Polk County Living
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 15, 2016 9A
New plants grab gardener’s attention
Though not strutting the
runway or preening in front
of mirrors, plants make a
splash every year just like
the latest fashions.
And like clothes, plants
need cache to capture the
audience. Sometimes popu-
larity comes with a new trait
like color, size or shape.
Sometimes it’s a plant much
of the public has never
heard of before, like this
year’s entry, an herb from
New Guinea with edible
leaves that taste like mush-
rooms.
“People like what’s new or
different,” said Claudia
Groth, an Oregon State Uni-
versity Extension Service
master gardener for more
than 25 years. “It’s the
human condition. We want
what’s trending.”
Plant buyers at garden
centers make educated
choices as they cruise nurs-
ery tradeshows, chat with
salespeople and generally
get a bead on new introduc-
tions or unusual plants
about to hit the market.
With hundreds of varieties
to choose from, marking up
the order sheet can be a
gamble, said Groth, who
staffs the information desk
at Portland Nursery.
“Trends come and go, but
if you’re familiar with the
market and keep up with
those trends, you usually
know what people are look-
ing for,” she said.
Sometimes it’s pretty easy,
like Weigela “Tuxedo,” a
shorter, extremely dark-
leafed version of its
brethren, or “Pretty in Pink”
hebe, again a smaller shrub
Grove
K YM
P OKORNY
Espn Nicholas Troy Grove was born to Ashley Lantis
and Bandy Grove, of Dallas, at 3:38 a.m. on June 2 at
Salem Family Birth Center.
He weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces and was 20 and ¾
inches long.
Espn joins Destiny, 6, and Urijah, 4.
Grandparents are Lesa Neal, Owen Neal, Kenny Lantis,
Tonya Grove and Richard Grove.
Your
Garden
with burgundy-tipped new
growth and pink flowers.
Both enjoyed a horde of
media attention and turned
into extremely good sellers.
It all starts in the breed-
ers’ minds. If they produce a
plant that grabs the indus-
try’s eye, gardeners will open
their wallets and buy.
“Breeders are in charge,”
Groth said. “If they do the
marketing right, they can re-
ally push something.”
So far this year, gardeners
like the color purple, unusu-
al vegetables and the con-
tinuing theme of smaller
plants for smaller spaces.
Here are six plants Groth
choose that are showing
popularity this season:
Verbena “Lascar Black Vel-
vet”: A compact, mounding
verbena that’s ideal for con-
tainers and hanging baskets,
especially mixed with white
or intense pink. “I can’t be-
lieve how deep purple it is,”
Groth said. “It sits on the in-
formation desk and all day
long people stare at it.”
Petunia “Night Sky”: An-
other entry into the purple
realm, “Night Sky” will grab
you with distinctive white
sprinkles across dark purple
petals. “This introduction is
like no other petunia,” Groth
said. “It’s amazing.” The 10-
to 13-inch plants are good
additions to containers,
window boxes or massed at
Perez
Daisy Juanita Perez was born to Kodi Tull and Armando
Perez, of Independence, on June 2 at the Salem Family
Birth Center.
She weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces.
Grandparents are Armando Perez and San Juanita, both
of Independence.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
PHOTO By CORINA REyNOLDS STEARNS
The intensely purple flowers of Verbena ‘Lascar Black
Velvet’ draw stares.
the front of flower beds.
Hosta ‘Mini Skirt’ and
Hosta “Lakeside Paisley
Print”: There’s no question,
hostas are hot. And these
two have the added benefit
of small size going for them.
“Mini Skirt” is a mere 5- to
7-inches high, while ‘Paisley
Print’ grows to 12 inches.
“Mini Skirt” boasts bluish-
green leaves with a creamy
edge. The shiny green fo-
liage of “Paisley Print” draws
attention to itself with
creamy white centers that
feather out into wavy green
margins. Both are fantastic
for smaller gardens and con-
tainers.
Mashua ( Tropaeolum
tuberosum): A nasturtium
from the Andes, mashua
grows edible tubers rich in
vitamin C that can be eaten
raw, but are usually cooked
like a potato and have a fla-
vor comparable to turnips.
Similar to common nastur-
tium, the plant is vining and
can grow up to 8 feet on a
structure. The orange or or-
ange-and-yellow flowers are
trumpet shaped and also
edible. “It’s highly decora-
tive,” Groth said.
Mushroom plant (Rungia
klossi): Certainly the most
unusual of this year’s unveil-
ings, the mushroom plant is
a perennial herb from New
Guinea packed with vitamin
C and beta-carotene. The
crisp, bright green, mush-
room-flavored leaves go raw
into salads or sandwiches or
can be added to soups and
stir fries. It likes shade in the
garden, according to Groth,
or can be kept indoors.
MI TOWN
I’d like to apologize to Dr.
Rob Winningham for mis-
spelling his first name in
last week’s MI Town story
about the Monmouth Sen-
ior Center. Mea culpa, mea
maxima culpa and sorry
about that, Dr. Winning-
ham. My high school and
college journalism teachers
are no doubt shaking their
angel heads in dismay for
this inexcusable faux pas.
