Plant of the Month (July) : Plains (Dyer’s) Coreopsis – Coreopsis tinctoria

 

Plains (Dyers) Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria): Great native wildflower for home gardens

Seems like one long heatwave this summer in the Western U.S.   Here on the Western Slope of Colorado, I think we’re going for the gold!  Cheerful garden flowers can soothe when the heat threatens to get you down.  And when the plants are also easy-to-grow?   That sounds like Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria). The scientific name is pronounced cor-ee-OP-sis  tinc-TOR-ee-uh.

Plains coreopsis has been given several scientific names over the years: Calliopsis bicolor; Coreopsis atkinsoniana; Coreopsis cardaminefolia; Coreopsis similis; Coreopsis stenophylla; and several named varieties of Coreopsis tinctoria. You can still see this species being sold as Calliopsis in the nursery trade.

Among the many common names given this species are Dyer’s coreopsis, Golden tickseed, Garden calliopsis, Elegant coreopsis, Good neighbors calliopsis, Cress-leaved coreopsis and Nuttall’s weed.  The name Coreopsis comes from the Greek words koris (bug) and opsis (like); the shape of the seed resembles a bug or tick. [1]   The specific name, tinctoria, refers to the plants properties as a dye plant (more below).

Plains coreopsis is native to much of the western and southern U.S. and is particularly common in the Great Plains states.  In Colorado, Coreopsis tinctoria is native to the northeastern counties. But the species is widely planted throughout the U.S. and Europe, and has naturalized in areas outside its native range. In the wild, Plains coreopsis is found in moist – often disturbed – places such as prairies, plains, meadows, pastures and roadsides.

Plains (Dyers) Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria): growth habit

Plains (Dyers) Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria): foliage

Coreopsis tinctoria is an herbaceous annual (sometimes a short-lived perennial). It grows 1-4 ft (0.3-1.3 m.) tall and 1-2 ft wide. In our experience, the plant grows taller and fuller with more water. The plants are upright with stiff stems and lacy foliage. The leaves are simple- or double-pinnate and medium green in color (above).

Plains (Dyers) Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria): flowering plant

Plants flower from summer to fall, depending on local conditions. Plants can flower for a month or more, particularly if faded blooms are dead-headed.  The flowers are compound (typical for Sunflower family), with dark maroon disc flowers (center) and ray flowers that may be yellow with a maroon dot/splotch or almost entirely maroon (above).  A single plant can have a range of flower color variants.

Plains (Dyers) Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria): close-up of flower head

The flowers face the sun, moving on their slender stalks throughout the day.  Grow Coreopsis where you can enjoy their spectacular colors, with the sun at your back. And don’t hesitate to harvest some flowers to enjoy indoors.  They make good cut-flowers and add a nice touch of color to a mixed bouquet.

Coreopsis tinctoria re-seeds nicely in many gardens, so this is an easy plant to naturalize. Just leave at least some flowers to produce seeds.  When the flowering heads are dry (about 4 weeks after flowers fade), scatter the seeds where desired.  Alternatively, you can clean the seeds and save them for planting in the spring. Rub the dried flower heads between gloved hands, releasing the small seeds.  Gently blow away the chaff, then store fully dry seeds in a sealed container in a cool place.

Plains (Dyers) Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria): emergent seedlings

Plains (Dyers) Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria): seeedlings ready to plant out

Seeds can be planted in prepared beds in spring or grown in pots indoors and then planted out. Seeds need no pre-treatment and are easy to grow. Barely cover the seeds - they need light to stimulate germination.  The photos above show seedlings at two different stages. Note that the emerging leaves are simple compared to mature leaves.

Plains coreopsis is not a fussy wildflower.  It will grow in most soils and does well in full or part-sun.  It is said to favor a wide range of soil pH – from 5 to near 8 (Mother Nature’s Montrose Garden). Young plants need good soil moisture, but taper off the water as plants become established (and particularly after they start to go to seed in later summer or fall).   In our garden it has not experienced any serious pests or diseases, although slugs or snails might be bothersome in a moister climate.   Taller plants may need support if you live in a windy area.

