Hillsboro Garden Club, Oregon

03/20/2026

How to identify native violets?

Identifying native violets can be a bit tricky, but here are some general tips to get you started:

1. Leaf shape and size:
Native violets typically have heart-shaped or oval-shaped leaves with a pointed tip.
The leaves can be small, around 1-3" long, and often have a delicate texture.
2. Flower color and shape:
Native violet flowers are usually blue or purple with five petals, often with a distinctive spur or throat.
The flowers can be quite small, around 0.5-1" in diameter.
3. Growth habit:
Native violets tend to be low-growing, spreading plants that thrive in shady to partially shaded areas. They often form colonies over time.
4. Habitat:
Native violets typically prefer moist, well-drained soils in woodland edges, meadows, or along streams.

Some common native violet species in North America include:

- Early Blue Violet (Viola sororia):
Has blue flowers with a white center and heart-shaped leaves.
- Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia):
Similar to Early Blue Violet, but with more variable leaf shape and size.
- Canada Violet (Viola canadensis):
Has white flowers with purple veins and heart-shaped leaves.

03/19/2026

Plants You Need to Prune in March for Stronger Spring ...In March, Oregon

Gardeners should prune summer-blooming shrubs (butterfly bush, hardy fuchsia, spirea), fruit trees (apple, pear), and rose bushes to encourage new growth.
It is also the ideal time to cut back ornamental grasses and prune broadleaf evergreens like lavender and box honeysuckle.

•Key Plants to Prune in March:
Shrubs & Vines: Butterfly bush (Buddleja), Panicle and Smooth Hydrangeas, Rose of Sharon, Caryopteris, Beautyberry, Potentilla, and Summer-blooming Spirea.

•Roses:
Prune, especially climbers, before new growth starts to ensure strong blooms.
•Evergreens:
Lightly trim lavender, boxwood, H**e, and conifers like pines if necessary.
•Fruit Trees & Berries:
Prune fruit trees (apple, pear) to manage canopy and remove old canes from blackberries, blueberries, and currants.
•Perennials & Grasses:
Cut back ornamental grasses to the ground and remove dead, messy foliage from perennial beds.
•Wait on Spring Bloomers:
Do not prune Forsythia, Lilac, Magnolia, or Rhododendron yet; wait until after they flower.
•Avoid Frost Damage:
While you can prune many plants, be aware that harsh late freezes can damage tender new growth stimulated by early pruning.
•Weather Advantage:
Take advantage of mild, early spring weather to clean up and open up plant structures for better airflow.
•Fertilize:
Apply 2–3" of mulch around pruned trees and shrubs

03/19/2026

03/17/2026

(Unfortunately the picture below is my rose)

Dark spots on climbing roses are likely black spot (Diplocarpon rosae), a common fungal disease causing black spots with feathery edges, yellow halos, and defoliation.
It thrives in wet, warm conditions, often spreading via rain splashes.
Treat immediately by removing affected leaves and applying fungicides containing sulfur, neem oil, or sulfur-based treatments.

How to Manage Black Spot on Climbing Roses:
Remove Infected Parts: Immediately pick off infected leaves and prune infected stems, as the fungus spreads vigerminate.

Dispose of Debris:
Do not compost infected leaves; instead, burn or throw them away to prevent reinfection next spring.

Improve Air Circulation:
Prune climbing roses for better airflow and manage foliage to reduce moisture buildup, preventing the 7+ hours of moisture needed for spores to germinat.

Water at the Base:
Avoid overhead watering to keep foliage dry, as splashing water spreads the fungus.

Apply Fungicides:
Use organic options like neem oil or sulfur, or chemical fungicides containing chlorothalonil or myclobutanil.

Choose Resistant Varieties:
When planting new climbers, pick cultivars that show high resistance to black spot.

03/13/2026

Hillsborough Garden Club members held their March meeting at the Hillsboro Brookwood library.
In attendance were: Barbara Jones, Bettye Piña, Gail Dawson, Gio Burt, and her granddaughter Tara Burt visiting from Ireland, Jeanne Kirk,
Liz Haide, Lori Hottenroth, Nancy Hordynski,
Rae Nolan, Sandra Dawson, and Sonya Rose-Hoatson, lead.
Members collected and donated seeds for Teen Services at the Shute Park Library.
James Galbreath was unable to give his scheduled demonstration on pruning because of his duty with the National Guard, we are proud of him.
Since James wasn't available to attend, Sonya provided brushes, paint and wooden flowers for members to paint. It turned out to be a fun activity, see attached pictures.

03/12/2026

Don’t Touch Daffodil Leaves...

At least not yet! The downside to these wonderful spring flowering plants is that the foliage begins to look ratty after the flowers are spent.

Some want to tidy up the landscape by clipping all the foliage off, clipping it in half, or folding the leaves and wrapping them up with a rubber band.

