In response to my request for suggestions for native plants from you my dear readers, I received this lovely suggestion from Christian Bernard in Vancouver. Christian has a great blog worth visiting. We have a lot of states and countries to cover…so please send me your suggestions so I can feature them.
About Oemleria cerasiformis
Commonly known at Indian Plum, Osoberry, Oregon Plum or (my favorite) Skunk Bush, Christian writes:
For me this plant signals the much welcomed changing of the season, that winter is leaving us behind and spring is near. When its fresh green leaves open on all but bare branches, the Indian Plum reveals its flowers, clean and delicate. It is a very elegant appearing shrub in both branch structure and flower…When you crush the leaves a cucumber or watermelon rind scent is released.
1. Indian Plum (aka Osoberry), 2. Oemleria cerasiformis (Indian plum), 3. Oemleria cerasiformis flower3, 4. Indian Plum – Oemleria cerasiformis
Uses:
Often the first deciduous native shrub to flower in late winter, Indian plum is an important early season nectar source for hummingbirds, moths and butterflies, native bees and other pollinator species. Indian plum is popular for Pacific Northwest restoration projects due to its ease of propagation, rapid growth, and wide tolerances for various shade and moisture regimes. The fibrous roots resist erosion. Clones that root more readily can be employed in restoration projects as live stakes or as rooted cuttings.
Christian also sent this nice picture of a modern garden design project he recently did using the Indian plum .
Thanks Christian!
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