—
We’re knee deep in sum-
mer, with high school and
college graduations in the
rearview mirror. The streets
and roads in MI Town have
been alive with U-Haul
trucks, parents loading up
cars, and students heading
back home for the summer.
We’ll miss our student resi-
dents who bring lots of
youthful enthusiasm, laugh-
ter and energy to our com-
munities, and say goodbye
to those who are graduating
P ATTY
T AYLOR
D UTCHER
Columnist
and heading off in different
directions – to jobs, gradu-
ate school, the military and
to their futures, which we
hope will be bright.
—
Both of our excellent li-
braries have so many things
to offer for summertime
fun. Independence Library’s
summer reading program
began Friday and readers of
all ages are encouraged to
sign up as soon as possible.
The Mystery Book Club is in
full swing, and next month’s
book selection is “The
Sweetness at the Bottom of
the Pie,” by Alan Bradley.
For more information on ei-
ther or both programs,
please check the library’s
web page or call 503-838-
1811.
—
The Monmouth Library’s
summer reading program
began Tuesday, and volun-
teers will be signing up
readers of all ages all week
long. Readers are welcome
to sign up anytime the li-
brary is open. If you have
any questions, please call
the library at 503-838-1932.
And while we’re on the
subject — don’t forget that
Wednesday evening is Fam-
ily Literacy Night at Burg-
erville. Families are encour-
aged to bring their children
for free books, free ice
cream cones for children,
$2 off kids’ meals, and an
opportunity to enjoy a fun
evening. The hours are from
5:30 to 7 p.m. This out-
standing program is spon-
sored by Independence and
A RLENE
K OVASH
Columnist
River by Pedee Church pas-
tor Daniel Russell, as several
church members witnessed
this special event. Anna par-
ticipated in Dallas High
School’s graduation ceremo-
ny, and then Sunday the
church had a reception for
her as she will be going
home to Koblenz this week.
She was a delight, and the
community will miss her
greatly.
—
News to me, but one of
Daniel Russell’s hobbies is
free diving, which is diving
with a wetsuit but no oxygen
tanks, so short dives, obvi-
ously. He and friend Lau-
rence Rogers, of Monmouth,
went to Newport on Thurs-
day and dove off the South
Jetty with their spearguns to
catch fish. Daniel only got
two perch, though.
—
Nic and Cassandra Heller
had a party for family and
friends at their house on a
very warm Saturday after-
noon, June 4, to announce
their baby girl’s name, which
will be Mercy Rae. They
served hamburgers to the
guests, who brought gifts for
baby and family. Cassandra’s
parents, Paul and Polly
Ramos, came from Omaha,
Neb., for the event.
—
My daughter Suzanne
Burbank and I hosted a
shower (really, a “sprinkle”
of small gifts) for her son
De re k’s f i a n c é , A s h l e y
Grucza, the next day, June 5.
We invited relatives and old
family friends for lunch and
to bring her either their fa-
vorite cleaning product or
kitchen utensil. Since we
had them tell about the
Continued from page 8A
—
TUESDAY, JUNE 21
• Dallas Wingdingers RC Flying Club — 7 p.m., 1833 SE
Miller Ave., Dallas.. 503-623-7288.
• Polk County Coin Club — 7 p.m., Monmouth Senior Cen-
ter, 180 S. Warren St., Monmouth. 503-362-9123.
• Overeaters Anonymous — Noon to 1 p.m., Salem Health
West Valley, 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. Support group meets
in the conference room immediately inside the front doors.
—
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22
• Helping Hands Emergency Food Bank — 10 a.m. to noon,
Monmouth Christian Church, 959 Church St. W., Monmouth.
For eligible community members; available every Wednesday.
541-404-6517.
• Willamette Valley Food Assistance Program Food Bank
— 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., 888 Monmouth Cutoff Road, Building E,
Dallas. Weekly distribution for eligible community members.
503-831-5634.
• Painting, Canvas and Cocktails — 7 p.m., The Boondocks,
318 N. Main St., Falls City. All supplies, paint, canvas and instruc-
tion provided. No experience necessary. $30, snack and cocktail
included. 503-787-2700.
• Brew and BS: The Old Testament — 7 p.m., St. Thomas
Episcopal Church, 1486 SW Levens St., Dallas. A lecture series
on the Old Testament. Bring brew of choice — coffee, tea, chai,
beer, wine, cider. 435-503-4304.
10am - 3pm
Mo n m o u t h P u b l i c L i -
braries, Mid-Valley Parent-
ing, and Western Oregon
University.
—
We’re looking ahead to
yet another summer of out-
standing outdoor programs
at MI Town’s amphitheaters.
Get your picnic blanket and
basket together so you’re
ready for the first free out-
door movie in Independ-
ence on July 1, when “Juras-
sic World” will be playing.
Movies are free and begin at
9:30 p.m. Check the website
for details on more movies
during the summer.
—
Monmouth’s new am-
phitheater’s summer con-
certs begin on July 6 with
The Ben Rice Blues Band.
