Eileen M. Stark's Blog, page 6

Pacific Northwest Native Plant Profile: Broad-leaved penstemon (Penstemon ovatus )

Growing penstemons usually requires a valiant effort to mimic wild conditions by creating rock gardens complete with crevices that these beautiful plants’ roots can inch their way into. Most species will suffer without well-aerated, quick draining soil, and can’t live with frequent summer irrigation. Unless you reside where the soil is naturally rocky or gravelly, providing […]

Pacific Northwest Native Plant Profile: Penstemon ovatus (broad-leaved penstemon)

Growing penstemons usually requires a valiant effort to mimic wild conditions by creating rock gardens complete with crevices that these beautiful plants’ roots can inch their way into. Most species will suffer without well-aerated, quick draining soil, and can’t live with frequent summer irrigation. Unless you reside where the soil is naturally rocky or gravelly, providing […]

Pacific Northwest Native Plant Profile: Western bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa)

We love Western (or Pacific) bleeding heart because it’s so beautiful and delicate, especially this time of year when the leaves are fresh and flowers are bountiful. Whoever named it felt the same way, because botanically speaking it’s known as Dicentra formosa, with the genus Dicentra referring to the two nectar-bearing spurs characteristic of the flowers of this […]

Pacific Northwest Native Plant Profile: Henderson’s shooting star (Dodecatheon hendersonii)

  Nicknamed shooting star, Dodecatheon species are delicate spring bloomers that could find a home in nearly every garden. If yours lacks this sweet little perennial wildflower that’s a member of the Primrose family (Primulaceae), by all means get outside now to witness its unusual blossoms, because the plant goes dormant fairly quickly after flowering. And then add it to […]

Pacific Northwest Native Plant Profile: Dodecatheon hendersonii (Henderson’s shooting star)

  Nicknamed shooting star, Dodecatheon species are delicate spring bloomers that could find a home in nearly every garden. If yours lacks this sweet little perennial wildflower that’s a member of the Primrose family (Primulaceae), by all means get outside now to witness its unusual blossoms, because the plant goes dormant fairly quickly after flowering. And then add it to […]

Pacific Northwest Native Plant Profile: Western trillium (Trillium ovatum)

Although introductions are probably not necessary, this is Trillium ovatum, an unmistakable and endearing plant that softly lights up the vernal understory of moist coniferous and mixed forests from southern British Columbia, south to California, east to Idaho, Montana and small parts of Wyoming and Colorado, and north to southwestern Alberta. It’s part of a […]

Remove Invasive Plants: It’s Good for Wildlife and Gardens

I’m embarrassed to admit that when I first moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1990, before I knew much about regional native plants, I thought that foxgloves were native plants. Why? Because I encountered them in natural areas. Luckily I know much better now, and—with the exception of some infrequently traveled trails in remote corners of the […]

Pacific Northwest Plant Profile: California hazelnut (Corylus cornuta var. californica)

Flowers in January? You bet. Although they’re not showy blossoms that attract most people searching for signs of spring, the flowers of California hazelnut are a truly welcome sight in mid-winter to spring. Hazelnuts are monoecious plants, having both soft-yellow male catkins that dangle off the tips of leafless branches, and tiny feathery clusters of red stigmas—decidedly female—that are few and […]

Pacific Northwest Plant of the Week: California hazelnut (Corylus cornuta var. californica)

  Flowers in January? You bet. Although they’re not showy blossoms that attract most people searching for signs of spring, the flowers of California hazelnut are a truly welcome sight in mid-winter to spring. Hazelnuts are monoecious plants, having both soft-yellow male catkins that dangle off the tips of leafless branches, and tiny feathery clusters of red stigmas—decidedly female—that are few […]

A Winter Treat for Wild Birds: Plant-Based Suet

Back by popular demand, here is my vegan “suet” recipe for wild birds trying to make it through cold weather. While the insects, fruit, or seeds provided by native plants are the best way to feed birds, there are times when they could use some help getting through frigid days and nights. Small birds especially, with their remarkably rapid metabolism, need to […]