Plains (Dyers) Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria): pollinator

Plains (Dyers) Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria): bee pollinator

So, why grow Coreopsis tinctoria? Well, it’s an easy-to-grow annual wildflower that can be grown in small places, including in containers. Its flowers add a cheery note to any garden – large or small.  If you desire to create habitat, this is a great plant for native pollinators and birds. The flowers ‘provide nectar and pollen to a wide variety of insects, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, skippers, and beetles.' [2] We’ve noticed that some bee species seem particularly drawn to the darker flowers, while others visit the bi-color flowers (above).  And seed-eating birds will thank you for the seeds.

Plains (Dyers) Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria): dye bath

Plains (Dyers) Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria):dyed yarn

The flowers contain several chemicals used as natural dyes. Colors ranging from yellow to mahogany can be produced by altering the pH of the dyebath.  The dyes are readily released from fresh or dried flower heads. Just pour hot water over the flowers and wait an hour or so.  The red colored water can be used to dye wool or silk.  The red dye chemicals will attach first, then the yellows, so different colors can be obtained from a single dye bath.  We’ll talk more about natural dye methods in a future posting.

Coreopsis tinctoria has a medicinal tradition as well.  An infusion (tea) from the plant has been used as a tonic, and for internal pains and bleeding. Zuni women desiring a female child would also drink such an infusion. [3, 4]

Plains (Dyers) Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria): in
Mother Nature's Montrose Garden

Plains coreopsis provides cheerful summer color in the garden. It looks spectacular when massed or contrasted against green background foliage.  It’s a good filler around growing shrubs and perennials.  Some gardeners include it in a cuttings garden or herb garden. It will attract a range of pollinators if planted among your vegetables.  It is also effective when combined with native grasses and other native wildflowers for a meadow or prairie planting.  

Plains (Dyers) Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria): flowers contrast
 well with green background foliage

Seeds are readily available from many on-line seed sources. If you desire specific characteristics, you can choose from several available cultivars. But the straight species is a delight, so there’s something for everyone.  Plan to order some seeds this summer for fall planting. You’ll be the envy of your friends and neighbors next summer (and you’ll be able to share some seeds)!

Plains (Dyers) Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria): Easy-to-grow wildflower

 

For a gardening information sheet see: Gardening sheet coreopsis tinctoria (slideshare.net)

For more pictures of this plant see: Coreopsis tinctoria photo show (slideshare.net)

For plant information sheets on other Western US native plants see: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html

 

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1.       https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=277179&isprofile=0&

2.       https://illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/pl_coreopsis.htm

3.       https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=coti3

4.        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plains_coreopsis

 

 

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We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: monaturesmontrosegarden@gmail.com

Plant of the Month (June) : Mock Orange – Philadelphus lewisii

 

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii):

Long-blooming flowering shrubs are justifiably popular.  They add beauty to the landscape, while also providing nectar and pollen for the many pollinators visiting a summer garden.  One of our western favorites is the Mock Orange, Philadelphus lewisii (pronounced  fil-uh-DEL-fus  loo-ISS-ee-eye). Our Philadelphus shrubs often bloom through most of June and into July.

Philadelphus lewisii is known simply as Mock Orange or as Lewis', Gordon’s, Wild, Western, Pacific, Idaho or California Mock Orange; in some places, it’s also called  Indian arrowwood (it’s woody stems have been put to many uses, including as arrow shafts).   The genus Philadelphus was named by Linnaeus after Pharoah Ptolemy II Philadelphus. The species name honors Meriwether Lewis, Western U.S. explorer who collected the plant.

The genus Philadelphus contains approximately 60 species native to North and Central America, Asia, and southeastern Europe; about 27 Philadelphus species are native to North America. [1]    Only one species, Philadelphus microphyllus (Littleleaf Mock Orange), is native to Colorado.  Other Western Colorado genera in Hydrangeaceae (the Hydrangea Family, to which Philadelphus belongs) are Fendlera, Fendlerella and Jamesia. [2]  

 

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): in nature

Philadelphus lewisii is native to northwestern United States and southern Canada.  It occurs from extreme southern British Columbia south to California, and east to north and central Idaho, western Montana, and southwestern Alberta. [3]  In its native range it commonly occurs in open coniferous forests and forest edges, usually associated with other shrubs.  It is found in a range of plant communities, often along stream sides and moist open woodlands; it can also grow on dry, rocky hillsides, in pine forests and in sagebrush deserts.   Fortunately for gardeners, it also does well in gardens across the west and beyond.

