THE PLANTS IN THIS SECTION NEED AT LEAST half a day of sun during the growing season. Some can tolerate all-day sun, particularly those labeled “full sun to light shade,” but most will do fine with anything between all day and half a day. If you live in an area that gets very hot during the summer months, or the site you are planting is a south-facing slope, be sure to choose only plants that can tolerate considerable sun. Plants grown in cooler areas generally can handle more direct sun.
PLANT TYPE: Tall coniferous tree
SIZE: 70–120 feet x 30 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low to medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9b
One of many firs native to the Northwest, this tall, handsome long-lived conifer has a pyramidal habit. Flattened needles are deep green and arranged in two rows. Female cones are pale green and upright on branches, while male cones hang below. This is a valuable evergreen tree popular with birds, although it will be healthiest in larger gardens located away from urban air pollution.
How big: 70–120 feet tall x 30 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Male cones are pendant on low branches and bear pollen in late spring. Pale-green upright cones develop higher on the tree, ripen in late summer, and shatter when they mature.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade. Moist, well-drained, deep soil.
Where it grows: Moist coniferous forests, at low to middle elevations.
How to space it: 20–30 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Drought tolerant when mature, but some supplemental summer water, especially when young, is beneficial.
Associates: Douglas-fir, Western redcedar, Pacific silver fir, Sitka spruce, Pacific dogwood, shiny-leaf ceanothus, huckleberries, Oregon boxwood, thimbleberry, vanilla leaf, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Provides food and nesting and roosting sites for many birds, including owls, swifts, and woodpeckers, as well as tree-dwelling mammals such as squirrels. Host species for pine white butterfly larvae. Provides thermal and hiding cover for many wild species.
Substitute for: English holly (Ilex aquifolium).
How to propagate: From seed sown outdoors, covered with a thin layer of mulch and protected from strong sunlight. Cones should be collected in fall and stored in a dry place for a month before seeds are extracted.
Related species: Noble fir (Abies procera) is also stately but grows taller and wider and has stiff branches. Intolerant of shade, it grows at middle elevations and is used as a Christmas tree. Pacific silver fir (A. amabilis) grows smaller and narrower in garden situations, to about 60 feet tall and 15 feet wide. It is shade tolerant, occurs at middle elevations, and needs moist, well-drained soil.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous perennial
SIZE: 1–3 feet x 1–3 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 11
This sun-loving, upright perennial blooms throughout summer and is a favorite of pollinators. Finely dissected grayish-green leaves are aromatic. Large, flat-topped clusters of whitish flowers sway in the breeze. A long-lived addition to meadow or pollinator gardens, it may even be used as a lawn substitute with infrequent mowing. Yarrow is sometimes added to native seed mixtures for protecting soil and rehabilitating disturbed sites such as rangelands, mined lands, and park and restoration areas. Considered a good companion plant that attracts beneficial insects while repelling pests. Not to be confused with the introduced Eurasian variety, Achillea millefolium var. millefolium.
How big: 1–3 feet tall x 1–3 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Clusters of 10–30 tiny white, cream, or pale-pink flowers bloom from mid- to late spring until late summer and serve as nectar and pollen-rich landing pads for beneficial insects. Fruits are small achenes that contain one seed.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade. Well-drained soil, moist or dry. Spreads very slowly by rhizomes.
Where it grows: Dry to moist open forests, grasslands, roadsides, and rocky hillsides, at low to high elevations.
How to space it: 2–3 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Summer water until established (2–5 years). Thrives in drought conditions once established.
Associates: Ceanothus, Idaho fescue, meadow checkermallow, penstemon, goldenrod, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers provide for many pollinators, including syrphid flies, bees, and numerous butterflies including swallowtails, hairstreaks, mourning cloaks, and the endangered Oregon silverspot. Host plant for painted lady butterfly larvae. Some cavity-nesting birds use yarrow to line their nests. Provides forage for many species, including deer and upland birds.
Substitute for: Nonnative yarrow.
How to propagate: From seed dried and sown in midspring or fall, or by division.
Related species: Many varieties, including Achillea millefolium ‘Salmon Beauty,’ ‘Paprika,’ and ‘Lavender Beauty.’
PLANT TYPE: Perennial bulb
SIZE: 6–18 inches x 6–12 inches
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9b
A charming little onion with downturned pink flowers, which grows from a bulb. Leaves are basal, green, and grasslike. Looks best grown in clumps or drifts at the front of perennial beds, in rock gardens or meadow gardens, on green roofs, or tucked into stone walls or along steps where the flowers can be viewed from below. The bulbs are edible in small amounts.
How big: 6–18 inches tall x 6–12 inches wide.
Bloom traits: Pink, or occasionally white, flowers bloom in umbrella-shaped clusters at ends of shoots in late spring to midsummer. Fruit is a 3-lobed capsule with black seeds.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade. Moist to somewhat dry, well-drained soil.
Where it grows: Open woodlands, coastal bluffs, and moist meadows or slopes, at low elevations.
How to space it: 12–18 inches apart.
Help it thrive: Drought tolerant once established, but does best with occasional summer water. To prevent seeds from self-sowing, cut flower stalks at the base before capsules ripen.
Associates: Douglas-fir, Garry oak, Oregon iris, Menzies’ delphinium, dodecatheon, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Nectar attracts bees, hummingbirds, and gray hairstreak butterflies.
Substitute for: Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), nonnative allium.
How to propagate: From seed collected from ripened capsules in late summer and sown outdoors, or division of cultivated bulbs in spring.
Related species: Taper-tip onion (Allium acuminatum) has bright rose to purple upright flowers and occurs in open, rocky areas.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous perennial
SIZE: 30–50 feet x 20–40 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Very low
HARDINESS ZONES: 7b to 9b
A broad-leaved evergreen and textural wonder, madrone may be either single or multitrunked. Bronzy, peeling bark reveals a smooth, paleolive trunk and branches that mature to a deep copper-mahogany. Fragrant, small white flowers are densely arranged at the tips of twisting branches in spring. Bright orange to reddish berries ripen in early fall. Grow this endearing, spectacular wildlife magnet as a specimen tree, or in drifts in sunny, dry areas, including slopes, where it will control erosion.
How big: 30–50 feet tall x 20–40 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Sprays of urn-shaped, white flowers bloom mid- to late spring. Fall-ripening fruits are edible (though not tasty) reddish, pea-sized berries that may persist into winter.
Sun and soil: Full sun to light shade. Slightly acidic, sharp-draining soil is essential, as madrone is susceptible to several fungal diseases. May be difficult to establish, so choose site carefully. Small plants (less than 2 feet tall) are much more likely to survive than large ones; plant them in fall just before winter rains, and let nature take its course.
Where it grows: Open forests, rocky bluffs near the coast, south-facing slopes, and other dry or well-drained sites, at low to middle elevations.
How to space it: 20–30 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Occasional summer water the first year, followed by little to no supplemental water in subsequent years. Drought and salt-spray tolerant.
Associates: Douglas-fir, Garry oak, salal, ceanothus, oceanspray, manzanita, native grasses, licorice fern, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Provides habitat for many species, especially cavity-nesting and open-nesting birds, mammals, and other wildlife. Flowers provide for bees, spring azure butterflies, and other insects. Fruit attracts myriad bird species, as well as small mammals and deer. Leaves are a major food source for deer and elk, as well as for larvae of the ceanothus silkmoth, Mendocino saturnia moth, and echo blue and brown elfin butterflies.
Substitute for: English holly (Ilex aquifolium).
How to propagate: From seed collected from ripe fruit, removed from pulp, and planted in fall. Grow in pots if relocation is necessary, and plant at a very young age.
Related species: No other Arbutus species occur in the Pacific Northwest.
PLANT TYPE: Evergreen shrub
SIZE: 5–10 feet x 5–10 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to light shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 7a to 9b
Among the largest of the manzanitas, this slow-growing, upright, evergreen shrub has a wonderful architectural habit and outstanding texture. Grayish-green thick, hairy leaves adorn the tips of gray, hairy branches. With age, branches become smooth and mahogany-brown, with bark that peels. Excellent at providing nectar for early foraging pollinators and other species later in the year. This is a striking shrub for a sunny, well-drained site such as a spacious rock garden. Useful for erosion control.
