Strawberry guava as it is sometimes known is a sweet, slightly tender evergreen shrub with tasty edible berries. Compact growing myrtle with aromatic foliage. This resident of Chile/Argentina has been grown for hundreds of years in Europe and also the US. The fruits are about the size of a dime and have a sweet menthol -strawberry taste. Pendant pink/white flowers are born at the end of long stems. The evergreen foliage is small and matte, not shiny like most myrtles. 150 years ago this plant was a favorite fruit of Queen Victoria of England. To 6′ tall by 3′ wide in 10 years. Excellent container subject that you should protect if temperatures drop below 20F. In the ground choose a protected site, against a south or west facing aspect. Cover with cardboard box to shield from winds and temps below 20F. In extreme winters it can freeze to the ground below 10F but recovery from the roots is swift and it will regain stature quickly. Flowers/fruit are born on new wood, prune if needed when blooming has ended. Scale and culture as lends this shrub to topiary and also espalier which will aid in winter protection, Closely related to real Guavas. The fruit that ripens in late summer are worth it. Moderate deer resistance. Regular irrigation. Adorable shrub all around. Long season of interest, it is in bloom for an extended period 6 -8 weeks in mid-late spring and the dainty fruit take several months to form and ripen- normally by late summer and early autumn. Excellent performance at the Oregon coast.
Foliage Season: Evergreen
This is a curious small tree that i got years ago, at that point I was in a mode of accession of Pittosporums. This plant begins its life as a humble and somewhat spindly habit, thin, small, evergreen leaves do not form an opaque canopy and you think it willl not amount to much. I have since seen a mature small tree and not only does the density of foiiage increase for a nice, dense canopy, in bloom it is fairly spectacular. Clusters of small, tubular soft yellow flowers in clusters on long stems radiate from each branch tip. In full bloom the flowers emit a sweet citrus blossom perfume for several weeks in April to May. To 12 ‘ tall and only about 4’ wide its grows to a small evergreen tree with a conical habit. Full sun, blooms less and is not very pretty in too much shade. Cold hardy to 5ºF for brief periods. I have never seen it damaged by cold. Blooms on wood from the previous season. Tip prune after flowering to increase density if needed. Excellent tree for a small courtyard or garden. Native to SW China. Small yellow berries form in summer and are taken by birds. Fun, interesting, and powerfully fragrant small evergreen tree. Summer drought adapted when established, though summer water markedly speeds growth and flowering. In bloom the flower clusters look like exploding stars. Adaptable to average soils, including clay soils.
There are 11 pacific coast Iris species, and 7 are native to Oregon. This is a deep purple flowered form of a species that is native from southwest Oregon to extreme northern California. Its type form, the form of the species that was discovered, is bright yellow and that was near the mouth of the Rogue River. Inland, however, up into the mountains this species is found in a remarkable range of flower colors – mostly deep purples or purple and white. This species also excels in the copious number of flowers per clump. Up to 12+ flowers open simultaneously for a rich display. The leaves give it its common name of grass iris – fine and evergreen they are a dull green and lay flat during the winter. Blooms April into May. Enriched to native soil in part shade to full sun. Water for the first season to establish – let it dry between watering and in subsequent years it can survive on natural rainfall. The clumps expand to about 1.5′ wide and the flowers rise on thin stems to 14″. Very resistant to deer and even rabbits. This is one of the more adaptable Pacifica species. It grows naturally with clumping grasses and even if grasses flop on top and obscure the foliage in summer/fall this tough iris will remain unaffected. A great candidate for meadows, partly shady slopes, Combine with Columbine (Aquilegia), Ookow (Dichelostemma congesta), Salvias, and native clumping grasses. Long lived perennial. Oregon native plant.
A very handsome version of one of our best native broadleaved evergreen shrubs . I spotted this form with larger leaves that are thicker and convex in the coast range of Douglas County. It gives the shrub a much more substantial appearance . The thick leaves emerge tinted salmon pink before settling to its permanent deep lusterous, dark green. To 6′ tall x 4′ wide in 6 years. Very dense habit is reminiscent of boxwood. This is a very useful and handsome form of Evergreen Huckleberry. This cutting propagated form will have a very uniform texture and habit. In late spring small pink to white urn shaped flower transform into deep black purple tasty fruits. Plant more than one shrub to increase pollination and fruit set. Rich soil high in humic content with regular water in summer. Mulch annually. Allow it to dry between watering. Plant on 3′ centers for a tidy fast hedge. Full sun to quite a bit of shade. Not bothered by deer. Almost formal appearance. Prune after flowering if needed. Oregon native plant.
