Chilean Jessamine, this is a large growing sub shrub that blooms on new wood and produces clusters of small tubular yellow flowers that pump out a heady perfume at night. Large mid green leaves line sturdy stems. Freezes to the ground in winter in the mid-teens or lower. Roars alive with warm weather and can become a shrub 5′ x 5′ even if cut to the round in one season. The flowers at terminal ends of the shoots close during the day and yawn open at night. Its a good light yellow and is a great companion for other bold plants. such as Aralia californica and cannas. Excllent in very large containers. Rich soil with regular irrigation speeds growth and bloom. Begins growing when temperatures remain in the 70’s for highs, be patient. The fragrance is fruity in a citrus kind of way and doesn’t appear until nightfall. Not bothered by deer or rabbits. Excellent plant for the back of a border. Mulch for the first winter. Chile/Argentina.
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
When a plant is designated as full sun that means several things. Full sun is at least six hours of unobstructed sunshine. Anything less than that can qualify as part shade. Plants in too much shade that are adapted to sun behave in strange ways. They will often lean exorbitantly towards the direction of the most possible sun. They will not bloom very well and they will not grow nearly as dense becoming lanky and missing the natural beauty of a plant grown correctly. Most drought adapted/low water plants fit into this category.
Climate Adapted Plants for Gardeners in the PNW
A hybrid between two southern California shrubby Salvias has yielded an amazing plant for our gardens. The parents of this hybrid are S. clevelandii ‘Alpine’ x S. pachyphylla and it continues the amazing foliage fragrance of Salvia clevelandii and the deep blue flowers in purple bracts echo pachyphylla. A shrub/ sub shrub for the very warmest parts of the garden. Against a south or west facing aspect. This Salvias parents come from poor, mineral soils and eventually the pale blue foliage builds to a 30″ x 4′ evergreen shrub. It loses some leaves in harsh winters . In mid to late summer upright stems support whorls that emit striking long deep blue flowers, these are held in a dark purple calyx – the each whorl is dark purple and showy before and after bloom as well. Takes the hottest locations and appreciates it. Strategically placed among large boulder that radiate heat is also useful as is in Hell strips where heat builds. The stems elongate in bloom up to 2′ and are lined with mutiple whorls. Perhaps no animal loves this sage or Salvias in general more than hummingbirds. And the radiant blue tubular flowers are perched just for them. Long blooming aromatic drought adapted sub-shrub. Good drainage, full sun, and regular water to establish, let it dry between watering during summer. Mix with Manzanita, Epilobium – Zauschneria, Grevilleas. Do not cut back until new growth begins in mid spring. Beautiful in bloom. Excellent with a gravel mulch and on south facing slopes. Protect from prolonged temperatures below 15ºF, cover with a cardboard box or a tarpaulin. Naturally drought adapted.
A friend of our nursery selected three Epilobium formerly Zauschneria in southwest Oregon. This species native throughout California just dips into the southern 1/3 of the southwest part of the state. This form is perhaps the most vivid of the three that Mark Wade chose. Electric salmon/orange flowers with large pink protruding stamens covers this massively blooming perennial. The habit of this form is spreading but lower- intermediate between the low growth of ‘Horse Wall’ and the height and vigor of ‘Illy’. The leaves on this form are more rounded and green and the tubular flowers are electric occurring from early August to October. Hummingbirds adore this plant and it will be visited by birds flying south for the season. To 8″ tall and spreading to 2′-3 wide in rich, well drained soil with regular water to establish. Add a handful of all organic fertilizer when planting , it will establish faster and grow much more vigorously. That said, its a very easy, climate adapted perennial and it can go without summer water when firmly established. These Epilobiums do appreciate a soak every few weeks in the driest part of summer. Totally winter deciduous this herbaceous plant is completely absent in winter. Mix with other climate adapted and vigorous perennials such as Salvia cohuilensis ‘Nuevo Leon’ and Verbena rigida. In habitat it consorts with Clinopodium and Sidalceas among many others. Excellent performance in containers and will last for years, spreading by the root to emerge from cracks in the pot or or like its natural habitat to root around rocks. Tidy the remnants in spring. Not bothered by deer. Full sun. Oregon native plant.
