Bringing In The Beneficials
Special thanks to “Ann Lovejoy” for her contribution to this article…. Doug
Inviting Bees, Bugs and Butterflies
One key to garden success is the garden’s ability to attract and host beneficial insects of many kinds. Not only will we experience better cropping as pollination rates improve, but beneficials also chase away or gobble down a multitude of garden pests. Wise gardeners may set aside an area near the garden proper to act as the host space for beneficials. Organic growers call such areas “bug banks,” since they become storehouses of invaluable insect garden allies. In its simplest form, a bug bank strip might hold herbs like borage, dill, and mint, as well as early blooming rosemaries. The more plant variety you can offer, the greater the range and volume of insect helpers you will garner.
Northwest Natives For Insect Habitat
Native plants that bloom early are excellent bug bank additions, including various kinds of Oregon grape (Mahonia), and flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum). Native violets, and foamflower (Tiarella)are also good candidates. So are all sorts of “weeds,” which are so often more appreciated by insects and other critters than by control-oriented gardeners. The garden that supports a few thistles will also support goldfinches, and those dockweeds, buttercups, and dandelions are always in hot demand among the non-human garden users.
Key … P= perennial; B=biennial; no notation=annual; I=intermittent through the year; F=through to frost; **=super nectar producer
ULTRA EARLY (through winter)
autumn croci (**; P; pulchellus,albus,zonatus…) cyclamen (**; P; neapolitanum, hederifolium, coum…) snowdrops (**; P) aconite (**; P)
borage (I, **) calendula (I, **) earliest narcissici (**P)
EARLY
early daffs and narcissi (**; P) species tulips (**; P; tarda, hageri…) glory-of-the-snow (**: P; Chionodoxa) iris reticulata (**; P) rosemary (P, **) primrose ( P; early)
MID-SPRING
Single Daffodils (P) species primrose (P) violets (P; **) violas ( P, I, **) anemones (**; P; Spring-St. Brigid’s mix, monarch de caen…)
alyssum (annual-I; and perennial; **)
HIGH SPRING
Late Single Daffodils (**;P) Tulips-single (P) Dutch iris Aquilegia (P;columbine) Armeria maritima (P; **; native-sea pinks)
Candytufts (annual-F, &P, **) Dianthus (sweet Williams, some F; and per.pinks) creeping phloxes ( P; **;incl. native P. subulata) Campanulas (P) Centaurea (**; A-I; &P) Digitalis (**: B; foxglove) English daisy (B; **;bellis)Godetia ( F; **;s summer’s herald-native)
Clarkia (F; **; native-mountain garland) Linaria (F; **0 Lupines (A&P) Lunaria (B; money plant) Pyretheum ( P; painted daisy)
Saponarias (P; soapwort) Stocks (F, **) Cal. Bluebells (**, Phacelia campanularia) Nemophila (**) Tidy tips (**) Myosotis ( B; **; forget-me-nots) Poppies-single (all, A &P, **, California poppies-I) Sweet peas (**)
EARLY SUMMER
Anagalis ( P; blue pimpernel) Bidens (P; golden goddess) Achilleas ( P; I; F; **; incl. native A. millefolium) Nasturtiums (F, **)
Chives (**; P; both garlic and regular) Parsley (**: B) Cilantro (**) Erigeron Dill (**) Mints (**) Dymorphotheca ( F; African daisy)
Dahlberg Daisy (F) Shasta Daisy-single ( some F) geranium (some F; true geranium-NOT Pelargonium) Gilia (**; birds eyes)
