Any Oregon Coast Gardeners out there?

Since I'm sharing pictures.. I just got this one from DD in Vegas.
DD(R), her DS and our DN (L).

I'm not from Oregon but my DH is, his sister is in Coos Bay, and a Brother in Lincoln City. But love kitty pics and had to share. This is how I sleep, I have to find my own space, let alone make the bed. this is 3 of my 4.
Top 'Ratso'
Mid 'Corky'
Bottom 'Tilly'


This message was edited Feb 25, 2008 1:16 AM

And this is the 4th, Who thinks she can read. 'Miss Sassy'

And this is the the Dog side of it.
'Tyler' the Corgie
'Ester' The Lab
Just home from the groomers, Ester is besides herself ( She was ill for awhile, now almost back to herself )
Tills

Thanks for sharing. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with the menagerie of pets:)
The little grey TrixZee cat loves to walk across the piano keys and watch her feet. She also fetches.
Pets....Bring joy to our lives....except at 3:30am when they think it's up time because DH has always left for work at that time..gggrrrr. That's my best sleep time!

Hi Karen, what a cute kitty! I get walked across and purred awake by my two boys sometime between 3 and 5am almost every morning for their breakfast. It's a sweet way to wake up until you realize it's really "Get up and feed us-now!"

Duke...big gold guy...likes to find paper or something that will make noise until I wake up. TrixZee just comes up and sniffs my face or cuddles soooo close in order to purr and knead. That must be from early seperation from her momma??

I've heard that, Somermoone. Panda kneads my neck hard (cough, choke) and "nurses" on my face and lips. I'm honored, but we've really had to crack down on that one - LOL - it just doesn't make for conducive sleep.

And the funny thing is that she's not trying to wake me up. She'd just as soon do that 24/7. She's a cuddlebug, that one.

When we were livng with my Aunt..(she had had a stroke) we had to watch her little CC (Claire's Cat) closely. She would go in after DA was asleep and actually give her hickies! DA's meds would make her sleep so soundly, plus she was on coumadin.

OMG. That is hilarious. I guess I shouldn't complain, then. :-)

Hello everyone, so glad to see this thread on the forum. We on the coast are kinda unique in our weather. I was born and raised here but lived in the SF bay area for 28 years, moved back here about 10 years ago.

Pogo, you must go back to Shore Acres and give it another look. There are tons of unusual things in there!!! George Guthrie is the head gardener and he is a plant collector and walking encyclopedia. Next time you are in see if you can find him, tell him you are a friend of Rebecca in Pistol River and you wanna see his special stuff. Let me see if I can remember some of the things I had to get because of George.

Luma Apiculata from Chile. This will grow into a tree, evergreen with awesome little powder puff white flowers in early fall. Supposed to have edible fruit as well.

Desfontaina Fuchisoides. This is a shrub that looks like holly till it blooms with big red fuchsia looking flowers.

Those are two at the top of my head. We can grow so many things here. You are a bit colder in Coos Bay so I know if George has it in the gardens it will do well here. He comes here to look at my plants and I only managed to have one that wowed him and he had not seen before.

You can grow the most awesome heather here, its deer resistant as well. In Brookings there is a very nice park and garden, Azalea Park. The local garden club has a garden in the front of the park but its very nice, a good place to have a picnic.

Glad to see so many here from the coast!!

I'm excited to start growing stuff. I hope I have as god luck as the rest of you. I'm still new to all this gardening.

Hi rebeccanna, Actually I visit shore acres at least a couple of times a month, I believe I have seen the Luma if it is over in the shrub border near the american rose collection, perhaps next to a big red callistemon. Im not sure I recall having seen the Desfontaina Fuchisoides but Ill have to look for it. The collection at Shore Acres is wonderful, perhaps its not fair of me to say that there is "nothing too unusual" as there are many unusual plants there, just that I want to see many more and I wish they had a bit more of a botanical inclination (and some more labels) being that SOOO many things seem like they could be grown but I don't know where to see them? I guess being that shore acres is really set in a historical context it might be a bit off color to load it up with botanical exotics anyway. Tell George though that I visit the garden often and really do love it, or ill tell him myself if I run into him. I had visited azalea park this past november while in Brookings, there were still very many wonderful things to see in bloom even that late in the year. Have you tried any of the South African heath? I wasn't sure if they would be hardy here. I have to mention by the way that pistol river is one of my favorite places on the coast, what do you grow?