How big: 5–10 feet tall x 5–10 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Clusters of urn-shaped white to pale-pink flowers bloom in late winter to spring. Small reddish fruits known as drupes resemble little apples and may persist into winter.
Sun and soil: Full sun to light shade; intolerant of full shade or extreme heat. Prefers slightly acidic, loose, well-draining soil, but tolerates very acidic soils.
Where it grows: Coastal areas, rocky, dry slopes, and coniferous forest clearings, at low to middle elevations.
How to space it: 6–8 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Summer water until established (2–5 years). Prune only to remove dead wood so natural shape is retained.
Associates: Grand fir, shore pine, madrone, vine maple, salal, Oregon grape, snowbrush, beargrass, Oregon stonecrop, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers provide late winter to early spring nectar for bees and hummingbirds. Fruit supplies food for many bird species, as well as mammals such as deer, raccoons, foxes, chipmunks, and coyotes. Larval host species for echo blue and brown elfin butterfly, and ceanothus silkmoth.
Substitute for: Privet (Ligustrum vulgare), cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.).
How to propagate: From seed removed from pulp, treated with hot water, and planted outdoors in fall; may be difficult. Stem cuttings in early spring.
Related species: Hairy manzanita and the ground-hugging kinnikinnick hybridize to form media manzanita (Arctostaphylos x media), a 2-foot-tall shrub with slightly hairy leaves. Hoary manzanita (A. canescens) matures at about 6 feet tall and naturally occurs only in southwestern Oregon and California.
PLANT TYPE: Evergreen low shrub
SIZE: 4–8 inches x 2–10 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to light shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9b
An evergreen, low ground cover with small, thick, glossy, paddle-shaped leaves on flexible reddish stems that root where they touch the ground. Urn-shaped blossoms become brilliant red berries in late summer. A tough but very attractive and well-mannered mat-forming shrub that spreads slowly in rock or pollinator gardens or slopes; looks wonderful cascading down walls. Controls erosion and tolerates salt spray.
How big: 4–8 inches tall x 2–10 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Clusters of pendant, urn-shaped white to pale-pink flowers bloom in spring. Fruits are bright red berries that persist into winter.
Sun and soil: Full sun to dappled shade; tolerates all but deep shade or extreme heat. Prefers slightly acidic, moist to dry, well-drained soil but can tolerate somewhat heavy soils.
Where it grows: Rocky, dry slopes and coniferous forest openings, at low to high elevations.
How to space it: 5–8 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Summer water until established (2–5 years). May be slow to establish.
Associates: Garry oak, paper birch, Douglas-fir, aspen, fescue, coastal strawberry, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers provide nectar for bees and hummingbirds. Fruit supplies food for songbirds and many ground-feeding birds, as well as foxes, bears, deer, and a variety of small mammals. Host plant for brown elfin and hoary elfin butterfly larvae. Browse species for deer.
Substitute for: English ivy (Hedera helix), common St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), cotoneaster (Cotoneaster procumbens, C. ‘Tom Thumb,’ and other low cotoneasters).
How to propagate: From seed removed from pulp, treated with hot water, and planted outdoors in fall. Easier is vegetatively, by stem cuttings taken in late fall to winter or spring, or by layering technique.
Related species: Media manzanita (Arctostaphylos x media) is a hybrid between kinnikinnick and hairy manzanita. It grows to about 2 feet tall and naturally occurs near the coast. Pinemat manzanita (A. nevadensis) is similar to kinnikinnick but with stiffer branches.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous perennial
SIZE: 2–3 feet x 2–3 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to light shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low to medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 4a to 9b
As the common name says, this perennial is very ornamental in flower, with large clusters of fragrant, dusty-rose colored flowers that bloom for a long period and 4- to 8-inch pale, fuzzy green leaves. Highly appealing to pollinators, especially when grown in large swaths such as within a meadow or pollinator garden, or sunny border. May be toxic if ingested; sap is a skin irritant.
How big: 2–3 feet tall x 2–3 feet wide; spreads slowly by rhizomes.
Bloom traits: Rounded clusters of about 20 small rosy pink to purplish flowers bloom from late spring to midsummer. Fruit is a 4-inch-long seedpod that splits open to release flattened seeds attached to silky strands that are distributed by wind.
Sun and soil: Sun to light shade. Minimal nutrient requirements, but cannot handle root disturbance. Moist, well-drained soil is best, but can tolerate minimal drought. Tolerates sandy soils.
Where it grows: Open, moist to dry areas, including grasslands, meadows, roadside ditches, and near streams, at low to middle elevations.
How to space it: 2–3 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Low to moderate summer water. Though often labeled weedy because it likes to travel within the garden, unwanted plants are easy to pull out.
Associates: Ponderosa pine, Garry oak, aster, lupine, camas, goldenrod, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers provide nectar for bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies such as pale swallowtail and painted lady. Primary host plant for monarch butterfly larvae and host plant for field crescent butterfly larvae. Milkweed beetles eat the seeds. Ladybugs and birds such as bushtits eat aphids sometimes attracted to the plants (but the aphids do not spread to other plants).
Substitute for: Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria); tropical milkweed or bloodflower (Asclepias curassavica).
How to propagate: From seed collected in fall and planted in spring, rhizome cutting in spring, or division of large plants in spring.
Related species: Narrowleaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) also grows to 2–3 feet tall but has very narrow leaves and smaller flower clusters. Purple milkweed (A. cordifolia) has deep pink to purple flowers and naturally occurs in southwestern Oregon.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous tree
SIZE: 40–80 feet x 20–30 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9a
A medium-sized single or multitrunked tree with white papery bark that peels horizontally with age. Young trees often have deeper, reddish-copper colored bark. Pointed oval leaves turn a rich golden yellow in fall. Looks lovely planted with a backdrop of tall, dark conifers, which set off its interesting bark. May attract aphids, so site it away from patios and driveways. Relatively short-lived, to about 60 or 70 years.
How big: 40–80 feet tall x 20–30 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Male and female catkins bloom in early to late spring as leaves develop. Fruits are winged nutlets of female catkins that are dispersed by wind.
Sun and soil: Sun, but with shade from hot afternoon sun. Intolerant of heat and deep shade. Its shallow roots need to be cool and prefer soil rich in organic matter, but will grow on a variety of well-drained, slightly acidic (pH 5.0–6.5), moist soils.
Where it grows: Cool, moist slopes and forested wetlands, at low to high elevations.
How to space it: 20 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Moderate summer water.
Associates: Douglas-fir, hazelnut, Scouler willow, highbush cranberry, elderberries, blackberries, huckleberries, gooseberries, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Many birds and small mammals eat paper birch seeds, including siskins, finches, and chickadees, and voles and shrews. Insects attracted to birch provide food for birds such as warblers, nuthatches, and woodpeckers. Host species for mourning cloak, green comma, western tiger swallowtail, and pale swallowtail butterfly larvae. Browse species for deer, elk, beavers, hares, and chipmunks. Ruffed grouse eat catkins and buds, and woodpeckers create holes in the bark to feed on sap, which hummingbirds may also consume. Provides cover for many species, and cavities in older trees are used by birds and mammals to nest and roost. Bark provides nesting material.
Substitute for: Cutleaf birch (Betula pendula).
How to propagate: From seed collected in late summer or fall, before they drop from catkins, and planted outdoors in fall.
Related species: Water birch (Betula occidentalis) has dark reddish-brown bark that doesn’t peel. It grows in nutrient-rich soils of wetlands and moist forests, where it provides habitat for many wild animals.
