Native plant gardening through the seasons
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A season-based slide presentation on native plants of Oregon prepared for Gardener's Minicollege, August 2015
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Native plant gardening through the seasons
- 1. Native Plant Gardening through the Seasons (In the Pacific Northwest) Linda R McMahan, Ph.D. Oregon State University Department of Horticulture & OSU Extension Service, Retired linda.mcmahan@oregonstate.edu
- 2. Why Native Plants? • Connect with nature • Watch and nurture wildlife-birds, insects, mammals • Water and energy efficiency • Not invasive “at home” • Note: most examples are from western Oregon but the concepts are adaptable to anywhere Wild strawberry Salmonberry
- 3. Why A Seasonal View? • Learn all phases of a plant’s life cycle • Drive-by plant identification • Learn winter plant identification • Learn best season to feature the species in the garden o I will show seasons of plants for most or all examples throughout this presentation Salal Red flowering currant
- 4. An Example Lady Fern, Athyrium felix-femina Winter dormancy New leaves emerge as “fiddleheads” each spring Stately upright form in spring relaxing in summer
- 5. Another Example Inside-out flower, Vancouveria hexandra Winter dormant, emerging with soft bright green in spring, delicate flowers Spreading groundcover in summer Goes dormant for winter, sometimes with bright yellow fall color
- 6. Winter • Most difficult season to envision at first • Many plants are dormant, leaving only a memory or a few stray plant parts • Look for: Evergreen foliage, contrast, form and subtlety and very early or late-- bloomers • Bonus: a chance to learn winter plant identification! Western sword fern Available from OSU Press
- 7. Evergreen foliage Sword fern Polystichum munitum • Provides year-round garden “structure” • Use for slopes and backgrounds • Has all season interest with attractive foliage • Great shapes for spring frond emergence as they “unfurl”
- 8. Evergreen Foliage Evergreen huckleberry, Vaccinium ovatum New foliage emerges with reddish color Spring blooms with summer and fall berries Bonus: great wildlife plant with edible berries (a wild blueberry!)
- 9. Evergreen foliage Salal, Gaultheria shallon New foliage emerges as lighter green Spring blooms with summer and fall berries Bonus: also a great wildlife plant with edible berries A good tall evergreen groundcover
- 10. Evergreen foliage Oregon grape, Berberis aquifolium State flower of Oregon Yellow spring, early summer blooms Bonus: A great wildlife plant with edible berries
- 11. Evergreen foliage Pacific rhododendron, Rhododendron macrophyllum Slow growing but worth the wait Attractive spring blooms Good structural plant for part- shade, can reach 8-10 ft. or more in cultivation
- 12. Winter is the season for lichens Lichens are beneficial symbiotic organisms typically made up of an algal and a fungal species As fall rains appear, they swell and become more visible, especially on deciduous trees once leaves have fallen Lichen on alder bark Lichens on Oregon oak
- 13. Winter is the season for fallen leaves Leaving leaves on the ground adds naturally to soil fertility Can often see plant form, even reproductive structures in the fallen leaf litter Provides hiding places for insects and other wildlife Leaf skeletonsBig-leaf maple
- 14. In late winter, look for early bloomers Osoberry, Oemleria cerasiformis First wild shrub to bloom in western Oregon Woodland species, shade to part-shade Summer fruits provide food for wildlife
- 15. In late winter, look for early bloomers Red-flowering currant, Ribes sanguinium February or early March, many color forms available Attract hummingbirds Part-shade to sun Can be short lived but fast growing Bonus: edible berries are a bird favorite
- 16. In late winter, look for early bloomers Snowberry, Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus Soft bluish foliage Pollinated early, often by bumblebees White berries (toxic seeds) are good winter food for birds Part-shade preferred
- 17. In late winter, look for early bloomers Red huckleberry, Vaccinium parvifolium Attractive winter branches, green or black stems, tiny red blooms “Likes to” grow in decaying stumps of Douglas fir Bonus: edible berries also loved by birds Part-shade preferred
- 18. In late winter, look for new foliage Example: Oregon oak, Quercus garryana Often naes as western Oregon’s best tree for wildlife Stately slow-growing tree Important to avoid summer irrigation as it can cause fungal root rot Host to leaf gall insects
- 19. Spring • Surprise! as plants emerge from dormancy, some blooming early • A good time for shade-loving wildflowers, especially before tree and shrub leaves have fully emerged • Early pollinators like bumblebees make a good show as do overwintering hummingbirds • Many springtime natives have fragrance and color to attract pollinators • A good time for woodland gardens, small or large Camas False Solomon’s seal
