Nootka Rose The Rose Family—Rosaceae Rosa nutkana C. Presl (Rose-uh noot-KAY-nuh) Names: Nutkana is derived from Nootka; Nootka Sound is a […]
Oceanspray The Rose Family–Rosaceae Holodiscus discolor (Pursh.) Maxim (hole-oh-DIS-cuss dis-KULL-er) Names: Holodiscus means entire disc, referring to the unlobed disc lining the […]
Permit me to present 3 of our natives that will hold their own horticulturally against anything the rest of the planet has to offer...
*Plant Selection is the Key! Complex historical interactions of climate, soils, pollinators, seed disseminators, and herbivory on native flora created the great forest ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest. Ecologists call our region the “Western Hemlock Zone.” The idea is that barring any type of disturbance, long-lived Western Hemlock trees will come to predominate as shade-tolerant
The palette of native shrubs to choose from in the Pacific Northwest is so wide and varied that it can be difficult to narrow down your options when it's time to start planting. Marina French , restoration designer and landscape architect at The Watershed Company, shares five native shrubs that hav
Cascara The Buckthorn Family–Rhamnaceae Frangula purshiana (D.C.) Cooper (FRANG-yoo-luh pursh-ee-ANN-uh) Names: Frangula is considered by some to be a subgenus of the Buckthorn genus, Rhamnus. More widely known as Rhamnus purshiana, this species is also well known by the common name, Cascara sagrada, meaning sacred bark in Spanish. The bark is used medicinally as a very […]
According to Cheryl Meola many of following plants are mosquito repellents. You can find more info about the plants there on his blog here. This list also shares the plants listed on Prepper Centra…
Indigenous plantings and a coastal aesthetic help blur the boundaries between a new garden and its beachside location.
Salal The Heath Family–Ericaceae Gaultheria shallon Pursh. (Gawl-THER-ee-uh shal-LAWN) Names: Salal is also known as Oregon Wintergreen. Its genus name comes from Dr. Hugues Jean Gaulthier, a Canadian Botanist and Physician. Shallon is the name commonly used in Britain where it was introduced—it is derived from its native name, Salal. Relationships: There are […]
Black Twinberry Caprifoliaceae-the Honeysuckle Family Lonicera involucrata (Richardson) Banks ex Spreng. (Lon-IH-sir-ruh in-voh-loo-KRAY-tuh) Names: Black Twinberry is also known as Involucred, Bracted, Bearberry, Fly or Fourline Honeysuckle; or Coast Twinberry. Involucrata refers to the involucres, or bracts that surround the flowers and fruit. Twinberry refers to the 2 berries surrounded by the bracts. Relationships: […]
Pacific Ninebark The Rose Family–Rosaceae (Pursh) Kuntze (Fy-zoe-KAR-pus kap-ih-TAY-tuss) Names: Physo means bladder, carpus means fruit, referring to the inflated fruits. Capitatus means having a head, referring to its dense flower or fruit cluster. Ninebarks are so called because it was believed there are nine layers (or nine strips) of peeling bark on the stems. […]
Common Snowberry Caprifoliaceae-the Honeysuckle Family Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake (sim-for-ih-CAR-poes AL-bus) Names: Symphori- means “bear together;” –carpos means fruits– referring to the clustered fruits. Albus meaning white, and the common name, Snowberry also refers to the white fruits. This species is sometimes known as Waxberry, White Coralberry, or White, Thin-leaved, or Few-flowered Snowberry. Relationships: […]
Salmonberry The Rose Family—Rosaceae Rubus spectabilis Pursh. (ROO-bus spek-tah-BIH-lus) Rubus, derived from ruber, a latin word for red, is the genus of plants generally called brambles. The epithet spectabilis means spectacular due to Salmonberry’s showy flowers and fruits. The common name Salmonberry is thought to have come from the natives’ fondness for eating the […]
I consider myself very lucky to live where I do, in the Pacific Northwest. The temperate weather and ... Read More
Peruse our list of native plants of the Pacific Northwest. Natives are beneficial for wildlife and add natural diversity to your garden. Includes Alpine Strawberry, Broadleaf Lupine, and Columbine, among others.
Create a mini-sanctuary in your yard with these fuss-free native prairie plants that offer color and texture, plus food and shelter for wildlife.
