The Wild Garden: Hansens Northwest Native Plant Database Page 1

Its back--our Mystery Plant puzzle!

Northwest Native Plant JournalNorthwest Native Plant JournalJanuary 2009

A Monthly Web Magazine

Volume 7, Issue 1-2009

Backyard Birdland

Published by The Wild Garden: Hansens Northwest Native Plant Database

Northwest Native Plant JournalA Monthly Web Magazine

In Every IssueIn Every IssueIn Every IssueIn Every IssueIn Every IssueAbout this Journal.....................3

Garden chores to do now.........5

Mystery plant.............................7

On the cover..............................4

Sparkys corner.........................6

This n that

Notes from the editor....25

Lullaby in birdlandBackyard wildlife habitats.................8

Bird garden staplesFirst you plant an oak .....................21

The bird ladyKathleen Robson....... ....................24

Native Plant Resources

Information at your fingertips..........27

FeaturesFeaturesFeaturesFeaturesFeatures

Snowberry flowerSnowberry flowerSnowberry flowerSnowberry flowerSnowberry flower(Symphoricarpos albus var.(Symphoricarpos albus var.(Symphoricarpos albus var.(Symphoricarpos albus var.(Symphoricarpos albus var.

laevigatus)laevigatus)laevigatus)laevigatus)laevigatus)Photo by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn Onstott

Jennifer RehmJennifer RehmJennifer RehmJennifer RehmJennifer RehmEditor, author, webmaster for Editor, author, webmaster for Editor, author, webmaster for Editor, author, webmaster for Editor, author, webmaster for The Wild Garden: Hansens Northwest Native Plant DatabaseThe Wild Garden: Hansens Northwest Native Plant DatabaseThe Wild Garden: Hansens Northwest Native Plant DatabaseThe Wild Garden: Hansens Northwest Native Plant DatabaseThe Wild Garden: Hansens Northwest Native Plant Database

website: www.nwplants.comwebsite: www.nwplants.comwebsite: www.nwplants.comwebsite: www.nwplants.comwebsite: www.nwplants.come-Mail: chillipepper6@comcast.nete-Mail: chillipepper6@comcast.nete-Mail: chillipepper6@comcast.nete-Mail: chillipepper6@comcast.nete-Mail: chillipepper6@comcast.net

All rights reserved. This entire publication Copyright 2012 The Wild Garden: Hansens Northwest Native Plant Database. No part of this work may be reproduced or used inany form or by any means--graphic, electronic, or mechanical--without the written permission of Jennifer Rehm,The Wild Garden, except for reviewers who may quote brief

passages. Any request for photocopying, recording, taping or information storage and retrieval systems of any part of this publication shall be directed in writing to thepublisher: Jennifer Rehm, The Wild Garden: Hansens Northwest Native Plant Database.

The Wild Garden: Hansens Northwest Native Plant Database Page 3

A To generate interest, even passion, concerning themagnificent Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest.

B To help you create your own Native Plant Gardens,large or small, for home or work.

C To help you propagate and grow on those speciesthat interest you the most.

D To inform both Home Gardeners and interestedProfessionals of many disciplines concerning trends andnews items from my little corner of the world.

E To help the reader enjoy native plants more byunderstanding the historical and cultural role of nativeplants (i.e.use by Native Americans, Pioneers, EarlyBotanists, etc.).

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About this Web MagazineAbout this Web MagazineAbout this Web MagazineAbout this Web MagazineAbout this Web Magazine

Red-Osier DogwoodRed-Osier DogwoodRed-Osier DogwoodRed-Osier DogwoodRed-Osier Dogwood(Cornus sericea ssp. stolonifera)(Cornus sericea ssp. stolonifera)(Cornus sericea ssp. stolonifera)(Cornus sericea ssp. stolonifera)(Cornus sericea ssp. stolonifera)Photo by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn Onstott

This Journal was created under the direction of WallyHansen a dedicated Grower, Aficionado andPassionate Lover of Northwest Native Plants.

This Journal is not commercial. Our goals are:

The Wild Garden: Hansens Northwest Native Plant Database Page 4

On the CoverOn the CoverOn the CoverOn the CoverOn the CoverRed-Flowering Currant(Ribes sanguineum)

Red-Flowering CurrantRed-Flowering CurrantRed-Flowering CurrantRed-Flowering CurrantRed-Flowering Currant(Ribes sanguineum)(Ribes sanguineum)(Ribes sanguineum)(Ribes sanguineum)(Ribes sanguineum)Photo by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn Onstott

A beautiful, ornamental deciduousshrub growing rapidly to 8-10. Themany upright stems lack the sharpspines of other currants. Gorgeousred to pink flowers bloom in springbefore the leaves unfurl.