Purple tansy (**; Phacelia tanecetifolia) Silene (**; P; catchfly) Hesperus matronalis ( P; **; sweet rocket) Linums (**; A & P)
Lobelias (A- F; &P) Monarda (**; P) Nepetas ( **; P;F; catnip, catmint…) Potentillas (P, F) Spireas (P) Viscaria (**; rose angel)
thymes (**; P)
HIGH SUMMER
Agastaches (**; P; licorice mint…) Asclepias (**; b-fly weed) Asters-single (A&P; F; **) brachymone ( F; swan river daisy) Basils (**)
Catananche (P; cupid’s dart) Centranthus ( P; F; jupiter’s beard) Cleome ( F; spider flowerù) Annual chrysanthemum (F) Convolvulus (F)
coreopsis (F; **) Cosmos ( F; ; A&P) Dianthus ( F; A &P; carnations, ann. pinks… singles) Eupatorium ( **; joe pye weed) Gaillardia (F; **; A & P) Gazania (transvaal daisy) Hollyhocks-singles (**; P, B & A; singles) Marigolds ( **; F; singles-”gem” series T. signata) summer savory Zinnias ( **; F; singles; Africans “profusion”series) Salvias and sages ( some F; **; A & P) Oreganos ( **; P) Malvas (P) Mimulus Penstemons ( P; some F; incl. natives) Gauras ( P; F; **) Phlox ( F; A & P) Physostegia (F; P; obedient plant) Portulaca (F) Sunflowers-singles ( **; F; A & P) Tahoka daisy (**; F) Torenia (F; wishbone flower) Trachymene ( F; **;blue lace flower) Verbenas ( F; **; A&P) Verbascums (**; P) Veronias ( P; **; F; speedwell) Lilies (**; P) Daylilies-singles (**, P; some F)
LATE SUMMER
Asters-singles ( F: A&P: late) Amaranthus (F) Echinaceas (**; P; F; coneflowers) Rudbeckias-singles (**; F; P; black-eyed susans) Ratibida (**; F; P; prairie coneflower) Ornamental grasses (P- important part of beneficial bugs’ life-cycle) Oenothera (**; P; F; evening primroses) Sedums (**; F; P; incl. natives) Early, single mums (F; P) Tithonia (**; F; Mexican sunflower) Solidagos (**; F; goldenrods)
FALL
colchicums (**; P) late single mums (F; P) late sedums (**:F; P) fall anemones(**; F; P) saffron crocus (**;P; all autumn crocus)….
So what to do with all this stuff?
Give a 4-6″ border along my raised beds to marigolds, nasturtiums, alyssums and dw. zinnias. Throw in some herbs throughout your plot- mints grown in a coffee can with both ends cut out, some chives and thyme (these last 3 are good near cruciferae), summer savory with your beans, some basils and garlic (to flower) among solanums, some dill intersown with a tall crop or at back of plot, some overwintered parsley to bloom, a radish (to bloom) in each hill of cucurbitae- and your plot is a bennie (beneficial bug) truck stop!”
“Use some “living mulches” among taller crops (cruciferae, solanum, corn…) such as alyssums, Nemophila, tidy tips, California poppies and bluebells, even Dutch white clover increases the effect exponentially.”
“Let some crops bolt (deadhead before seed matures) to take it to the next level. Throw in some of the real nectar-super producers along the edge w/ the annuals (linums, Phacelia, gilias, clarkias, godetias, dw. coreopsis, violas, dwarf bachelor buttons…) and some fall/winter/spring bulbs and prepare for the haze!” (Sean likes to see a “living haze” of insects in the garden as often as possible.)
“You’ll get more reliable pollination and consistent control of your pests. Beyond that, it’s a personal art-you’ll refine your plan for your crops and microclimate as you go. A minimum of “land wasted on flowers”, a maximum of output with little labor. It’s the only way to fly!!”