This message was edited Feb 25, 2008 9:08 PM

Oh, I grow nearly everything I can, I have a nursery so its an addiction beyond control. We can grow some of the SA heathers here, my uncle has a few. One called Winter Fire really upset me. I got a small one for him and one for myself. I packed mine around trying to find a place that would be the proper place for it till it died. He planted his in his sand and its thriving, in full bloom now. My uncle has some seeds of wonderful heathers we got from SA, I have some SA bulb seeds going.

I really love Pistol River, or course my family is all here, pioneers all of them. I was glad to be able to move back here. People complain about the rain, for me its the wind. The wind in June is so awful here. I never have people come for a visit then, the rain really doesn't bother me.

I like Coos Bay. I got fairly often, we do a Walmart run and United Groceries every few months. My mother in law lives in Lincoln City, I try and get up there at least once a year, the Oregon Coast is so beautiful.

Saw this article about secrets uncovered on the Oregon coast this year and thought you all might be interested if you haven't already seen it.

http://www.komotv.com/news/local/15980552.html

Kathy

I'll look it up!
Thanks!
Karen~

Look up Bayocean. It's absolutely amazing! We drove over to where it use to be last Sunday. We didn't get out and walk all the way to where you can still see foundations as I had forgotten my jacket.....still brrrrr here at the beach.
It has been a crazy year with finding the shipwrecks and cannons. How fun, so much history!
Karen~

I'm reading about it. Fascinating. I'll send this to my family in Corvallis. My mom grew up in McMinnville and my dad in Eugene and thereabouts. They must have heard about it.

I do know what has happened to everyone and there has not been much posting. Its called sunshine and we have not had a lot of it. I know you are all outside playing, like you moms used to say, "What are you doing in the house on a day like this?" You don't fool me. As a matter of fact, I am on my way outside, the sun is not out but the clouds are parting and I am seeing blue sky. However I did hear Coos Bay is in for some showers.

Have a good gardening day and when you get time, tell me of your favorite unusual thing. For me the newest is the Telopea Oriedes. I believe its a zone 8, perhaps 9 but does well here. I am always looking for new things, so if you grow something unusual, please post so I can lust for a new plant.

You have almost sun? Drizzling here today... Maybe I'll have it tomorrow.
My newest lust plant has suddenly become Podophyllum 'Kaleidoscope'. Not super-unusual, but a little different, and I don't even know if I've got a good location for it. Plus, it's way too expensive, too. Guess It'll be on my list for a looong time, lol! Maybe if I wait long enough, I'll change my mind or it will get cheaper. ;)

The promised sun has turned to overcast. I do not have any podophyllum but will be looking that one up for sure. If I find a good source for it, will let you know. Anything Kaleidoscope sounds like something I need to have.

On my way to town, my mood has turned grey with the lies of sunny skies.

Cheer up, sunny weather is forcast for wednesday. I would say Im most excited now over my first Leontochir ovallei seedling emerging a couple days ago. Im not sure at all if this one will be hardy as it is said to come from frost free regions of Chile in the Plant Files. Hopefully I don't kill it before I get a chance to see. I also have some Podophyllum pleianthum seeds planted but no sprouts just yet. I have seen pictures of Podophyllum 'Kaleidoscope', but only pictures, your right about the price. I would be very interested to try the Telopea, the Australian national botanical garden website says they are quick to grow from seed. Once I have a few more I plan to try Passiflora antioquiensis outdoors, I overwintered it indoors under a light for fear of losing it but I have a couple of cuttings that just might have struck, or at least they haven't rotted yet, and if they grow ill put one in the ground and see what it does. Along the same lines I have been quite anxious at the sight of passiflora parritae photos but cant seem to find one I can afford, for now Ill just drool in front of pictures.

Okay pogo, I can see you like red. Wow that passion flower is to die for, I will for sure be looking for that one. I had not ever heard of the leontochir from Chile. And I have a lot of chilean plants, that is a killer flower. If you ever decide to fall in love with the bomeria vine, I have one and its pretty ugly. The pictures of the flowers on the web look awesome but the plant itself is no keeper. I looked long and hard for that thing. I am making a list of all the new things I need.

If you like red do you know the crindendron hookerii tree? The crindendron is from Chile and there is only 2 trees in that family, the patagua and the hookerii. The patagua is called the lily of the valley tree, everygreen and quite pretty. But the hookerii is awesome, called the lantern tree. I will see if I can find a quick picture of it.

Rebecca, if you know Chilean plants, do you know how to start Lapageria Rosea from seed? I got 5 seeds in a trade but I'm not sure how to successfully start them.

