By Margo Dameier, OSU Hood River County Extension Central Gorge Master Gardener Volunteer
Oregon Sunshine,Eriophyllum lanatum, greets visitors to the Native Garden on the OSU Hood River County Extension grounds. All are welcome to visit this space that’s a part of the Learning Garden. Bright blooms will be seen this spring!
It was about this time last year that I started thinking about my next, and probably last, significant landscape project at my home. Through my time as caretaker of the property I reside on, I’ve added hardscape features to eliminate lawn, vegetable and flower beds, a compost area and outdoor rooms. However, this is the first time that I’ve planted shrubs, and I need to make a plan!
The area that I’m working with is a struggling lawn that lies between the northern exterior wall of my home and a nearly 60 year old Arborvitae hedge. Last fall, I decided that this uninspiring 12’ x 28’ area would become my next project. I only use this as a walkway to go between my shed in the back and garden features in the front, so all I really need here is a simple pathway. Ideas of berms, a water feature or another sitting area looked great in my imagination, but didn’t fit the area. One day, I repeatedly walked this space and a simple hourglass shaped grass pathway with plantings on either side came to mind. Work on this project began last fall when lots of leaves were available to heavily mulch both areas. With a bit more prep work being done this summer, they will be ready for planting ornamental shrubs and groundcovers this fall. Deciding what plants to use is my current task.
In following the ‘right plant, right place’ philosophy, I shifted away from the large native plants that I adore and started searching for low growing shrubs that have year round interest and attract pollinators. By broadening my plant list to include non native shrubs that thrive in our local climate zones, I discovered a wide variety that fit not only this space, but my personal need for low maintenance plants.
My search started with the online OSU Extension Catalog where I found an article by Kym Pokorny titled, “Add fall color to the landscape with vibrant, easy-care shrubs”. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/add-fall-color-landscape-vibrant-easy-care-shrubs
Many of the plants listed here grow too large for my space, but it led me to “Selecting native plants for home landscapes in Central Oregon” by Amy Jo Detweiler
In this publication I found several shrubs that will fit into my space while also offering the low maintenance characteristics I desire.
I should mention that one side of this space is in full shade which allows summer irrigation to keep the soil moist while the other is in full sun to part shade and the soil dries faster. This is an opportunity for me to broaden my plant search to suit these different zones while giving the finished landscape a coherent look.
On the sunny side of this path, some of the plants I’m considering are:
Weigela, A beautiful and versatile shrub that is great in informal hedges, pollinator gardens, borders, privacy screens and in containers.
https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/weigela
Salvia microphylla, commonly known as Sage ‘Hot Lips’, is a popular North American native perennial plant with season long blooms that attract hummingbirds.
Hypericum androsaemum, Shrubby St. John’s Wort ‘Sweet-Amber’ or ‘Tutsan’ is a hardy 4’ x 4’ shrub that’s native to Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East and is on the OSU Landscape Plants list!
https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/hypericum-androsaemum
Groundcovers are a must and I’ll be using two of my favorite native plants.
Eriophyllum lanatum, commonly known as Oregon Sunshine, this perennial plant grows 6-24” tall and spreads to 24”. It prefers full sun but will tolerate part shade and does well in dry rock gardens and well-drained soil.
https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/hypericum-calycinum
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, commonly known as Kinnikinnick or Red Bearberry is a hardy low growing and trailing shrub best suited in rocky or sandy soils. Growing 2-12” high, it has flexible stems that will layer on top of each other and form a mat that can suppress weeds. https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/arctostaphylos-uva-ursi
There will be more plants added to this list, but I’ve got the rest of winter, spring and summer to do my research before starting to plant in the fall. I’ll write a follow up article next winter to give you an update.
Even though this is the last landscape project that I’ll have room for on my property, I’ll be redesigning and adding to many of my existing areas as plants tend to follow me home.
If plants tend to follow you home too, be sure to mark your calendar for the Central Gorge Master Gardener Plant Sale on May 9! Plant Sale committee members have been working since last May to bring you the widest selection of plants that we’ve ever offered. In addition to the quality, locally grown vegetables, herbs and flowers that you’ve come to expect from Master Gardeners, there will be an expanded native plant and perennial flower selection and our Propagation Team will have many beautiful blooming plants for you too! Until then, keep planning your landscape and garden projects and have a great winter.
Central Gorge Master Gardener volunteers provide free beginning gardening classes and continuing education to home gardeners. For research based information about specific gardening or pest questions, submit your concern online at extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/hoodriver or by phone at 541-386-3343. Home gardeners can also drop off plant or pest samples Monday – Thursday between 9 AM and 4 PM at the OSU Hood River County Extension Service, 2990 Experiment Station Drive, Hood River, OR.
The Central Gorge Master Gardener program is a division of the OSU Hood River County Extension Service. OSU Extension Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs, services, activities, and materials.
Add Fall Color to the Landscape With Vibrant, Easy-Care Shrubs
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/add-fall-color-landscape-vibrant-easy-care-shrubs
Selecting Native Plants For Home Landscapes in Central Oregon
https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/weigela
https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/arctostaphylos-uva-ursi
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