PLANT TYPE: Coniferous tree
SIZE: 50–100 feet x 10–15 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to light shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 5a to 9b
Tall, aromatic, and handsome, this pyramidal conifer has a straight, tapering trunk and a narrow form in landscape settings that make it worthy of more garden cultivation. Flat sprays of foliage are shiny and bright green, while the exfoliating bark is a dark reddish-brown. Not a true cedar, this is a versatile, very long-lived tree that is more heat and drought tolerant than the distantly related Western redcedar. Grow it in groups, as an evergreen screen, or as a specimen tree in large or small gardens. Useful for erosion control.
How big: 50–100 feet tall x 10–15 feet wide, usually shorter in garden situations.
Bloom traits: Cones are 1 inch long and light brown.
Sun and soil: Full sun to light shade. Moist to dry, slightly acidic soil. Heat tolerant once established.
Where it grows: Mixed conifer forests and open, dry woodlands at low to high elevations in Washington.
How to space it: 10–15 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Summer water until established (2–5 years).
Associates: Douglas-fir, western hemlock, Garry oak, salal, serviceberry, Cascade Oregon grape, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Many insectivorous birds use this tree, especially woodpeckers, red-breasted nuthatches, and golden-crowned kinglets. Provides cover for raptors, including owls and bald eagles that roost and/or nest in large trees, as well as for other animals, particularly in winter.
Substitute for: English holly (Ilex aquifolium).
How to propagate: From seed collected from cones and planted outdoors in fall or early spring, and grown in light shade.
Related species: No other Calocedrus species occur in North America.
PLANT TYPE: Perennial bulb
SIZE: 2–3 feet x 1 foot
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 7a to 9b
Camas are related to lilies and produce captivating, starlike flowers on tall spikes in midspring that attract pollinators. Leaves are long and linear. Plant bulbs in autumn in a sunny spot where spring bulbs would be welcome, such as beneath deciduous trees that don’t leaf out too early, in rock gardens or meadow gardens, and in perennial borders. May also be grown in pots.
How big: 2–3 feet tall x 1 foot wide.
Bloom traits: Flowers range from pale yellow to pale lavender, violet-blue, or deep purple and have 6 petallike tepals and 6 yellow stamens, in perfect symmetry. Fruit is a capsule with numerous black seeds.
Sun and soil: Full sun to light shade. Prefers moist soil in winter and spring but needs to dry out in summer, so grow them in areas that aren’t frequently irrigated in summer. Prefers soil rich in organic matter, but tolerates heavy clay soils.
Where it grows: Moist meadows, slopes, and grasslands, at low to middle elevations.
How to space it: 1 foot apart.
Help it thrive: Allow leaves to remain after flowering, to gather energy for the following year. Don’t keep moist in summer. Cut back spent flowers to prevent self-sowing, if desired.
Associates: Garry oak, oceanspray, red-twig dogwood, tufted hairgrass, monkeyflower, graceful cinquefoil, stream violet, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Provides nectar for bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies such as the endangered Fender’s blue butterfly. Deer and elk browse leaves.
Substitute for: Garden-variety hyacinth, Spanish bluebells (Hyacynthoides hispanica).
How to propagate: From seed collected in summer and planted in fall outdoors, or by separation of mature bulbs in fall.
Related species: Common camas or wild hyacinth (Camassia quamash) grows 1–2 feet tall and can tolerate colder winters (3b to 9b). Camassia l. subsp. leichtlinii has pale-yellow flowers, while Camassia l. subsp. suksdorfii is deep violet-blue.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous perennial
SIZE: 1–2 feet x 1–2 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to light shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low to medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9b
Charming little bell-shaped, blue-violet flowers adorn this tough and versatile yet delicate-looking perennial through most of the summer. Leafy, slender stems grow about 2 feet tall and are often bent over by the blossoms. Grow this wildflower with other sun-loving perennials along paths, tucked into rock gardens, or within meadow gardens. Leaves may be eaten raw in salads.
How big: 1–2 feet tall x 1–2 feet wide; may spread slowly by rhizomes.
Bloom traits: Nodding, 5-petaled blue-violet or sometimes white flowers bloom in late spring to late summer. Fruits are small capsules with multiple tiny, flat brown seeds.
Sun and soil: Full sun to light shade. Moist to somewhat dry, gravelly, well-drained soil. This plant will grow with enthusiasm in fertile soil, but it can be toned down in leaner, nutrient-poor soils.
Where it grows: Sunny cliffs and rock outcrops, along streams, and in grassy meadows, at low to high elevations.
How to space it: 12–18 inches apart.
Help it thrive: Drought tolerant once established, but some supplemental summer water is beneficial, especially in hot areas.
Associates: Aster, penstemon, potentilla, yarrow, goldenrod, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers attract native bumblebees, hummingbirds, and swallowtail butterflies. Seeds are eaten by birds such as finches.
Substitute for: Creeping bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides), policeman’s helmet (Impatiens glandulifera).
How to propagate: From seed collected in fall and planted, uncovered, in fall or spring, or by division of rhizomes in spring or fall; will self-sow.
Related species: The uncommon Scouler’s bellflower (Campanula scouleri) is usually shorter and has pale-blue to white, bell-shaped flowers with petals that flare backward.
PLANT TYPE: Low evergreen shrub
SIZE: 2–3 inches x 4–8 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 4b to 9b
A very low evergreen shrub that forms a mat with rooting branches. Leaves are thick, toothed, and glossy. Fragrant pale- to bright-blue flower clusters lead to clusters of small red fruits. This is a fast-growing, pollinator-attractive ground cover for a rock garden or sunny slope. Good for erosion control.
How big: 2–3 inches tall x 4–8 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Tight, flat-topped clusters of light-blue flowers bloom from late spring to early summer. Fruit is a capsule with 3 little “horns.”
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade (preferably only in the afternoon) and quick-draining gritty or rocky soil.
Where it grows: Dry, conifer forests and open plateaus at low to middle elevations.
How to space it: 4–8 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Occasional summer water until established (2–5 years). Very tolerant of drought once established.
Associates: Garry oak, Douglas-fir, snowbrush, yarrow, lupine, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, including pale swallowtail, hedgerow hairstreak, and brown elfin. Ceanothus is the only host plant for California tortoiseshell butterfly larvae and the primary one for pale swallowtail; it also provides for brown elfin and hedgerow hairstreak larvae. Browse species for deer and elk. Provides year-round cover for birds and small mammals.
Substitute for: Common St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), English ivy (Hedera helix).
How to propagate: From seed collected in late summer or fall, treated with hot water, and sown outdoors; hardwood cuttings taken in late winter; semihardwood cuttings taken during summer; or ground layering.
Related species: Siskiyou mat (Ceanothus pumilus) is similar but has smaller leaves and occurs in rocky, serpentine soil in southwestern Oregon and northwestern California.
PLANT TYPE: Evergreen shrub
SIZE: 6–12 feet x 6–12 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to light shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 6b to 9b
This fast-growing, evergreen shrub has aromatic, glossy, deep green leaves and rounded panicles of white blossoms. Use this hardy and attractive butterfly shrub in a mostly sunny situation, as a wide hedge, screen, or specimen plant, or grow it en masse on a sunny slope. Reportedly not long-lived, but this may be exacerbated by overwatering.
How big: 6–12 feet tall x 6–12 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Dense pyramidal clusters of fragrant, tiny white flowers bloom for a long period, from midspring into summer. Fruit is a capsule that encloses a single seed.
Sun and soil: Full sun to light shade (preferably only in the afternoon); intolerant of full shade. Endures poor soil, since it is capable of fixing nitrogen, although organic matter is appreciated. Tolerates drought and heat due to its deep roots.
Where it grows: Open woodlands and sunny hillsides, at low to high elevations.
How to space it: 6–12 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Occasional summer water until established (2–5 years). Very tolerant of drought once established. Old stems may be thinned out to encourage new growth.
Associates: Western hemlock, Douglas-fir, Western redcedar, Pacific silver fir, ninebark, vine maple, tall Oregon grape, Cascade Oregon grape, Oregon boxwood, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, including pale swallowtail, hedgerow hairstreak, and brown elfin. Ceanothus is the only host plant for California tortoiseshell butterfly larvae and the primary one for pale swallowtail; snowbrush also provides for brown elfin, echo blue, Lorquin’s admiral, and hedgerow hairstreak butterfly larvae and ceanothus silkmoth larvae. Browse species for deer and elk. Provides year-round cover for birds and small mammals.
