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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (July 29, 2015)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL July 29, 2015 Extension Service recommends 10 low-water, high-impact perennials to beat the heat BY KYM POKORNY OSU Extension Service P acifi c Northwest garden- ers are faced with the pleasant dilemma of choosing from an encyclopedia-length list of perennials that grow in our friendly climate, and many of those thrive in low-water sit- uations. “This year has shined a spot- light on the need to incorporate more drought-tolerant plants in the garden,” said Gail Langel- lotto, a horticulturist with Or- egon State University’s Exten- sion Service. “I think that’s a trend that’s going to continue.” Even low-water plants need regular irrigation for the fi rst two years while roots get es- tablished, Langellotto said. Af- ter that, a good soak every two weeks, less in milder weather, is suffi cient. Before planting, consider in- stalling a drip system or soaker hoses, which direct-water most effi ciently. If using a sprinkler, Langellotto said it’s a good idea to periodically check to make sure they’re delivering the cor- rect amount of water to the proper areas. Use a rain gauge or other container to measure. “A lot of drought-tolerant plants have a double benefi t,” Langellotto said. “They’re great for water conservation but also for attracting all kinds of bees.” To get ideas of how to garden with water-wise plants, visit one of the OSU Master Gardener demonstration gardens around the state. To fi nd the closest, call a Master Gardener hotline or your county Extension offi ce. Here are Langellotto’s recom- mendations for drought-tolerant perennials: Bisphop’s hat (Epimedium): Typically, it’s diffi cult to fi nd an exciting plant for dry shade situations, but this evergreen pe- rennial fi ts the bill. The plants come in various sizes from very short ground covers to two-foot mounds. Heart-shaped leaves set off the dainty fl owers that look like tiny, upside-down bishops’ hats, hence the name. Hardy to Zone 5. Catmint (Nepeta): A plant consistently rated in the top three for attracting bees, catmint CHICKEN FRIED STEAK DINNER Cottage Grove Elks Lodge #1904 FRIDAY, AUGUST 7TH 5-7PM R G U I D E estaurant Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Veggie, Roll, Salad & Dessert $6.50 pp Public is Welcome 755 N River Rd 541-942-3554 is just as beloved by people. And why not? This free-bloom- ing beauty cranks out lavender- blue fl owers on upright, two- foot stems from spring until fall. Hardy to Zone 4. Hellebore (Helleborus): A good candidate for the diffi cult situation of dry shade, though this evergreen perennial will also enjoy some morning sun. Even before the snowdrops of spring, hellebores put forth their fl owers. The blooms traditional- ly were greenish-white, but now come in purple, rose, yellow, some lined, spotted or speckled with darker colors. Most recent- ly doubles have hit the market. Hardy to Zone 6. Hummingbird mint (Agastache): Flowers climb up spires that average anywhere from 18 inches to three feet and appear summer to frost. Deer are usually uninterested in the fragrant foliage, but pollinators and hummingbirds can’t resist the fl owers that come in an im- pressive array of colors, includ- ing lavender, pink, rose, orange and white. Hardy to Zone 5. Oregano ‘Kent Beauty’ (Origanum): A great choice for cascading over a wall or in a pot, this ornamental oregano takes full, hot sun with aplomb. White blooms tinged with purple look like rose-and-cream hop fl ow- ers on a silvery blue plant that only gets 6 inches tall. Hardy to Zone 4. Penstemon hybrids: Draw hummingbirds and the admira- tion of visitors with the showy, long-blooming fl owers of this semi-evergreen perennial that grows to two to four feet tall. Hummingbirds and bees cannot pass up the spikes of blooms in shades of purple, red and pink, often with white throats. Needs very good drainage. Most hardy to Zone 7. Pineapple sage (Salvia el- egans): Pineapple sage comes by its name honestly with un- mistakably scented foliage. A handy plant for the pure red fl owers that bloom in late sum- mer and fall when many other perennials have fi nished and the hummingbirds that love it need some added sustenance. Grows three to four feet tall. Hardy to Zone 8. Sea holly (Eryngium am- ethystinum): If you’re looking for drama in the garden, try this perennial with spiky, thistle- like, ice blue fl owers that stand up to about twp feet. Deer tend to stay away from sea holly, which pairs well with small or- namental grasses. Great as a cut fl ower. Hardy to Zone 3. Stonecrop (Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’): A stalwart, fall-blooming perennial with dense, dome- shaped clusters of fl owers that start out pink, darken to rose and then to russet red. Succulent foliage grows about two feet tall and wide. Attracts bees and but- terfl ies. Yarrow (Achillea millefo- lium): Disc-shaped white fl ow- ers from June to September are like runways for bees and but- terfl ies that land on a regular basis. Soft, ferny foliage grows two feet tall by two feet wide. Hybrids are available mostly commonly in yellow and pink. Summer Reading Program highlights heroes photo by Bruce Kelsh Braxton Robinson recently attended one of the Cottage Grove Library’s Summer Reading Special Guests programs on Wednesday, July 22. This program featured Lane County Search and Rescue Explorers, and Robinson is shown here getting to talk over the radio to the group in the background. The groups practiced using the radios to communi- cate coordinates to each other, just like the Search and Rescue teams need to do when they are out on a search. The library is featuring different “heroes” each Wednesday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. during the sum- mer. The theme for Summer Reading this year is “Every Hero Has a Story”. Today, July 29, Lane County Search and Rescue is returning with its Dog Search group. DAILY BLOODY LUNCH MARY BAR & DINNER SIUNDAYS • 12-8PM S L A I C E P S NEW HAPPY HOUR FOOD MENU 3-7PM EL TAPATIO (541) 767-0457 Mexican Restaurant & Cantina “The little blue box with the food that rocks” “Th e best in American comfort food.” Burgers, Philly Cheese Steaks, Salads, Fish & Chips, Jumbo Prawns, Soups, Chicken Breast Burgers, Chicken Strip Baskets, Tots, Fries and lots more! Mangiano’s Pizzeria Homemade Pizza ~ Lasagna ~ Spaghetti Everything made from scratch! Call ahead for ready-to-go pick-up orders Tues-Sat open till late Corner of 6th and Washington 541-968-1134 Check out our facebook page! TWO ONE TIME SALAD BARS & LARGE ONE TOPPING PIZZA $25.00 NEW MENU!! WE DELIVER! Starting at 5 p.m. Closed Sunday & Monday open Tue-Thur 11am-8pm Friday & Saturday 11am-9pm Salad Bar & Fun Lottery Room 2915 Row River Rd • 541-942-5432 Open Daily for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun-Thurs 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. Fri. & Sat. Daily Specials 20% OFF for Active Military & Vets Tuesday Night is Senior Night 4pm-8pm Hot-N-Ready Lunch Combo 11am-2pm EVERYDAY! only $ 5 00 CARRY OUT ONLY PLUS TAX Pizza • Salads • Chicken Wings 1590 Gateway Blvd. • Cottage Grove • 541-942-7144 9A
