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

Arctostaphylos ‘Monica’ (Manzanita)

Lithocarpus densiflorus echinoides (Dwarf Tanoak)

Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape)

Perennials

Allium cernuum (Nodding Onion)

Allium unifolium

Erigeron glaucus (Beach Aster)

Erythronium oregonum (Fawn Lily)

Heuchera micrantha

Heuchera micrantha ‘Palace Purple’

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)

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

Thuja occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’ September 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)

Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’ (Plum Yew)

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Blue Surprise’ (Port Orford Cypress)

Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’ (Blue Point Juniper)

Rosa rugosa ‘Blanc Double de Coubert’ (Rugosa Rose): deciduous

Rosa ‘Queen Elizabeth’ (Grandiflora Rose): deciduous

Thuja occidentalis ‘Rheingold’ (Arborvitae)

Thuja occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’ (Arborvitae)

Groundcovers

Ajuga reptans ‘Bronze Carpet’ (Carpet Bugle)

Fragaria vesca (Woodland Strawberry)

Geranium himalayense (Cranesbill)

Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’

Bosque (Cascadia Garden)

 Chamaecyparis lawsoniana December 2008

Sorbus gonggashanica September 2008

Rhododendron 'Cynthia' May 2009

Mahonia aquifolium January 2010

Helleborus x hybridus January 2010

The bosque evolved over more than 40 years. Trees, shrubs & perennials were slowly added. The bosque is now composed of 5 large evergreen trees; 4 Chamaecyparis lawsoniana & 1 Thuja plicata. Acer circinatum & Sorbus gonggashanica grow at the edges. 4 hybrid Rhododendron cast additional shade. The bosque is located at the southwest corner of the property where land slopes to the west. It had been a very dry site. Plants for dry shade have been most successful there. The ground is covered mostly by Washington native forest plants & Helleborus x hybridus.

Bosque Plant List

Trees

Acer circinatum (Vine Maple)

Ceanothus arboreus ‘Trewithen Blue’ (California Lilac)

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Port Orford Cedar)

Sorbus gonggashanica (Mountain Ash)

Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar)

Shrubs

Arctostaphylos bakeri ‘Louis Edmunds’

Comarostaphylis diversifolia (Summer Holly)

Holodiscus discolor (Ocean spray)

Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape)

Mahonia gracilipes

Mahonia nervosa

Mahonia repens

Philadelphus lewisii (Mock Orange)

Rhododendron hybrids

Ribes sanguineum ‘Pokey’s Pink’ (Flowering Currant)

Perennials & Groundcovers

Achlys triphylla (Vanilla Leaf)

Campanula poscharskyana (Serbian Bellflower)

Dicentra formosa (Bleeding Heart)

Helleborus x hybridus (Hellebore)

Liriope spicata (Lily Turf)

Maianthemum dilatatum (False Lily of the Valley)

Oxalis oregana (Redwood Sorrel)

Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern)

Smilacina racemosa (False Solomon’s Seal)

Smilacina stellata

Mixed Border (Cascadia Garden)

 Agapanthus africanus August 2008

Acanthus hungaricus June 2009

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus June 2009

Kniphofia thompsonii thompsonii June 2009

Eryngium amethystinum August 2008

The mixed border is 5 feet wide x 38 feet long. It began in 1993 with plants that had blue (gray) foliage, or blue or yellow flowers. Eventually I felt that lacked depth. Purple & orange flowers added richness. The mixed border runs along house for half its length, then past the deck, across a path, & along the south edge of the vegetable garden. It borders a brick walk (also 5 feet wide) leading to the front porch & door. The paving pattern is a series of squares within squares. The bricks are set in a bed of sand flanked by railroad ties. A mixed border is a long, narrow bed planted with both shrubs & perennials.

Early in January Euphorbia rigida blooms yellow against blue foliage. The effect is repeated by Euphorbia myrsinites & Narcissus some weeks later.  In June Hypericum 'Hidcote' shows bright yellow flowers against the thick & fluffy blue blossoms of Ceanothus, with dark purple Geranium phaeum behind. In summer blue Agapanthus, orange Crocosmia, yellow Hemerocallis & yellow + orange = bicolor Kniphofia bloom together. All are tempered & enriched by the ever-blue foliage of Eucalyptus moorei, Hebe, Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’. A blot of red Lobelia tupa gives a modern art effect in late summer. In the small section fronting the vegetable garden, decorative vegetables grow (Chinese Lanterns, Leeks, Rhubard, Sea Kale) along with Narcissus & Tulipa.