Substitute for: Privet (Ligustrum vulgare), butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii and hybrids).
How to propagate: From seed collected in late summer or fall, treated with hot water, and sown outdoors; hardwood cuttings taken in late winter; semihardwood cuttings taken in summer; or by ground layering.
Related species: California lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus) is a larger shrub, popular in gardens due to its beautiful pale- to deep-blue blossoms. It hybridizes easily, so there are many cultivars.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous tree
SIZE: 12–30 feet x 12–20 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low to medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9b
A deciduous, slow-growing, multistemmed large shrub or small tree with a rounded, compact crown. Thick, lustrous, dark green leaves offer red fall color. Bark is rough and scaly, and branches are thorny and extremely strong. Fragrant white flowers appear in spring, followed by dark reddish-purple berries in late summer. Grow this excellent wildlife plant in a sunny area, or as part of a large hedgerow. Will eventually form a thicket.
How big: 12–30 feet tall x 12–20 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Clusters of scented, 5-petaled white flowers bloom in late spring. Fruits are edible pomes that become almost black when ripe.
Sun and soil: Full sun to light shade. Thrives in fine-textured, fertile, moist soil but is fairly drought tolerant.
Where it grows: Moist, open forests or edges, along streams or lakeshores, at low to high elevations.
How to space it: 15–20 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Some summer water is beneficial once established, especially in hot areas. Suckers may be removed during winter when plants are dormant.
Associates: Black cottonwood and quaking aspen, or, in drier habitats, ponderosa pine, chokecherry, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers attract bees and other insects, and hummingbirds. Host plant for pale swallowtail and mourning cloak butterfly larvae. Fruit provides for many birds, including thrushes, robins, waxwings, woodpeckers, and band-tailed pigeons, as well as mammals such as coyotes and foxes. Thorny thicket provides cover for many wildlife species, including nesting and brooding cover for birds.
Substitute for: English hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna).
How to propagate: From seed collected when ripe, cleaned of pulp, and planted outdoors.
Related species: Suksdorf’s hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii var. suksdorfii) has slightly different flowers and longer leaves, and is less common.
PLANT TYPE: Perennial grass
SIZE: 2–4 feet x 1–3 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low to medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9b
An ornamental, fine-textured, cool-season bunchgrass that forms tussocks of basal leaves with tall, loose, frothy spikes. Leaves are a shiny bright green when not drought stricken. Grow it in mostly sunny, moist meadow gardens, where it will complement other flowering plants, near ponds, in rain gardens, and other moist places. Useful in restoration projects and preventing erosion. May be grown in containers.
How big: 2–4 feet tall x 1–3 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Tiny flowers are grouped into silky panicles on upright stems in spring and remain until the following spring.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade. Tolerates salt water and a variety of soils and pH levels, although it prefers slightly acidic soil. It can tolerate summer drought but thrives with some summer water.
Where it grows: Moist areas along shores, bogs, marshes, grasslands, and ditches, and on moderately dry slopes, at low to high elevations.
How to space it: 1–3 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Summer water until established (2–5 years). Drought tolerant afterward, but looks and grows best with water during hot periods.
Associates: Garry oak, Oregon ash, black hawthorn, Douglas spirea, western columbine, Oregon iris, yarrow, sedges, checker mallow, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Provides fall and winter seeds for birds like towhees, juncos, sparrows, and goldfinches, and perches for them. Host plant for juba skipper butterfly larvae. Mature plants provide winter cover and dense nest sites for ground-nesting birds and small mammals.
Substitute for: Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata), jubata grass (Cortaderia jubata), tall oat grass (Arrhenatherum elatius), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), and other invasive grasses.
How to propagate: From seed collected in late summer or early fall and sown outdoors.
Related species: Wavy hairgrass (Deschampsia flexuosa) occurs in British Columbia and does well in dry, shady gardens or woodland settings.
PLANT TYPE: Perennial grass
SIZE: 10–36 inches x 10–18 inches
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9b
An attractive, long-lived bunchgrass with dense tufts of narrow, green to bluish-green blades that are overshadowed by flowering spikes as tall as 3 feet. Will self-sow to create a wonderful drought-tolerant ground cover, or use it to complement or even highlight other flowering plants. Useful for controlling erosion.
How big: 10–36 inches tall x 10–18 inches wide.
Bloom traits: Spikelets are made up of 6 florets and bloom from late spring to midsummer. Fruit is a grain.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade. Grows on a wide variety of well-drained soils, from moist to dry, but does not need very fertile soil.
Where it grows: Rocky slopes, canyons, hillsides, and open, dry grasslands, at low to high elevations.
How to space it: 1–2 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Occasional summer water until established (2–5 years). Flower spikes may be cut back in spring.
Associates: Douglas-fir, white fir, western hemlock, Garry oak, bitter cherry, ceanothus, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Seeds are eaten by many birds, including sparrows and towhees, and small mammals like rabbits. Host plant for butterfly larvae, including the Sonora skipper, mardon skipper, and clouded sulphur. Browse species for deer and elk. Provides shelter for small creatures.
Substitute for: Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon).
How to propagate: From seed collected in summer, removed from covering, and planted outdoors in fall.
Related species: Red fescue (Festuca rubra) is more loosely tufted and needs more moisture; it can take periodic mowing. California fescue (F. californica), native to Oregon and California, is drought tolerant and has graceful, 4-foot-tall stems.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous tree
SIZE: 40–60 feet x 30–40 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low to medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 6a to 9b
The region’s only native ash, this tall, upright deciduous tree has gray bark and compound leaves that turn bright gold in autumn. Leaves usually appear after the spring-blooming flower panicles on female trees. With a lifespan of 250 years, this ash grows quickly for its first 50 years, then slows down. An excellent choice to add shade in large, moist landscapes, especially near wetlands or areas prone to flooding.
How big: 40–60 feet tall x 30–40 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Panicles of yellowish-green flowers bloom on female trees in early to late spring. Fruits are clusters of 2-inch-long winged samaras with a single seed.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade; does not tolerate full shade. Moist to seasonally wet soil.
Where it grows: Moist to wet areas near wetlands, floodplains, and along streams, at low elevations in Washington and Oregon.
How to space it: 25–30 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Low to moderate summer water. A fungus may attack and disfigure leaves, but without harm to the tree.
Associates: Red alder, bigleaf maple, Garry oak, and willows in moist habitats; in drier habitats, Douglas-fir and grand fir. In southwestern Oregon, California laurel, white alder, California black oak, Garry oak, ponderosa pine, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Birds including grosbeaks, finches, and grouse eat the seeds. Host plant for western tiger swallowtail larvae. Provides cover for various wildlife, as well as nest sites for many cavity-nesting birds. Browse species for deer and elk.
Substitute for: Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), Norway maple (Acer platanoides).
How to propagate: From seed collected when winged fruits ripen in fall, and sown outdoors.
Related species: None naturally occur in the Pacific Northwest.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous shrub
SIZE: 8–16 feet x 8–12 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 4b to 9b
A versatile, multistemmed, deciduous shrub that blooms for a long period and is especially important for butterflies. Twiggy, upright, arching branches are often weighed down by lavish, frothy plumes of tiny, creamy-white flowers that will stop you in your tracks. Oval, textured leaves are deep green and sustain many butterfly species. This is a fabulous shrub for large hedgerows, slopes, and open woodland gardens. Good for stabilizing slopes and preventing erosion.
How big: 8–16 feet tall x 8–12 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Large, feathery panicles with a woodsy scent are composed of hundreds of tiny 5-petaled flowers that bloom profusely in midsummer and remain, slightly browned, until winter. Fruits are dry capsules that enclose the seeds.
Sun and soil: Mostly sun to partial shade; does not thrive in deep shade. Moist to dry soil; tolerates low nutrients and drought.
