Archive for Drought Tolerant Garden

Three Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) for Color and Bee-Friendly Gardens in Portland Oregon

· February 17, 2025

Rudbeckia f. 'Little Henry' in Portland garden design. Standing at just 24”, this petite version of black-eyed susan has uniquely rolled petals. I use it in my low maintenance landscape designs as well as pollinator gardens. — Rudbeckia f. ‘Little Henry’ in Portland garden design. Standing at just 24”, this petite version of black-eyed susan has uniquely rolled petals. I use it in my low maintenance landscape designs as well as pollinator gardens.

Meet Little Henry Rudbeckia, for late-flowering food for bees

Let me introduce you to a variety of black-eyed Susan I adore – ‘Little Henry’. Standing at just 24” to 30”, it’s a petite version of the classic tall black-eyed susan, he has the most interesting rolled petals. These flowers are exquisite in flower arrangements and a favorite among bees. As summer starts to fade, that is when ‘Little Henry’ starts blooming, ensuring your garden has late-season color and food for bees too. I use this in low maintenance planting plans as well as those for gardeners. My photo was taken in October. Some native bees won’t visit this hybridized fancy flower because it doesn’t look like our native. Other bees are delighted.

Low-Maintenance Bee Feeding Perennial Plants with Showy Flowers

For those seeking easy plants, rudbeckia fulgida ‘Little Gold Star’ is your hero. These resilient mounding plants maintain a neat shape and, after a couple of years, accept less watering (not no watering!) . They pair well with the hardy spanish lavender, thriving in hot sun conditions while adding a continuous summer display that starts in July, like clockwork, ending in late October.

Rudbeckia 'Little Gold Star' still in full flower October 25th in my client Mikes front yard with mid spring flowering spanish lavander. Between these two plants there are 6 months of food for bees. — Rudbeckia ‘Little Gold Star’ still in full flower October 25th in my client Mikes front yard with mid spring flowering spanish lavander. Between these two plants there are 6 months of food for bees.

I drive by this rudbeckia l. 'Herbstonne' planting at NW 25th and Upshur in Portland. They were abandoned for several years with no apparent irrigation or care while the restaurant was closed and continued to thrive. The center cone is a stunning lime green. — I drive by this rudbeckia l. ‘Herbstonne’ planting at NW 25th and Upshur in Portland. They were abandoned for several years with no apparent irrigation or care while the restaurant was closed and continued to thrive. The center cone is a stunning lime green.

Rudbeckia ‘Herbstonne’ offers tall perennial perfection

At 4′ to 5′ one of my tallest favorite black-eyed susan is the rudbeckia laciniata ‘Herbstonne’. It’s a dramatic large flower with months-long blooming, perfect for sunlit spaces where it stands tall without staking. I can use it in part sun too but it will need staking or a big cut back in May to create shorter flowering stems that won’t flop. Who wants to stake plants? Not me. The flower is a knock out so check out this close up photo link.

These blooms transition beautifully from garden to vase, becoming part of my end-of-summer floral arrangement ritual.

Two Kinds of Black-Eyed Susan – Know the Difference for Best Results in Your Portland Garden

There are two main kinds: the short-lived biennials with their fuzzy leaves and long-lived perennials with smooth, shiny foliage. In the Pacific NW, the self-seeding biennials can be a gardener’s companion, popping up here and there and flowering more profusely than their perennial cousins. But if maintenance (pulling up seedings that planted themselves where you don’t want them), isn’t your thing, the perennial types of rudbeckia featured in this blog might be your best bet. The perennial forms also have consistent heights and appearance. Seed generated plants can be quite different from one another and are a good lesson in genetics. Remember Mendels peas?

Contact Me

Do you want a thoughtful planting plan focused design for color and visual satisfaction, or to feed pollinators and birds, or a low maintenance back yard to share with your dog that still feeds the bees? You can have beauty, low maintenance and pollinator friendly plantings, just ask us to create it for you. I return phone calls and respond quickly to contact forms.

Categories : Dramatic Flowers, Drought Tolerant Garden, Garden Tips, Plants I Recommend, pollinator plants

Tags : colorful flowers, cutting flowers, dramatic flowers, long blooming flowers, pollinator friendly plants, pollinator plants

Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan) for Color and Bee Friendly Gardens in Portland Oregon

Posted by Landscape Design in a Day

· January 31, 2025

Growing Joy: My Love for Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) and Other Garden Favorites

Let’s get to know black-eyed susan (rudbeckia) for colorful pollinator friendly Portland landscapes and gardens.

Welcome to Portland Oregon, my little corner of the world where greenery thrives, colors burst, and landscapes transform into picturesque retreats. I’m Carol, and as a landscape designer, my passion is creating spaces that you can feel connected to, whether sipping your morning cup of Joe in your garden or inviting bees to dance among the blooms. Today, I want to chat up one of my perennial favorites that I use often in my landscape designs–the charming black-eyed susan (rudbeckia).

