Native Plant Focus: Potentilla thurberi, Scarlet cinquefoil

(photo by Sally and Andy Wasowski)   Scarlet cinquefoil growing in CSR’s Southern Idaho Native Roots, LLC field. Scarlet cinquefoil, Potentilla thurberi, is a perennial of rich, conifer forests. Its leafy stems are usually at least a foot tall. Basal leaves are palmately compound, with five to seven leaflets. One or several leafy branched stems [...]

In the Greenhouse: Epilobium canum, Firechalice

Growing in the CSR Southern Idaho greenhouse: Epilobium canum, also known as Zauschneria, is a species of willowherb native to dry slopes and in chaparral of western North America. An important food source for hummingbirds.

Native Plant Focus: Holodiscus discolor, Hillside Oceanspray

(photo: Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org) (photos: Walter Siegmund) OceanSpray, Holodiscus discoloris, is a many-stemmed, spreading shrub that normally grows 4-5 ft. tall but can reach 7 ft. The stems are slender and often arching, bearing deeply lobed and toothed, deciduous foliage. During the flowering season (May-August), the shrub is a complete mass of [...]

Native Plant Focus: Populus fremontii, Fremont cottonwood

Fremont Cottonwood at Zion Lodge Photo: Joe Decruyenaere Photo: Sally and Andy Wasowski Fremont cottonwood, Populus fremontii, is a fast-growing riparian tree, Fremont’s cottonwood has been known to grow 30 ft. in one year. Its ultimate height is up to 90 ft. Tree with broad, flattened, open crown of large, widely spreading branches. The crown [...]

Native Plant Focus: Mahonia aquifolium, Holly-leaf Oregon Grape

Holly-leaf Oregon-grape, Mahonia aquifolium, is a 3-6 ft., mound-shaped, broadleaf evergreen shrub with pinnately compound, glossy, leathery leaves. The 5-9 dark-green leaflets are armed with spiny teeth and turn reddish in fall. Terminal clusters of bright-yellow, bell-shaped flowers are followed by clusters of tiny blue, grape-like fruits. The bronzy copper color or the new growth [...]

Woods Rose, Rosa woodsii, Cuttings

CSR’s Southern ID Farm Facility has been busy collecting cuttings from Woods Rose (Rosa woodsii) at the CSR Filer, ID Nursery. They were then processed into 8 to 10 inch cuttings and kept in water to keep them hydrated. After removing the cuttings from the water, a rooting hormone was applied and then placed three [...]

Native Plant Focus: Thalictrum occidentale, Western meadow-rue

Western meadow-rue, Thalictrum occidentale, is a perennial forb with purplish stems when young. Delicate green leaves with bluish cast divided into 3′s, leaves are often mistaken for Columbine. Petal-less flowers are green to purple in loosely branched clusters from May-August. Grows in moist open or shaded sites. Height 2′ to 2.5′ *Some of the Native [...]

Native Plant Focus: Betula occidentalis, Water birch

Water Birch in the CSR Greenhouse. Water birch growing at the CSR Farm. Native Plant Focus: Betula occidentalis, Water birch Water birch or mountain birch is a 20-30 ft., multi-trunked tree with shiny, reddish-brown bark. Its delicate, graceful appearance is created by slender, spreading, pendulous branches. Shrub or small tree with rounded crown of spreading [...]

The Canyon Maple: Showy Autumn Foliage

(photo: Scott Catron) Canyon, or Bigtooth,  maple (Acer grandidentatum) is a shrubby or somewhat tree-like maple, this species usually matures at 10-15 ft. but is sometimes taller. Its bark is dark brown and scaly and is branches are stout and erect. The thickish, three- to five-lobed deciduous leaves turn bright red and gold in the [...]

At the CSR Farm: Tetraneuris acaulis (Hymenoxys acaulis) Butte marigold

(photo: Bransford) Tetraneuris acaulis (Hymenoxys acaulis) Butte marigold Tufted rosettes of narrow, silvery leaves are topped by a 4-6 in. leafless stem supporting a single, yellow flowerhead. Well-developed plants may have a foot-wide clump of 30-40 rosettes, each with a flowerhead. It’s native habitat is dry, rocky slopes; mesas; limestone bluffs and roadsides. Blooming from [...]