Plants of the Month

Starflower Foundation Native Plant of the Month Posters Posters for teaching about the ecology of native plants and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest and Seattle urban area.

Starflower Native Plant of the Month posters feature color images and text designed to introduce community members to Pacific Northwest native plants. Beyond simple identification, these posters share interesting plant facts and provide suggestions for incorporating native plants into home landscapes. Native Plant of the Month posters spring from an expressed desire of community groups undertaking habitat restoration projects. These groups Western Starflower recognized the education potential of their restoration activities and sought (Trientalis latifolia) is a tiny woodland ground- engaging materials to teach visitors about native plants and thereby spark cover, once common in Seattle forests. an interest in habitat restoration. They also wanted to capitalize on this It’s dainty flowers are born on thin stalks giving the appearance of floating interest to increase the number of volunteers working on their project and to woodland stars. The reintroduction encourage visitors to initiate their own restoration projects. of plants like these to Seattle was a primary goal of Starflower Foundation. Originally created by Starflower Foundation for display at kiosks or shel- ters near the restoration site, these sixty posters are readily printed and reproduced and lend themselves to weekly, monthly, or seasonally rotating display. Naturalists and stewards of native plant landscapes can also effectively use Native Plant of the Month posters to actively involve children and adults in the long-term stewardship of native habitat. Starflower Foundation is pleased to have supported the development and use of these materials in native plant habitats at Seattle public parks (Colman, Frink, Genesee, Greg Davis, Madrona Woods, Magnuson, Mee Kwa Mooks, Pritchard Beach, Roxhill, and Seward), and in native plant gardens and restoration projects at Seattle schools (Dearborn, Dunlap, Hawthorne, NW Montessori, Pathfinder, Roxhill, and Sanislo Elemen- tary schools and Washington Middle School) and at the Environmental and Adventure School in Kirkland. Native Plant of the Month Posters Native Plant of the Month posters are a handy tool to engage neighbors and visitors in on-going restoration projects. Focused on our Pacific Northwest native plants, these sixty, 8 1/2” x 11”, color posters are perfect for display in monthly or seasonal rotations at kiosks or similar loca- tions. The posters help visitors • Identify specific native plants • Create name associations through interesting facts • Consider ways to incorporate these plants in their landscapes • Educate and inspire the public about native plants, hopefully leading them to active participation in restoration projects.

Featuring selected native plants at various times of the year, images designate unique characteristics helpful in identifying the plants. In addition, each poster contains two text sections. One provides brief notes, helpful on site, about the plant’s, unique features, habitat value, identification characteristics, and scientific and common name. The other provides a “take-home mes- sage”, by briefly discussing the plant’s landscape value and suggesting how it could be used in a Pacific Northwest native plant landscape.

Groups stewarding habitat restoration projects at parks or elsewhere may find the Native Plant of the Month Posters especially useful to: • Provide the general public an opportunity to learn about some of the native plants they are likely to notice during their park visits • Create interest in park stewardship by helping park users appreciate native plants • Provide a highly visible educational program that may lead visitors to take advantage of other educational outreach opportunities • Supplement other Pacific Northwest native plant education materials and programs.

Starflower Foundation is pleased to have supported the development and use of these materials in native plant habitats at Seattle public parks (Colman, Frink, Genesee, Greg Davis, Madrona Woods, Magnuson, Mee Kwa Mooks, Pritchard Beach, Roxhill, and Seward) and native plant gardens at Seattle schools (Dearborn and Hawthorne Elementary schools).

Native Plant of the Month posters may be freely duplicated for educational purposes - not for sale. Native Plant of the Month Posters may be downloaded and printed individually from www. wnps.org. The files are intended for color printing, preferably using a laser printer to obtain the highest quality prints. Laminating the posters is recommended for long-term use in the field. Native Plant of the Month Posters Project Development The People Who Made this Possible:

Ann Lennartz - Founder and President, Starflower Foundation

Sandy Fry - Director

Heidi Bohan - Education Materials Development Contractor/Project Lead, activity development, prototype activities, text and graphics

James A. Kolb - Education Consultant, education program guidance, oversight, and material review

Starflower Staff - Chris Behrens, Megan MacClellan, Jeremy Valenta, and Cynthia Walker In Memory of Ann Lennartz

Starflower Foundation was founded in 1996 by Ann Lennartz with the mission of assisting with the creation, rehabilitation and stewardship of Pacific Northwest native plant communities by supporting citizen-driven restoration and education projects that inspire understanding, appreciation and preservation of Pacific Northwest native ecosystems, with humans as an integral part of these ecosystems. Having met the founder’s expectations, Starflower Foundation ceased operations in December 2007. As part of the foundation’s legacy, we have made our learnings and education materials available through the Washington Native Plant Society website at www.wnps.org.

