Native Plant Appreciation

The Pacific Northwest is a breathtaking area surrounded by majestic mountains, captivating lakes, and enchanting ferny forests. Bring this diverse beauty to your property. Start a native plant garden.

Native plants make sense and save cents. Native plants have evolved over millions of years by Mother’s Nature’s trial and error, thus creating a balanced ecosystem of vegetation and animals harmonizing with one another. When you recreate this natural system, you will be rewarded with such benefits as low maintenance, low water usage, and an ever-changing, unexpected parade of lively wildlife.

A great native garden evolves from great examples. Follow Mother Nature’s lead and explore a native area in your neighborhood. In April you may see skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanum) blooms rising from the muddy swamplands as bright green leaves emerge from shrub dogwoods (Cornus sericea) and ninebarks (Physocarpus capitatus). View mossy, canopied lowlands painted with blossoms from Indian plum (Oemlaria cerasiformis), Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) and red currant (Ribes sanguineum). Smell the sweet fragrance of Oregon grape yellow blooms and watch birds feed from its nectar.

A garden works when plants are harmonious with the existing sun, soil, water, and climate conditions. There is truth in the saying: right plant, right place. Observe and take note of your garden’s conditions through the four seasons.

For example, if you have clay soil that is wet in winter and dry in summer with full sun exposure, Red-oiser dogwood, ninebark, and twinberry would work well. These foundation plants are easy to grow and provide year-round interest. However, give these tall shrubs room to grow. A 12" cutting can grow to 8 feet in two years. Red-oiser dogwood (Cornus sericea) is known for its rich red bark that colors the winter landscape. Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata) has yellow tubular blooms in spring followed by edible, yet bitter dark berries that birds enjoy. Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) displays peeling bark in winter and greets each spring with bright green leaves. In autumn these shrubs shine with golden yellow leaves. Other benefits include hungry hummingbirds, dainty dragonflies, and curious frogs.

Now, how about dining on fresh berries during a warm summer day? Certain native plants produce edible berries such as a serviceberry tree (Amelanchier alnifolia) and the perennial thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus). The huckleberries (Vaccinium sp.), Nootka roses (Rosa nutkana), and salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis) make wonderful jams.

Maybe you want a shady refuge from the sun and your neighbors. Think about trees. A compact Western red cedar tree (Thuja plicata ‘Excelsa’) is a handsome evergreen. Eddie’s White Wonder Dogwood (Cornus nuttali x florida ‘Eddie’s White Wonder) has large white spring blooms and fiery autumn leaves. This treasured dogwood tree was discovered in British Columbia by Mr. Eddie over 50 years ago. Once you have established a shade canopy, you can add springtime shade beauties: Wake’s Robin (Trillium ovatum), native bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa), and Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa).

Coincidentally, April is Native Plant Appreciation month. Attend a native plant class; take a guided garden tour; join a native plant society. Recreate a natural habitat in your own garden. It all starts just outside your door.

For information about native plants and upcoming activities, visit:
http://dnr.metrokc.gov/gonative/
http://www.plantnative.com
http://gardening.wsu.edu/nwnative/
http://nwplants.com/

Wishing you happy garden adventures,
The Garden Elf of Garden Designz
Michelle Scannell, CPH
Landscape consultant and horticulturist
(206) 226-9899

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