Where it grows: Mixed conifer forests, rocky shrublands, high floodplains, and near streams, at low to middle elevations.
How to space it: 8–12 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Summer water until established (2–5 years).
Associates: Douglas-fir, western hemlock, Garry oak, madrone, vine maple, salal, hairy honeysuckle, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers support bees and butterflies. Insects attracted to plants provide winter and spring food for birds such as bushtits. Seeds are eaten by songbirds. Host plant for echo blue, brown elfin, pale swallowtail, and Lorquin’s admiral butterfly larvae. Browse species for deer and elk. Provides nesting habitat and cover for many birds and mammals, as well as amphibians in the Coast Range.
Substitute for: Tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima), butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii).
How to propagate: From seed collected and planted in fall outdoors, or hardwood cuttings taken in late fall or winter.
Related species: Desert oceanspray (Holodiscus dumosus) is a smaller species that occurs east of the Cascades in southern Oregon.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous perennial
SIZE: 8–18 inches x 10–20 inches
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low to medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 6b to 9b
All of the region’s irises are undemanding and beautiful garden plants, and this one is a gem. An uncommon, low-growing, deciduous perennial with tough, light-green grasslike leaves, it grows in compact clumps. Flowers are usually soft lavender to deep purple and seem to float above the arched foliage. Use this lovely iris in meadow and rock gardens, in the foreground of perennial borders, or at the edges of woodland gardens.
How big: 8–18 inches tall x 10–20 inches wide.
Bloom traits: Purple, lavender, or sometimes yellow to creamy white flowers bloom in late spring to early summer on erect stems. Fruit is a large capsule with many seeds.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade. Moist to dry soil.
Where it grows: Open woodlands, meadows, and roadsides, at low to middle elevations, in Washington and Oregon.
How to space it: 1–2 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Can tolerate drought once established, but some summer water is beneficial.
Associates: Douglas-fir, Garry oak, ponderosa pine, large-leaf lupine, delphinium, camas, blue-eyed grass, heuchera, nodding onion, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Provides nectar for bees and the endangered Fender’s blue butterfly, and cover for small birds and other wildlife.
Substitute for: Yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus), garden-variety bearded iris.
Related species Iris innominata
How to propagate: From seed collected in late summer or fall and planted outdoors soon afterward, or by rhizome division in early spring.
Related species: Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana) has 2-foot-long evergreen leaves and flowers that range from the palest lavender to deep purple. Often a vigorous grower, it tolerates poor or sandy soil, wind, and full sun. Golden iris (I. innominata) has narrow, evergreen leaves and lovely gold (or occasionally purple) flowers and needs some shade. Both naturally occur in southwestern Oregon.
PLANT TYPE: Perennial
SIZE: 10–12 inches x 6–12 inches
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to light shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 5a to 9a
Rock gardeners covet this evergreen, succulent taprooted perennial that is often long-lived and spectacular when in flower. Fleshy, narrow, spoon-shaped leaves grow up to several inches long, while upright stems support sprays of inch-wide flowers in late spring to summer. This is a wonderful perennial for fast-draining rocky or gravelly sites. May also be grown in unglazed clay (or other porous) containers, where it will be easiest to keep roots from rotting. Lewisia c. var. columbiana is a species of special concern in British Columbia and is listed as imperiled in Oregon. Lewisia c. var. rupicola is listed as imperiled in Oregon. Lewisias should never be collected from the wild.
How big: 10–12 inches tall x 6–12 inches wide.
Bloom traits: Flowers are conspicuous, varying from white with deep-pink stripes to pale lavender or magenta, and bloom from late spring to midsummer. Fruit is a round capsule that holds the seeds.
Sun and soil: At least 4 hours of sun, with some afternoon shade in hot areas. Slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5) must be fast-draining and not too rich.
Where it grows: Rocky slopes, gravelly outcrops, and crevices, at middle to high elevations.
How to space it: 1 foot apart.
Help it thrive: During dormant periods (after flowering) try to keep soil somewhat dry; resume watering when growth resumes. If container-grown, place in a sheltered location when dormant, such as under eaves. Raised rocky or scree beds, composed of 2 parts sand, 2 parts crushed rock or pea-sized gravel, and 1 part compost, with the plant’s crown placed slightly higher than the surroundings, work well.
Associates: Ponderosa pine, scarlet gilia, sedum, penstemon, dodecatheon, sulphur-flower buckwheat, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers provide for bees, syrphid flies, and butterflies. Seeds may be eaten by some birds, such as finches.
Substitute for: Common succulents, such as Sempervivum spp. (hens and chicks).
How to propagate: From seed collected in late summer or fall and sown outdoors in well-draining soil.
Related species: Siskiyou lewisia (Lewisia cotyledon) may be the easiest to grow. It has wider evergreen, spoon-shaped leaves and numerous whitish flowers, typically in early summer. Cultivated plants often have intensely and brightly colored flowers—from peach to hot pink. L. cotyledon var. howellii is listed as rare in Oregon.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous perennial
SIZE: 2–4 feet x 2–4 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low to medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9b
An ornamental perennial with old-fashioned charm, from which many hybrid lupines have been developed. Palmately divided bright-green leaves arise from hollow stems. Dense spikes of purplish, sweet pea–like flowers bloom during summer. An important pollinator plant, this lupine is a treasure planted in moist meadow or cottage gardens, perennial borders, or near sunny ponds. Often used in prairie and wetland restoration projects and for erosion control.
How big: 2–4 feet tall x 2–4 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Tall spikes of lightly fragrant, bluish-purple (sometimes pink or yellow) flowers bloom in profusion from late spring to midsummer. Fruit is a pod with hard-coated seeds.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade. Moist soil preferred, but will tolerate dry periods if not prolonged.
Where it grows: Open forests, meadows, and coastal valleys, at low to middle elevations.
How to space it: 2–4 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Slightly drought tolerant once established, but since it prefers cool conditions, moderate summer water, especially during hot periods, is beneficial. Lupines are legumes that improve soil by “fixing” atmospheric nitrogen into a form useful to plants, so do not use nitrogen fertilizers. Not long-lived in rich, heavy soils.
Associates: Garry oak, Oregon ash, black hawthorn, Douglas spirea, snowberry, western columbine, iris, yarrow, sedges, checker mallow, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers provide pollen for native bumblebees. Host plant for silvery blue, painted lady, and orange sulfur butterfly larvae. Aphids attracted to plants are preyed upon by syrphid fly larvae. Seeds are eaten by birds such as sparrows and finches, as well as small mammals.
Substitute for: Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), garden-variety lupines, purple loosetrife (Lythrum salicaria).
How to propagate: From seed collected in summer or fall and planted outdoors. Seeds require scarification first.
Related species: Seashore lupine (Lupinus littoralis) has smaller, slightly silvery leaves and is shorter in stature. It occurs naturally near the coast in sandy soil, although it is tolerant of other soil types. A much more drought-tolerant type is silky lupine (L. sericeus), which grows to 2 feet tall and has hairy, silvery leaves and flowers that range from lavender to purple or, rarely, creamy yellow to white. Bicolor lupine (L. bicolor) is a 16-inch annual native to dry, sunny meadows and prairies. Hybrids of L. polyphyllus, such as Russell hybrid lupines (L. polyphyllus subsp. polyphyllus), can become weedy or invasive outside their native range.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous perennial or annual
SIZE: 2–3 feet x 1–2 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low to medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 4a to 9b
A deciduous perennial or annual with a highly variable form, from upright to recumbent. Rounded leaves are smooth. Large, trumpet-shaped bright-yellow flowers put on a show from spring to fall and benefit pollinators. This sunny wildflower may be a bit assertive in small gardens; other Mimulus species described below are less vigorous. Use it in moist meadow gardens, near ponds and wetlands, or in containers.
How big: 2–3 feet tall x 1–2 feet wide; perennial form spreads by rhizomes.
Bloom traits: Bright-yellow flowers, which bloom on racemes during summer, have 5 lobes; the lower 3 often have reddish-brown spots. Fruit is a papery capsule containing tiny seeds.