Over its 10-year history, the foundation worked on 18 urban habitat restoration projects in Seattle, Washington. A core of committed volunteers was at the center of each project with the vision of restoring an area of their neighborhood park or school grounds with Pacific Northwest native plant communities. As an operating foundation, Starflower supported design, implementation, and maintenance for these projects. During all phases of the projects, the foundation pursued a restoration strategy to fast-track the successional process and strove for a high level of native plant species diversity.

As envisioned by Ann, each project Starflower Foundation worked on included a signifi- cant educational component. These Native Plant of the Month Posters were created to actively involve community members, students, teachers, and project stewards in the long-term stewardship of the projects and to promote Pacific Northwest native plant landscapes and stewardship. Valuable feedback from the broad stewardship community shaped these activities and demonstrated their value.

Native Plant of the Month Posters Click on a plant name to view its poster Common Names Scientific Names Alder, Red - Winter & Spring Alnus rubra Asters, Native - Summer Aster species Birch, Paper - Fall & Winter Betula papyrifera Bleeding Heart - Spring & Summer Dicentra formosa Blue-eyed-grass - Winter & Spring Sisrinchium douglasii Bog- Laurel, Western - Spring Kamia microphylla Camas, Common - Spring Camassia quamash Cedar, Western Red - Winter Thuja plicata Cranberry, Highbush - Fall Viburnum edule Devil’s Club - Summer & Fall Oplopanax horridum Dewberry - Spring & Summer Rubus ursinus Dogwood, Pacific - Spring Cornus nutallii Dogwood, Red Osier - Winter & Spring Cornus stolonifera (also scericea) Elderberry, Red - Spring Sambucus racemosa Farewell-to-Spring - Spring & Summer Clarkia amoena Fern, Bracken - Fall & Winter & Spring Pteridium aquilinum Fern, Deer - Fall & Winter Blechnum spicant Fir, Douglas - Fall & Winter Pseudotsuga menziesii Goat’sbeard - Spring & Summer Aruncus dioicus Goldenrod, Canada - Summer Solidago Canadensis Gumweed, Entire-leaved - Summer & Fall Grindelia integrifolia Hazelnut, Beaked - Winter & Spring Corylus cornuta var. californica Horsetail, Field or Common - Spring & Summer Equisetum arvense Huckleberry, Evergreen - Summer & Fall Vaccinium ovatum Indian Plum - Spring & Summer Oemleria cerasiformis Indian Plum - Winter & Spring Oemleria cerasiformis Kinnikininnick - Winter & Spring Aractostaphylos uva-ursi Lily, Fawn - Spring Erythronium oregonum Lupine, Arctic - Spring & Summer Lupinus arcticus Madrone, Pacific - Fall & Winter Arbutus menziesii Maple, Big Leaf - Fall Acer macrophyllum Maple, Big-Leaf - Spring Acer macrophyllum Maple, Vine - Fall & Winter Acer circinatum Maple, Vine - Spring Acer circinatum Marsh Marigold, Yellow - Winter & Spring Caltha palustris var. asarifolia Mock Orange - Summer Philadelphus lewisii Nettle, Cooley’s Hedge - Summer Stachys cooleyae Nootka Rose - Fall & Winter Rosa nutkana Nootka Rose - Summer Rosa nutkana Oceanspray - Summer Holodiscus discolor Native Plant of the Month Posters Click on a plantname to view its poster Common Names Scientific Names Oregon Grape, Tall - Spring Mahonia aquifolium Oregon Grape, Tall - Summer & Fall Mahonia aquifolium Pearly Everlasting - Summer & Fall Anaphalis margaritacea Red Flowering Currant - Winter & Spring Ribes sanguineum Salmonberry - Spring Rubus spectabilis Serviceberry - Spring & Summer Amelanchier alnifolia Siberian Miner’s-Lettuce - Spring Claytonia (or Montia) sibirica Silk Tassel Bush - Winter & Spring Garrya elliptica Slough Sedge - Summer & Fall Carex obnupta Snowberry - Fall & Winter Symphoricarpos albus Swamp Lantern - Spring Lysichiton americanus Sweet Gale - Fall Myrica gale Thimbleberry - Spring & Summer Rubus parviflorus Trillium - Spring Trillium ovatum Violets, Native Wild - Spring Viola species Water Parsley, Pacific - Spring Oenanthe sarmentosa Wood Sorrel - Fall & Winter Oxalis oregana Yarrow - Summer Achillea millefolium Spring Native Plant of the Month

