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Email Story to a Friend June 22, 2006 Hardy plantings can endure neglect My perennial plantings are practically overflowing the premises. That's partially because they are in the company of a ton of weeds — enough that any self-respecting garden writer would be tempted to change the name on the mailbox. The Schillens have been hindered by health recently. When the garden gets this neglected, there's just one thing to do: Take notes. Which plants have the fortitude and spirit to hold their own when left to their own devices? Those are the flowers for me! I was surprised to find out that our garden isn't completely forlorn given the level of neglect. A dozen or so plants have bloomed magnificently — for a time, at least — taking attention away from the weeds. Old favorites, these plants have been indispensable to me for 18 years of gardening in Southern Oregon. In addition to holding their own against advancing weeds, they survive hot summers, clay soil and in my case, hard, salty water from a deep well. The most prominent now is calendula, cheery golden-orange petals popping up in cracks and crevices everywhere. I planted those annuals my first year of gardening at this location, and they continue to reseed every year, sometimes displaying a brave, chilly blossom in mid-winter. Not only are they bright, they are also useful: As a trap crop (for various beetles), dried as a substitute for saffron and to grace the bouquets of little girls. Other dependable yellow flowers include yarrow Moonshine, which is fine in either a fresh or dried flower arrangement. Another outstanding performer for me is the peony. A row of 30 line one side of the garden, most of them blooming strongly each spring in light pink, dark pink and white with red marks (Festiva). These have undergone a planned replanting twice and even have survived the accidental pulling-up by a well-intentioned but non-gardening acquaintance two years ago. All but six are reblooming. Advertisement Blue-flowered plants that thrive here include lavender, which shares its scent whenever brushed; salvia May Night; and Perovskia (Russian sage), which can look untidy in neat beds but seems to fit into my garden just fine. White-blooming survivors in my garden include a species rockrose (Cistus), which obligingly self-seeds; and Pyrethrum chrysanthemum, the white-flowered variety of painted daisy that is grown for its insecticide but which also does double duty in the garden where it blooms longer than Shasta daisy. More tough plants: lamb's ears (too aggressive in many instances), rosemary, wall germander and other perennial herbs. You may have noticed that many of the most accommodating plants are herbs. They have a well-deserved reputation as trouble-free plants. What many people do not realize is just how beautiful they can be in the landscape. Give some of these a try. You'll be well rewarded for your efforts. Coming up Join Master Gardener Ellen Scannell from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday as she teaches a class on how to grow herbs, their many uses and the folklore surrounding them. It takes place at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center auditorium, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point. The fee for non-Master Gardeners is $5. For more information, call 776-7371 or visit " target="_blank">http://extension.orst.edu/sorec.mg. Sams Valley gardener Joyce Schillen is author of "The Growing Season," a book on organic gardening. Her e-mail address is [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Casino Reviews Advertisement s Advertisement