Wildflower Wonder at Meriwether Farms in NW Portland

Imagine a sea of colorful summer flower with rudbeckia, echinacea, japanese silver grass ‘Morning Light’, lavander and the hot orange flower flutes of crocosmia all swaying in unison. At the heart, the bold black-eyed susan (rudbeckia) steals the show. It’s vibrant and resilient, and it partners beautifully in wildflower-style plantings and foundation plantings, creating a feast for both the eyes and the friendly pollinators.

Bee Heaven in NW Portland

In this lovely Northwest garden designed by my colleague Alana and me, a palette of black-eyed susan, blanket flower, and echinops (yes, an ornamental thistle that bees can’t get enough of) create a carefree-looking dreamscape. While the winter weather definitely strips away the colorful beauty of this pollinator garden (leaving it looking admittedly a bit desolate), our client embraces that cycle—it leaves the seed heads intact for birds to feed on in the winter.

Create Pollinator Friendly and Satisfying Plant Pairings with Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

Wildflower wonder meadow or colorful foundation plantings for your Portland landscape? Rudbeckia, Echinacea, Lavander, and Crocosmia feed bees and flourish in this irrigated full sun garden in NW Portland. Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldstrum' — Wildflower wonder meadow or colorful foundation plantings for your Portland landscape? Rudbeckia, Echinacea, Lavander, and Crocosmia feed bees and flourish in this irrigated full sun garden in NW Portland. Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldstrum’

Please know there are so many plants that work well as companions for black-eyed susan. For the more drought-tolerant biennial types of black-eyed susan put them with very low water plants like Silver Daisy Bush (senecio grayi) a fabulous silver green evergreen foliaged plant, or blue/lavender colored flowers of Echinops an ornamental thistle. For a tough low maintenance front yard add more evergreen with a true dwarf mugo pine or even common as dirt, juniper ‘Blue Star’. My clients who live for plants love rudbeckia, but they are great for the low maintenance client crowd too.

Contact Me

Categories : Dramatic Flowers, Drought Tolerant Garden, Garden Tips, Plants I Recommend, pollinator plants

Tags : colorful flowers, cutting flowers, dramatic flowers, long blooming flowers, pollinator friendly plants, pollinator plants

Low Maintenance Ornamental Grasses for Your Portland Garden: Part 3 of 3

Posted by Landscape Design in a Day

· November 10, 2024

Switch Grass is a Native, Low Maintenance Addition to Your Portland Garden Design

Panicum virgatum American Switch Grass glowing red in mid summer in Portland Oregon

Panicum virgatum American Switch Grass ‘Ruby Ribbons’ glowing red in mid summer in Portland Oregon

Switch Grass: Colorful grass blades with drought tolerance too

Switch grass is a native American grass that offers dramatic color and form, making it a standout in any garden:

Mass Planting: This grass looks fantastic when massed or used as a focal point. It’s particularly effective in modern landscapes but fits well into naturalistic gardens too.
Seasonal Interest: With its vibrant mid-summer and fall colors, switch grass provides interest when many other plants are fading. I have noticed many of the newer varieties of switch grass blades color up even by mid June depending on how hot it has been.
Water Needs: Once established, switch grass is very low water. However, it’s crucial to plant it in well-drained soil. Avoid areas where water can puddle, as this will cause the roots to rot. If you still have powerful overhead sprinkler spray be aware the water spray can cause these grasses to fall over. Drip irrigation is better for this reason and that it is easier to water deeply and infrequently which is a perfect fit for this grass.
Height Considerations:
Stick with grasses under 4′ tall for low maintenance. I always use shorter cultivars 36 to 44 inches tall to avoid my clients having to add supports. But, taller varieties (such as 6 or 7′ tall switch grass) can be so stunning if you’re willing to put a ring or other support around the plant in spring. Piet Ouldalf, a famous garden designer uses heavy metal rings with feet (the ring was about 14” to 18”) around his 6′ tall ornamental grasses. I found this video link on the web for a grass ring but wow these grasses in the video are huge and much wider than any of the tall grasses that I use. I was in Piet’s garden back in 2001 and saw the supports he uses. It made me laugh because I had thought when my tall grasses flopped that I was overwatering or doing something wrong but even the master uses supports for tall grasses. If you are an adventurous gardener, willing to use supports, go for some of the tall varieties like 8′ foot tall Thundercloud Switch Grass.

Switch grass used as a colorful entry walk plant in S.W. Portland in a drought tolerant garden of grasses, herbs, and succulents.