Winter/ Winter/

Photo by Heidi Bohan Bohan by Heidi Photo Photo by Heidi Bohan Bohan by Heidi Photo Photo by Heidi Bohan Bohan by Heidi Photo

Landscape Value Red Alder Alnus rubra Red alder is a true Northwest native and, though not typically planted in • When the inner bark is exposed to air it landscapes, will quite often occur turns a bright red. This is the likely reason for naturally in Seattle landscapes. It is fast growing and improves the soil by both its scientific and common names. “fixing” nitrogen from the air into the • Red alder has catkins and “cones” on the soil, thereby playing a vital role in same tree in the winter making it easy to rejuvenating disturbed land. Red alder usually grows in groves and identify. The cone is actually the female cat- can be planted (or allowed to naturalize) kin and produces the seed. in groups or in rows where the white • Flocks of native birds depend on the quan- patches on its bark often cause it to be mistaken for paper birch. Use it for a tities of seed it produces in midwinter. fast growing screen, or to reclaim • The trunk is host to patches of white lichens. disturbed sites, in wet to dry soils. Native • Native people used the bark for a rich red- wildlife will thrive in the habitat created. Plant with an understory of ferns, native orange dye, as well as for medicine; and the shrubs and woodland flowers. wood for carving and smoking salmon.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Summer Summer Native Plant of the Month

Douglas Aster A. subspicatus

Simple leaves are often toothed (above). Layers of bracts at the flower base (right). California Aster A. chilensis

Landscape Value Native Asters These perennial wildflowers are Aster chilensis, subspicatus, colorful additions to large flower modestus, eatonii and foliaceus borders, naturalized meadows, and sunny edge zones. • Aster is the Greek name for “star,” describing Asters like full sun, and prefer the appearance of the flower. moist soil, but can tolerate a wide • These species have been planted in many range of soils. They will self seed Seattle habitat restoration projects. There are freely once established. dozens of additional native species. Our native asters generally bloom in shades of blue, purple, • These late-blooming flowers attract bees, lavender, pink, and occasionally butterflies, and moths after most other flowers white, with mostly yellow centers. are gone. Plant with other flowering • Asters are best distinguished from similar perennials such as pearly plants by the seasons in which they flower (late everlasting, Erigeron, tufted summer through fall for asters). hairgrass, red fescue, lupine, Potentilla, Clarkia and goldenrod • Layers of bracts located at the base of the for a long season of bloom. flowers help to identify asters.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Summer Native Plant of the Month

Spring/

Bleeding heart blooming with candy flower (below).

Landscape Value Bleeding Heart

Bleeding heart is highly adaptable Dicentra formosa and tough, with lacy foliage and unique, dainty flowers. • The heart shape of the flowers gives Spreading by underground rise to the common name. “Formosa” means rhizomes, it quickly forms masses that offer early spring bloom and “beautiful, handsome, well-formed” which often blooms again in early fall. is a good description of this pleasing Bleeding heart will take sun or shade, woodland plant. preferring the light shade of woodland borders and perennial beds. A similar • Flowers are pollinated by our native species, D. spectabilis, is an import bumblebee and visited by hummingbirds. from Asia with taller erect growth. • Seeds are attractive to ants which help Mix with other woodland groundcovers such as Siberian to disperse the seed in the forest duff. miner’s-lettuce, false lily of the • The rhizome was used by native people valley, star-flowered false Solomon’s to help ease the pain of a toothache, and seal, and Corydalis for a charming fairyland groundcover. also as a hair rinse.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Spring Native Plant of the Month

Winter/ Winter/

Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto

Landscape Value Blue-eyed-grass Blue-eyed-grass adds colorful Also called Satin-flower interest to informal plantings Sisyrinchium douglasii where the ground is wet in spring and dry in summer. These plants • In a slight breeze, the pink-purple do well in rock gardens, by a flowers seem to have "eyes" that wink, pond, along paths, and in pots. Blue-eyed-grass is easy to grow and the petals have a satiny sheen, hence and available as rhizomes, seeds its common names. or plants through bulb suppliers • This species is named after early and nurseries. Plant in drifts for best effect. explorer and botanist David Douglas Each flower opens only for a (1798-1834). day; but since there are several • More iris-like than grass-like, this plant per stem, the blooming period may last for weeks. Plant with is in the iris family. other native grasses and • One of our first spring flowers, look for meadow wildflowers. blooms as early as February.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Native Plant of the Month