Xera Plants Introduction
Another selection of Epilobium (Zauschaneria) that our friend Mark Wade made in SW Oregon. This is a lovely low growing form with smaller but profuse vivid lighter orange flowers and this selection supports pink stamens and pollen as well. To less than 6″ tall but spreading to an area of several square feet in a season. ‘Horse Sign’ bears sheets of these tubular flowers for several months beginning in August. Loved by hummingbirds it forms a vivid orange carpet of color. Enriched soil with a bit of all organic fertilizer will send this hardy perennial soaring. Water regularly for the first season, letting the soil dry in between. In subsequent years you can water much less if at all. Full sun to very light shade. Ideal for a slope and along rock walls at eye level. Very showy late season native perennial. Completely deciduous in winter with excellent hardiness to cold. This roaming perennial can inhabit and spill around other perennials, shrubs. Low and spreading, avoid large perennials nearby that could flop on top. Long lived and easy to grow excellent for late season pollinators and vivid color. Mix with other low growing, sun loving perennials such as Scuttelaria, Orginanum ‘Xera Cascade’ and Erodium ‘Spanish Eyes’. Mulch with compost the first winter, this will help energize it to roar out of the ground in mid spring. Foliage is smaller and green but with a silver cast. Very good looking native perennial. Oregon native plant
Xera Plants Introduction
Pearly everlasting is a widespread North American perennial that is common in our area at slightly higher elevations but it is found in every biome. A vigorous spreading perennial in the daisy (Aster) family with thin olive green leaves with a silver underside. On average to 2′ tall. In richer conditions and following disturbance it can become prolific and overwhelm clear cuts and fire scars until it is out competed and shaded out. The bright white phyllaries appear as pure straw petal -like flowers that gives its common name. Once the golden center of the flowers goes over it emits an incredible amount of fluffy seed. So prolific it can coat nearby trees and shrubs with downy seeds. It makes a very useful native perennial that can be used to out compete invasive non native weeds. Very easy to grow. Water regularly after planting let the soil dry between summer irrigation. Water until established, then tolerant of summer drought in subsequent years. Full sun to very light shade. A great perennial for bioswales. and rain garden. It can have a brief lifespan- 3 -5 years, but copious seed constantly regenerates this plant. Loved by native bees and bumbles. Combine with other vigorous natives such as Douglas aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum) and our native Golden rod (Solidago c. elongata) to keep everyone in check and provide a summer long display of pollinator flowers. Blooms, depending on elevation from May in the lowlands to mid summer in alpine areas. Cut back hard in winter to emerging leaves. 1′ to 5′ wide per plant. Do not enrich or amend the soil, water, water to establish in virtually any soil that is not boggy. Drought adapted when established. Deer and rabbit resistant. Dislikes nursery pot culture, often looks poor in containers. Easy in the ground where its roots can spread. Oregon native plant.
We love cold hardy plants in the Protea family, not only do they have exotic flowers, they can sport foliage that is just as interesting , Hakea nodosa is another shrubby Hakea that is known as yellow Hakea. Multiple fine stems emerge from the ground and are staunchly vertical. They have few side branches and each stem is clad in slightly swollen blue phyllodes, these are not prickly and are about 1 cm long. In spring, very small yellow flowers crowd the leaf axils on older wood.- not conspicuous but hummingbirds find them. An upright small shrub to about 6′ tall and 2′ wide. Pollinated flowers produce large seed pods that can cause the stems to nod, not sure if this is what the specific name refers to. Moderately fast growing in native, un-amended soil that drains, including clay soils that dry in summer. Water to establish then extremely tolerant of drought. A wonderful textural evergreen that we love at Xera. An excellent companion to Grevilleas, Ceanothus, Halimium, Arctostaphylos.. Fulll sun to very very light shade. This form has been cold hardy below 10ºF in western Oregon with a probable lowest temperature around 5ºF. Native to areas of South Australia into Tasmania. Ours are grown from high elevation, cold hardy seed from Tasmania. Lovely soft, rare shrub . Pronounced HAY- kee -uh. But with an Australian accent. Well adapted to the Oregon coast and can be cultivated on sand. Deer resistant, but protect newly installed plants from rabbits. Very easy to grow, a natural with ornamental grasses and large hardy succulents, Cactus, Agaves. Not prickly but rather soft.