Sun and soil: Sun to partial shade. Moist soil is best; will be smaller in dry conditions.
Where it grows: Along streams and seeps, on wet cliffs, and in moist meadows, at low to middle elevations nearly everywhere in the region.
How to space it: 2–3 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Moderate summer water, especially during droughts, is beneficial.
Associates: Showy fleabane, camas, milkweed, sedges, Oregon iris, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers attract native bees and hummingbirds. Host plant for Mylitta crescent and snowberry checkerspot butterfly larvae.
Substitute for: Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia).
How to propagate: From seed collected in summer or fall and pressed onto surface of soil (needs light to germinate) in fall or spring.
Related species: Coastal monkeyflower (Mimulus dentata) has hairy, veined leaves and similar yellow flowers and grows mainly near the coast. Shrubby monkeyflower (M. aurantiacus) has thick, pointed leaves and yellowish-orange flowers. It is drought tolerant but not cold tolerant (zones 8a to 9b), so mulch it or grow it in containers that can be moved indoors in winter.
PLANT TYPE: Evergreen low shrub
SIZE: 6–12 inches x 2–3 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 5b to 9b
A low, evergreen shrublet with thick, oval, bright-green leaves. Dazzling lavender to purple tubular flowers bloom on 4- to 8-inch stalks in late spring and into summer. Add this gorgeous, compact, mat-forming small shrub to rock gardens and gentle slopes, or grow it with other low plants in mostly sunny spots.
How big: 6–12 inches tall x 2–3 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Large lavender to rosy purple tubular flowers are grouped along short stems, from late spring to early or midsummer. Fruit is a capsule that contains the seeds.
Sun and soil: Full sun to light shade. Dry to moist soil that is quick draining and not too rich. Tolerates heat and drought.
Where it grows: Forest edges and openings, and rocky slopes, at low to middle elevations.
How to space it: 2–3 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Drought tolerant once established, but some summer water may be beneficial.
Associates: Sitka alder, currants, gooseberries, yarrow, scarlet paintbrush, pearly everlasting, sedum, fescue, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds, bumblebees, wasps, bee flies, moths, and several species of butterfly, including swallowtail and Lorquin’s admiral. Provides cover for overwintering insects.
Substitute for: Common St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), English ivy (Hedera helix).
How to propagate: From seed collected in late summer and planted outdoors in fall or early spring, ground layering in spring, or stem cuttings in late summer.
Related species: There is a penstemon for nearly every situation. Barrett’s penstemon (Penstemon barrettiae) grows to about 16 inches tall in dry, rocky places, blooms in springtime, and has similar flowers. It is endemic only to the Columbia River Gorge and is at high risk of extinction, listed as a threatened species in Oregon and Washington. Broad-leaved penstemon (P. ovatus) is usually deciduous, has bluish-purple blossoms, and grows 2–3 feet tall in damp, well-drained soil; it can handle regular summer water. Cascade penstemon (P. serrulatus) is deciduous and grows to 2 feet, with bright-purple flowers that bloom in whorls during summer; it likes regular water with good drainage.
PLANT TYPE: Evergreen tree
SIZE: 25–50 feet x 20–40 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to light shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low to medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 7a to 9b
This attractive, evergreen conifer is adaptable and fast growing, with a rounded and compact habit when young. Intricately branched, it has 2-inch-long deep-green needles, dark-brown bark, and small cones. A valuable pine for smaller yards, used as an evergreen screen, in rock gardens, or any sunny spot where wildlife can enjoy its many assets. Tolerates salt spray and wind.
How big: 25–50 feet tall x 20–40 feet wide; usually larger in open areas, smaller in gardens.
Bloom traits: Small, numerous cones may persist on branches for many years.
Sun and soil: Full sun to light shade; does not tolerate shade. Thrives in moist, acidic soil, but tolerates nutrient-poor or fairly dry soil once established.
Where it grows: Rocky slopes, coastal dunes, seaside bluffs, and wetland edges near the coast and its inlets, at low elevations.
How to space it: 20–25 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Moderately drought tolerant once established; may benefit from summer water.
Associates: Western hemlock, redwood, mountain hemlock, Western redcedar, huckleberries, Labrador tea, sedges, sword fern, bunchberry, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Seeds are eaten by many birds, including siskins, jays, nuthatches, grosbeaks, finches, and crossbills, as well as mammals such as chipmunks and squirrels. Insectivorous birds like woodpeckers, chickadees, and bushtits feed on bark and cones. Host plant for pine white and western pine elfin butterfly larvae. Provides thermal and hiding cover for myriad wild species, and nest sites for many birds. Mature trees offer nesting and roosting cavities.
Substitute for: Nonnative pines.
How to propagate: From seed collected in fall when seeds are ripe, and planted outdoors.
Related species: The magnificent ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) has long, lustrous needles and cinnamon-colored bark when mature. It grows taller, needs good drainage, and can be found on sunny, dry, open sites, mostly in the Willamette Valley and interior southwestern Oregon. Lodgepole pine (P. contorta var. latifolia) is tall and narrow and occurs in the Cascades east of the Puget Trough. Western white pine (P. monticola) grows large and symmetrical, with bluish-green needles and pale bark. It requires well-drained soil and can handle moist to dry conditions and partial shade.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous tree
SIZE: 25–60 feet x 15–30 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9a
In sharp decline in the West, groupings of this ornamental narrow, fast-growing deciduous tree create biological hotspots of great importance to wildlife. Triangular to heart-shaped bluish-green leaves quiver audibly with the slightest breeze, and turn a clear gold in autumn. Young bark is smooth, white to pale gray that eventually darkens on older trees. Grow this elegant tree in groups in the foreground of dark conifers for a glowing effect, near streams, or within moist meadow or prairie gardens. Tolerates windy conditions. Important note: Quaking aspen is often not suitable for very small yards in urban areas. Due to intrusive roots, keep it away from pipes, sewers, and foundations. If in doubt, check with your local nursery.
How big: 25–60 feet tall x 15–30 feet wide; usually stays smaller in gardens.
Bloom traits: Trees are either male or female. Female catkins grow to 4 inches long, while males are 1–2 inches. Fruit is an oval capsule.
Sun and soil: Full sun to light shade; intolerant of full shade. Grows in a variety of soils, but well-drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter is best.
Where it grows: Moist montane forest openings, woodland edges, valley slopes, along watercourses, and, less commonly, in lowland clearings. Occurs in parts of the Willamette Valley.
How to space it: 5–20 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Moderately drought tolerant once established, but will do best with some supplemental summer water. Roots will produce suckers many feet away, but these are easily snipped away.
Associates: Garry oak, black hawthorn, woodland strawberry, aster, lupine, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Herbivorous insects attract many insectivorous birds and bats. Winter buds are eaten by birds like finches, and many other species eat the catkins, including siskins, chickadees, and migratory birds. Leaves, twigs and bark are consumed by mammals such as deer, porcupine, and rodents and rabbits, which in turn attract raptors and coyotes. Host species for western tiger swallowtail, mourning cloak, Lorquin’s admiral, and propertius duskywing butterfly larvae. Mature trees provide nest sites for cavity-nesting bats and birds such as owls, woodpeckers, and chickadees. Provides refuge and thermal cover for myriad species.
Substitute for: White poplar (Populus alba).
How to propagate: From seed collected in early summer and planted outdoors soon afterward and kept moist, hardwood cuttings taken during winter, or by transplanting suckers in late winter.
Related species: The cultivar Populus tremuloides ‘Pendula’ has weeping branches. Black cottonwood’s (P. trichocarpa) fast growth is valuable for habitat restoration in wet areas such as floodplains, but is appropriate only for large sites.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous perennial
SIZE: 1–2 feet x 1–2 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9b
A member of the rose family, this perennial wildflower grows from a multibranched woody crown. Deeply divided leaves are green above, silvery underneath, have toothed edges, and turn yellow and orange in fall. Bright-yellow flowers bloom in clusters throughout the summer months. Makes a lovely addition to perennial beds, meadow gardens, or the sunny edges of woodland sites. May be grown in containers. Blue-listed (of special concern) in British Columbia.