Oh the lapageria seed is a very difficult one. Not all seeds will germinate, in fact most do not. There is a thing about the flowers need to be pollinated by a plant that is not from the same batch of seed. A lot of the seed form but are not fertile as they lack pollination. Most plants will not put on seed but this silly thing puts on sterile seed. I have tried to germinate them and not been successfull.

Here locally a woman was very successful, she hand pollinated her flowers from a plant that was a few miles away and from a differant source. Almost all her seed germinated. She did say the seed had to be very fresh, so try them right away. I think the plants are really beautiful but I do not have one as they tend to be picky about soil, sun, shade, etc. Also expensive to buy.

Sorry to be negative but that is probably one of the most difficult to propagate.

Don't apologize, honesty is appreciated. I'm pretty new to seed starting, too, so my chances are lower than average anyway, but it is such a wonderful vine. There was a beautiful one at the NW Flower & Garden show two weeks ago. I am pretty sure that this seed is not fresh, but I can't lose anything by trying, I suppose.

No you have nothing to lose and can you imagine how awesome it would be if it did actually sprout? I know the woman who had these locally sold them to Sean Hogan at Cistus Nursery. I think he has them for sale and they are pricy. If you do not know that nursery, oh there are some lovely things on the website. He like unusual plants and is a real plant collector.

I've only been to Cistus once and it was cold and near closing, so I need to go back sometime, on a warmer day. Worldplants had some last spring for $12 and I'm still kicking myself for not buying one from them then.

It would be incredibly awesome if even one did sprout!

I suppose I am drawn to red and your are dead on about the crinodendron being something I would like. I overdid it with a seed order from plant world seeds in the UK this winter and Bomarea, Lapageria and both of the crinodendrons were part of my over exuberance. So far they have been in for a month and none of these have come up yet. I impatiently dug up a lapageria seed and found it rotted and then went on to find another that was ok but still hadn't done anything. Ill leave the rest alone before I find one that is growing by killing it. I looked in the cistus mail order list and they are available at 22$, a bit expensive, but for something hard to propagate not too bad I guess. Maybe the way to go would be to get a vine and then grow your own fresh seeds. Has anyone visited Mendocino coast botanical garden in Fort Bragg CA? Im on vacation this week and will be going down there to have I look around, what should I avoid missing? Good luck with your Lapagerias susy, I agree, even one would be great!

Oh pogo, you are going to the land of the lapageria in that garden. I think they even have several colors, they grow there like weeds. If you are serious about the lapageria, it is very important to find the right spot to grow them in. There are several in Brookings and some are lush beautiful awesome vines, and some just pout.

There is a nursery down there that I like. She has some interesting plants and is a very interesting person. The name is Love Ericaceae, her name is cathy Love. As the name implies she has lots of heather, rhodys and some unusual stuff as well. They do not have a web page but if you would like to call her number is 707-964-4829. You might want to give her a call, she either had lapageria or was trying to grow some a few years ago when I was there.

Another nice nursery, that also used to have lapageria is Hortus Botanicus. They do have a web page. Oh I am jealous, you are going to have so much fun. Also there is a beach down there called the glass beach. I did not have time to try and find it the last time I was there but have heard stories that there used to be a glass factory and they tossed the broken glass in the ocean so you can find lots of beautiful sea glass there.

Hey if you get time stop by here and say hello. I am not far off 101, if you stop on the way back you can show me your plants, I do know you will not be able to come home empty.

Perhaps you better go to the bank and get a loan before traveling down there, lol.

You are right about needing a loan, after looking at the hortus botanicus website it seems I could end up broke by going there! Lately I have been trying to maintain some self control but as you had said in your earlier post it can be quite an addiction. I had heard about that glass beach and do plan to check it out. This time Ill be going down the coast and back on rt 20, I-5 and then rt 42 so as to be able to make a loop and see everything that I possibly can, coast, mountains etc... but I would love to stop by one day and see what you have growing and I often take off on weekends and drive down to the curry county beaches. It seems so often that on a foggy cloudy day here that as soon as I get past port orford it clears right up and gets 10 degrees warmer. In fact just last week I was down there hiking around in boardman state park. The wildflowers were quite far ahead of the ones here along the coast. There were lots of redwood violets, cardamine and others. Have you ever tried to grow the native Dudleya? Im always quite impressed to see them clinging to the rocks. One of my favorites places to see them is the meyers creek beach just south of cape sebastion and that cant be too far from you at all. Here is a picture of some sedum that I took there on those sea stacks, If I remember the dudleya grow there along with them though there are none in this picture.