In the world of perennials, herbaceous shrubs, and trees, there is another fast growing category of plants known as vines and trailing plants. The species of plants typically grow and climb by extending tendrils, which can cover fences, arbors, and trellises, and in most cases in a very short period of time! Used to soften hardscapes such as fences and walls plus other hard to disguise features in your landscape, this group of plants offer the home gardener and landscaper some very unique opportunities. Varieties within this wonderful family of plants have something to offer for almost any garden area as well as special and unique situations. Many have spectacular flowers as well as intoxicating fragrance at given times of the season, while others offer dramatic autumn colors in foliage and berries. There are varieties that work in hot sunny locations as well as difficult shady areas. All will grow well in most garden beds and many will do well simply in containers climbing up a decorative obelisk. Combine the aspect that these plants can also fit into areas no others can and you have got an invaluable species just waiting to fill you wants, needs and wishes. Let’s take a look at some of the possibilities just waiting to be discovered!

Doug’s Twining vining hardy plant picks:
Honeysuckle: This group of vining plants is one of my favorites due to its exotic dramatic blossom display. Combine that with intoxicating fragrance from most of the species and you have an instant winner. In addition, they are sure to attract droves of fascinating fast flying hummingbirds. This family of plants has been a part of rural America for years, rambling around old homesteads, rock fences and walls.
Clematis: This massive family of plants can sometimes be a little tricky to establish, but once you have seen the dramatic display of an established vine you will never be able to sleep until you have one in your very own backyard. Most of the small flowering varieties are followed in bloom by unusual seed pods. Many of the large flowering types (some over six inches across) will have you thinking you are in the tropics, not the high desert location we call home.
Silverlace: This fantastic vine not only grows very fast, but will prevail in sunny dry locations as well as difficult shady places. Dramatic wedding type sprays of white flowers season long will be followed by vibrant orange and red fall foliage.
Virginia creeper: This is a great vine for sun or shade and certainly wins the blue ribbon for the most explosive red color in the fall. Many opt to plant this at the base of a dead juniper tree and watch the skeleton come back to life….. In a hurry. If you are lucky you might even find a garden center that has a variegated leaf variety for additional charm.
Hops: This vine has got to be the fastest growing selection that garden centers will offer. If not the first year the second year will cover your trellis in record time beating all other vine species, “hands down”. Hops are also a favorite of home brew folks as well as local neighborhood bread bakers.
Wisteria: This plant is certainly very sought after due to its spectacular display of hanging grape like blooms, but I must say it is a tough one to establish much less get to bloom. There are many varieties of this plant family, but you must make sure you get the ones that are hardy for our cold climate! Trusted garden center employees will ensure you of proper selection.
Passion Vines: This is another vine that will surely tackle your sense of patience in regards to establishment in your garden. Some gardeners have been unable to over-winter this unbelievable vine. If however you have ever seen one of these plants in bloom you will probably never give up trying to get it to grow! The intricate bloom design will leave you with a sense of “I can’t believe it is real”!
Akebia: A fast growing deciduous vine with very fragrant blooms and very curious looking fruit. The foliage possesses a unique velvety look quite different from other plants. If un-trellised this vine would also make a fast growing groundcover.
Climbing Hydrangea: This could be one of the most spectacular vines a gardener could grow. With large (6”-8”) white creamy blooms this perennial vine is a sure show stopper. Slow to establish but well worth the effort, this vine will establish a little wow factor in your garden when observed by your special backyard guests!

Annual Vine Species (These are selections that usually have to be replanted every season. They only come back in memory!!!

Sweet Peas: A favorite of mine that is perfect for our many times cool climate. Fast to grow from seed or garden center starts, there are many varieties to choose from. Most are unforgettably fragrant adding a special allure to selected planting areas. This vine is a must for our area. Fast, colorful, fragrant and fabulous.
Morning Glory: Some consider this as an invasive species but for our cold climate area it is a natural. Fast growing, with attractive foliage (some are even variegated) this is truly a spectacular velvety dazzling species.
Black-eyed Susan’s: This vine can grow faster than a rabbit sprinting through the sagebrush and will light up a trellis or pergola with bright yellow and black blossoms the entire summer season once it gets started. This is a fun and easy backyard favorite.

Other garden center selections with GREAT climbing capabilities would be the likes of Grapes and Roses. Grape vines are currently the rage with many folks as their fruit and foliage add a special class to the backyard arbor as well as a wonderful canopy of shade as the large leafed foliage and clusters if fruit drape over the outdoor dinning pergola. Climbing roses on the other hand have been a standby in yards and gardens for years. Not necessarily a true vine but a plant with vigorous upright growth that will put the “wow” factor on any arbor or trellis with their spectacular show of colorful fragrant flowers.

In conclusion I can only say one thing, now is the time to get planting, considering that you are now well versed on the ins and outs of vining plants as well as selected varieties that will serve your needs. As always, make sure you pay strict attention to the planting site as well as soil preparation! Oversized planting holes, deeply amended with manure free organic compost, then topped off with 6 to 12 cups of a granular blended fertilizer such as our “Cold Climate” will have you smiling as you watch your plantings explode with color, fragrance, and cool foliage! Happy planting and I hope you enjoy your newfound growing friends!

As the seasons change and the Holidays approach…….. Just a quick note to remind you that Redmond Greenhouse is again offering our “Mail Order” Evergreen Wreath deal. A 20″-24″ hand tied mixed greens wreath, sprayed with our all natural preserver “Wilt-Proof”, add pine cones, Juniper Berries, a hand tied Red Velvet bow with Gold Trim, a special gift enclosure card (with your special message) all wrapped in festive Holiday Florist cello………. All this for just $34.99. PLUS we can ship them FedEx right from our business and the job is done and your gift list is fulfilled……………….. From business gift lists to friends and family this offering from Redmond Greenhouse makes it so easy and we are quite sure you will be left with a smile and a thank you from those who receive them………… Just give us a call or stop on by…. we are now taking orders and shipping has begun…..
As in the past we will again be offering VERY Fresh-Cut Noble Fir trees starting the first week of December. Custom snow flocking plus other Holiday offerings…….
Happy late fall, early winter………… the Holidays are here and we are ready to help you out!

High Desert Garden & Landscape
October Calendar
by Doug Stott (Redmond Greenhouse)

Apply dormant sprays to all fruit trees as the leaves fall from the branches. Cane berries and roses will also benefit from this organic “preventative” gardening practice. Temperatures should be at least forty degrees for proper spraying results!

I would recommend no further pruning of deciduous (leaf type) trees or shrubs, as this practice can stimulate new growth as well as leave the wound open for the remainder of fall and winter thus enabling insects and disease to penetrate the open wound. Spent flowers can be removed anytime.

As we secure our sprinkler systems for the upcoming freezing season I would recommend that you still hand water as needed, especially those new plantings (one to three year old plantings). Winter watering will eliminate dehydration a common problem faced by gardeners in the High Desert.

