Oregon boxwood or mountain lover, the first name is more descriptive even though the second is also true. This formal looking evergreen is most often seen above about 3500′ in the Cascades, on very steep slopes in humus rich soil. where it forms a common understory beneath conifers. It can also be found in the cool coastal zones and the higher peaks of the Coast Range In eastern Oregon it follows the Ochocos up into the Blue and Wallowa mountains . This is a widespread shrub that is seldom seen in gardens, even in its natural range. This is not a fussy plant but it does have exacting requirements. Amend the soil heavily with compost and water faithfully for the first few years. This formal looking evergreen averages 3′ tall on average and can range a bit wider. It takes some pruning but it does require regular summer water to become established. In the Celastraceae Oregon boxwood is most closely related to Euonyous. This can be seen in the simple 4 petal tiny red flowers that cluster in the leaf axils in spring. Very cold hardy to -30ºF and it ranges far into Canada. One of the best native evergreen shrubs for formal appearance. Plant with Vaccinium ovatum for a similar cultural and textural effect. The small berries are eaten by wildlife. Tolerates extreme snow and ice, not bothered by subfreezing wind. Moderately deer resistant. Associated plants in the wild are Cornus canadensis and Mianthemum stellatum and Mahonia nervosa Pronouncd puh-KISS-ti-muh – or can be remembered as Pa kissed Ma. Oregon native plant.
Foliage Season: Evergreen
Arbutus unedo ‘Oktoberfest’
This is an exceptional form of Strawberry tree with an upright tree like habit with a dense crown and pink rather than white flowers. To 12′ tall after 8 years. The long deep green foliage is lusterous and glossy. In autumn clusters of pink urn shaped flowers appear. They form yellow, then orange, then red fruits that are showy from August to January. These can be a little messy during fruit drop- many are eaten by large birds. Loved by Anna’s hummingbirds as well as other species that are going south. Moderately fast growing. In areas exposed to gorge wind locate on a west or south facing aspect. Very easy to grow and will accept both annual summer drought as well as light consistent irrigation. Average to enriched soil, water for the first year then monitor it in subsequent years- chances are you won’t see it wilt. Wonderful hedge or hedgerow subject with a long lifespan. Full sun to very light shade. Combine with fall blooming sasanqua Camellias for a flowery fall show. Excellent performance at the Oregon coast.
Osmanthus decorum ‘Baki Kasapligil’
Osmanthus are incredibly handsome and useful shrubs/trees and turkish Osmanthus fits that trend Renowned for fragrance this tough species excels at its tidy and uniform look year round. Long pointed deep green leaves are exceedingly handsome and immediately one thinks of this 8′ x 8′ shrub as an ideal hedge subject and it is. In mid spring small tubular flowers crowd the leaf axils and emit a vanilla aroma that is detectable many meters away. Moderately fast growing evergreen for full sun to quite a bit of shade it is adapted to most well drained soils, including heavy clay. Exceptionally tolerant of drought when established and very long lived. In time, sans pruning, it will achieve small tree status. Cold hardy to 0ºF and not terribly sensitive to subfreezing wind. Not often bothered by deer- protect young plants with age and familiarity they will leave it alone. Very good replacement hedge for voracious and invasive cherry laurel or disease riddled Photinia. Somewhat formal appearance. Lovely no water/low water shrub when established. Prune after flowering- blooms on old wood This is one of the parents of Osmanthus x burkwoodii. .This form was selected from the wild in Turkey/Anatolia.
Euphorbia stygiana
A shrubby almost woody Euphorbia with large opulent green leaves and in spring honey scented chartreuse flowers. To 6′ tall and forming a patch as wide. Very lush appearance for a plant that is actually drought adapted when established. This is an incredibly rare plant in its habitat in the Azores. About twenty plants remain in the wild and that is all. A great reason to grow this large plant. Broken leaves emit white sap. Protect from subfreezing wind – a south or west aspect is best in a sheltered position. Grows quickly with light irrigation in soil that is enriched but drains. Established plants require water just once every few weeks, Very pretty under a low window where the honey like fragrance can be enjoyed. Might be deer resistant but protect this lush shrub in the beginning. Blooms late spring and is wonderful with other bold plants for full sun . Pair with our native elk clover (Aralia californica) and hardy banana (Must basjoo). Excellent performance at the Oregon coast and lovely backed by a stone wall. Regrows from the base if established plants freeze back. Be patient, recovers in mid-spring. Wonderful garden plant.
Eriogonum fasciculatum
California Buckwheat is a shrubby perennial that occupies a wide variety of biomes in that state, Needle like leaves on a semi-woody subshrub. This is a common component of chaparral and beginning in late spring and carrying on virtually all summer rounded flat bloom clusters are mainly white but range to pink and even light red. For 2-3 months it is a beacon to pollinators and a prime food source for many butterflies. A very drought adapted plant that once established can thrive on no water at all. Excellent for blasting hot hell strips or large rock gardens. In habitat this subshrub is frequent between Manzanita and Ceanothus. To 2′ x 2′ slightly larger. In our climate this plant can freeze to the ground and return from the base. Best in soil that drains and goes very dry in summer. Fast drainage is important.. In autumn the flower heads remain and take on russet to pink to red tints before the spent flowers fall apart. It creates a lovely tapestry on hillsides throughout California for months. Mix with Yuccas,, Pensetmon, Manzanitas, Bupleurum. Pretty, tough wild plant. Hillsides and Hells trips. Full all day sun in a hot position.