How big: 1–2 feet tall x 1–2 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Clusters of showy, yellow, 5-petaled flowers bloom from early to late summer. Fruit is a small achene.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade; intolerant of deep shade. Moist to somewhat dry well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Where it grows: Open, moist forests and meadows at low to high elevations.
How to space it: 2 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Moderately drought tolerant once established, but will benefit from supplemental summer water.
Associates: Cascara, Oregon ash, Douglas spirea, lupine, camas, checker mallow, Oregon iris, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers are valuable to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Host plant for the two-banded checkered skipper, and possibly other butterfly larvae. Deer resistant.
Substitute for: Sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens).
How to propagate: From seed collected in late summer and sown outdoors in fall, lightly covered, or by careful clump division in spring.
Related species: Sticky cinquefoil (Potentilla glandulosa) has pale-yellow flowers. Beautiful cinquefoil (P. pulcherrima) is similar and grows in montane regions.
PLANT TYPE: Evergreen large tree
SIZE: 70–125 feet x 20–25 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9b
Although not a true fir, this quintessentially Northwest conifer is a major component of western North American forests. Giant yet graceful, evergreen and fast growing, it is long lived and an excellent provider for wildlife. Densely leaved branches have flattened “needles” that are soft and bright green in springtime. Three-pronged pendulous cones fall when mature. Bark is thick, dark reddish-brown and corky on mature trees. The state tree of Oregon, this magnificent tree creates shaded conditions for woodland plants and is useful for adding privacy.
How big: 70–125 feet tall x 20–25 feet wide in garden settings; can grow to 300 feet tall in natural areas.
Bloom traits: Cones grow to 4 inches in length and turn brown and bristly at maturity.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade. Moist to rather dry, well-drained soil.
Where it grows: Moist to dry woods at low to subalpine elevations throughout the region.
How to space it: 15–25 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Summer water until established (2–5 years).
Associates: Pacific silver fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, incense cedar, vine maple, Sitka alder, sword fern, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Seeds are extremely important for small mammals and many species of birds. Host plant for pine white butterfly larvae. Native squirrels and other animals eat new foliage, inner bark, and pollen cones. Browse species for deer and elk. Provides thermal and hiding cover and nest sites for myriad species. Snags supply cavity-nesting habitat for forest birds.
Substitute for: English holly (Ilex aquifolium).
How to propagate: From seed collected and planted in fall; may self-sow.
Related species: East of the Cascades and to the Rocky Mountains is a bluish form (Pseudotsuga m. var. glauca) that may not grow as tall. Cultivars also exist that are dwarf versions or have pendulous branches.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous, rounded, large tree
SIZE: 40–80 feet x 30–50 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Full sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 5b to 9b
The only oak native to British Columbia and Washington, and the predominant one in Oregon, this majestic, slow-growing, long-lived deciduous tree has unlimited wildlife appeal. Inconspicuous flowers bloom as rounded, deeply lobed, lustrous leaves appear in spring. Large acorns mature the following year. Bark is deeply furrowed on mature trees that develop craggy branching patterns. Grow this awe-inspiring oak in sunny spots where space allows. The decline of Garry oak habitat has been severe.
How big: 40–80 feet tall x 30–50 feet wide, usually smaller and shrublike on dry, rocky sites.
Bloom traits: Small, inconspicuous catkins (male) or flower clusters (female) in late spring. Fruit is an edible acorn.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade. Moist to dry, well-drained soil.
Where it grows: Rocky slopes and bluffs, as well as the richer, well-drained soil of inland valleys at low elevations. Occurs east of the Coast Ranges to the Cascades, throughout the Columbia River Gorge, and in the southeasternmost parts of Vancouver Island as well as nearby islands.
How to space it: 20–40 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Summer water until established (2–5 years). Drought tolerant thereafter, but occasional water is beneficial during long droughts. Less moisture will stunt its growth.
Associates: Douglas-fir, Oregon ash, madrone, hazelnut, Indian plum, serviceberry, snowberry, oceanspray, tall Oregon grape, camas, sword fern, Idaho fescue, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers attract native bees. Host plant for gray hairstreak, California sister, and propertius duskywing butterfly larvae. Acorns sustain populations of many mammals and birds. Provides cover, perching, and nesting habitat for birds such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, and vireos, and rodents such as ground squirrels. Studies show that oaks support more insect herbivores than any other plant genus.
Substitute for: Norway maple (Acer platanoides), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum).
How to propagate: From seed planted after harvest.
Related species: California black oak (Quercus kelloggii) is another spectacular oak. Native from the southern half of Oregon to California from low to high elevations, it is also drought tolerant and valuable to wildlife.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous shrub
SIZE: 3–6 feet x 3–6 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Full sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9b
This small to medium-sized thornless, deciduous, long-lived shrub has an upright, arching habit that may be trained into various shapes. Although mostly endemic east of the Cascades, it has a tolerance for a variety of conditions that makes it suitable for some westside gardens. Small, light-green lobed leaves are complemented by clusters of conspicuous, golden-yellow fragrant flowers in early to midspring. Translucent gold to reddish berries ripen in late summer. Leaves turn red in autumn. Will eventually spread, so allow enough space or prune shoots to control growth. Useful for erosion control.
How big: 3–6 feet tall x 3–6 feet wide; spreads slowly by rhizomes or stems that touch the soil.
Bloom traits: Clusters of numerous, tubular, deep-yellow flowers bloom along stems in early to late spring. Fruit is a flavorful berry that ripens in late summer.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade. Prefers fertile, well-drained moist-to-dry soil.
Where it grows: Forest edges, grasslands or other open areas near streams, at low to high elevations.
How to space it: 6–8 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Drought tolerant once established, but occasional summer water, especially in hot areas, is beneficial. Winter pruning of older stems stimulates new growth.
Associates: Ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, quaking aspen, ceanothus, serviceberry, fescue, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and bees. Foliage and fruit used by many animals, including fruit-eating birds, ground squirrels, beavers, and coyotes. Host plant for hoary comma butterfly larvae. Insects on plants provide food for birds.
Substitute for: Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), gorse (Ulex europaeus).
How to propagate: From seed planted in fall, semihardwood or hardwood cuttings in summer or fall, or ground layering in spring or summer.
Related species: Blue currant or stink currant (Ribes bracteosum) is usually taller and grows in wetter, shadier conditions. Flowers are white to greenish and berries are black and waxy; flavor is variable.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous shrub or small tree
SIZE: 20–30 feet x 10–15 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Full sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low to medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9b
A robust, fast-growing, deciduous tall multistemmed shrub or small tree with a rounded crown. Bark is thin and gray, and leaves are dark green and lance shaped. Flowers are soft catkins composed of many flowers, larger than horticultural pussy willows. Male and female flowers are on different plants, so grow both for seed production. May be best in larger gardens or as part of a substantial hedgerow. Protects soil from erosion.
How big: 20–30 feet tall x 10–15 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Catkins appear before leaves, in early to midspring. Fruit is a reddish-brown, pointed capsule that releases a fluffy substance that carries the tiny seeds, which ripen in late spring.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade; does not tolerate full shade. Prefers moist soil but requires less water than many other willows.
Where it grows: Deciduous or conifer forest openings and edges, along streams, and in wetlands, at low to middle elevations.
How to space it: 10–20 feet apart; eventually forms thickets.
Help it thrive: Can tolerate short periods of drought, but does best with some summer water.
Associates: Douglas-fir, grand fir, ponderosa pine, quaking aspen, cascara, red-twig dogwood, ninebark, twinberry, white spirea, western cone-flower, monkeyflower, blue-eyed grass, rushes, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees in early spring. Small and large mammals feed on buds, leaves, and seeds. Host plant for western tiger swallowtail, great comma, dreamy duskywing, and mourning cloak butterfly larvae. Important browse species for deer and elk. Provides cover for many mammals and birds.
