Viewing comments posted by Bonehead

Introduced to the Pacific Northwest from its native England, but now often included on PNW native listings. Found in the wild west of the Cascade Mountains from Alaska to California, and also widely distributed in eastern North America. There is apparently a true PNW native hawthorne that does not have lobed leaves, which I have never run across. This variety has thick leathery lobed leaves, white stinky flowers, sharp thorns, and small purple-red fruit with large seeds. Birds eat the fruit then plant the seeds. Not on an invasive list as far as I can tell.

Native in Canada, USA (Pacific NW, NE, Central) and Mexico. Found in forest understory, often in boggy areas. Multi-season plant: red bark in winter, white flowers in spring, berries in summer, and golden red leaves in fall. Provides fruit for the birds, and browse for deer. This is a great native plant to add to your landscaping for a pop. It also makes a nice screening thicket if planted en masse.

Class C noxious weed in Washington, found along roadsides and in forests. This Asian native out-competes native understory plants and blocks water access for wildlife. Goats will eat blackberries to the ground. The berries ripen in late summer and make excellent jam, jellies, and pies. A good way to harvest is to flop a 2x8 board directly into a patch, then walk the plank, picking along the way. It is a safe and gentle astringent and may be used for diarrhea. Blackberry tea may reduce high blood pressure or reduce the sugar levels in diabetics.

Melissa means bee in Greek, and this plant is very attractive to pollinators.

Medicinal herb which may be used for menstrual pains, anemia, fatigue, anorexia, thrombosis, psoriasis, arthritis, and gland swelling. Legend claims angelica was revealed by Archangel Michael to cure the plague. This is an absolute bee-magnet when blooming. I have had good luck simply letting some of the seeds mature and shaking them around when ripe. In the early spring, it is easy to thin the new seedlings and to also limit the number of second year seedlings to maintain a steady population.

Vinegar of the Four Brigands: Finely chop 2 oz of rosemary, sage, peppermint, and angelica root. Place in large jar and steep in wine vinegar for 2 weeks. Take by spoonful internally for infectious diseases, and use the vinegar externally to disinfect and cleanse. This was used during the Black Plague.

Beautiful true blue flower, bee magnet. Self-sows freely. Dip blossoms in egg white then sugar and let dry, very pretty for cake decorations.

Native in the Pacific Northwest from British Columbia to California, mostly west of the Cascade Mountains, found in the forest understory. A much more delicate form than the sword fern. The plant has two types of fronds: sterile evergreen leaves that are often pressed to the ground, and upright fertile deciduous leaves. Leaves may be used for skin sores, and are an important winter food source for deer and elk.

Rub the leaves against one another when wet and it will squeak like a pig. Cut flower stems to the ground after bloom.

Small burgundy bells in early summer followed by shiny black berries in late summer. Used medicinally as a narcotic, antispasmodic, for tumors and inflammation. Use with extreme caution, all parts are potentially toxic. The berries in particular are attractive to young children and are not unpleasant tasting. It is said that as few as 4-5 berries can be fatal. The plant is toxic to dogs and cats, although rabbits and cattle will eat the leaves and birds eat the berries. Will self-seed and/or be seeded by birds.

Atropos was one of the three Fates holding the shears that can cut the thread of life. Belladonna refers to its ability to dilate pupils which was believed to increase attractiveness.

Let the fronds stand until ratty looking, then cut them to the ground.

Cut back ratty or brown fronds in spring. The new foliage will fill in quickly. I think this plants looks best in the fall when it is lush and thick.

Rich red leaves that hold their color all summer. Fall color is brighter red.

This is a short-lived perennial for me. It does self-sow, but those plants do not come true. They instead revert to a common 'granny bonnet' type. I love the long-spurred look and buy one or two each season to pop in here and there. After bloom, I cut them back to about 6" and occasionally will get a rebloom in late summer.

This plant struggles for me. It emerges late and is highly susceptible to slug damage. Just when I think I have lost it (again), it throws up some rather ratty looking foliage and I try to pamper it to a nice looking plant. I have never gotten a bloom from it. I've seen some gorgeous photos of it, but sadly, I think this is just not a good choice for my Pacific NW climate.

Slow to get established, but once the roots are set in, the plant will take off and climb quickly. Attaches by way of suckering rootlets (not sure of the term) so be cautious of potential damage. Prune heavily in spring to maintain shape and control of new growth. A haven for bird nesting. Large white bloom clusters in early summer against deep green leaves, which then turn a soft yellow in fall before dropping. The flower clusters persist over winter much like any other hydrangea. No disease or insect problems that I have noticed.

I have found this tomato to be mealy and tasteless. Could be my weather, may need a longer or hotter growing season than I have.

On the plus side, it really is one of the cutest little tomatoes I've ever seen - as seen by the submitted photos. Too bad about the mealy texture -- has anyone had better luck, perhaps in a different climate than mine?

Greater burdock (A. lappa) has a solid stem, lesser burdock (A. minus) is hollow. I will sometimes allow one of these to grow in my garden bed for architectural impact, but will dig it out before the burs form.

Hybrid of A. canadensis and A. laevis - larger blooms and less suckering habit. Can be left as a dense shrub or pruned to a small tree. Tolerates drought. Beautiful fall color.

Use caution when introducing this to your gardens. It is not an invasive species in the Pacific NW that I have been able to discern, and I have not had it get away from me, but be forewarned that it multiplies rapidly and robustly. That said, I find it a very nice filler - it has nice color from early emergence through fall, with yellow flowers midsummer. Blends well with other plants, and is less than a foot tall (shorter in drier regions). It is easy to pull where not wanted, which is always a saving grace for me. A tell-tale comment from a nurseryman when I commented about it to a friend was, 'You purposely planted that in your garden??' Which made me wonder why they were selling it...

Edit: it has now gotten a bit too aggressive for my liking, and I'm in the process of trying to eradicate it from a rockery area. So far, no luck. I've pulled it all clean, trying to get the roots, but it simply reclaimed the area. I'll continue to pull it, although it does lend a soft look to the boulders. I'm guessing it will be a time intensive project to slowly get rid of it all.

Another caution is its milky sap may irritate skin. I cut some back while still in bloom to discourage reseeding and ended up with a rash up both arms to my elbows. It was not terrible and went away in a few days, but others might react differently.

This is an introduced invasive species from Europe. Now widespread throughout much of North America, it spreads rapidly by stolons, and depletes potassium in the soil. It is toxic to grazing animals, who fortunately do not like its bitter taste. It loses its potency when dried, so is not a particular problem in hay. It is widespread in the Pacific Northwest, and is a 'weed of concern' - one of the lowest classifications of invasives. This is my nemesis in my flower beds, it grows everywhere and anywhere. The only saving grace is it does get a jolly yellow flower and many non-gardeners will comment on my weed-free beds which are in fact overtaken with buttercup. And as a child, I have fond memories of holding the flower below our chins to see who likes butter or not.