Tag Archives: Wildflowers

Horticulture Report: Phacelia tanacetifolia

Posted on by

Plant Name:  Phacelia tanacetifolia
Common name: Lacy Phacelia, Fiddleneck
Plant Type:  Annual
Plant Height: 1’ -3’
Spread: 1.5’
Bloom Time: March – May
Flower Color:  Lavender Blue
Exposure:  Sun
Soil Requirements:  Rocky, Sandy, Dry Soil.
Water Needs:  Medium
Attributes: Value to Bumble, Honey, & Native Bees; Good Insectary Plant; Deer Resistant; Drought Tolerant; Attracts Butterflies
Note:  May produce skin irritation.
Uses: Bee & Butterfly Gardens; Cover Crop & Nitrogen Fixer; Water-wise gardens; Mediterranean-style Gardens, Cottage Garden, Container Gardening, Wildflower Gardens, Natural areas, Pollinator gardens
Native to: California & Southwest US
Oregon Native:  NO
USDA Hardiness Zone:  1 – 10

Report by: Viki Ashford

Photo Credit: Zanchetta Fabio (faxstaff) / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)

Oregon Native: Nemophila menziesii (Baby Blue Eyes)

Posted on by

Plant Name:  Nemophila menziesii
Common name: Baby Blue Eyes
Plant Type:  Trailing Annual
Plant Height: 6”
Spread: 1’
Bloom Time: February – June
Flower Color:  Bright Blue Petals with White Centers
Exposure:  Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Requirements: Moist, Fertile, Well-Drained.
Water Needs: Low
Attributes: Attracts Insects, Butterflies, Native Bees.
Note: Watch for Aphids, Powdery & Downy Mildew.
Uses: Borders, Rock Gardens, Cascading for Containers.
Native to:  Oregon, California
Oregon Native: YES
USDA Hardiness Zone:  2 – 11

Report: Viki Ashford, AGC Member & Master Gardener

Photo credit: glmory / CC0 –   https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nemophila_menziesii,_Baby_Blue_Eyes_2.jpg

Native Plants: Western Joe Pye Weed

Posted on by

Plant Name: Ageratina occidentials ( Aster Family)
Common names: Western Snakeroot, Western Joe Pye Weed

This low subshrub, which rarely grows taller than 2 ft., is covered with short, broad, pointed, bright green aromatic leaves topped by masses of red-purple flower heads.

Plant Characteristics: Perennial Herb
Size: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Color: Red, Purple
Bloom Time: July, Aug , Sep
Light Requirement: Sun
Water use: medium – high
Propagation Description: Propagate by division or seed
Note Seed Treatment: Stratify
Native to: Western United States
Native Habitat: Open, rocky places; 6500-11,000 ft.
Host plant to: Hitched Arches Moth (Melanchra adjuncta)

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/

Oregon Native: Potentilla gracilis (Slender Cinquefoil)

Posted on by

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)

Wildflower: Helianthus mollis

Posted on by

Plant Name:  Helianthus mollis
Common name: Ashy Sunflower, Hairy Sunflower, Downy Sunflower
Plant Type:  Rhizomatous Perennial Sunflower
Plant Height: 2’ – 4’
Spread:  1’ – 3’
Bloom Time: July – September
Flower Color:  Ray & Disk Flowers are Yellow.
Exposure:  Full Sun
Soil Requirements:  Average, Sandy, Poor Rocky Soil that Drains Well.
Water Needs:  Dry to Medium
Attributes: Attracts Birds & Butterflies; Tolerates Dry, Rocky Soil.
Note:  Plants spread by rhizomes & self-seeding to form colonies; Caterpillars & Beetles often chew foliage.
Uses: Showy Flower for Arrangements; Naturalized Areas, Border Gardens, Wildflower & Native Plant Gardens.
Native to:  Central & Eastern North America
Oregon Native:   NO
USDA Hardiness Zone:  4 – 9