It’s
the beginning of December and the snow is starting to fall as I sit writing the
blog for this week. Frankly it’s about time. There’s something incredibly
relaxing about watching the snow fall. As much as I would love to dive into
talking about snow, I must save it until a little later in the winter. It’s the
beginning of the month and therefore time to return to the topic of our Native
Plant Sale and talk about four more plants we’re offering.
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Quaking Aspenn |
Quaking
aspen (Populus tremuloides) is the
second deciduous tree that we’re offering this year. Its range includes all of
Canada, most of the United States except for the Southeast, and down into
Mexico. Quaking aspen prefers to grow in soils that stay moist most of the
year. It can grow in some areas with less moisture, but will not reach the same
growth potential. The trees can reach up to 90 feet in height with adequate
moisture, but will often remain under 40 feet, especially in drier sites. The
tree gets its name from the way the leaves move in the wind. The stem shape of
the leaves causes them to “quake” in even a light breeze. The leaves are a very
pleasing green color through spring and summer, and in fall they turn a brilliant
yellow. Aspens stabilize well, but sprouts will grow off of the roots.
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Mock Orange |
Mock
orange (Philadelphus lewisii) is
another one of the eight shrubs offered for sale this year. The range of mock
orange includes Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, California, British
Columbia, and Alberta. It prefers well-drained, moist soils. It can be found in
areas ranging from riparian to open or forested lowlands to rocky upland sites.
It reaches heights ranging from six to ten feet with a spread of roughly six
feet. Mock orange flowers anywhere from May to June. The blooms are white and give
off a sweet smell making this shrub quite pleasant to have nearby when in
bloom. This shrub is very useful for soil stabilization.
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Snowberry |
Snowberry
(Symphoricarpos albus) is the fourth
out of eight shrubs offered this year. The range of snowberry includes the
coastal mountains of the west coast, north into British Columbia, and east over
to New England. It can grow in sun or shade, and in a variety of soil types
including stream banks, moist clearings, and open forests. It grows from three
to eight feet tall with an approximately equal spread. The flowers are white to
pinkish. The berries are white during the summer and change to a darker color
as they ripen. The berries are considered to be poisonous, so don’t eat them.
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Woods Rose |
Woods
rose (Rosa woodsii) is the fifth of
eight shrubs for sale this year. This rose has a range that covers western
North America as far north as Alaska, south into Mexico, and east to Iowa and
other Midwest states. It can grow in sunny or moderately shady sites. It is
adapted to a range of moisture levels on site from riparian zones to dry grassy
slopes. However, it grows best in moist, well-drained soils and on sites that
are open. It grows roughly six to eight feet tall with an approximately equal
spread. The flowers are various shades of pink and it blooms anywhere from
May-July. Woods rose is useful for erosion control due to its rhizomatous root
system that spreads out and helps stabilize the soil.
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