Wallace W Hansen's

Northwest Native Plants

Native Plant Nursery & Gardens

2158 Bower Ct S.E. ~ Salem, Oregon 97317-9216 ~ E-Mail: Wallace W Hansen

Phone 503-581-2638  ~ Fax 503-549-8739

Updated June 26, 2009

Hello, Gardeners around the world and welcome to nwplants.com!

It's so hot! What fun that is to say here in the land of 'liquid sunshine.'

Though our weather has gradually changed since I first came to Oregon (63 years ago), it still gives a thrill to feel that summer heat and know it will last with minor interruptions until school starts again in the fall.

And it's not only fun for we gardeners--

--Tall Oregon Grapes (Mahonia aquifolium) are bursting with handfuls of deep blue-purple fruits.

--Douglas Spirea's (Spirea douglasii) hearty pink blooms have set their summer fire atop every branch.

Douglas Spirea

(Spirea douglasii)

Photo by Jennifer Rehm

(Click on image

for large view)

--Ocean Sprays (Holodiscus discolor) all up and down the valley are covered with fluffy cream coloured cascades of tiny flowers that will turn to shades of beige and tan, persisting into fall and giving wildlife a delicious treat. (See the close-up of these posies at the top of this page)

--And the Tiger Lilies (Lilium columbianum)! Six feet tall, some of them, with candelabras of orange Turks' caps waving as we pass by. "Hello!" they shout, then look away demurely as though they've not said one word. Little flirts, they are.

'Tis summer for sure, but not too late for planting shrubs and trees and water gardens, and it is the perfect time to divide clumps of NW native perennials that have grown quite large.

Funny thing about those perennials. If you leave them to repeat and repeat themselves, as is their wont, they will very often outgrow the space in which they are planted. When that happens they tend to stop being stars and turn into little twinkles.

A sad situation for a beginning gardener, but so easily remedied! Simply water them well (to make it easy on yourself, they probably could care less), and using a sharp tool--anything from a shovel to a butcher knife--split the clump into nice sized portions. If your clump is a foot wide, cut it into three or four.

Then plop the new sections into separate pots to share or plant them someplace else in your yard. If planting elsewhere, dig a generous hole, put in a scoop of compost, water well (this is a must, not an option), settle the new division firmly and backfill with the dirt that came out of the hole. Water again (also not an option) and snuggle up some mulch to help retain the water.

Don't forget to give the same care to the remaining section of the original. Though the roots are well grounded, the disturbing event of loosing a big part of yourself is a bit of a shock. Surround your 'mother plant' with dirt, water and mulch. Hooray! Everyone is happy!

Summer Reminder

Are you watering plants that have not yet matured? If you've just planted them this year, they will need some coddling during extended periods of rainless days. By this time next year when you offer a cooling drink of water, they'll say, "No, thanks. We're reaching our own."

Until then, give them a good soak once a week or so. Even if they pretend they don't need it, do it anyway. And, if you've a mind to, say a few kind words and tell them how lovely they are.

Come see us today!

"Growing Native Plants for over 15 years!"

Questions about plants, click here: Regular email to Wally