Blue & Yellow Mixed Border Plant List

Trees

Cornus mas

Eucalyptus moorei

Shrubs

Ceanothus ‘Victoria’ (California Lilac)

Hebe recurva

Hypericum ‘Hidcote’ (St John’s Wort)

Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’ (Blue Point Juniper)

Juniperus squamata ‘Loden’

Yucca filamentosa ‘Bright Edge’

Yucca glauca

Yucca gloriosa ‘Bright Star’

Perennials

Agapanthus ‘Storm Cloud’ (Lily of the Nile)

Agapanthus ‘Peter Pan’

Allium ‘Globemaster’

Allium porrum (Leek)

Crambe maritima (Sea Kale)

Crocosmia ‘Emberglow’ (Flaming Iris)

Digitalis trojana (Trojan Foxglove)

Erigeron ‘Prosperity’

Eryngium amethystinum (Sea Holly)

Eryngium planum

Eryngium variifolium

Euphorbia rigida

Geranium phaeum (Mourning Widow)

Hemerocallis ‘Hyperion’ (Daylily)

Hemerocallis ‘Stella d’Oro’

Iris douglasiana

Kniphofia ‘Little Maid’

Kniphofia thompsonii thompsonii

Kniphofia thompsonii snowdenii

Lobelia tupa (Tupa)

Narcissus (Daffodil)

Rheum x cultorum (Rhubarb)

Sedum telephium ‘Ruprechtii’

Tulipa ‘Little Princess’ (Tulip)

Groundcovers

Euphorbia myrsinites (Myrtle Spurge)

Hebe pinguifolia ‘Pagei’

Pratia pedunculata (Blue Star Creeper)

Cupressaceae: The Cypress Family

Cupressus sempervirens illustration by Maxfield Parrish 1903

Chamaecyparis pisifera August 2008

Juniperus chinensis December 2009

Cupressaceae (the Cypress family) is exceptionally useful in Pacific Northwest gardens. Many members of the family grow here as native plants. The Cypress family includes species of Chamaecyparis & Thuja such as Alaskan Cedar, Port Orford Cedar, & Western Red Cedar. Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’ has a very graceful, open form. Chamaecyparis lawsoniana has many attractive dwarf forms such as ‘Blue Surprise,’ ‘Lutea Nana’ & ‘Somerset.’ A smaller, narrower form of Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar) is ‘Fastigiata.’ Other widely used genera of the family Cupressaceae are Cupressus, Juniperus, Thujopsis & exotic members of the genus Chamaecyparis such as Hinoki Cypress & Sawara Cypress. There are so many Junipers, I wouldn’t know where to begin. Don’t make the mistake of hating all Junipers because of the ubiquitous, sprawling Juniperus chinensis ‘Pfitzeriana.’ The Hillier Gardener’s Guide to Trees & Shrubs says Cupressus sempervirens ‘Swane’s Golden’ is 1 of the best medium-sized golden conifers for the small garden. Various forms of Chamaecyparis obtusa are popular here for their exceptional beauty. Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Boulevard’ is a nice small tree with fluffy, blue foliage.

Familiar Members of Cupressaceae

Chamaecyparis (False Cypress)

Cupressus (Cypress)

Juniperus (Juniper)

Metasequoia (Dawn Redwood)

Sequoia (Coast Redwood)

Sequoiadendron (Sierra Redwood)

Thuja (Arborvitae)

Thujopsis (False Arborvitae)

Cupressaceae for Pacific Northwest Gardens

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Blue Surprise’ (Port Orford Cedar)

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Gracilis’ (Slender Hinoki Cypress)

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’ (Dwarf Hinoki Cypress)

Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’ (Weeping Alaskan Cedar)

Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Boulevard’ (Boulevard Cypress)

Cupressus sempervirens (Italian Cypress)

Juniperus chinensis ‘Torulosa’ (Hollywood Juniper)

Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’ (Dwarf Irish Juniper)

Juniperus conferta (Shore Juniper)

Thuja koraiensis (Korean Arborvitae)

Thuja occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’ (Arborvitae)

Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’ (Hogan Cedar)

Thujopsis dolabrata ‘Nana’ (Dwarf False Arborvitae)

Ericaceae: The Heath Family

Erica australis February 2009

 