My name is Karli Del Biondo, and I live in Milwaukie, Oregon, which is part of the Willamette Valley. I am a cardiac nurse, native gardener, and blogger. (Check out […]
*Plant Selection is the Key! Complex historical interactions of climate, soils, pollinators, seed disseminators, and herbivory on native flora created the great forest ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest. Ecologists call our region the “Western Hemlock Zone.” The idea is that barring any type of disturbance, long-lived Western Hemlock trees will come to predominate as shade-tolerant
Red Elderberry Caprifoliaceae-the Honeysuckle Family (Newer classification Adoxaceae-the Moschatel Family) Sambucus racemosa L. (sam-BEW-kus ra-see-MO-suh) Names: The name Sambucus is derived from the Greek sambuca, which was a stringed instrument supposed to have been made from elder wood. Racemosa refers to the elongated inflorescences, called racemes. It is thought the name elder […]
Trumpet Honeysuckle Lonicera ciliosa (Pursh) Poir. ex DC. (Lon-IH-sir-ruh sill-ee-OH-suh) Names: Honeysuckles have long been a garden favorite, grown mostly for their sweetly-scented, nectar-producing flowers. The common name, honeysuckle, comes from the fact that children enjoy sucking nectar from the base of the flowers for a sweet treat. This species is also known as […]
This website was designed for professional landscape designers, horticulturists, nurserymen, home gardeners, natural history buffs and anyone interested in improving the ecology of local environments for future generations of people, plants and animals. In the subtitle, I use the word “cultural” to imply a double meaning. Each treatment in the encyclopedia covers both the growing or cultural […]
Red Elderberry Caprifoliaceae-the Honeysuckle Family (Newer classification Adoxaceae-the Moschatel Family) Sambucus racemosa L. (sam-BEW-kus ra-see-MO-suh) Names: The name Sambucus is derived from the Greek sambuca, which was a stringed instrument supposed to have been made from elder wood. Racemosa refers to the elongated inflorescences, called racemes. It is thought the name elder […]
Red Elderberry Caprifoliaceae-the Honeysuckle Family (Newer classification Adoxaceae-the Moschatel Family) Sambucus racemosa L. (sam-BEW-kus ra-see-MO-suh) Names: The name Sambucus is derived from the Greek sambuca, which was a stringed instrument supposed to have been made from elder wood. Racemosa refers to the elongated inflorescences, called racemes. It is thought the name elder […]
Get 9 plant recommendations from Pacific Northwest design-build firm, Mosaic Gardens. Includes their favorite plants for a garden that blends into its surroundings.
Tiarella trifoliata, commonly called “foamflower,” is a lovely woodland perennial within the Western hemlock/Douglas-fir plant co…
Deer Fern Chain Fern family–Blechnaceae Blechnum spicant (L.) Sm. (BLEK-num SPEE-kant) Names: Blechnum comes from a general Greek name for fern. Spicant means spiked referring to the erect fertile fronds. Other common names include: Hard Fern or Rough Spleenwort. It also has been known as Struthiopteris spicant. Relationships: There are about 150-220 species of […]
Indian Plum The Rose Family–Rosaceae Oemleria cerasiformis (Torr. & A. Gray ex Hook & Arn.) Landon (ohm-LAIR-ee-uh sir-ASS-ih-form-iss) Names: The genus is named after Augustus Gottlieb Oemler (1773-1852), a German naturalist from Savannah, Georgia, who was the first to collect the species. Cerasiformis means cherry-shaped. The species is also known as Osmaronia cerasiformis or […]
Many positive things can be said for planting a meadow garden, but meadows aren't one size fits all. Learn elements of different meadow garden designs.
Tips to grow native plants and 10 favorites for your garden, from Paul Bonine of Xera Plants
Respect your elders! Words of wisdom to be sure, and I can’t help but apply them to elderberry shrubs as well. Long regarded as weedy, native elderberry approval ratings a…
Red Elderberry Caprifoliaceae-the Honeysuckle Family (Newer classification Adoxaceae-the Moschatel Family) Sambucus racemosa L. (sam-BEW-kus ra-see-MO-suh) Names: The name Sambucus is derived from the Greek sambuca, which was a stringed instrument supposed to have been made from elder wood. Racemosa refers to the elongated inflorescences, called racemes. It is thought the name elder […]