Xera Plants Introduction
Wonderful smaller growing Ceanothus that makes a circular shrub to 30″ tall and 4′ wide. A named selection from UC Davis this low and spreading Ceanothus has wedge shaped leathery green foliage In early spring (March- April) button shaped clusters of violet blue flowers swarm the stems. Blooms on wood from the previous year , pruning is rarely needed but if it is prune after blooming has ended. Full sun to very light shade, an open exposure . It has shown very good cold hardiness in the Portland area. and that includes some tolerance for subfreezing wind. Fast growing to its ultimate size. This specis native to the central California coast lives longer than most species. Average soil, ideal on slopes stems can root where they touch the ground. Water to establish then no irrigation in subsequent summers. Very easy to grow. Loved by pollinators and butterflies and a pollinator master piece. Very good performance at the Oregon coast.. Leaves are smooth not prickily. Handsome year round.
Highly recommended by a fellow Manzanita enthusiast this hardy variety native from Mt. Tamalpais in the Bay area NoCal south deep into Baja and east over to the Big Bend in Texas. Aka pointleaf manzanita or Mexican manzanita this is a very upright and skinny manzanita to 6′ tall but less than 3′ wide. The blue green foliage is handsome at all times and the large pearl pink clusters of flowers are pendant and very showy in winter. Russet fruits follow beloved by birds. Its finest attribute aside from being tall and thin is that bright, glossy, orange exfoliating trunks contrast in a ghostly way with the blue green leaves. Tolerates some sub freezing wind in east Portland, out of the wind zone it takes temperatures down to 5ºF for brief periods. A wonderful Manzanita with a smaller foot print. The leaves are distinctly long and pointed. This gives this Manzanita an almost willowy feel. Moderately fast growing.
A fantastic selection of a species that has many fine attributes. ‘Soft Caress’ is one popular iteration and we grow a blue leaved variety with much larger foliage. This form has the finely dissected leaves of ‘Soft Caress but about one scale larger. The new growth emerges maroon and indeed it keeps that tint for most of the year. In December-February spikes of gold/yellow flower light the dark of winter. While some selections in this species can be tender to extreme cold and primarily subfreezing wind- this is a hardy variety with few problems with cold. To 5′ tall and 3’ wide forming a pillar of gorgeous fine, pinnate leaves. In time it can take very dry shade positions as well as sun with a bit more water. Full sun to deep shade. Not palatable to deer but loved by rabbits. Protect when young. Very tough but elegant evergreen. Mix with winter blooming and dry shade accommodating Sarcoccoca for similar culture. Regular water to establish.
An excellent form of a great Manzanita species. This form of Big Berry Manzanita was a seedling in the Santa Barbara Botanical garden. The species has a wide range in California and I am personally familiar with this shrub, it grew on property that i owned in the Sierra foothills in California. The very tough and uniform rounded blue gray green leaves are handsome but this form has new growth stained in red and then slowly blush before permanent pale blue. The tips often retain the color year round. Cold hardy and extremely drought tolerant, it also takes well to garden cultivation with no supplemental summer water. This form to 3′ tall x 8′ wide in 7 years. It would make an ideal bank cover and low limbs will self layer aiding in soil stabilization. White flowers in winter followed by relatively large pea sized drupes in bold clusters. Full sun to very light shade, the best color will be in full sun and average soil with no supplemental water . The color of the foliage steals the show. In time the stems exfoliate to cinnamon orange. Cold hardy to brief drops to 0ºF. A very pretty, tough Manzanita. ( Photos: Chris Hembree )
Rare self clinging evergreen vine that has just been placed in the genus Hydrangea. A moderately fast plant that gains speed with age and size. In summer above the 3″ leathery deep green leaves foaming ivory colored flowers are in big branched trusses and are lightly fragrant. Excellent almost formal looking cover for an appropriate surface. It clings tightly growing hold fast roots, not for the wall of a house. Part shade to high overhead and rich soil with regular summer water. Regular summer irrigation also speeds growth and it can take a bit before it adheres to its subject. Excellent emblazoning the trunk of a tall Douglas Fir, also good in sheltered shady court yards. Avoid direct exposure to subfreezing wind which can burn the leaves. Avoid full hot sun and dusty, dry conditions. Long lived native to SW China. Foliage is layered and handsome year round. To 20′ tall and half as wide. Very good on shady rock walls.
Camellia sasanqua ‘Scented Snow’
A remarkable Sasanqua Camellia with flowers that are sweetly scented , semi anemone form white to cream and are huge. Every time this plant blooms i have to refresh my memory that this is not a C. japonica or x williamsii but a pure sasanqua. The fresh looking flowers are attached to glossy neat foliage that is good looking year round . Sasanqua Camellias do their best in full hot sun, They will bloom the heaviest and earliest in full sun. Rich soil with regular water for the first 4 years. Then occasional deep soaks in summer.. Makes a wonderful hedge and is opulent in bloom in November to January. Excellent espalier subject, the enormous flowers really shine. Flowers are hardy to the upper 20’s and a thaw encourage more to open. The perfume of this cultivar is very nice, Camellia forest introduction 2008. To 4′ x 7′ wide. Excellent landscape plant and one of the best sasanquas.
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- …
- 80
- Next Page »