Hummingbirds flock to the flowersfrom their southern migrations.Black, glaucous fruits are edible butnot tasty.

Native to the Pacific Coast (USDAzones 6-10), Red-Flowering Currantprefers dry, sunny locations and isnot hampered by drought. One of thebest natives for your garden, itrequires little care but is reliablybeautiful. I highly recommend thisshrub.

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To Do ListTo Do ListTo Do ListTo Do ListTo Do ListCaring for your NW Native Plant Garden

1 After the heavy snow, strong winds and plentiful rain, thereis bound to be a plant or two in need of attention. Cut backbroken branches, replace mulch where it ran away.

2 Cuttings may be made now of dormant shrubs and trees andit is a good time to practice grafting.

3 Indoor tasks:

--plan for the coming spring--attend lectures and slide shows--photograph the garden now so youll remember exactly

how it looks when considering added winter interest.

4 Remember the birds and other wildlife. If youre usingfeeders, keep them clean and full. Once birds come to dependon your garden for their winter fare, you must keep it up untilspringtime.

5 Tend to your tools. And keep an eye out when you do yourgarden walkabout for tools that were left out in the elements.

6 Its too early to force flowering shrubs but note which onesare producing buds and cut them in a couple of weeks.

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Sparkys CornerSparkys CornerSparkys CornerSparkys CornerSparkys CornerA special message from our frisky contributor

Well its a good thing we have such a wonderful neighborhood ofsquirrels here in the nursery. That snow just about froze our littlefeets off! Fortunately weve got good strong nests and plenty offorage put by to tide us over until the weather gets more fun.

Each time the sun comes out we stretch and climb out of thenests to fill our empty bellies with good acorns and walnuts andfilberts. After a quick sip of water we race up and down andacross through the trees until we get warm and then its back tothe nest and good snuggles.

Everybody is quiet in these times of winter. Even Mr. Snortersisnt telling any stories. Grandma curls up and tells us to be still ifwe ask questions. I think this is because she gets cold if she talkstoo much. Its OK. We snooze and remember the stories fromthe summer, taking nice long naps and smiling.

I hope the two-leggers are taking care of one another. They dontdo the nest thing the way we do but Ive seen them taking coatsand sweaters and blankets to the ones thatare cold. They have special places that collectthat stuff and the cold and hungry ones gothere when they need to.

Diana asked me to remind everyoneabout sharing the warm stuff that two-leggers put on (they dont have fur). Also she said to take extrafood to the food banks. I think thats like our caches but its not buried. So please to do these things,especially when it is brrrrrr cold outside.

Gotta go now, getting chilled. See you next time. Your friend,Sparky

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Name This PlantName This PlantName This PlantName This PlantName This Plant

A clue to help your on your quest for the correct answer:

Name this plant!

Send me an email with the correct botanicalname of this plant. Well name all those who

answer correctly in our next journal!

Good luck!WallyWallyWallyWallyWally

After the blush of bloom, my fruit is oftenoverlooked. Some call me robins egg,some call me chinaberry, some sayporcelain fruit. Hummers find medelicious but people--not so much.

Photo by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn OnstottPhoto by JoAnn Onstott

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Wildlife habitats in your garden

Lullaby in BirdlandLullaby in BirdlandLullaby in BirdlandLullaby in BirdlandLullaby in Birdland

Blue Grey FlycatcherBlue Grey FlycatcherBlue Grey FlycatcherBlue Grey FlycatcherBlue Grey FlycatcherPrinceton AudobonPrinceton AudobonPrinceton AudobonPrinceton AudobonPrinceton Audobon

All gardens can be hosts for wildlife, from the largest to thesmallest. Even a container can attract birds or butterflies. Andwhat you plant will determine which furred and feathered friendswill come calling.Weve created a list of which native plants are preferred byspecific birds who spend at least part of the year in thenorthwest. To make the decision on what to plant, weveincluded photos of many species in different seasons.By no means is this a complete list: I doubt there is such athing and if there were, it would resemble that gigantic olddictionary I remember in my high school library. It was about 11/2 feet tall, ha