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): growth habit

Mock Orange is a multi-stemmed, winter-deciduous shrub. It commonly grows 4-6 ft [ m] tall and wide, although some plants grow to 10 or more ft. tall.  The growth habit is usually mounding to vase-shaped, though plants may be loosely sprawling or arching.  The growth pattern and flowering characteristics are quite variable between plants and locations. Growth rate ranges from moderate to fast.

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): foliage

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): fall color

The leaves of Mock Orange are oval, opposite and may have serrated edges. Leaves start out light green in spring, becoming medium green in summer. Leaves usually turn yellow in fall. The bark of twigs and young branches is reddish-brown, becoming gray and flaking with age.  When not in bloom, the plant is a pleasant green shrub that makes a good backdrop for showier species.

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): flowering plant

But when Philadelphus lewisii blooms, the shrub becomes spectacular!   A mature plant can be covered with hundreds – even thousands – of blooms.  The flowers grow in clusters along a flowering stem. Individual flowers are up to 1 ½ inches across and pure white. The flowers are heavily scented with an aroma similar to that of orange blossoms (hence the common name of Mock Orange). Flowers are pollinated primarily be bees, though butterflies also visit the flowers.

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): close-up of flower

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): green sepals

Plants bloom from late spring into early summer – as long as a month or more in our part of Western Colorado. Flowers have four (sometime five) petals and numerous yellow stamens.  The green sepals remain after the petals fall – an interesting look in its own right (above). The fruit is a small hard capsule (a centimeter long) with woody wings, containing many brown seeds.  New plants can be started from seeds scattered in fall, or pre-treated (cold-moist treatment for 2-3 months) and planted in spring.

[capsule and seeds – coming soon]

Mock Orange is an adaptable plant in the garden. It can thrive in a wide range of soil textures, with pH from 5.0-8.0. It is quite hardy and can be planted from USDA Zone 3 to 9 (most Sunset Zones).  It is fine in full sun to part-shade (morning sun) and fairly drought tolerant once established.  In hot, dry gardens of Western Colorado it does best with a weekly deep irrigation during the summer months.

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): does well in part-shade, particularly
 in hot gardens

Mock Oranges benefit from some yearly pruning. Like Lilacs, yearly removal of the oldest ¼ to 1/3 of branches helps renew the plant and promote abundant blooms. Old, neglected plants can be coppiced (cut back almost to the ground) to renew them.  Just be careful using herbicidal sprays around Mock Oranges; they are very sensitive to such chemicals. 

 

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): in hedgerow with mint groundcover.
 Mother Nature's Montrose Garden. 

Philadelphus lewisii is an excellent choice for a medium to large shrub.  It is attractive from the time of bud-break until it loses its last leaves in fall.  It makes a nice screen plant and an attractive addition to a mixed hedgerow.  It can be successfully used for erosion control, including along streams and slopes.   It is equally at home in a natural or woodland garden as it is in a more formally manicured design.  Shrubs are effective both as specimen plants or to provide a background for other shrubs or flowering plants.

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): in garden.

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.
Claremont, California

Of course, the flowers - with their fragrance and long season - have made Mock Orange a popular garden shrub since first introduced into English gardens in 1825. In fact, this shrub has an old-fashioned appearance; it would look right at home in a Victorian or Edwardian-themed garden.  And one can’t ignore the habitat value of Mock Orange. It supports pollinators from native bees to butterflies. The seeds are eaten by many birds including grosbeaks, juncos, thrushes, bluebirds, flickers, quail, chickadees and finches. [4]

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): nectaring Lady Butterfly

Mock Orange also has several traditional human uses.  The flowers can be used to prepare perfumes and teas.  Dried, powdered leaves were traditionally mixed with oils and applied to sores and swollen joints.  Leaves and flowers contain a high concentration of saponins. They can be used as a gentle soap or shampoo. Just whisk bruised plant materials in water; or wet your hands and rub the plant materials between your hands to create a lather.