Erica manipuliflora September 2009

Arctostaphylos columbiana April 2009

Rhododendron campylogynum January 2009

Rhododendron yakushimanum May 2009

Ericaceae is an important family of plants for Seattle gardens. Northwest natives, as well as favorites from Europe & Asia are among the ericaceous shrubs. The family was named for the genus Erica (Heath). Most members of the family have clusters of urn-shaped flowers, although some like Rhododendron have bell-shaped flowers, as though the urn had split into lobes. As a family many share a distinctive rounded form & branching pattern. They are mostly evergreen with leathery leaves. There is a great wealth of different & pleasing shrubs among Rhododendron species. The same is true of Arctostaphylos (Manzanita). These 2 thrive in very different environments. The center of Rhododendron diversity is in the moist & forested Himalayas. Manzanitas are centered in the dry chaparral of southwestern North America. Useful Northwest native plants in this family include Arctostaphylos columbiana (Hairy Manzanita), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick), Arbutus menziesii (Madrona) & Gaultheria shallon (Salal).

Trees

Arbutus menziesii (Madrona)

Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree)

Arbutus ‘Marina’

Rhododendron rex

Shrubs

Arctostaphylos columbiana (Hairy Manzanita)

Calluna vulgaris (Heather)

Comarostaphylis diversifolia (Summer Holly)

Daboecia cantabrica (Irish Heath)

Enkianthus campanulatus

Erica arborea (Tree Heath)

Gaultheria shallon (Salal)

Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)

Leucothoe walteri

Menziesia ferruginea (Fool’s Huckleberry)

Pieris japonica (Lily of the Valley Shrub)

Pernettya mucronata

Rhododendron yakushimanum

Zenobia pulverulenta

Groundcovers

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick)

Gaultheria procumbens (Wintergreen)

Daboecia cantabrica

 Daboecia cantabrica 'Rainbow' September 2008

Daboecia cantabrica 'Rainbow' & Hebe recurva September 2008

Daboecia cantabrica is a small shrub known commonly as Irish Heath. Dabeoc is an Irish saint. Cantabria is a province of Spain. Daboecia is closely related to Erica (Heath). The flowers are beautiful balloons of rich purple-pink.  They continue to bloom from spring into fall. Daboecia comes in green & variegated selections. A particularly lovely cultivar is ‘Rainbow’ with green, yellow, & a few pink leaves. Combine 'Rainbow' with dwarf conifers with yellow foliage such as Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Lutea Nana’ & Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’.  Or try plants with blue-gray foliage such as Hebe recurva for an interesting contrast.

Orange Flowers

 Kniphofia nelsonii June 2009

Berberis darwinii March 2010


Eschscholzia californica May 2009

Lilium columbianum June 2009

Tulipa batalinii ‘Apricot Jewel’ May 2009

Orange flowers bring excitement to the garden. Orange harmonizes with red & brightens purple. Use orange flowers in a blue garden for a richer experience. For an ultra-brite effect use orange & yellow flowers against red foliage.  Orange & pink flowers together make a quirky contrast. Among the most popular and useful orange flowers are Crocosmia & Kniphofia.  An orange flower that fascinated me in childhood was Lilium lancifolium.  Now I am more entranced by Tulipa batalinii ‘Apricot Jewel.

Shrubs
Berberis darwinii (Barberry): sun or shade
Chaenomeles ‘Orange Delight’ (Quince): sun
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ (Witch Hazel): shade
Rhododendron occidentale (Western Azalea): shade
Rosa ‘Strike It Rich’ (Grandiflora Rose): sun

Perennials: all for sun
Achillea millefolium ‘Terra Cotta’
Agastache aurantiaca (Hummingbird Mint)’
Antirrhinum majus ‘Golden Gate’ (Snapdragon)
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)
Canna ‘Tropicanna’
Chrysanthemum ‘Kelvin Mandarin’ or ‘Robin’
Crocosmia ‘Emberglow’
Dahlia ‘Flame’
Digitalis obscura (Foxglove)
Echinacea ‘Art’s Pride’ or ‘Sunset’ (Coneflower)
Eremurus ‘Shelford Cleopatra’ (Foxtail Lily)
Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy)
Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’
Fritillaria imperialis (Crown Imperial)
Gaillardia ‘Oranges and Lemons’ (Blanket Flower)
Geum ‘Fireball’
Gladiolus ‘Georgette’
Glaucium flavum (Horn Poppy)
Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’ or ‘Wyndley’ (Sneezeweed)
Hemerocallis ‘Apricot Sparkles’ (Daylily)
Iris ’Cinderella’s Coach’
Kniphofia nelsonii (Torch Lily)
Lilium columbianum or lancifolium (Tiger Lily)
Papaver orientale ‘Allegro Vivace’ (Poppy)
Phygelius capensis ‘Salmon’s Leap’
Potentilla fruticosa ‘Mango Tango’
Ratibida columnifera (Mexican Hat)
Tulipa batalinii ‘Apricot Jewel’ or ‘Little Princess’