Switch grass is a versatile and resilient choice, offering beauty and adaptability to various garden styles. It doesn’t provide well for Willamette Valley native insects but it pairs beautifully with pollinator friendly plants like Blanket Flower, Salvias, Penstemons and more. It makes an orderly but loose effect with native pollinator friendly shrubs like Coyote Bush.

Bringing It All Together

Sedum Autumn Joy contrasts beautifully with Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum background) in Portland garden.

Creating a custom landscape design requires a deep understanding of plant behavior. As a landscape designer, my goal is to select plants that not only look beautiful but also thrive in your specific environment with minimal maintenance. Here’s how I can help:

Custom Designs: I tailor designs to fit your space and lifestyle and your eco consciousness. I won’t proselytize but am happy to create plantings that feed our native insects. Birds gotta eat too and what they eat are insects. Or maybe we will only use a few native plants and use more non native plants that help bees and use less water all without cramping your style. Whether you want a low-maintenance garden or are more interested in plants that require learning how to care for them… I’ll create a plan that works for you.
Knowledge and Experience: I understand how different plants grow and perform and what it takes to care for them. Lets create a thriving and vibrant planting plan for your new landscape.
Personalized Advice: We’ll discuss what “low maintenance” actually means to you and design a garden that meets your expectations and provides the stunning visual appeal you expect from a landscape designer.

Get in Touch

Creating a custom landscape design is more than just picking plants – it’s about understanding how they will perform in your unique environment and how much care they will need. If you’re ready to transform your garden, contact me for a phone consultation. Let’s create a stunning, low-maintenance landscape tailored to your needs and preferences.

Categories : Design Basics, Drought Tolerant Garden, Garden Tips, Low Maintenance Landscape Examples, Native Plants, Plants I Recommend

Tags : curb appeal, drought tolerant plantings, garden tips, low maintenance landscape, low maintenance plants, native plants, Ornamental Grasses Tips

Low Maintenance Ornamental Grasses for Your Portland Garden: Part 1 of 3

Posted by Carol

· November 2, 2024

Creating Stunning Landscapes with Ornamental Grasses: Expert Tips from a Landscape Designer

Low maintenance ornamental grass, Fescue Elijah Blue in Portland front yard with colorful low water sedum groundcovers.

Drought tolerant and colorful N.E. Portland front yard boasts ornamental grasses like Blue Fescue.

As a landscape designer, one of my favorite elements to incorporate into a garden is ornamental grasses. Not only do they provide year-round interest, but they are also incredibly low maintenance and many are drought-tolerant. Grasses visually tie the plants in the garden together and add a calming influence.

I’m excited to share some insights and tips on using grasses in Portland landscapes and how to keep them looking their best. The grasses I am talking about today are available at most garden nurseries and are perfect for creating a striking, low-maintenance landscape.

Fescue Grass: Elegance in Blue

Festuca glauca – Blue fescue is a stunning choice for any landscape. It’s soft blue hued blades add a touch of elegance and contrast, especially when paired with vibrant perennials like sedums. (They work with so many low water plantings.) Here are some important tips you need to keep your fescue looking its best:

Planting: Space them further apart than you might think – at least 24 to 30 inches. This allows them to grow and shine without overcrowding. Low ground cover plants (under 5 inches) can be planted close by and creep right up to the grass.
Maintenance: Mostly, you’ll just need to comb out the dead foliage in the spring with the occasional spruce up as needed. When they get too big or start getting floppy, split them (very few people do this anymore), or just replace them entirely. They typically look great for about 3 -5 years assuming you didn’t overwater or over fertilize them which can cause rapid growth. I’ve never fertilized mine.
Water Needs: Once established, fescue has low water needs. Figure out how you will water this area much less than other areas of your landscape. If you can’t cut back the water using your irrigation system without damaging other plantings, try re configuring your overhead spray irrigation or close off the section of drip tube by replacing it with tube that has no holes in it. (The term ‘established’ means the plant has been in one place for a full year or two.)
How to Kill this Plant: Water it every day in the summer, over fertilize it, or plant it in a low place where winter water will puddle which will cause root rot.
Companion Plants: In this garden I used sedums, hens and chicks, and lower water perennials like Rudbeckia (black eyed susan) which are excellent companions. The low sedums and succulents fill in around the grasses and add bursts of color. Other low water perennials such as colorful salvias, penstemons and blanket flower (Gaillardia) work well as do dwarf pines or other low water dwarf conifers.

Low Maintenance Reality

Even though you may need to replace fescue every 3-4 years, I still consider them low maintenance. Sometimes I use fescue as a temporary planting, removing them once long term plantings such as dwarf evergreen shrubs have filled in and reached a more mature size. Other times I deliberately use fescue for the long term vision with the client knowing they will be planning to replace them as needed.