The music begins at 6:30
p.m., but everyone is invited
to bring picnic baskets and
enjoy an evening with
friends and family.
PEDEE NEWS
The Luckiamute Valley
Charter School in Pedee
graduated 15 students from
the eighth grade this year:
Enrique Berumen, Tristan
Creekmore,
Seth
Ellingsworth, Callum Fran-
cis, Taylor Hill, Colene
Kadell, Eric Myers, Robert
Phillips, Kyle Reed, Corbin
Sedlacek, Daniel Torres, Sa-
vannan Trujillo, Thalia Vil-
larreal, Michael Simmons,
and
Christopher
Seiber. Graduation was after
school on June 8 and fea-
tured a slide show of the
kids and their activities
through the years at the
s c h o o l . T h e c e re m o n y
was followed by a barbecue
potluck for everyone, then
the kids took lead teacher
Steve Diehl to Independ-
ence to see “Captain Ameri-
ca: Civil War.”
Last Thursday Linda
North and the Norths’ ex-
change student from Ger-
many, Anna Tieftrunk, were
baptized in the Luckiamute
BIRTHS
182 Academy St, Dallas 503-623-2564
• Family Building Blocks will
be there providing kids activities.
• Cash & Company playing music
from 11am to 1pm.
20+ vendors with new ones
coming in each week!
Facebook.com/bountymarket
http://www.exploredallasoregon.org/bounty-market.html
Matinees are all shows
before 6pm. New pricing for
matinees are: Adult $7.25
Children $6.75 • Senior $7.00
Pricing does not reflect
3D showings.
Friday - Wednesday June 17 - June 22
JUNGLE BOOK (Digital) (PG)
(12:00 2:30)
ME BEFORE YOU (Digital) (PG13)
(4:55)
NOW YOU SEE ME 2 (Digital) (PG13)
(1:15 4:15)
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE (PG13)
(11:25 2:00 4:40)
FINDING DORY (Digital) (PG)
(11:30 2:00 4:30)
FINDING DORY (Digital) (PG)
(1:30 4:00)
XMEN: APOCALYPSE (Digital) (PG13)
THE CONJURING 2 (Digital) (R)
(12:50 3:50)
ALICE THROUGH THE
LOOKING GLASS (Digital) (PG)
(11:30 4:45)
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES:
OUT OF THE SHADOWS (Digital) (PG13)
(2:05)
WARCRAFT (Digital) (PG13)
(1:20 4:10)
7:25
7:10
7:20
7:00
6:30
9:55
10:05
10:00
9:30
9:00
6:50 9:40
7:15 9:50
7:05 9:55
Thursday June 23
item, we all learned a lot
from each other in the
process. She got everything
from parchment paper and
gardening tools to a bottle of
ammonia. Very fun! Ashley’s
mother, Tina Grucza, of
Turner, and grandmother,
Gloria Tiefenthaler, of Mari-
on, were there, as well as
friends of Suzanne’s and
mine.
—
Immediately after the
shower, I left for Portland to
catch a plane to go to Amer-
ican Agri-Women’s (AAW)
“Fly-In” to Washington, D.C.,
where we take our concerns
to our congressional dele-
gates and agencies like the
Environmental Protection
Agency and Department of
Agriculture. This year, I am
secretary of this national or-
ganization, so got to sit in on
some special meetings as
well. Don’t think I’ll do the
red-eye flight again, though,
as I’m no good without
sleep.
JUNGLE BOOK (Digital) (PG)
(12:00 2:30)
ME BEFORE YOU (Digital) (PG13)
(4:55)
NOW YOU SEE ME 2 (Digital) (PG13)
(1:15 4:15)
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE (PG13)
(11:25 2:00 4:40)
FINDING DORY (Digital) (PG)
(11:30 2:00 4:30)
FINDING DORY (Digital) (PG)
(1:30 4:00)
INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE (Digital) (PG13)
THE CONJURING 2 (Digital) (R)
(12:50 3:50)
ALICE THROUGH THE
LOOKING GLASS (Digital) (PG)
(11:30 4:45)
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES:
OUT OF THE SHADOWS (Digital) (PG13)
(2:05)
THE SHALLOWS (Digital) (PG13)
WARCRAFT (Digital) (PG13)
(1:20 4:10)
7:25
7:10
7:20
7:00
9:55
10:05
10:00
9:30
7:00 9:45
6:50 9:40
7:15 9:25
7:05 9:55
2016 Spring
PEP Talks Series
Stand Out, Get Noticed, See Results
Tuesday, June 21
• Know How to Work a Room
• Pitch Your Business Efficiently
• Engage Others Effectively
Presented by:
Jeremy McKern,
Tunnel Radio
• 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Henry Hill Education
Support Center
750 S 5th St.,
Independence
• Cost per workshop:
$15 - MICC Members
$20 - Non-Members
Includes lunch
from Arena Sports
Bar & Grill
• Register: www.micc-or.org or 503-838-4268
Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce
and Visitors Center