Spring Planting Plan for the Pacific Northwest

In her article “ Spring Planting Ideas , ” Michelle Gervais beautifully illustrates the magical time that is the start of spring : “ Our wintertime - weary intent lift as hint of green begin to appear . We comment even the smallest patches ofsnowdropsandcrocusesas we drive by at 55 miles per hour . The firstdaffodilsighting is a tingle , andtulipsare almost too colourful to bear . The palechartreusehaze in the trees seems to change to lush , vivacious green overnight , and every raw sprout brings delight . It ’s the start of another exciting season , and the potential and possibleness for our garden seem boundless . ”

While saltation is often a flurry of planting , planning , and performing the manygarden chores in between , it ’s always a treat to have someplantsthat will sound off off the season with color while others are still awaken up and waiting for fond weather to show off their unspoiled . This spring planting plan was crafted by regional expert Loree Bohl and would be a salient addition to anyPacific Northwestgarden .

1. Beaked yucca

Name : Yuccarostrata

Zones:5–10

Size:4 to 10 feet tall and 3 to 5 invertebrate foot encompassing

consideration : Full sun to fond shade ; average to juiceless soil

Native range : Southern Texas , northern Mexico

I come for this tall , spiky coinage while visiting the desert Southwest and was thrilled to learn it would grow in my Portland garden . With its trunking habit , it reads as an exclamation full stop in the landscape , and each specimen has a unique personality . Like a grass , the recollective strappy leaves move with the wind . As the plant grows , the older leaves brown and close up down toward the trunk . If leave in place the dry out foliage will eventually form a skirt , but it can be murder with no effect on the plant ’s hardiness . peck yucca rarely blooms ; I have grown it for over 15 years and my plants have never produced a single spike . It appreciates summer water but does fine in our summer - dry realm .

2. Whale’s tongue agave

Name : Agaveovatifolia

Zones:7b–10

Size:3 foot tall and 5 feet wide

Conditions : Full sun ; well - drained dirt

aboriginal range : Mexico

This sincerely remarkable statement plant is one of the in force agaves for Pacific Northwest gardens , since it does n’t seem unsettle by our winter moisture . It rarely offsets , so it wo n’t become crowded by baby at its foot . You wo n’t get free plants , but you ’ll get no wounds from test to remove them either . As with all agaves , safe drain is primal . Whale ’s tongue agave prize being imbed higher than the hem in soil , and on a side if potential . Plant in spring to give a new specimen the intact acquire time of year to become established before wintertime . A little supplemental water in summertime f number growth . As is the case with most American aloe , there is only one spectacular bloom , and then the plant slowly dies . bulbil or seed may work on the expired plant ’s blush spike .

3. Upright myrtle spurge

Name : Euphorbiarigida

Zones:7–10

Size:1 foot tall and 2 foot wide

term : Full sun ; dry to average , well - drained grime

Native range : Southern Europe , southwesterly Asia

While its vivid chartreuse blooms are a certain signaling that spring has come , this spurge has something to offer in every time of year . Its evergreen blue - green foliation is arranged along the root word in a mesmerizing symmetrical convention . The ends of the upright , curved stems develop a pinkish rosiness in late winter , and several interesting changes follow . The early outflow flowers are followed by a mid - spring exhibit of seed capsules back by coral - color bracts . Be cognizant that the good seeded player capsule are able of casting seeded player far and wide . Some years I let them do their matter so I will have works to portion out , but most often I reduce back the bloomed - out stalks before the seeds disperse . Use precaution when planting and cutting it back , as the milklike blackjack can cause hide irritation .

4. Chinese mahonia

Name : Mahoniagracilipes

Zones:7–8

Size:4 to 5 groundwork magniloquent and broad

spring planting plan pacific northwest

Illustration: Elara Tanguy

condition : Full sunlight to full shade ; moist , well - drain soil

Native orbit : China

I ca n’t see this plant without commemorate a garden visitor who found he could rub the white coating off the back of the folio and then portion out his discovery with others . Needless to say , this horticultural malicious mischief was not appreciated ! Irresistible foliage is just one of the cool features of this bold , open , airy shrub . Its leaflets are larger than those of most other genus Mahonia , and it has arresting , cerise new outgrowth in early spring . In recent summertime it produces multiple spray of tiny yellow and pink flowers held on fragile radical that darken to an vivid fuchsia when the purple - to - blasphemous Chuck Berry look . Spring is the skilful time of class to get it give and water in . With casual supplemental water , it does fine in our region ’s dry summer .

Beaked yucca

Photo: courtesy of Loree Bohl

Loree Bohl is a lover of spiky plants , the Jehovah of the Danger Garden blog , and the author ofFearless Gardening : Be Bold , Break the Rules , and Grow What You Love .

View the fullcollection of regional planting plansand see the rest ofissue 216 .

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Whales tongue agave

Photo: courtesy of Loree Bohl

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Upright myrtle spurge

Photo: courtesy of Loree Bohl

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Chinese mahonia

Photo: millettephotomedia.com

Spring Planting Plan for the Southwest

Spring Planting Plan for the Southeast

Spring Planting Plan for the Northeast

Spring Planting Plan for the Midwest

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