For a new gardener this may seem like a lot of work but most garden centers sell Festuca glauca, Blue Fescue varieties that mature in the 8″ to 12″ tall size. They are very easy to find and buy replacements, and are very easy to plant too.
Here are 3 varieties with different shades of blue:
‘Boulder Blue’
‘Elijah’s Blue’
‘Beyond Blue’ chalky white blue 8″ to 12″

Additionally,

Festuca idahoensis x glauca ‘Siskiyou Blue’ 18″ to 24″ tall lasts longer in the landscape if it receives low to no summer water and no fertilizer, but it has a much more wild appearance than the varieties of blue fescue listed above. Additionally Festuca roemeri var romeri and Festuca californica var californica are more eco-friendly choices but might look too wild for traditionally residential landscapes. They are a perfect fit for planting under our grand native Oregon White Oak, support a variety of beneficial insects and pollinators making native a very eco-friendly choice.

Continue reading about Portland low maintenance ornamental grasses in the garden in our upcoming Part 2.

Contact us

Hilary and I love plants. We love making planting combinations that work well together both from a cultural needs and visual spice point of view. Our knowledge can integrate your landscape plantings and take them to a new level of attractiveness and durability.

Categories : Design Basics, Drought Tolerant Garden, Garden Tips, Landscape Styles, Low Maintenance Landscape Examples, No Lawn Front Yards, Plants I Recommend

Tags : curb appeal, drought tolerant plantings, extend plant life, garden tips, low maintenance plants, low water plantings, No Lawn

Low Maintenance Ornamental Grasses for Your Portland Garden: Part 2 of 3

Posted by Landscape Design in a Day

· October 25, 2024

Low Maintenance Fountain Grass: The Steady Eddie of Ornamental Grasses In Your Portland Garden Design

Portland area residential landscape designer.

Fountain grasses planted with late flowering Italian lavender create great textural contrast and cascade down this dry hot slope showing early fall color.

Fountain Grasses: Versatile, Vibrant and Low Water

Fountain grasses are popular for a reason – their graceful, often arching foliage and feathery plumes add movement and texture to any garden. They work beautifully in both formal and informal settings and look great with a variety of plants:

Commercial Appeal: Fountain grasses are often seen in commercial plantings, but don’t let that deter you. In residential gardens, they pair wonderfully with pollinator friendly naturalistic garden plants like heather, lavender, shrubs and many more pollinator friendly perennials that are stunning with fountain grasses.
Crowded Beds: When your planting composition starts to look crowded, it’s time to split or thin out some of the grasses. Many grasses including fountain grass need to be split every 5 years minimum. If you overwater they may flop and they will need splitting sooner. Splitting or thinning out some grass plants keeps the planting composition looking the way we designed it and avoids having the plantings grow into each other. Crowding spoils the beauty of the different plants shapes and how their distinct shapes contrast with each other. I praise the faster growth of grasses over shrubs. Using grasses means we don’t have to wait 5 years or more for the planting scheme to come together.
Versatility: Fountain grasses can fit into various garden styles, from modern to cottage. They’re also a great choice for adding height and interest. Last of all they can be used as temporary plantings while waiting for trees and shrubs to mature.
Modern front walk with grasses, heathers and lavanders in low water landscape.

Drought Tolerant Planting: This plant handles lots of sun, and heat in Portland. Once established most fountain grasses will take plenty of heat with a minimal amount of water. These past two summers we have had high temps for longer periods than usual so the grasses next to concrete may need occasional deep watering to prevent scorched leaves.

Low maintenance Fountain grass in dry Portland garden.

Dry garden in N.E. Portland with Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alocuroides)

Remember, even commonly used plants can create stunning effects when thoughtfully paired and integrated into your landscape. Commercial plantings typically use one kind of plant en masse which is often kind of boring and doesn’t provide the diversity our pollinators need. Pairing fountain grass with dark red hens and chicks and drought tolerant heather (like Calluna vulgaris ‘Mrs Ron Gray’) is an eye catching combination.

Problems with Fountain grass are similar to fescue, overwater, fertilize, or plant in a heavy clay soil that is soaking wet in winter. Dog pee can brown out sections of fountain grass. This urine damaged section often dies out and it doesn’t recover. I never set them close to the public sidewalk in city front yards with lots of dog walkers. Some neighborhoods have a lot more dog traffic than others.

Continue reading about Portland low maintenance ornamental grasses in the garden in our upcoming Part 3.

Contact me today for a custom landscape design that brings your vision to life. Together, we can create a beautiful, sustainable garden that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Categories : Design Basics, Drought Tolerant Garden, Garden Tips, Low Maintenance Landscape Examples, Plants I Recommend

Tags : drought tolerant plantings, garden tips, low water plantings, modern style landscape, Ornamental Grasses Tips

Archive for Drought Tolerant Garden

Categories

Let’s make your landscape beautiful.

What we offer

How to contact us

Recent blog posts