View full sizeCeanothus veitchianusWith all the cool, rainy weather we've had this year, drought may be far from your mind. But summer drought is the usual rule in Oregon. And the Oregon State University Extension Service has our backs, testing plants suited to rainy winters and dry summers.
Extension community horticulturist Neil Bell is testing 50 varieties of wild lilac (
Ceanothus
) at
to determine the best forms of this beautiful, tough evergreen shrub.
Ceanothus
not only tolerates but also thrives on drought. In fact, too much summer irrigation can cause root rot.
The shrub tolerates shearing well, so it makes a good hedge. What's more, several species are natives.
Read more about it at the
-- Homes & Gardens staff
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