I was working in the garden this week and spotted the shadow of the Monarda didyma “Jacob Cline” (bee balm) and its reflection in the water of the bird bath.
Stephanie Stewart
A No-Water No-Mow Lawn?
I’m all in favor of getting rid of lawns when it comes to my garden. The only grass left in my landscape is the 4-5′ wide x 100′ long parking strip on the south side. My husband mows it and … Continue reading →
Cooking, Kitchens, Relationships and Feng Shui
There are some interesting historical correlations between kitchen design, feminism, women in the work force and the divorce rate in the United States The decline of the so called “nuclear family” and “home cooking” follow the same timeline as the … Continue reading →
Tall Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
Flower buds of Oregon grape or Mahonia aquifolia
One of the stars in the Pacific Northwest garden in the month of March is Tall Oregon Grape, also known as Mahonia aquifolium. This super hardy evergreen will thrive almost anywhere you put it. It tolerates wet or dry soil, sun or shade, but prefers shade to semi-shade.
Tall Oregon grape can grow as high as 10 feet and can be used as a hedge. The thorny, stiff and leathery leaves will deter those dog and cat “visitors”. In a shady location it tends to be thinner and leggy so pruning is a must if you want a thicket. It could be used as an alternative to bamboo.
Oregon grape in bloom
The yellow flowers that attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are followed by bitter blue fruit which will attract other birds.
Grapes with spider web
The leaves will turn a reddish color in the fall.
There is also a dwarf variety called Mahonia nervosa.