Fall- Winter- Spring Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto

Landscape Value Bracken Fern Most Seattle urban gardeners will Pteridium aquilinum likely scoff at any suggestion that bracken fern fits under this heading. • Its underground rhizomes are deep This plant grows throughout the and persistent and very difficult to northern temperate zone and is eradicate from where it is not welcome, making it a bane for many. considered the world’s most wide- However, “if you can’t beat them, spread fern. join them” may apply with this important native species, and one • The early shoots in spring are might consider letting this plant find browsed heavily by deer, elk, bears, a spot to thrive in the naturalized landscape, along with its close ally, and other animals. horsetail. It creates a mass of • A colonizing plant, bracken ferns tropical-sized leaves, turns golden- brown in winter and is a food source help land to recover after burns, log- for many native animal species. Allow it to grow in back lots, wet corners, ging, and floods, and play an important and in the forest understory. role in restoration.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Summer Summer Native Plant of the Month

Flowers become seedheads that persist.

Landscape Value Canada Goldenrod An attractive landscape perennial, Solidago Canadensis several garden cultivars of Canada goldenrod are available. The golden • This ancient medicinal herb is named flower spikes form in early summer “solidago” meaning “make whole” or “cure” in and bloom through September. Goldenrod grows in colonies from Latin. rhizomes and spreads easily by seed. • Goldenrod ranges throughout North America, Our native species can grow 3-4’ high though named for its occurrence in Canada. It making it a good plant for the back of the perennial border or in mass. is the state flower of Nebraska and Kentucky. This sun-loving plant is a good • The golden flower stalks are important food addition to butterfly gardens and for butterflies, bees, and other nectar-loving naturalized meadows. Grow in a wild garden with other native perennials insects. The seed provides winter food for such as bluebells, rosebay willow wildlife. herb, yarrow, hedge nettle, pearly • Goldenrod is traditionally used in teas and everlasting, penstemon, lupine, Erigeron, asters, tufted hairgrass, other preparations. It is also used to dye wool Roemer’s fescue, and sedges. a golden-yellow.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Spring Native Plant of the Month

Seedpods in summer.

Landscape Value Common Camas Camassia quamash This lily plant prefers wet soil in winter and dry soil in summer, • Lewis & Clark recorded camas in their making it ideal for seeps and wet meadows. It thrives in a sunny journals as “quawmash,” a native name now meadow area with rich soil, and applied to its scientific name. can take the drought conditions • They wrote: “The quawmash is now in of our Northwest summers. Plant with native grasses such as blume and from the color of its blume at a Roemer’s fescue, junegrass, and short distance it resembles lakes of fine tufted hairgrass, and in the company clear water…,” indicating its abundance. of other herbaceous native plants • such as chocolate lily, yarrow, wild Only a few remnant patches of this hyacinth, nodding onion and wild once plentiful plant remain in the Puget strawberry. Camas self-seeds readily Sound area. in natural gardens. • Camas bulbs are widely available Native people relied on this plant as a from national sources, but look primary food source, though the bulbs locally for our Washington native require special processing to be edible. varieties.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Summer Summer Native Plant of the Month

Landscape Value Cooley’s Hedge Nettle

Cooley’s hedge nettle is a Stachys cooleyae perennial herb that forms stands 2-3’ tall, and blooms from early • While leaf shape and arrangement along to late summer. It is a great addition to a hummingbird or the stem appear similar to stinging nettle, naturalized garden. hedge nettle does not have stingers, and is This plant prefers a moist, from an entirely different family. partial shade to full sun site, and is ideally planted along the base of a • The square-shaped stem and strong hedge of native shrubs such as red pungent smell are clues that this is a osier dogwood, black hawthorn, member of the mint family. thimbleberry, or salmonberry. Plant in combination with • The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. western coltsfoot, cow parsnip, • This species has also been called horsetail, goat’sbeard, and ferns “Woundwort” and has historically been for a striking native planting. used as medicine for injuries.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation

Spring Native Plant of the Month

Winter/ Winter/

Berries in late summer . and fall leaves (below).

Red flowering currant in spring.