Groundcovers & Trailers: all for sun
Gazania ‘Tanager’
Helianthemum nummularium ‘Ben More’ (Sunrose)

Acer circinatum

 Acer circinatum

 Acer circinatum 

One of the most useful Washington native plants for Seattle gardens is Acer circinatum or Vine Maple. Acer circinatum grows in sun or shade, needs no irrigation once established. Multiple, slender trunks rise 20 to 30 feet with a 10 to 15-foot spread. The small size, slender silhouette & tolerance for shade make Vine Maple perfect for planting between houses on tight city lots. Acer circinatum is particularly charming among coniferous forest trees such as Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar) & Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir) where the rounded leaves in summer & bare branches in winter provide a wonderful contrast. In fall, Vine Maple leaves flame in red, orange & yellow providing one of the most colorful & reliable displays of color in the Pacific Northwest. The graceful upright form (somewhat like a clump of Bamboo) also makes Acer circinatum a lovely specimen tree.

The Fall Garden

 Panicum virgatum November 2009

 Aster novae-angliae 'Hella Lacy' October 2009
 

Acer circinatum October 2009

 Crocus kotschyanus October 2008
 

Hydrangea quercifolia October 2008

One of the rarest gardens in the Seattle area is the fall garden. Although fall is best for planting, many more plants are available in spring. Visit nurseries in early fall to see what is blooming, fruiting, or showing fall color. Many plants on this list offer interest at other times. Cornus florida (Eastern Dogwood) flowers lavishly in spring, then shows good color in Fall. Diospyros (Persimmon) offers both fruit & fall foliage color. Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree) offers a bonanza of fruit & flowers in fall. Plant it with Acer circinatum (Vine Maple) or Acer palmatum dissectum 'Garnet' (Cutleaf Japanese Maple) for an amazing show.

Trees (for fall foliage)

Acer circinatum (Vine Maple): sun or shade

Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree): sun or shade, fruit & flowers

Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Princess’ (Eastern Dogwood): sun or shade, foliage & fruit

Franklinia alatamaha (Franklin Tree): sun or shade

Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Red Ash): sun

Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree): sun

Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum): sun

Pyrus calleryana ‘Redspire’ (Flowering Pear): sun

Sorbus (Mountain Ash): sun, fruit & foliage

Shrubs (for fall foliage, except as noted)

Acer palmatum dissectum (Cutleaf Japanese Maple)

Amelanchier alnifolia (Western Serviceberry): sun or shade

Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pygmy’ (Barberry): sun

Callicarpa bodinieri (Beautyberry): sun, fruit

Daboecia cantabrica: flowers

Diospyros (Persimmon): sun, fruit & foliage

Disanthus cercidifolius: shade

Enkianthus campanulatus: shade

Hamamelis x intermedia (Witch Hazel): shade

Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea): sun or shade

Lagerstroemia hybrids (Crape Myrtle): sun

Paeonia suffruticosa (Tree Peony): sun

Punica granatum (Pomegranate): sun, fruit

Rhus typhina (Sumac): sun

Ribes sanguineum (Flowering Currant): sun or shade

Rosa rugosa (Sea Tomato): sun, fruit & foliage

Viburnum sargentii: sun

Vaccinium corymbosum (Blueberry): sun

Perennials (for sun & fall bloom, except as noted)

Andropogon gerardi ‘Big Daddy’ (Big Bluestem Grass): foliage

Anemone x hybrida (Japanese Anemone): shade

Aster

Chrysanthemum

Crocus kotschyanus or ochroleucus

Epilobium californicum (aka Zauschneria, California Fuchsia)

Gaura lindheimeri

Helenium autumnale (Sneezeweed)

Helianthus decapetalus (Sunflower)

Heliopsis helianthoides

Liriope muscari (Lily Turf): shade

Nerine bowdenii

Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass): foliage

Physalis alkekengi (Chinese Lantern): fruit

Schizostylis coccinea

Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

Solidago (Goldenrod)

Tricyrtis (Toad Lily): Shade

Zauschneria californica (California Fuchsia)

Groundcovers & Trailers

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi: sun or shade, fruit

Zauschneria garrettii ‘Orange Carpet’ (Creeping Hummingbird Carpet): sun, flowers