- 20. A place to find names and photographs of PNW native plants • Oregon Flora Project, Dept. Botany & Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-2902 http://www.oregonflora.org/ A nonprofit organization housed a OSU • Has Oregon Plant Atlas to provide maps of natural distributions • Has a very wide photograph collection and accepted scientific names—many have recently changed • Has issued a new book to be released late summer 2015 The Flora of Oregon, Volume 1: Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, and Monocots – other volumes to follow later • To search go to the Vascular Plant Checklist, scroll down and select genus (alphabetically) which will take you to the family checklist which is also alphabetical
- 21. Early spring bloomers Wild ginger, Asarum species Small flowers hidden under foliage, pollinated by crawling creatures Beautiful slow growing groundcover for moist shade In western Oregon, susceptible to damage by non-native slugs
- 22. Early spring bloomers Wild sorrel, Oxalis oregana Pink and white flowering forms, pink form often called Redwood sorrel Aggressive groundcover for part-shade shade-creates a carpet
- 23. Early spring bloomers False Solomon seal, Maianthemum racemosum This and similar related species are good in shady borders or woodland gardens Early spring color is often subtle Most require more moist environment but may become dormant during summer to avoid drought stress
- 24. Flowering groundcovers False lily of the valley, Maianthemum dilitatum Works well in shaded moist areas Spreads slowly-faster in coastal climates Flowers and fruits add seasonal interest Provides places for insects, amphibians, and baby birds to hide
- 25. Flowering groundcovers Western bleeding heart, Dicentra formosa Works well in shaded moist areas, fern- like foliage Spreads to form a mat over time Avoids stress through winter dormancy and summer dormancy when water is scarce Provides soil water retention and places for wild creatures to hide
- 26. Flowering groundcovers Stream violet, Viola glabella A flowering ground cover or accent for drier areas, full to part-shade Spreads to form a mat over time Butterfly host as are most violets
- 27. Flowering groundcovers Wild strawberry, Fragaria species Several species for sun or shade Spreads by runners to form an “open” ground cover Butterfly host plants Most have edible berries
- 28. Late spring interest Oregon iris, Iris tenax Oregon wildflowers on the flashier side Deer resistant and drought tolerant Reliable in the summer border or among shrubs, several shades of purple or blue Attracts many pollinators
- 29. Late spring interest More native iris, including Iris douglasiana (left) and the Pacific Coast hybrids (one form shown at right) Share many characteristics of Oregon iris Pacific Coast hybrids are a mix of species with highly variable colors and sizes that often come with a higher price tag as well
- 30. Late spring interest Camas, Camassia species Reliable bulb in cultivation, thriving in many garden conditions Blue flowers add to garden diversity Easy from seed, self-seeds over time Several species commercially available
- 31. Late spring interest Goatsbeard, Aruncus dioicus var. acuminatus Reliable bloomer of high stature, 4 feet or more Part-shade to nearly full sun Resembles Astilbe but taller
- 32. Late spring interest Western columbine, Aquilegia formosa Delicate columbine for sun to part- shade Butterfly host plant Attractive for hummingbirds and butterflies
- 33. A fern with spring interest Deer fern, Blechnum spicant Evergreen fern that produces “fertile fronds” for spore reproduction in the spring Spectacular in garden settings
- 34. A surprisingly attractive plant for water gardens or wet areas Western skunk cabbage, Lysichiton americanum Striking in spring Pollinated by flies, hence the odor-not really unpleasant at that At Nitobe Japanese Garden, Vancouver BC
- 35. Summer • Summer bloomers attract pollinators (and neighbors!) • Full sun border plants, blooming shrubs for sun or part-shade • Berries or other fruits (some edible) attract birds and wildlife • Mix natives into summer borders or use at woodland’s edge • A good time to watch pollinators, especially if you have a water source nearby. Attract bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and many small insects Oregon lily Thimbleberry
- 36. Plants for sunny borders or accents Goldenrod, Solidago species July bloomer Stately and bright Drought tolerant
- 37. Plants for sunny borders or accents Oregon lily, Lilium columbianum Late June/early July bloomer Delicate tiger lily for sun or part-shade Butterfly pollinated Plants often expensive because propagation is slow
- 38. Plants for sunny borders or accents Checkermallow, Sidalcea species June bloomer, sometimes earlier Full sun is best, 2-4 ft. Several species, all have shades of pink Will self-seed in the garden
- 39. Plants for sunny borders or accents Douglas aster, Symphyotrichum subspicatum July/August bloomer Full sun if possible, drought tolerant Attracts many different kinds of bees Slowly spreads underground, offsets can be moved or used for propagation
- 40. Plants for sunny borders or accents Oregon sunshine, Eriophyllum lanatum July/August bloomer Full sun if possible, drought tolerant Different form depending upon origin Upright form has green leaves and more prostrate form has silvery leaves
- 41. Blooming shrubs for shade or part-sun Thimbleberry, Rubus parviflorus Spring blooms and summer berries Part-shade Bonus: Edible berries also loved by birds Spreads underground to form patches so give it room!