This is a very pretty and unusual Crape Myrtle selection that we made years ago. After more than a decade it has shown no sign of powdery mildew and has profuse frilly rich purple reliable flowers. This is a compact and slow growing shrub to 6′ tall in 10 years and half as wide progressively larger over time. In early July it alights in large trusses of clear purple flowers, in full bloom they obscure the foliage. Fresh green foliage emerges tinted pewter and changes to shades of orange and red in fall. Rich soil, in full all day sun in a warm position. Crape myrtles loathe any and all shade. The compact habit and measured growth means that pruning is seldom necessary. Thin trunks and stems exfoliate to a glossy tan and are showy in winter. Water once a week through bloom. This shrub creates a wonderful ball of purple for 6-8 weeks beginning in early July. The long bloom time means that this is a supreme pollinator shrub. Rich soil with mulch is ideal. Very adaptable to large containers and with regular water and annual applications of all organic fertilizer. Crape myrtles will stall, the leaves will turn red and not bloom if they have insufficient irrigation water once a week. A great small purple crape myrtle we specifically selected for the Willamette Valley.
Xera Plants Introduction
We selected this Abutilon from a seed batch eons ago and it still holds up as one of the best. Upright growing sub-shrub to 6′ tall in a season. Profuse bloomer produing ginger / parchment colored pendant flowers from a contrasting russet/ beige calyx. This incredibly unique flower color mixes with a huge range of hues. It can even hold its place with bright red flowers. Everblooming, rich soil, and regular water with several handfuls of organic fertilizer scratched around the base of the plant- 2, 3 times per growing season. Surprisingly cold hardy its spring appearance would not lead you to believe that. In a normal winterF – above 15º, it will likely freeze back by 2/3rd below that it will die to the ground. Spring recovery is a combination of all organic ferilzer and water and warmth. Seemingly from dead sticks life will emerge and if you are consistent with water recovery and bloom is fast , usually in bloom by June and continuing until frost. Excellent container plant and it may act as a seasonal plant that way. Loved by hummingbirds and butterflies. A wonderful, blendable, sophisticated flower color. Mulch for its first winter to protect the base. Full sun to part shade. Naturally fine branching with large arrow-shaped mid green leaves. Protected location. 3′ x 4′ in a season.
Xera Plants Introduction
Reknowned not only for the vivid red flowers this cultivar that is frequently planted in North Texas is incredibly hardy to cold and does surprisingly well in the Willamette Valley. Upright, somewhat stiff habit to 18′- 20′ in maturity, width 1/2 that. The glossy round dark green leaves are tinted red and this is a back drop to the vivid, true red flowers that erupt from black buds in large trusses. Best in a very hot position in full sun and rich soil with reliable, once a week irrigation. Excellent results against a south facing wall of a building. Seems to have the same heat requirements and vivid flower color of the more commonly grown red variety ‘Dynamite’. In cool weather, between heat stretches, the flowers can emerge speckled with white- curious but uncommon. Bold red flowers are large and lightly fragrant. I have yet to observe mildew on this cultivar in the specimens I’ve located around Portland but I would give it good air circulation, full sun and regular irrigation, avoid dry shade. Full, hot all day sun. The trunks are colored very light tan which contrasts well with the dark foliage and vivid flowers. It exfoliates to a glossy sheen. Fall color is red/ orange. Loved by pollinators. Blooms Aug – Oct. Moderately fast growing, irrigation increases the rate of growth and aids in flowering. Not as easy to root as most cultivars, a limited quantity of this tree will likely always be available. Amazing in bloom.
A form of evergreen Huckleberry that is found on the north and central Oregon coast. The leaves are slightly longer and curve a bit and have a fine but noticeable serration. This is a slightly bolder form that is very handsome and somewhat formal in appearance from the species. Forms a shrub with large canes that grow in earnest and then arch.. White flowers are slightly larger than normal and appear in spring form slightly larger than normal black sweet fruit, about the size of a caper. Plant more than one shrub to increase pollination and fruit set. Full sun to full shade in humus rich, highly organic soil . Mulch for the first several years. Irrigate to establish for the first year or two then it should have a large enough rootball to resist summer drought. Otherwise light summer irrigation speeds growth. New growth is salmon orange and turns to shades of yellow before settling to dark green. Very pretty native shrub that demands more irrigation and mulch in full sun. Makes a wonderful informal hedge in time. This form has a pronounced arching shape. Excellent hedge material as this is cutting propagated and will maintain a uniform habit. Wonderful form from the northern Oregon coast. To 8′ x 8′ in 10 years. Prune if needed in Autumn. Oregon native plant.
Xera Plants Introduction
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