Neil Bell

Horticulture , Academic Wage Appointment

Locations: Marion County , Polk County

Content by Neil Bell

Rockroses for western Oregon gardens

The top 5 performing plants of Cistus for western Oregon landscapes.

Heather Stoven, Neil Bell | Aug 2024 | Educational gallery Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Top 5 plants for unirrigated landscapes in Western Oregon

Drought-tolerant landscape plants for Western Oregon, including California lilac (Ceanothus), Rockrose (Cistus and Halimium), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos), Spider flower (Grevillea) and ground cover shrubs.

Heather Stoven, Neil Bell | Jul 2024 | Collection Peer reviewed (Gray level)

California Lilac (Ceanothus) for western Oregon gardens

The top 5 performing plants of Ceanothus for western Oregon landscapes.

Heather Stoven, Neil Bell | Jul 2024 | Educational gallery Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Drought-tolerant landscape plants for western Oregon: site selection and preparation

Western Oregon gardens and landscapes can flourish without summer irrigation - when you choose the right plants. This series, based on decades of on-farm research, can provide some ideas and go-to plants to help create a ...

Heather Stoven, Neil Bell | Jul 2024 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

OSU’s Olea Project responds to grower interest in producing olives

The project began in earnest in 2017 to determine if olives could be a viable alternate crop in Oregon.

Kym Pokorny | Dec 8, 2023 | News story

Fire-resistant plant profiles: Groundcovers

Choose the right groundcover plants for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Stephen Fitzgerald, Ariel Cowan, Neil Bell, Thomas Stokely | Nov 2023 | Educational gallery Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Fire-resistant plant profiles: Perennials

Choose the right perennial plants for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Stephen Fitzgerald, Ariel Cowan, Neil Bell, Thomas Stokely | Nov 2023 | Educational gallery Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Fire-resistant plant profiles: Trees

Choose the right trees for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Stephen Fitzgerald, Ariel Cowan, Neil Bell, Thomas Stokely | Nov 2023 | Educational gallery Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Fire-resistant plant profiles: Shrubs

Choose the right shrubs for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Stephen Fitzgerald, Ariel Cowan, Neil Bell, Thomas Stokely | Nov 2023 | Educational gallery Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Fire-resistant plant profiles: Broadleaf evergreens

Choose the right broadleaf evergreen plants for your fire-resistant landscape with this comprehensive list for the Pacific Northwest.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Stephen Fitzgerald, Ariel Cowan, Neil Bell, Thomas Stokely | Nov 2023 | Educational gallery Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Fire-resistant plants for home landscapes

Home landscaping is an important part of a community's resistance to wildfire. Learn what plants can help you create an attractive environment and reduce the risk of fire.

Amy Jo Detweiler, Stephen Fitzgerald, Ariel Cowan, Neil Bell, Thomas Stokely | Oct 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Winter Vegetable Production on Small Farms and Gardens West of the Cascades

The mild climate west of the Cascades allows farmers and gardeners to grow many winter-hardy crops in the field for winter and spring harvest. A wide range of alliums, leafy greens, brassicas and root crops do...

Nick Andrews, Heather Stoven, Heidi Noordijk, Lane Selman, Kelly Streit, Brooke Edmunds, Neil Bell, Victoria Binning | Jun 2022 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Fledgling olive industry gets support from OSU research

OSU Extension the and Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station started Olea: Olive Research for Oregon.

Neil Bell | Feb 2022 | Impact story

Arborvitae stands tall as easy-care hedge

When finding a location for arborvitae in the garden look for full sun and well-drained soil.

Kym Pokorny | Nov 19, 2021 | News story

Ten trees for fiery fall color

When choosing a tree, first do some research. Walk around neighborhoods, parks and public gardens to get ideas.

Kym Pokorny | Aug 27, 2021 | News story

Are fresh avocados possible here?

Q: Can an avocado tree grow and bear fruit in the Willamette Valley?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

How to Control Slugs in Your Garden / Cómo Controlar a las Babosas en su Jardín

Practical tips on how to deal with slugs in your garden, given in both English and Spanish.

Neil Bell, Amy J. Dreves | Jun 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Can I save my split maple?

Q: The ice storm split my yard maple at the junction of its only two sections. The split runs straight down the middle of trunk about 18 inches. It is pulled apart about four inches but I might be able to ratchet ...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Wisteria care: Take out clippers twice a year and go to town

Before planting one, people should realize the effort involved in keeping them in bounds.

Kym Pokorny | Jan 8, 2021 | News story

$1 billion Oregon nursery industry benefits from OSU plant trials

Oregon State University Extension Service has a long history of assisting the state’s nursery industry.