- 42. Blooming shrubs for shade or part-sun Salmonberry, Rubus spectabilis Spring blooms but summer berries Part-shade Bonus: Edible berries also loved by birds Spreads underground to form patches so give it room!
- 43. Blooming shrubs for shade or part-sun Wood rose, Rosa gymnocarpa var. gynocarpa Spring/summer blooms and summer hips Part-shade Delicate and fragrant small flowers Spreads underground to form patches—good for woodland edge
- 44. Blooming shrubs for shade or part-sun Oceanspray, Holodiscus discolor Blooms July Tall shrub, great at woodland edge Sprays of tiny white flowers Drought tolerant once established
- 45. Blooming shrubs for shade or part-sun Mock orange, Philadelphus lewisii Blooms June-July Fragrant white flowers show off in a shade garden For best form, prune from the base Drought tolerant once established FrG
- 46. Blooming shrub for sun Douglas spirea, Spiraea douglasii Blooms June-July, butterfly host Bright pink flowers in a spike- showy Requires additional irrigation in drier areas Fast-growing, 5-7 ft.
- 47. Succulent for containers or rock garden Broadleaf stonecrop, Sedum spathulifolium ssp. spathulifolium Blooms June-July Succulent form, bright yellow flowers Butterfly host plant Easy to propagate, leaf color varies
- 48. Spectacular plant or water garden or moist area Umbrella plant, Darmera peltata Blooms in spring, often before leaves emerge, winter dormant Moist to moderately moist soil, part- shade to sun Impressively large leaves in summer Spreads by rhizomes to form a patch
- 49. Autumn • Fall color, subtle to spectacular • Fruits and seeds • Appreciate lingering blooms • A good time to watch animals prepare for the winter, gathering seeds, nuts, and fruits • A time to appreciate garden “structure” and plan for the coming year Umbrella plant Red twig dogwood
- 50. Plants with fall color Red twig dogwood, Cornus sericea Blooms in spring, fruits in summer, persisting into fall Moist to moderately moist soil, part- shade to sun, for best form, prune from the base Reddish stems show best in fall/winter Often has good fall color
- 51. Plants with fall color Vine maple, Acer circinatum Tiny spring blooms followed by samaras Grow in part shade for twining habit Yellow to red fall color depending on location and individual plant Drought tolerant once established Vine maple samaras
- 52. Plants with fall color Big leaf maple, Acer macrophyllum Stately tree, drought tolerant Pendant blooms followed by samaras Pale to bright yellow fall color Deciduous so provides summer shade
- 53. • Look for more slides and information at slideshare.net. Search for my name (Linda McMahan) on slideshare.net to find other similar presentations and resources. • Annotated list of plants native to western Oregon is at http://www.slideshare.net/lindamcmahan/recommend ed-native-plants-for-home-gardens-in-the-willamette- valley • Many books are available. My favorite is Arthur Kruckeberg, 1966, Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest, 2nd edition, University of Washington Press, Seattle, Oregon
- 54. • Look online for free! • For woody plants (shrubs and trees), check out Landscape Plants, Images, Identification, and Information. http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/ • Visit the Oregon Flora Project http://www.oregonflora.org/ • Check resources for OSU Extension, especially for specific regions. Request information from local faculty and staff.
- 55. This ends our year in photographs of native plant gardening through the seasons Thank you!
- 56. Note: All photographs are by the author. You may use freely for educational purposes. This slideshow is available for use freely for educational purposes. Please contact the author for more information or questions. linda.mcmahan@oregonstate.edu