Sun Exposure: Part Shade

Part shade  can fall under a number of categories. It may be very dappled shade from a high overstay of trees. It could be the east or west side of a building where the sun is at its maximum for just one half day. Another site that acts like part shade is what is referred to as an open north exposure. The north side of a building or fence, where the sky is unobscured but obstructions and sun angle never completely penetrates. This is a cool aspect but bright enough for almost full sun lovers.

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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Neillia thibetica

An immensely graceful and robust deciduous shrub native to wooodlands in the Himalaya and into Tibet. Upright and  arching this fine textured shrub emerges with attractive wine red leaves that are pointed with a jagged edge and  mature to grass green. To 6′ tall and arching 4′ wide in 10 years. In late May and into June the red stems host tubular rose pink flowers in cluster at the tips,  throats of these  dainty flowers are white  with tiny white petals around the tips. Very pretty. In time it can spread  by very local stolons near the base. Best in part shade and rich soil with regular summer water during its first dry season- then a deep soak once a month in summer in subsequent years will suffice. In Autumn foliage takes on red and orange tints before dropping. This makes a lovely informal hedge in a woodland or single specimen. Established shrubs grow well under Oregon white oaks. It also inhabits places with brief winter inundation and is tolerant of clay soils. Long lived and cold hardy to -20ºF,  excellent performance in central Oregon. Rose family- not deer  resistant. This is a seldom seen but exceptionally pretty shrub. Blooms on wood from the previous season prune if needed after flowering. The texture and  form of this shrub allows it to consort naturally with many of our native plants. Mix  with Spiraea, Oemleria, Holodiscus, Very easy and carefree. Not prone to disease. Fine branching pattern is attractive in winter as well.

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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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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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Vancouveria hexandra ‘Xera Wine’

I found this remarkable form of our native Inside Out flower in southern Oregon,  I wiggled off a tiny piece and put it in my pocket, the parent plant was unharmed.  Its taken years but we are ready to offer this beautiful form of our native Vancouveria hexandra with new foliage that is deep wine colored and then matures to green with a red edge. In early summer this spreading perennial sports upside down white flowers on 4″ to 6″ above the foliage. A spreading ground cover that shows remarkable tolerance to drought once established.  Amend the soil  with compost and mulch, water consistently for the first year or two. Let the soil dry between watering. Leaves rise 6″ and forms spreading colonies.  Winter deciduous, it disappears completely – all the better to showcase the deep burgundy new growth. Fall color is yellow and brief and the plant remains decompose over winter.  Not the first plant to be devoured by deer/ rabbits but I would protect for the first few years.  Deep burgundy foliage remains showy before morphing to deep green  with a red edge. This is a member of the Barberry family (Berberidaceae) and is related to Epimedium and has the same applications. Combine with gold leaved perennials for the most contrast and drama. Hakenochloa macra ‘All Gold’ , ‘Campanula garganica ‘Dicksons Gold’, and Golden baby tears , Soleirolia soleirolii ‘Aurea’ . Very good in containers as well. Spice up a native garden. This perennial makes a great cover for native bulbs –  Brodiaea  and Fritillaria lanceolata, Calochortus tolmei,- are excellent companions, fading just as the Vancouveria  is emerging and bulking up. Enriched soil, regular water to establish, this dweller of the forest floor appreciates an annual mulch.  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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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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Ceanothus maritimus ‘Valley Violet’

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.

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Mahonia euryobracteata ‘Narihira’

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.

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