Phaenocoma prolifera
So many amazing plants from South Africa, we love this as a fascinating container subject. A wiry shrub with nobby gray green leaves on purely gray stems. It forms a rounded plant to 4′ x 4′ – smaller if kept in a container. The odd foliage becomes a fantastic back drop to straw flowers that open bright red and senesce to pink. The 1″ wide flowers pepper the shrub in July- August. Full sun to very light shade, its more dense and blooms better in full sun. Loved by pollinators this member of the diasy family calls them from afar. Add a handful of all organic fertilizer at the beginning of the season. Water when the surface of the soil is dry. Easy to grow plant that is definitely worth protecting. It also excels in mixed containers, the bloom period is a month but the fascinating foliage holds its own as well. Not hardy below 25ºF. Wonderful plant. It thrives at the Oregon coast and is adapted to sandy soils.
Ceanothus velutinus var. laevigatus
Mountain balm, snowbrush, tobacco brush and var. laevigatus is the western Oregon form of this widespread aromatic evergreen species. Fast growing and not terribly long lived this shrub has widely dispersed seed that germinates upon disturbance, especially fire. Large glossy aromatic foliage gives away its common names as it emits a sweet balsam some say tobacco fragrance. The heavily veined leaves are large and round and seem to be varnished with this sweet perfume. Rapid growth to 12′ x 12′ in 10 years. The more fertile the soil the larger and shorter lived this pretty shrub will be. Give it average conditions and no supplemental summer water. In May to early June cones of frothy fragrant white flowers protrude from the glossy foliage. Black seeds follow and they are dispersed explosively as well as eaten by birds. These black seeds can remain dormant for generations until they wake. It is found locally in the northern Willamette valley especially around the Tonquin scablands a kolk remnant of the Bretz flood just south of Portland. Expect a lifespan of about 15 years, more with neglect. Blooms on wood from the previous season prune if needed after blooming in June. This is a large shrub and it will reach its ultimate size very quickly, Give it room. Ultra cold hardy to -5ºF on the west side of the Cascades. This fast growing shrub does not appreciate pot culture, plant from the smallest size possible Oregon native plant.
Cornus capitata ‘Mountain Moon’
This treasured evergreen to semi evergreen asian dogwood is a wonderful tree for a protected location. New growth is copper colored and retains this hue for quite some time . To 26′ with a strongly pyramidal habit. In early summer true flowers with erupting chartreuse then light yellow very showy bracts. These are followed by red edible berries that appeal to some and a lot to birds. The bloom period is exceptionally long for a dogwood and it blooms con currently with Korean Dogwood (Cornus kousa) to which it is closely related. Mostly evergreen expect leaves to drop below about 20ºF twig damage does not occur until 10ºF. Definitely site well out of subfreezing east wind. A south or western exposure. Very regal and elegant tree The more protected the location the more evergreen. This fast growing tree would make an elegant espalier – flowers appear on wood from the previous season. Light, consistent irrigation in average to enriched soil. Himalayan dogwood. Thrives at the cool Oregon coast . Avoid hot and dry locations..
Melica harfordii
Harford’s onion grass isn’t really an onion, its a true grass and is widespread in Western Oregon. A handsome blue green clumping grass on average to 2′ tall- bigger in rich soil with irrigation. smaller in natural rainfall only plants. The blue green blades which are up to 4.5 mm wide arch on a vase shaped plant. In mid spring to early summer infloresences that soar up and out with the stems lined in larger seeds. Superfically, they resemble.rice plants thought this is a drylands grass. Wonderful meadow component. Summer drought adapted, competes well with foreign invaders as well. Currently its most stable populations occur on the upper dry banks of rivers. This native grass goes summer dormant with drought. Self sows, best in an environment where this is not a problem. Handsome, graceful, useful native grass. Combine with Sidalcea virgata and Iris tenax. Oregon native plant.
Erysimum capitatum
Western Wallflower is a very widespread biennial or short lived perennial. It occurs from Alaska to nearly Mexico and throughout the west coast. The first season is spent as a rosette of thin undulating leaves. In the second year it extends, forms branches and achieves multiple flower spikes. The species is best described as yellow/orange with some slight variation in these seed grown plants. In Oregon its is widespread but it has all but disappeared from some biomes, the Willamette Valley for instance, a victim of non native invasives. To 22″ tall in bloom. You may get a third season but it is much less of a show.Best to let this plant set seed and die ensuring a new generation of plants. Leave open disturbed sites for re-sowing. A gravel mulch will encourage this as well and it appreciates average to enriched soil and light consistent water to establish. The following year it can rely on only what fall from the sky. Blooms appear for several weeks in late spring. Loved by pollinators with a special draw to butterflies. Common associates in the wild are Dodecatheon hendersonii, Mitella , Ranunculus occidentalis, Nemophila. Oregon native plant
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