If you are one of the lucky gardeners with a greenhouse or coldframe, then there should be no reason why you can’t sow some seed of lettuce, spinach, or romaine for a crunchy autumn salad! Start seed indoors for quick results, then transplant outdoors into your coldframe.

Pruning of evergreen shrubs can be done as the Fall season progresses. Sometimes I recommend holding off until later, but if you have the urge to do so, go ahead. Garden clippings can make great holiday centerpieces.

Don’t put your lawn mower away to quickly this fall as a tall and leggy lawn will slide into massive disrepair causing you major problems in spring. With cooling temperatures and a little moisture it is a dandy time to apply an application of turf fertilizer. I would recommend our Cascade Natural (granular organic) as it is non leaching, non burning and will not encourage “Snow Mold” as high nitrogen chemical fertilizers will do.

Storing bulbs such as gladioli/dahlias will do best when stored in vermiculite or “DRY” peat moss. The high acidity will help deter bulb disease. Make sure bulbs are free of garden soil and leftover foliage. Store in a cool but frost free location to ensure proper bulb conditions.

If you have shrubbery underneath of your dwellings eves, you will want to consider tying up the branches thus eliminating the chance of snow damage sliding off the roof. Sisal garden twine works well for this task as it does not cut into the branches.

If you have not mulched in your prize roses yet …GOOD. It’s to early to do so as it has not got cold enough. Side dress with organic “Cold Climate”fertilizer and top with two to three inches of compost for best results. When the ground has frozen, then you may mulch your plants, up over the branches six inches to ensure good spring returns!

We have in stock special “green manure” cover crop seed perfect for empty garden beds. Sow the seed now and let it grow until spring, then till it under……. Ohhhhhh la la you will see the difference. Another GREAT fall practice for idle garden/landscape beds is to apply our organic Cold Climate fertilizer (25# per 500 sq.ft.), then 3” of organic compost and till it in. This is time well spent
Happy Gardening!!!

Redmond Greenhouse (Between Redmond & Bend Hwy. 97) Ph # 548-5418
More Garden Questions? www.redmondgreenhouse.com or my Blog www.coldzonegardening.com
Join Doug Stott every Saturday 7:05-9:00AM on KBND(AM) Radio 1110

The “Friday Farmers Market” has been closed for the season……….. Thanks to all that supported and contributed to it’s cause…………… We hope to offer you more next year……… Happy Autumn… Doug

Redmond Greenhouse will offer a FREE class Saturday Sept. 24th. Conversation will include topics concerning the Autumn season for gardens and landscape………. Hope to see you there….. Happy digging…. Doug

As we pass the middle of June it looks like it could be clear sailing in terms of the veggie garden……. If you don’t make your move in the week or so you may run into problems with ripening as we fall to the bottom of August……….. dang…………… Seeds should sprout much quicker now and transplants should dig in with new roots within a week…. DEEP watering and an occasional “over the top” application of Earth Juice Grow should have you up and running

Redmond Greenhouse still has (as of this date) lots of seed potatoes, onions, as well as cold crops (lettuce, cabbage, kale, etc.). And for you flower growers…. ahhhhhhhhhh what a wonderful selection to choose from…… Lots of NEW varieties and colors and fragrance that will catch your attention…………. Hang on…………… Here we go…….. Happy Fathers Day…. Doug

So excited as the opening day slides our way….. Friday May 27th from 3:00PM - 7:00PM

Fresh Veggies, Fruits, Berries, Herbs, Meat, Cheese, and so much more…. It is Central Oregon’s ONLY totally volunteer Farmers Market…. Redmond Greenhouse will offer over half of our parking lot to this wonderful community minded event…… Live music plus a chief paring with one of the local Oregon vendors…… Hot Dang…… Hope you can join us for the opening event…. Doug

Redmond Greenhouse and our full service Floral Shop are “Mothers Day” ready……. Our floral cooler is overflowing with a wonderful selection of fresh cut roses, lilies, Iris, Tulips, and fragrant colorful Stock…… If you would like us to send your Mom a delightful bouquet of flowers just drop us an email or give us a call (541-548-5418) and we would be please to help you out………. Down the street or out of state……… Redmond Greenhouse delivers………….. If you Mother is living local……… let us treat you to a Special viewing of our Special Mothers Day entries………. Hanging Baskets, Patio planters, Herb baskets, Roses, Rock Garden Flowers………….. the list goes on and on… Plus lots of fun and interesting garden decor… Perfect for that Special gift…………….. Happy Mothers Day Week…………. Doug

We have just received a shipment of these wonderful and stingless pollinators. We also have many garden ready houses that are easy to set up and fill will straws. Swing on in and find out more about these wonderful little bugs that will make a BIG difference in your garden…… Happy Spring… Doug