No matter how bad the foliage looks, it plays an important role. Next year’s flowers are being formed during this ratty-looking stage. The leaves gather sunlight and, through photosynthesis, store sugars in the bulb for next year’s growth. Leave the leaves alone for at least SIX WEEKS after blooming. Then, you can begin to clip the foliage for a "tidier" look.

03/12/2026

Hillsborough Garden Club members held their March meeting at the Hillsboro Brookwood library.

In attendance were: Barbara Jones, Bettye Piña, Gail Dawson, Gio Burt, and her granddaughter Tara Burt visiting from Ireland, Jeanne Kirk, Liz Haide, Lori Hottenroth,
Nancy Hordynski, Rae Nolan, Sandra Dawson, and Sonya Rose-Hoatson, lead.

Members collected and donated seeds for Teen Services at the Shute Park Library.

James Galbreath was unable to give his scheduled demonstration on pruning because of his duty with the National Guard, we are proud of him.

Since James wasn't available to attend, Sonya provided brushes, paint and wooden flowers for members to paint. It turned out to be a fun activity, see attached pictures.

03/10/2026

How to prune geraniums for bigger blooms, follow these steps:

1. Remove dead flowers: Pinch or cut off spent blooms to encourage more flowering.
2. Cut back leggy stems: Trim back long, leggy stems to about one-third to one-half of their length to promote bushy growth.
3. Shape the plant: Prune to maintain a balanced shape, removing any weak or spindly growth.
4. Cut back old stems: After the blooming season, cut back old stems to about 6-8" from the ground to encourage new growth.
5. Prune in spring: Prune geraniums in early spring, before new growth begins, to shape the plant and promote new growth.

Some specific tips to keep in mind:

- Use clean, sharp pruning tools to prevent spreading disease.
- Make cuts just above a leaf node (where a leaf meets the stem) to encourage new growth.
- Prune to encourage air circulation and prevent disease.
- Don't over-prune, as this can stress the plant.

By following these steps, you should be able to promote bigger blooms and a healthier, more vigorous geranium plant.

03/07/2026

What are the laws regarding plant scavenging?

In Oregon, laws regarding plant scavenging vary depending on the type of plant, its location, and the action being taken. Here are some key points to consider:

- Protected Plants:
Native plants listed as threatened or endangered are legally protected on non-federal public lands. To collect or disturb these plants, you may need a permit or consultation with the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).

- Private Property:
On private property, you don't need a permit to collect or destroy listed plants, but it's essential to ensure you have the property owner's permission.

- Non-Federal Public Property:
Collecting or disturbing listed plants on non-federal public property requires a permit or consultation with ODA.

- Transporting Plants:
If you're transporting listed plant material on public roads, you'll need a permit.

- Easements:
Being in an easement doesn't automatically grant permission to collect plants without the property owner's consent.

Some specific scenarios where permits are required include.

- Collecting/disturbing listed plants on non-federal public property:
Yes, a permit is needed.
- Collecting listed plants from private property:
Maybe, depending on the circumstances.
- Transporting listed plant material on public roads:
Yes, a permit is needed.

It's also worth noting that Oregon has laws governing tree care and disputes, including the Oregon Forest Practices Act, which regulates forest practices like timber harvest and reforestation.²

To ensure you're complying with Oregon's laws, consider the following steps:
- Check with ODA:
Verify the plant's status and any necessary permits.
- Get permission:
Ensure you have the property owner's consent.
- Understand easement rules:
Don't assume being in an easement grants permission to collect plants.

For more detailed information, consult the Oregon Department of Agriculture or a qualified attorney specializing in property and environmental law.

03/06/2026

Shrubs That Bloom on Old Wood.....
One of the biggest pruning mistakes gardeners make in spring is cutting back shrubs that bloom on old wood.
These plants form their flower buds during the previous growing season, often in late summer or early fall.
That means the buds you see swelling on branches in early spring are already prepared to bloom.
If you cut those stems now, you remove this year’s flowers before they ever have a chance to open.
Several well-loved shrubs fall into this category...
•Bigleaf hydrangea, such as Hydrangea macrophylla, sets its flower buds on last year’s growth.
If you trim them heavily in spring, you may end up with healthy green leaves but no blooms.
The same is true for....
•Forsythia, which produces its bright yellow flowers on old stems.
•Lilac also blooms on old wood, which is why it should only be pruned shortly after flowering.
•Azalea and many types of •Rhododendron follow this pattern as well. Their buds form well before winter, quietly waiting through the cold months. Spring pruning cuts away that careful preparation.
Even some varieties of weigela and viburnum rely on old wood for their early-season blooms.
If you are unsure whether a shrub blooms on old or new wood, pay attention to when it flowers.
Shrubs that bloom in early spring usually rely on growth from the previous year. Those that bloom later in summer often produce flowers on new growth.
Instead of cutting these shrubs back in early spring, wait until just after they finish flowering.
At that point, you can shape the plant and remove unwanted branches without sacrificing next year’s show.
Patience protects your blooms and keeps your shrubs performing beautifully year after year.