Sunday, February 22, 2009

West Coast Perennial Garden (Cascadia Garden)

Iris tenax May 2009

Iris macrosiphon May 2009
 
 Erythronium oregonum March 2010

Lithocarpus densiflorus echinoides May 2009

This small garden features perennials from Washington, Oregon & California. It started with 8 Pacific Coast Native Iris: 3 succeeded. At the center of the garden Arctostaphylos ‘Monica’ grows in a large earthen pot. Allium & Iris encircle it. Lilies grow in the open area beyond. Lithocarpus densiflorus echinoides waits in back, growing slowly.  After 5 years, it is 2 feet tall. Heuchera micrantha & Tellima grandiflora linger under a tall, spreading Mahonia aquifolium. Fragaria vesca spread quickly throughout. The garden was started in 2004, replacing the lower half of the Rock Garden. Spanish Narcissus bulbocodium remained in place.  Japanese Ajuga reptans has crept into the garden now.  I don't want to kick it out. There is also the Australian Pratia pedunculata that I cannot stop.

West Coast Perennial Garden Plant List
Shrubs
Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape)

Perennials
Allium cernuum (Nodding Onion)
Erigeron glaucus (Beach Aster)
Erythronium oregonum (Fawn Lily)
Iris douglasiana (Douglas Iris)
Iris macrosiphon (Ground Iris)
Iris tenax (Oregon Iris)
Lilium columbianum (Tiger Lily)
Lilium pardalinum (Leopard Lily)
Sisyrinchium californicum (Yellow-eyed Grass)
Tellima grandiflora (Fringecup)

Groundcover
Fragaria vesca (Woodland Strawberry)

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Privacy Screen (Cascadia Garden)

Hebe ochracea in front of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Blue Surprise’ May 2009

Aster in front of Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point November 2008


The double row of shrubs evolved along the north edge of the Cascadia Garden between 2003 & 2008. A tall Rosa ‘Queen Elizabeth’ remains from the rose garden period prior to 1992. Roses are not effective screens, but this gives a glimpse of neighboring lawn. In 2003 Thuja occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’ & Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’ were planted, the remaining shrubs were added in 2007. Screening was more effective with more evergreen shrubs.  Smaller shrubs & perennials are planted south of the screen, where they bask in full sun.

Privacy Screen Plant List
Shrubs: evergreen except as noted
Callicarpa bodinieri (Beautyberry): deciduous
Callistemon sieberi (Bottlebrush)
Rosa ‘Queen Elizabeth’ (Grandiflora Rose): deciduous

Groundcovers
Fragaria vesca (Woodland Strawberry)
Geranium himalayense (Cranesbill)