Native Chronicles

Linum lewisii – May 2012

Linum lewisii, commonly known as blue flax, is a useful restoration perennial, with superb garden qualities. The multitude of blue blossoms lasts up to 6 weeks, and adds lovely mid-height color. The foliage stays close to the ground growing under two feet tall, while the flowers reach above about a foot.  It spreads at a moderate rate, [...]

Artemisia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana – April 2012

Artemisia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana  is a widespread native perennial of North America. Even with its striking silver leaves and ubiquitous nature, it is often an overlooked native plant.  The broad range of  A. ludoviciana over many different ecosystems has produced much variety and in turn has broken the species into several subspecies. Its common names, white sagebrush [...]

Yucca whipplei (Hesperoyucca whipplei)-March 2012

Yucca whipplei is native to southern California, northwestern Arizona, and Mexico on the Baja California Peninsula. The plant for most of its life is a mound of sharply tipped leaves that stick out in every direction. After about seven years the plant uses all of its energy in the production of flowers and setting seed, [...]

Viola glabella-February 2012

Viola glabella is readily seen growing underfoot in wet open forests of the Pacific Northwest. A familiar site on hiking trails that weave near rivers and waterfalls. It’s common name, stream viola, is therefore quite suitable. The heart-shaped foliage stay close to the soil only reaching a few inches in height. Cute yellow flowers dapple [...]

Cynoglossum grande-January 2012

Happy New Year!  This month we introduce Pacific hound’s tongue, sometimes referred to as giant hound’s tongue.  The large arrow-tip shaped leaves of Cynoglossum grande rise from the large taproot, forming a low growing mound.  The flowering stalk protrudes far above the tops of the leaves, and the petite flowers congregate in small panicles.  With a unique [...]

Baccharis pilularis-November 2011

Coyote bush is a striking sight in the dull winter months on the Oregon coast.  Growing in two different forms, the coastal version is low and prostrate, while the interior form is upright and shrubby.  The leaves are covered with resin glands, which vary the coloring of the shrub from dark green to gray.  The [...]

Trillium albidum-October 2011

Giant white trillium, sometimes called giant white wakerobin is a common sight in shaded forests of Oregon and California during the early spring.  Usually found growing in dappled light, on nutrient rich slopes, Trillium albidum appears elegant in  low growing clumps of large green leaf-like bracts, and brilliant white flowers.  The scientific name easily breaks down to [...]

Fritillaria affinis-September 2011

We love Fritillarias!  Especially this one, because of it’s modest beauty and easy temperament. We sell this species in containers throughout the year and as bulbs starting in the fall.  If planting bulbs, it is best to plant this time of year, although they can overwinter in cold storage until the time of planting before summer warmth [...]

Digger: “Helping the bulb go on”-Marty Wingate

In the current edition of Digger, Sevenoaks was highlighted as one of the few nurseries that grow a variety of native bulbs.   In the article, Helping the bulb go on, written by Marty Wingate, a well-known garden blogger, author and master gardener, she explains what an under valued part of the garden native bulbs are.  To [...]