Grants Pass, Oregon

Just curious as to recommendations for hardy plants in the SW area of Grants Pass...We have a second home their and would like to plant Podocarpus along a fence line...The area gets good amounts of sun in the Summer especially I am told. Any idea on frangrant hardy plants I could put in??

Thanks a bunch!

Sudhira, what zone is Grants Pass? And which months are you looking for fragrance? All year? Or just when you are up there? Shade or full sun? Soil type? Give us a few more details and I bet this thread will be off and running.

It's in the southwest of Oregon, about 80km inland with the Siskiyou Mountains between it and the coast. Zone 8. The area is noted for its very high conifer biodiversity, there's plenty of interesting local native species to chose from there.

Resin

Wow, thanks for that information Resin, I see I have my work cut out for me in finding out more about this area where our 2nd home is. I live near the Monterey Bay now,and have all my life...so it will be a different type of gardening at our Oregon "Cottage House."

I have a friend formerly from GP and just yesterday we were talking about the weather there. You get snow in the winter and way hot temps in the summer - 90s and 100s.

I personally LOVE Oregon weather. That's where we want to retire. We have a fishing cabin on the McKenzie River that my husband owns with his 2 brothers. If we didn't have to share, we might even eventually live there, altho it's tiny tiny. The weather at the cabin is a lot more mild than GP. Until I talked with Christine yesterday, I didn't realize it got so hot there.

Gwen

ask Forest Farm, they are the local nursery
& they have everything
http://www.forestfarm.com/

Dick

Yes I hear that GP gets pretty warm in the Summertime...I'll find out this Summer when I spend a fews days there. Looking forward to floating down the Rogue River though!

Thanks for the info on Forest Farm

Rogue River rafting is a FUN thing to do! I haven't done it on the RR but have on other rivers. You'll have a blast with that.

Gwen

I live about 30 miles west of Grants Pass. Gold Hill/Sams Valley Area.
Grants Pass growing area would be more of a zone 7 than a zone 8. There are times when the temps will drop well below freezing ( into the teens) and during the summer it can be 100+ (have seen temps of 110). The rainy season is the winter time. Rarely are there summer rains, mostly thunder storms, few and far between. Those are the extremes, most of the time the weather here is fantastic. The best thing is the low humidity levels we have in the summer, not like the desert but, about 20-30 percent is the average.
When you raft the river please be aware that Rogue River does have class 5 rapids in places.
DebiV

Thanks DebiV...

I will be careful on the River! I am wondering if Pomegranate will grow well..I am thinking it will...Trial and error I suppose!

When I was a kid and lived in Medford, my Mom had an ornamental Pomegranate the grew very well, flowered profusely every year, so I am thinking that in a sheltered spot it should grow. All gardening is trial and error --- at least it is for me :)

Every year there is some uninformed rafter that has to be rescued in certain places on the river, some lives are lost. My mom always used to tell me 'It's named ROGUE River for a reason!'

DebiV

I am a real chicken when it comes to nature and I respect it totally...I will stick to the safe areas*

Can't wait to try the pomegranate! Yay!

sudhira,
Lilac is a great bush for this area, blooms in April and fills the air, likes lots of sun, mostly pest free, once established can do it all on thier own.
Magnolia trees are grown here, blooming now
Honeysuckle vine grows well in a lot of places.
Iris -- well suited to this climate, bloom late april into late May
Spring bulbs always do great. (watch for moles, voles and gophers)
Lavender's of all kinds -- (deer resistant also)
Rosemary creeping or upright -- (deer resistant also)
Speaking of deer, if you are in rural area that will also be a consideration of the plants you put in, roses, violas, violets, tulips, seem to call deer in for a buffet. One thing I have found is that deer really do not like fuzzy plants or plants high in strong volitive oils (rosemary, lavender, thymes) but ----- deer will try anything at least once!!

are these plants along the lines you are interested in?

DebiV
DebiV

DebiV,

That is an awesome list! Thakn you so...I epsecially ike the lilac idea! yummy! I won't have to worry about deer, as the house in near town. I am told there are no gophers in that area as well...Currently there are camellia, roses, flowering quince and some clumping bambboo in the yard...I put in a cherry and apple tree...we'll see what happens...

Once again,thanks for the information!

Glad to be of help :)

DebiV