The hard wood has traditionally been used to make bows, arrows, combs, tobacco pipes, cradles, netting shuttles – even knitting needles!   Stems were also used in coiled basketry.

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): four year old 'Blizzard'

A number of cultivars of Mock Orange are available from nurseries. In fact, the cultivars are likely more readily available than the straight species.  In Mother Nature’s Montrose Garden we grow both ‘Blizzard’ and ‘Cheyenne’.  ‘Blizzard’, which comes from Canada, is very hardy and more compact (5-6 ft. tall and wide) than some cultivars. ‘Cheyenne’, from Wyoming, grows to 6-9 ft. tall and is known for its sweetly scented flowers.

Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): three year old 'Cheyenne'

The cultivar ‘Covelo’ has very dense foliage (good for hedge or screen) while ‘Goose Creek’ and ‘Marjorie Schmidt’ (both from N. California) have double flowers.  ‘Mount Tahoma’ has variegated leaves and ‘Snow Velvet’ has large,  2 inch flowers on an 8-9 ft. plant.  ‘Waterton’ is known for its drought tolerance.

In summary, Mock Orange is a favorite shrub for many reasons. While not native to Colorado, it grows in neighboring states and does very well in gardens of the Four Corners states.  It’s a nice-looking shrub most of the year. And when in bloom it is a show-stopper.  This is one of those old-time favorites that looks good in most types of gardens, from formal to very informal.  It has a wonderful scent and provides good habitat value for its size. If you’re looking for a medium to large shrub, take a closer look at Philadelphus lewisii and its cultivars.  You may decide that Mock Orange is just what your garden needs.

 

For a gardening information sheet see: 

For more pictures of this plant see: 

For plant information sheets on other native plants see: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html

 

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1.        http://nativeplantspnw.com/lewis-mock-orange-philadelphus-lewisii/

2.       Weber, WA and Wittmann, RC. Colorado Flora, Western Slope (4^th ed). 2012, University Press of Colorado, Boulder, CO.

3.        https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/philew/all.html

4.        https://www.plantoregon.com/product.asp?specific=2264

 

 

 

 

We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: monaturesmontrosegarden@gmail.com

Gardening Tip: Purchasing Native Shrubs – What Pot Size is Best?

 

Tips on choosing the optimal pot size for native shrub purchase.

Late Spring and early Fall are good times to plant native shrubs in Western Colorado and parts of the Four Corners states. For more on planting native plants see: https://mothernaturesmontrosegarden.blogspot.com/2020/09/gardening-tip-september-is-planting.html.  Shrubs are often offered in different size options; one-, two-, five- and ten-gallon are common pot sizes. Given the choice, what is the best size to purchase?

It might seem that buying a larger shrub would be the best option. Many landscapers like to use large size trees and shrubs because they ‘look settled’ from the time of planting. You might also surmise that a larger shrub would reach full size more quickly than a smaller version of the same species.  But with native shrubs, the obvious answer is not always the best one.

Consider a ten gallon (or even larger) native shrub or tree. To get to size, the shrub has likely grown in the nursery for at least two years – sometimes much longer.  That means it has gotten used to nursery conditions: optimal sun and water, nice potting soil and judicious doses of fertilizer.  In short, the nursery-grown shrub has lived a nice life - up to now.  

What a shock when that shrub must suddenly cope with the conditions in your garden! Not that your garden isn’t a nice place. But it just isn’t the same as the nursery. The longer a shrub lives in the nursery, the more difficult the adjustment can be.  So, a smaller plant, with less time in the nursery, will likely have an easier time adjusting to your garden.  

Just like with pets, it’s easier to adopt a youngster than the alternative.  Studies done with native shrubs – and our own experience – suggest that a one-gallon shrub has a better chance of survival in the garden. Young plants are simply more adaptable. In fact, after several years, the one-gallon plant will often be healthier – even larger – than a five- or ten-gallon plant planted at the same time.

