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

Osmanthus fragrans ‘Phil Thornburg’

A local form of Fragrant Tea Olive that was discovered as a seedling in Phil Thornburgs wonderful SE Portland garden. He has a large estabished collection of the genus Osmanthus and this seedling has turned out to have several exemplary attributes- So we named it for the gardener. A moderately fast growing evergreen small tree to 16′ in 10 years. Large glossy foliage emerges tinted a very striking russet red before settling to deep green. This new growth follows the flowers which in our climate appear from late fall to early spring – on wood that is more than one year old. Parchment colored tiny flowers ring the stems and emit one of the most penetrating  perfumes in the floral kingdom- sweet apricot and freesia  These flowers are dried and used to flavor tea in China. The trunk/stems are a soft taupe color that contrasts nicely with the dark green foliage. We have observed excellent cold hardiness but  it should still be protected from subfreezing east wind during arctic events. The west side of a building is ideal- and you can appreciate the sweet perfume in winter just by opening a window.  Somewhat formal looking small tree that has a conical habit in youth and then a spreading crown with age. Water to establish, then light water during summer drought. Full sun to light shade. Gains hardiness with age/ establishment. Protect young plants from temperatures below 15F- cover with a cardboard box. Excellent tree for courtyards, the slim areas between modern architecture. Wonderful tried and tested local selection of an infamous tree native to large parts of Asia. Durable, almost formal, verdant look year round.

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Epilobium (Zauschneria) canum latifolia ‘Illy’

A friend of the nursery Mark Wade selected several forms of Caifornia Fuchsia that are native to southwestern Oregon. This form is low and spreading to 1′ tall and up to 3′ wide. It has large and exceptionally vivid orange flowers from July to October. The flowesr are perched as horizontal tubes that beckon hummingbirds. This form was found along the Illinois River in Josphine, County hence the name ‘Illy’.  It has distinctively green foliage which is a great contrasting backdrop to the vivid flowers.  Rich soil  that drains in full sun with regular summer water for the first summer. Completely deciduous in winter,  Common associates in the wild are Delphinium nudicaule, and Iris bracteata as well as Sidalcea asprella ‘Josephine’. Very easy to grow  native perennial for hot sunny spots- the front of low borders, large rock gardens. Very long blooming selection that has enhanced cold hardiness.  Avoid crowding from taller plants. Creeps underground  by stolons up to 6″ away from the initial clump annually. Very drought adapted when established. Thank you very much Mark.  Oregon native plant.

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Cistus x ‘Gordon Cooper’

Superior low growing rockrose with masses of flowers for up to two months in late spring to early summer. So profuse are the daily flowers that they obscure the foliage, until about 4 pm and then they drop all of their petals at once. Gordon averages  about 32″ tall x 4′ wide in 5 years and continue to gain width after that. The adorable flowers are 2″ across and each white petal is separate form the other giving an airy gap to the flowers. A brilliant maroon nectary guide at the base of each petal surrounding a yellow center. This low and spreading habit naturally accomodates snow and ice and there is less breakage with this cultivar. It has been a cold hardy long term performer in the Willamette Valley.  Deep green foliage  has a resinous perfume and takes on red tints in winter. Water to establish the first season and then about once every two weeks during summer in subsequent years. Average un-improved soils, including clay soil, and its low spreading habit is ideal for slopes. Extremely floriferous selection.  Moderate deer and rabbit resistance. Very drought adapted when established. Very good performance on sandy soils at the Oregon coast and thrives there.

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Myrtus ugni (Ugni molinae)

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.

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Pittosporum parvilimbum

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.

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Iris innominata ‘Purple Form’

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.                                 

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Amelanchier alnifolia

Service berry, Saskatoon Berry, is a widespread shrub to small tree in the northwest. In western Oregon it occupies every biome from the high Cascades to coastal bluffs. Deciduous  to 15′ tall most often with multiple trunks. Trees in poor soil with less water can grow as very low shrubs , in rich  soil,in the Willamette and Umpqua Valley’s it achieves small tree status. Long lived with round small leaves with fine serrations on the edges. They emerge after bloom with a downy pubescence and fresh green. The leaves toughen up and turn blue green by summer. Always in April the limbs  become flocked in clusters of pure white wispy petals-after several weeks they become small drupes that mature to dark purple  by mid summer. They look and taste like very miniature plums when ripe. They are seldom larger than a caper. These are heavily  coveted by wild life and that is part of its strategy of distribution. In the Willamette Valley it is primarily an understory or margin of the forest tree. Its a favorite of old mans beard moss (Usnea) and its common understory companions are Oso berry (Oemleria) Ocean Spray (Holodiscus) and Buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus).  and Oregon Viburnum ( Viburnum ellipticum)  Water once a week for the first summer, let the soil dry between irrigation . Give the plant good air circulation and it will produce clear yellow foliage for an extended time in October/November. Adaptable to any soil, including drought tolerant in heavy clay and will only grow slower and stay smaller in poor conditions but not die. Deep rich, clay soil is its preferred habitat. Rose family protect from Rabbits and deer when small. Seed raised only. Slow growing. Best planted when small. Oregon native plant.

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Ribes aureum

Golden Currant is a tough and beautiful deciduous shrub native to large areas of the arid west. In our area its closest native habitat is in the eastern Columbia River Gorge. A vertical shrub with fantastic glabrous (rubbery texture) tri- lobed leaves that flutter in the wind much like Quaking Aspen. In mid spring a pretty display of bright yellow flowers with a small red corolla in bunches all over the plant. Fast growin to 6′ tall by 4 ‘wide in full sun and any decently draining soil. Established shrubs can get by on natural rainfall alone. Very pretty hedgerow plant or specimen. Loved by birds. In summer bright red edible fruits decorate the stems, mostly eaten by wildlife. In well drained soils this native shrub can handle summer irrigation. Full sun to very light shade, If you want more fruit set plant two or more plants to increase pollination. Very easy to grow and long lived. Avoid planting near 5 needle pines.  Fall color ranges from yellow to tints of orange. Blooms on wood from the previous season, prune if needed after flowering. Oregon native plant.

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Lagerstroemia indica ‘Early Purple’

This wonderful small crape myrtle offers very early flowering and it repeat blooms all summer. To 7′ tall by 5′ wide in 10 years. In late June it  begins opening soft purple flowers. This prolific blooming little tree requires very little heat to initiate flowers.  It even accepts very light shade but full hot sun is what it wants. In time the thin trunks exfoliate to a solid glossy chocolate brown. In fall it  becomes yellow to orange. Very easy to grow in enriched soil with regular summer water for the best performance. More drought adapted with time . This forgiving small tree can find a home in perennial borders or hedgerows. If you want a crape myrtle that blooms in Seattle this is perhaps your best bet.  It requires only a half dozen days above 85ºF to bloom, but not adaptable to the Oregon coast. Tolerates the hottest positions and can handle fierce reflected heat.  Cold hardy and long lived. Excellent size for small gardens. Naturally mildew resistant. Great landscape small tree/shrub.

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Vaccinium ovatum ‘Boldy’

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.

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