,
Low-Spreading, Male Tree(fruitless), Cascading
Note: Tolerates Deer, Clay Soil, Air Pollution, Saline Conditions & Heat
Uses: Container Plant, Patio Plant, Small garden areas, Bonsai, Rock Garden
Native to: Cultivar originated as witch’s broom found in 1995 by Piet Vergeldt in Kronenburger Park, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a-10b

Available at Portland Nursery, Portland Oregon

Horticulture Report: Clerodendrum Trichotomum

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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