Keywords: Allium, Rubus spectabilis, Carex, Native plants--Washington, Athyrium filix-femina, Sambucus racemosa, Deschampsia cespitosa, Juncus effusus, Juncus ensifolius, Ledum glandulosum, Carex stipata
PAL Question:
I am an Ecologist with Adopt-A-Stream Foundation, a non-profit stream restoration organization. I am in the process of doing a planting plan for a golf course in Snohomish County. My constraints: Low growing native shrubs with extensive root systems to help filter out the golf course irrigation water before it enters the stream. Willow would be an obvious choice, but it would grow too tall and out of control. I was looking at such species as Snowberry (Symphoricarpos), Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana), Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), etc. It would have to be a FAC+ (streambanks and wetlands). Any thoughts?
View Answer:
I found a list in Restoring Wetlands in Washington Publ#93-17 and picked out the FAC identified ones, eliminating all the tall trees and shrubs. Symphoricarpos (Snowberry) would be a good option, but Rosa nutkana (Nootka Rose) and Rubus spectabilis (Salmonberry) get too big for your purposes. Another Rubus I could recommend is Rosa gynocarpa (Baldhip Rose). Many of the following recommendations are grasses of one sort or another. (See the USDA Wetland Indicator status definitions.)
Allium geyeri (non-native) FACU
Athyrium filix femina FAC
Carex aperta (non-native) FACW
Carex stipata FACW
Deschempsia caespitosa FACW
Juncus effusus and ensifolius FACW
Ledum glandulosum FACW
Sambucus racemosa var. melanpcarpa FACU
Spirea douglasii FACW
You might also try the Snohomish County Conservation District website
Season
All Season
Date 2006-11-14
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Keywords: Allium, Propagation
PAL Question:
Could you tell me how to grow Allium from seed?
View Answer:
Allium seeds should be sown mid-winter to early spring
inside, and kept at 50-59 degrees F. They will take from one to 12 months
to germinate. Seed needs a cold period for 3-6 weeks before bringing into
warmth. (This is before you sow). Pot up individually and let bulbs
develop before planting out.
The seed company Thompson & Morgan has additional information. Excerpt:
Sow in trays, pots, etc of good seed compost in a propagator or warm
place to maintain an optimum temperature of 40-45F (5-7C). Sow in well
drained compost, just covering the seed with compost. Sowing Time: Mid
January to Mid March. Germination takes 1-3 months. Seed germinates best
at 40F (5C), either seal the seed container after sowing in a propagator
and place in a fridge (not freezer), observe regularly and remove once
seeds start to germinate, or sow immediately. Place container in a cold
frame and if the seeds have not germinated by late spring place in the
refrigerator as described above.
Season
All Season
Date 2007-08-03
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Keywords: Allium, Vegetable gardening
PAL Question:
How far apart should I plant my shallot starts?
View Answer:
According to Steve Solomon's Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades (Sasquatch Books, 2007), plant them 3 to 4 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart. Other sources suggest you can make the rows as close together as 12 inches, and the plants as far apart as 6 inches.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture has a useful page about shallots which recommends 4 to 6 inches between plants.
Season
All Season
Date 2009-05-02
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