Neil Bell | Sep 2020 | Impact story

Slime mold looks ugly in the garden but does no harm

Primiative substance appears overnight during a rainy spring.

Kym Pokorny | Jul 31, 2020 | News story

Black slime in my barkdust, is this a concern?

Q: We had new tanbark laid down in our backyard and have been finding black tar looking patches after it rains. We clean them up...then it rains and new patches of it show up again. Have you seen this before or have any...

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Enhancing Urban and Suburban Landscapes to Protect Pollinators

The way we garden can help promote the health of bees and other insects. This guide offers detailed plant lists, garden designs and advice on creating pollinator habitat.

Andony Melathopoulos, Neil Bell, Signe Danler, Amy Jo Detweiler, Iris Kormann, Gail Langellotto, Nicole Sanchez, Heather Stoven, Dave Smitley | Jun 2020 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Trees and Shrubs for Fall and Winter Bloom

Fall and winter flowers add cheer in the Pacific Northwest's rainy season. Flowering shrubs are also a boost to pollinators, providing nectar and pollen when little is available. Learn what shrubs and trees to plant now to brighten your garden in the months to come.

Neil Bell, Heather Stoven, Andony Melathopoulos | Jun 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Pokeweed identification?

Q: My dog has been sick a few times and I found this plant with berries in my back yard. I am trying to identify it, but having trouble. Think it is a nightshade type but just does not look like examples on internet. Can you help?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

Snip some stems and have new plants in spring

Whether you plant the results of your “snip and stick” project or give them away, propagating by cuttings can be a rewarding process.    

Kym Pokorny | Nov 1, 2019 | News story

Saucy shrubs strut their stuff in fall

Colorful shrubs can compete with trees when it comes to fall color.

Kym Pokorny | Oct 18, 2019 | News story

Six stellar shrubs to brighten the winter garden

Winter doesn't have to be dark and dreary in the garden if you use plants that bloom in winter.

Kym Pokorny | Feb 1, 2019 | News story

Pruning Ornamental Shrubs

What is pruning?, Pruning principles, Identifying flowering and growth habit, Directing growth, Principal pruning cuts

Neil Bell | Jan 2019 | Presentation

Diagnosing plant problems

Ten questions to ask in diagnosing problems and resources to turn to for expert advice.

Neil Bell | Mar 2024 | Article

Grow Your Own Tomatoes and Tomatillos

Learn how to grow tomatoes and tomatillos in your home garden. Topics include site and soil preparation, propagation, planting, pruning, harvest and storage.

Neil Bell, Amy Jo Detweiler, Heidi Noordijk, Chip Bubl | Sep 2018 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Community Horticulture in Marion County

See how Extension's research and education services help develop plant varieties that are successfully adapted for use in the mid-Willamette Valley and help residents raise their own food and plants to beautify their landscape.

Mary Stewart, Neil Bell, Michael Calcagno | May 2024 | Video

How OSU Extension Forestry connects in our communities

How Extension teaches best practices that enhance the soil, air and water quality, and how the program is important to family and community success.

Mary Stewart, Neil Bell, Michael Calcagno | Apr 2024 | Video

Drought-tolerant Ceanothus makes a beautiful addition to the garden

With it's blue flowers, Ceanothus fills a gap in the garden.

Kym Pokorny | May 25, 2018 | News story

Evergreen Hebes perform colorfully in the garden

Plants with small leaves tend to be more cold hardy

Kym Pokorny | Jul 21, 2017 | News story

Ten questions to ask to diagnose a plant problem

You may immediately want to know "What's wrong with my plant?" when your tomatoes or azaleas appear wan. But don't stop there.

Oct 25, 2013 | News story

Mulching Woody Ornamentals with Organic Materials

Discusses mulching woody ornamentals (trees and shrubs) with organic materials. Covers the reasons for mulching, how to apply mulch, and how to maintain its beneficial effects over time. General principles described ...

Neil Bell, Dan M. Sullivan, Tom Cook | Apr 2024 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Improving Garden Soils with Organic Matter

Soil organic matter is important to good plant performance. Adding organic matter can improve any soil, no matter how compacted. Learn how to check your soil for organic matter and improve its quality with amendments.

Neil Bell, Dan M. Sullivan, Linda Brewer, John M. Hart | Jul 2021 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Acidifying Soil for Blueberries and Ornamental Plants in the Yard and Garden: West of the Cascade Mountain Range in Oregon and Washington

This publication explains the importance of soil acidity to plant growth and discusses how to modify it to ensure that rhododendrons, blueberries, and other acid-loving plants thrive in your garden.

John M. Hart, Donald A. Horneck, Robert G. Stevens, Neil Bell, Craig G. Cogger | Jul 2021 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

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