CORVALLIS, Oregon – As you reflect on last year’s garden and begin planning for the next, consider the benefits of native plants.
“Gardeners want to connect to nature and the heritage of plants that grow in the Pacific Northwest.”
“There’s a new aesthetic,” said Weston Miller, former horticulturist with Oregon State University Extension Service. “Gardeners want to connect to nature and the heritage of plants that grow in the Pacific Northwest.”
Part of the appeal is the relationship between native plants and pollinators. A garden with native species becomes a haven for bees, birds, butterflies and other beneficial wildlife.
“The habitat value is really high,” Miller said. “Native pollinators are accustomed to native plants and are more likely to be attracted to them.”
Even with native species, it’s important to choose the right plant for the right place, he said. For example, if you plant a sun-loving species in the shade—or a shade-loving one in full sun — it may not thrive. Plants that grow in forest shade, such as salal and evergreen huckleberry, won’t do well in full-sun, prairie-like conditions preferred by camas and meadow checkerbloom.
Native plants adapted to sun or shade in the Pacific Northwest can thrive in the region’s wet winters and dry summers — if provided with appropriate soil, water and light. When well-suited to their environment, they tend to be low-maintenance and resilient.
What native means and where to start
“If you’re unsure what qualifies as "native," Miller suggests thinking of the area west of the Cascade Range for Western Oregon and east of the range for Eastern Oregon, as the climates differ significantly.
For gardeners west of the Cascades, helpful plant lists include Gardening with Oregon Native Plants West of the Cascades and Native Plants for Willamette Valley Yards.
For gardens east of the Cascades, see Selecting Native Plants for Home Landscapes in Central Oregon.
Miller acknowledges that some native plants may look out of place in manicured landscapes. Still, he encourages gardeners to integrate them along back borders or dedicate specific areas for natives. Some species — like Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium), which blooms bright yellow in early spring — can also serve as striking focal points. Another standout is vine maple (Acer circinatum), valued for its graceful, multi-trunked form and colorful fall foliage.
“Oregon grape is just an awesome harbinger of spring,” Miller said. “Vine maples are also very high on my list. They attract beneficial insects in a big way and can be used as small trees or pruned as large shrubs.”
Recommended native species
For taller background plantings, Miller recommends oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), a large shrub with frothy white flowers in spring. Elderberries — red (Sambucus racemosa) and blue (S. caerulea) — also work well toward the back of a garden.
“If you’re looking for some height, blue elderberries are a good option,” he said. “Birds love the berries, and the blueberries are edible for humans, too.”
Among bulbs, Miller suggests Pacific Northwest iris (Iris tenax), a small iris with purple and blue flowers with white and yellow markings. He also favors tiger lilies (Lilium columbianum), which have freckled orange or yellow flowers with petals that curve upward. He includes camas (Camassia quamash), the tall, blue-flowering plant once a staple food for Willamette Valley Indigenous peoples.
For perennials, Miller recommends Pacific bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa), Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa), Oregon sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum), meadow checkerbloom (Sidalcea campestris) and coastal strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), a low-maintenance ground cover that produces berries for wildlife.
All of these plants can be planted in spring.
How to plant and care for natives
Miller offers the following planting instructions:
- Dig a hole about 2 feet wide and deep for a 1-gallon pot or 3 to 4 feet for a 5-gallon pot.
- Adjust the soil so the plant’s crown is level with the top of the hole.
- Fill in and water thoroughly.
Fertilizer usually isn’t necessary, as soil amendments are typically sufficient and most native plants don’t require additional feeding. Water regularly during the first spring and summer to help plants establish strong roots.
Previously titled When planning next year’s garden, turn to popular native plants