Well Pogo, I am not sure which one is the dudleya, not being that knowledgeable on succulents, however I do have the one that has the silver in your picture. I can gather them up when a storm hits as it knocks them down off the rocks. Last year there was a strong storm and I got quite a bit as well as well as some smaller succulents. If you stop by here I will happily give you a couple to take home. I do like them and they are so happy in pots, grow quite beautiful.

The access road to my place is just after Meyers Creek and that is where I walk my dogs.

We are a bit warmer than you in winter, but I think you have some hotter summer days. But we are pretty simular in climate.

I am holding you responsible, I happened to have to look at the Hortus botanicus website and found they do wholesale. Hum. A problem, I will be sending them an email for the availabilty list. I think I may have some trouble as I just love their plants. If I do end up getting some things wholesale, I will tell let you know and you might want to visit...lol.

I took some pictures of the dudleya last weekend and Ill post them when they are developed. They look like like a bit like an echeveria. The species that grows here is supposed to be D. farinosa. I had done just the same as you and picked up a little windfall of sedum off of the rock in the picture and it is growing nicely in a little clay pot. Are these sedum oreganum? There seem to be many color forms, I was down in little cove near the natural bridges area and the type there had such a pink color it seemed as though the rocks were pink from distance. The one I have growing is very silvery. I might not be able to resist some of those Proteas hortus has listed. I have a baby P. cyanaroides that I started from seed a few years ago that did fine the last two winters but Im feeling impatient for a bloom, a big red one maybe. Do you grow any other natives from the area?

I do have some telopea oreades, now that is a NICE red flower. I have seedlings a foot or so, 3 years old now. Hopefully they will flower soon. And I have embothrium, that is a nice red flower. I actually have quite a few plants from Chile, I find them very beautiful. I love the mitrarea coccinea, that is a sweet thing. Leaves like huckleberry, evergreen and nice orange red flowers that are surprisingly large. In Chile they call it hummingbird vine and I can see why the way the hummers flock. I also like the australian plants, but one has to be careful with them for here as we have such wet winters and some of them cannot take that dampness. Kangaroo paws do well in your area if you can keep them from getting too wet.

My uncle has a lot of banksia, oh he has lots of unusual stuff. One day when you have time, let me know and he would love to give you a tour of the stuff he grows and you can take some baggies and get seed and cuttings as well. He is very generous. I am currently on a grevillea thing, he has several. I think they are really beautiful.

I have some natives from this area, the usual, shore pine, myrtle, huckleberry, alder, kinniknick, I think I have some wild ginger left, five finger fern, deer fern, and thats all I can remember off the top of my head.

I have a Grevillea victoriae, though it's not this big yet - sounds like it would be right along the line of plants you guys are talking about. It was in Dan Hinkley's must-haves in 2007 (though I had it before that - just thought it looked cool). Seems like it's a pretty tough plant. Doesn't have any problem with our winters.

http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&q=grevillea+victoriae

Oh thats lovely. I have just one called Noelli. Its pretty, has needles like a conifer. But you know how it is, I want them all.
I am hoping to get to CA where they grow them more and get several varieties. And then see if I can get cuttings to root.
Thanks for the picture, yet another plant I got on my list now.

I had no idea there were so many varieties, before I started looking around. I'm with you - I want them all, too. But I really don't have enough hot sun for them. So I'll try to focus on growing up the one I have, I guess. Will have to look and see Noellii.

Here is a really fuzzy picture of the dudleya, they are surrounded by the stone crops and you can see how much larger the rosettes are, Ill have to go back when they are blooming and try to get some better pictures that are focused. I stopped by hortus botanicus in fort bragg and found them closed, I didnt have time to go back before I left the area. The garden there was quite nice, most impressive were some of the heather. There was a christmas heather "Erica canaliculata" that was by no exaggeration 15 feet tall and 20 feet wide and in full bloom. They also had another south african one that I could not find a label for but the flowers were stunning, maybe an inch and a half long and red with a yellow band. I was also impressed by the correa and was wondering if they would be hardy here, has anybody tried them?

This message was edited Mar 11, 2008 9:16 PM

http://asgap.org.au/APOL24/dec01-6.html

I hadn't ever even heard of these!! Seems like they would do fine here.

I had never seen them either and had only glanced them over in a book. They really are very elegant with the hanging flowers strung along the wide spreading branches. I bet that they would attract hummers too. Im not sure if they are hardy or not, plant files says zone 9a but it would be worth a try, it may be that nobody has.