Another problem with larger size shrubs is that their roots may have become pot-bound (circle around inside the pot because they have nowhere else to grow). The roots of all native plants should be loosened just prior to planting.  But shrubs that are seriously pot-bound often have a harder time growing out into surrounding soil. In fact, some never do at all – and subsequently die from lack of water and nutrients.

In summary, native shrubs and trees in the one-gallon size provide the best compromise between too small and too large – or, put another way, too short or too long in the nursery.  One gallon plants also are less expensive and easier to take home!

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We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: monaturesmontrosegarden@gmail.com

 

Plant of the Month (May) : Western Serviceberry / Juneberry – Amelanchier alnifolia

 

Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia): blooming in May

By May, many shrubs are starting to bloom in Mother Nature’s Montrose Garden.  The flowers are attracting a number of native bees as well as the European Honeybees raised by our neighbor.  One of our favorite native shrubs is the Western serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia. The scientific name is pronounced: am-el-AN-kee-er  all-nih-FOE-lee-uh.

There are eighteen species of Amelachier worldwide.  Of these, fourteen are native to North America, with individual species tending to occur in either the Eastern or Western parts of the U.S. Amelanchier alnifolia is native from Alaska and Western Canada south to California, Arizona and New Mexico. In much of its range it grows in open coniferous and mixed evergreen forests, in areas with at least 14 inches annual precipitation. [1]  

In Colorado, Western Serviceberry is native to nearly all of the western and central counties, growing at elevations from 4500 to 11,000 ft. It is a common constituent of Aspen and Pinyon-Juniper communities, often growing on dry hillsides or in canyons, but sometimes in the dappled shade of trees. You have likely seen it in the wild, perhaps not recognizing it when it’s not in bloom (below).

Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia):Western CO

Amelanchier alnifolia is known by several common names, including Saskatoon serviceberry, Pacific Serviceberry, Juneberry, Shadbush, Alder-leaved Serviceberry and Shadblow. The names Serviceberry and Juneberry reflect the timing of the flowering, often in June, at a time when the ground was soft enough to allow burial services. The name Shadblow appears to reference flowering at the time of the spring Shad fish run. [2]

Western serviceberry is a large woody shrub in the Rose family (Rosaceae).  It can reach a height of twenty – even thirty - feet (6+ meters), but is more often in the 6-12 ft. range. A mature plant can have a spread of 6-10 ft. (2-3 meters).  It is a fairly slow-growing shrub that often is long-lived, both in the wilds and in gardens. That makes is a good choice for the home garden – as long as you are patient!

Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia): mature shape

Amelanchier alnifolia most commonly grows as an upright shrub, although it becomes more tree-like in favorable conditions. It becomes wider and denser with the years, adding new stems at its base. Some plants even sucker.  Its mature shape is rounded and quite attractive (above). The bark is smooth and gray or reddish-brown (young twigs).

Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia):foliage

Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia): fall color

The leaves are alternate, round or oval, with partially serrate edges and prominent veins (above). Leaves are a dull green during spring and summer, turning to red, orange or yellow with cold fall weather. Leaves are deciduous in winter. Budbreak occurs in late April or early May, at least in our garden at 6000 ft. elevation.

Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia): cluster of flowers

The flowers of all species of Amelanchier are pretty, one reason these are favored garden shrubs in Europe and North America.  As seen above, the flowers of Western Serviceberry are white and grow in compact clusters.  The flowers are sweetly scented and attract a range of insect pollinators, including butterflies.  The flowers appear anytime from May to June and flowering may last up to a month.

Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia): flowers (close-up)

The flowers have five, strap-like petals and both male and female parts (a ‘perfect’ flower).  In the photo above you can see the male anthers (brown colored) and the female stigmas (look closely – they are yellow).  In a good year, a mature plant many be covered in thousands of flowers.

Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia): developing fruit

Pollinated flowers develop into edible fruits. As seen above, the fruits begin green and mature through pink stages to a ripe dark purple.  The mature fruits look somewhat like blueberries, and are as edible (below).  Fruits are small (1/4 to 1/2 inch) and ripen from early to midsummer. They taste most like blueberries, perhaps with a hint of apple.  Fruits can be eaten raw – but not to overdo, as the seeds and foliage contain cyanide-like toxins.  These toxins are destroyed by heating and/or drying.

Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia): mature fruits

Serviceberries are widely used for pies, jellies, jams, sauces and baked goods.  They can be dried and used like raisins or made into fruit leather; they also freeze well. In fact, they can be used – fresh or dried – in any recipe that calls for blueberries. We like making a flavored syrup which can be used on pancakes, desserts or to flavor sparkling water.  The fruits can also be used to make wines and cordials.  Traditionally, various parts of the plant were used in herbal medicine.  The hard wood was also used for tool handles and the young stems for basket rims and handles.

Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia): growing in shade
of Gambel Oak.

 

Western Serviceberry is fairly easy to grow in USDA Zones 4-9 – if you have the right conditions.  A well-drained soil is a must: no heavy clays, but any other soil texture is possible. It prefers a soil pH between 5.0 and 7.0, but does fine in Mother Nature’s Montrose Garden with a pH close to 8.0.  It can be grown in full sun to part-shade (see above).

Western Serviceberry is a plant of the West, having adaptations that allow it to survive our variable (and unpredictable) precipitation. Most plants have a combination of vertical taproots and lateral roots, allowing them to take advantage of available precipitation and survive dry conditions.  That being said, Amelanchier alnifolia needs occasional deep irrigation during hot, dry conditions.  Established shrubs should be fine with 1-2 good waterings a month, even in dry, windy Western Colorado.   But it takes 2-4 years for an individual to become fully established.

Western Serviceberry benefits from an organic mulch. We use a 2-3 inch layer of leaf/clippings mulch, applied in late fall and again in spring.  Plants are usually fairly disease-free, particularly in dry climates and in gardens with good air circulation. But leaves can develop rust (plant away from junipers and other plants susceptible to rusts). 

Like most species in the Rose family, Western Serviceberry can develop fire-blight. Look for ends of twigs and branches becoming brown/black, maybe curling over a bit, or cankers seeping a cloudy liquid during the damp spring. Prune out affected branches well-below the disease and be sure to clean your pruners to avoid spreading the disease to other plants.

Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia): 5-year olf plant

Western Serviceberry makes an easy-care, large shrub in the garden. We’ve included several in our hedgerow, along with other native shrubs. A dense planting makes a good windbreak in windy areas.  Serviceberry looks good most of the year – even when dormant. And it needs little or no pruning to keep it looking tidy.  However, it can be pruned up as a small tree if desired.

Amelanchier alnifolia is a good habitat plant, providing nectar and pollen for native pollinators. Its size and density provide cover for birds and smaller animals.  Fruit-eating birds such as robins, woodpeckers, chickadees, thrushes, towhees, bluebirds, waxwings, orioles, tanagers, grosbeaks, goldfinches and others will happily compete for any leftover fruits. In fact, you may need to cover your shrub to protect some for the family!

If you like a natural, Western look for your garden, Western serviceberry is a good choice. It makes a nice background for some of our smaller silvery shrubs like the Artemisias and Saltbushes. It also highlights any summer and fall-blooming perennials and ornamental grasses.   Its neutral green color is a good foil for almost any light or bright color.

In closing, we very much like Western serviceberry as a garden shrub. It has much to recommend it over non-native large shrubs and we’re surprised it isn’t used more often in our area. Maybe you can be a gardener who changes this trend!

Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia): good choice for garden

 

For a gardening information sheet see: Gardening sheet amelanchier alnifolia (slideshare.net)

For more pictures of this plant see:

For plant information sheets on other native plants see: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html

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1.       Jepson Manual On-line: http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5249,5252,5254

2.       Native Plants 101: The Shadbush Story – Plant Talk (nybg.org)

 

 

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We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: monaturesmontrosegarden@gmail.com