Late-Blooming Wildflowers in the Applegate by SUZIE SAVOIE
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14 Fall 2020 Applegater Explorer’s gentian (Gentiana calycosa) blooming on Big Red Mountain on the Siskiyou Crest. Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) blooming above the Sterling Mine Ditch Trail. Late-blooming wildflowers in the Applegate BY SUZIE SAVOIE We still find some late-season native color, are also key components of will grow at varying elevations and Western joepiweed wildflowers in bloom in the Applegate wildland plant communities, habitat types. Populations of Oregon (Ageratina occidentalis) even as we approach the fall equinox habitat restoration projects, and whitetop aster exploded in the fire Western joepiweed is an uncommon, on September 22. Although peak pollinator gardens. footprint following the 2017 Abney Fire pink-flowered species that grows wildflower blooms in the Applegate at higher elevations, but it also grows at in rocky locations throughout the occur in the spring at lower elevations Late-blooming asters lower elevations in the Applegate and in Applegate. At low elevations it tends to and midsummer at higher elevations, that grow at lower the Cathedral Hills outside Grants Pass. bloom on rock cobble along streams in the late summer to early fall wildflowers elevations early summer, but at higher elevations are critically important because they Roughleaf aster (Eurybia radulina) Gentians it blooms in rocky locations in late provide nectar and pollen for pollinator is documented in numerous locations Four species of native gentians— summer to fall. species at a time when most other plants in the Applegate. I have observed it some rare, some common—grow in have dried up and gone to seed. flowering in dry madrone woodlands the Applegate high country, putting on West coast In the beginning of August most in the Williams valley. an elegant display of deep blue flowers Canada goldenrod of the high-country wildflowers that Oregon goldenaster (Heterotheca in late summer to early fall: Explorer’s (Solidago elongata) had their peak bloom in July are still oregona) generally grows in dry, rocky gentian (Gentiana calycosa), Newberry’s West coast Canada goldenrod has producing flowers, but toward the cobbles along the Applegate River and gentian (Gentiana newberryi), Klamath impressive and striking, late-season, end of the month the blooms are has been documented along the Sterling gentian (Gentiana plurisetosa), and yellow flowers that are attractive to definitely winding down. However, Mine Ditch Trail. Mendocino gentian (Gentiana setigera). many pollinators. In the Applegate, nature compensates for the dwindling Eaton’s aster (Symphyotrichum Large populations of explorer’s gentian goldenrod is found in dry meadows, floral resources with a few spectacular bracteolatum) grows in moist soil along can easily be observed along the Pacific wet meadows, on streams and ponds, in species that wait almost to the end to the edge of the Applegate River. Crest Trail on Big Red Mountain on the sunny forest openings, and in random come into their glory, including some Siskiyou Crest. places where it can find a niche, mostly dazzling species such as deep, rich blue Late-blooming asters at higher elevations. gentians, cheerful asters, and bright that grow at higher Rubber rabbitbrush yellow rubber rabbitbrush. elevations (Ericameria nauseosa) Pearly everlasting In September, as the color spectrum Leafybract aster (Symphyotrichum Because it blooms so late and is a (Anaphalis on the landscape becomes more muted foliaceum) grows in moist meadows and common species, rubber rabbitbrush margaritacea) with browns and golds, a few of the along streams and in wetlands in the is considered the most important Pearly everlasting is a tall perennial plants that started blooming in August Applegate high country. native nectar plant for western wildflower that likes moist soil with may still be in their last phases of Thickstem aster (Eurybia integrifolia), monarch butterflies on their southward good drainage but can tolerate drought blooming, and some continue blooming Brewer’s aster (Eucephalus breweri), and migration. It provides important fuel once established. The pure white even after the first hard frost. Siskiyou aster (Eucephalus glabratus) for the monarchs’ long journey to flowers are often used in dried flower grow on rocky ridgelines or on dry slopes overwintering sites along the California arrangements. Besides providing nectar, Late-blooming asters or sunny openings in forest or chaparral coast. This extremely drought-tolerant it is a host plant for painted lady and Because available forage for in the Applegate high country. shrub grows throughout the Applegate skipper butterflies. pollinators is diminished in the fall, Some aster species, such as Oregon in exposed sites with well-drained or Suzie Savoie asters, which provide good late-summer whitetop aster (Sericocarpus oregonensis), rocky soils. [email protected] Eaton’s aster (Symphyotrichum bracteolatum) blooming along the Applegate River. Photos: Suzie Savoie. Leafybract aster (Symphyotrichum foliaceum) grows in moist meadows in the Applegate high country. .