Substitute for: Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia).
How to propagate: From seed planted soon after collection in late summer or fall on top of soil or, more simply, by freshly cut pieces of hardwood partially buried in moist soil between November and March.
Related species: Sitka willow (Salix sitchensis) grows up to 25 feet tall, with 2–3 inch catkins and bright-green leaves. Shining willow (S. lucida) tolerates flooding and can grow to 40 feet tall with 5-inch-long female catkins.
PLANT TYPE: Perennial
SIZE: 3–5 feet x 1–2 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Full sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low to medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 5b to 9b
A tall, easy-to-grow perennial wildflower arising from a taproot and stout rhizomes. Lower leaves are round, deeply divided, and dark green; upper leaves are smaller and share the hairy stem with lovely pale-pink or lavender flowers. This pollinator-attracting plant does well in sunny perennial borders and meadowlike sites. Increasingly uncommon in nature due to habitat loss and invasive species, it is a species of concern in Oregon.
How big: 3–5 feet tall x 1–2 feet wide.
Bloom traits: Tall raceme composed of pale flowers up to 2 inches in diameter, which bloom from late spring to midsummer. Seeds ripen in late summer or early fall.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade. Not fussy about soil, but prefers soil rich in organic matter. Drought tolerant once established but will benefit from summer water, especially in hot areas.
Where it grows: Dry to moist remnants of prairies and wetlands, along streams, roadsides, on slopes, and woodland edges, at low elevations, mainly in the Willamette Valley.
How to space it: 2 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Drought tolerant, but does best with some summer water.
Associates: Garry oak, Oregon ash, black hawthorn, Douglas spirea, snowberry, large-leaved lupine, tiger lily, tufted hairgrass, sedges, rushes, yarrow, western columbine, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Flowers provide for an array of bumblebees, solitary bees, wasps, beetles, flies, and butterflies, including Oregon’s endangered Fender’s blue butterfly. Host plant for West Coast lady, common checkered skipper, painted lady, gray hairstreak, and American lady butterfly larvae.
Substitute for: Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), mullein (Verbascum thapsus).
How to propagate: From seed planted outdoors soon after collection in fall, or by division of mature woody rhizomes into pieces with several buds and planted at ground level; may self-sow.
Related species: Henderson’s checkermallow (Sidalcea hendersonii) has deep-pink flowers and needs moist to wet soil. It grows naturally along the coast, to 5 feet tall; it is endangered in Oregon, uncommon in Washington, and a species of concern in British Columbia. Cusick’s checkermallow (S. cusickii) is very rare, restricted to native prairie remnants in western Oregon where it is a species of concern; it has deep-pink flowers, grows to 3 feet tall, and tolerates heavy soils. Nelson’s checkermallow (S. nelsoniana) grows to 3 feet tall with lavender-pink flowers. It is listed as a threatened species in Washington.
PLANT TYPE: Perennial
SIZE: 8–16 inches x 4–12 inches
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Full sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low to medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 4a to 9b
This dainty iris relative has tufts of bluish-green grasslike leaves, and taller flowering stems that support flower clusters of 1 to 5 blossoms. Allow it to naturalize for a showy display at pond edges and boggy places, or with other small moisture-loving plants at the front of a perennial bed or rock garden. Good rain garden plant.
How big: 8–16 inches tall x 4–12 inches wide.
Bloom traits: Flowers, up to 1 inch in diameter, consist of 6 rounded petals with a sharp point and are usually a deep bluish-purple with a yellow “eye” in the center. Blooms from midspring to midsummer. Black seeds ripen in globe-shaped capsules, in late summer or early fall.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade. Thrives in moist to wet conditions but can tolerate some summer dryness.
Where it grows: Moist areas such as wetland edges, grassy meadows, ditches, and along streams, at low to middle elevations.
How to space it: 12 inches apart.
Help it thrive: Some summer water is beneficial, especially in hot areas.
Associates: Western hemlock, Sitka spruce, quaking aspen, twinberry, red-twig dogwood, cinquefoil, monkeyflower, large-leaved lupine, rushes, sedges, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Provides nectar for pollinators like bees, and seeds for birds such as song sparrows.
Substitute for: Sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum).
How to propagate: From seed planted in spring or outdoors soon after collection in late summer, or careful division of mature clumps; may self-sow.
Related species: Western blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) is similar but occurs only from Oregon to California in our region. Mainly coastal golden-eyed grass (S. californicum) has bright-yellow flowers and might sub for weedy tall buttercup (Ranunculus acris). Grasswidow (S. douglasii) has larger, reddish-purple flowers, blooms earlier, and is quite drought tolerant.
PLANT TYPE: Deciduous perennial
SIZE: 2–5 feet x 2–3 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Low to medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 3b to 9b
Late-blooming plumes of bright golden yellow, fragrant flowers top this tough, leafy perennial. Plant this pollinator magnet in meadow and wildflower gardens, near ponds, in drainage ditches, or other open, mostly sunny situations. Holds it own against aggressive competitors.
How big: 2–5 feet tall x 2–3 feet wide; spreads by rhizomes.
Bloom traits: Hundreds of tiny, fragrant flower heads bloom on symmetrical, arching flower stalks from midsummer to midfall. Frequently mistaken for sneeze-inducing ragweed. Fruit is a small achene.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade; does not tolerate shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils, textures, and moisture conditions but prefers moist soils. To minimize spreading, keep soil dry and not too rich.
Where it grows: Wet to dryish meadows, fields, open woodlands, and roadside ditches, at low to middle elevations.
How to space it: 2–3 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Drought tolerant once established, but some summer water is beneficial.
Associates: Garry oak, milkweed, tufted hairgrass, camas, common harebell, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Important nectar source for native bees and butterflies, such as the checkered skipper, clouded sulphur, gray hairstreak, monarch, and the endangered Oregon silverspot.
Substitute for: Tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea), yellow glandweed (Parentucellia viscosa).
How to propagate: From seed collected in fall and sown outdoors in fall or spring, or by division of rhizomes in spring or late summer.
Related species: Giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) is less common, has hairless stems, and grows slightly taller. Northern goldenrod (S. multiradiata) can be found in British Columbia and Washington and is a more compact plant.
PLANT TYPE: Perennial
SIZE: 3 feet x 3 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Sun to partial shade
WATER REQUIREMENTS: Medium
HARDINESS ZONES: 6a to 9b
In midsummer to midfall, this multistemmed perennial is studded with pale lavender-blue, daisylike flowers. Leaves are narrowly oblong. This pollinator plant looks wonderful growing in drifts with other similarly sized perennials or shrubs, in moist meadow or wildflower gardens, or toward the back of a low perennial border. Also known as Aster subspicatus.
How big: 2–3 feet tall x 2–3 feet wide; spreads slowly by rhizomes.
Bloom traits: The yellow center of the flowering head is made up of many tiny disk florets; the colorful outer “petals” are known as ray florets. Fruit is an achene, often hairy.
Sun and soil: Full sun to partial shade. Moist soil rich in organic matter.
Where it grows: Moist woodlands, coastal areas, and along streams, at low to middle elevations.
How to space it: 3 feet apart.
Help it thrive: Somewhat drought tolerant once established, but does best with summer water, especially in hot areas.
Associates: Garry oak, quaking aspen, lupine, pearly everlasting, Oregon iris, checker mallow, and others.
Benefits to wildlife: Attractive to many insects, it provides nectar and pollen for bees and nectar for many butterfly species, including woodland skipper, pine white, painted lady, red admiral, mourning cloak, and the endangered Oregon silverspot. Host plant for field crescent and other butterfly larvae.
Substitute for: Tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis), chicory (Cichorium intybus).
How to propagate: From seed collected in fall and sowed after harvest or in spring, or by rhizome division in early spring; may self-sow.
Related species: Leafy aster (Aster foliaceus) also prefers moist soil and grows 1–2 feet tall. California aster (A. chilensis) is less widespread in our region and occurs in open, drier habitats.
Tiger lily (Lilium columbianum)