Landscape Value Red Flowering Currant Ribes sanguineum A superb landscape plant, red flowering currant is considered a • “Sanguineum” means “blood-red” in Latin, specimen plant throughout North referring to the deep red flowers that American and European gardens, arrive in early spring. where it was introduced in early • Migratory hummingbirds depend on 1800’s. Plant en masse, as a focal these early profuse flowers for nectar. point or as part of naturalized • The berries are edible though not woodland forest planting. Adaptable to sun and part considered a favorite of native people. shade, this plant prefers However, wildlife of all kinds consume somewhat drier soils. Plant with them including grouse, pheasants, robins, evergreen huckleberry, salal, waxwings, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and oceanspray, sword fern, deer others. fern, coastal strawberry, and • Elk and deer browse on the twigs and bleeding heart for year-round foliage. interest.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Winter Winter Native Plant of the Month Fall/

Fertile fronds with spores. Bohan by Heidi Photographs

Deer fern with two types of fronds. Fiddleheads Evergreen, sterile leaves. in spring.

Landscape Value Deer Fern Deer fern is an excellent native plant Blechnum spicant to include in landscapes. Its evergreen nature and low compact form with • Deer and elk rub their sore antler stubs on feathery fronds, make it a specimen these fern clumps after their antlers drop in fern to include in shaded areas. The the fall, which helps with healing. They also new red fiddleheads add seasonal interest in spring. browse on the foliage during the winter and It thrives in partial to deep shade early spring. These observations provide and once established will tolerate likely reasons for its common name. the dry conditions that are present under the forest canopy. • This fern has two types of fronds: one Plant en masse or mix with other (that produces spores) is feathery, upright, groundcovers. Deer fern naturally deciduous and fertile. The other is ever- occurs with woodland plants such as bleeding heart, false lily-of-the- green, lays flat, and is the primary food pro- valley, starflower, Solomon’s seal, ducer for the plant. trillium, foamflower, piggyback, •This plant has historical uses as an edible and fringecup, dewberry, Siberian miner’s-lettuce, and many others. medicinal plant by native people.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Fall Native Plant of the Month

Summer/ Summer/

Photographs by Heidi Bohan Photographs by Heidi Bohan Photographs by Heidi Bohan Photographs by Heidi Bohan

Landscape Value Devil’s Club Though the thorns are intimidating in a landscape setting, devil’s club can Oplopanax horridum

be successfully used as a dramatic landscape feature if placed properly. • The common name on this plant focuses on It favors wet seeps and springs; the fact that the thorny stems can cause therefore, place it near water grief to unwary hikers, especially in winter features or wet areas, out of reach of unwary garden visitors. when the stalks (clubs) are bare and buds Devil’s club will give a striking show look a bit like devils’ horns. through the seasons. Bare winter • In every other way, this plant is a superior stalks give way to early sprouts, which quickly transform to large native plant with its exotic form, reminiscent prehistoric-appearing leaves. of ancient forests, and berries that are Inconspicuous flowers are followed prized by bears and other wildlife. by beautiful clusters of berries. Finally, in fall, the huge leaves turn a •This plant is held in high regard by native brilliant yellow and fall to earth. It people who use it for healing medicine, and will colonize by underground ceremonially for its protective powers. rhizomes so give it room to grow.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Native Plant of the Month

Spring/ Summer Summer Spring/

Photo by Heidi Bohan Photo by Heidi Bohan

Blue-gray to whitish trailing stems and leaves with three

leaflets distinguish this from non-native blackberries. Photo by Heidi Bohan Photo by Heidi Bohan

Landscape Value Dewberry Rubus ursinus Dewberry is an often naturalized addition to the native plant landscape, • Dewberry is also called trailing blackberry offering an attractive show of flowers because it spreads low across the ground. in spring, followed by delicious berries in summer (make sure to include a • Its delicious berries are a favorite of bear variety of plants to ensure male and (“ursus”), reflected in its scientific name. female plants). Many other wildlife share in the harvest. Plant in full sun to full shade. If planted on a sunny slope it will create a • It is our only native blackberry and care- soil binding groundcover. If planted in fully protected during restoration efforts as forest understory it will mix politely it is often confused with non-native black- with sword fern, deer fern, Oregon grape, salal, and other forest berries. Look for leaves with three leaflets understory plants. and trailing stems to help distinguish from Consider planting it as a groundcover in the non-native, invasive species. the berry patch along with evergreen huckleberry, blueberries, serviceberry, • It will form thickets in full sun or trail strawberry, or other native berries. gracefully through the forest understory.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Spring Native Plant of the Month

Fall foliage and seedhead.

Landscape Value Pacific Dogwood Pacific dogwood is a wonderful Cornus nutallii landscape plant and grows in • The word “dogwood” comes from old close association with native English dagge (dagger) as does “cornus” coniferous trees such as Douglas fir and red cedar, and easily for cornu (a horn), both indicating the intertwines with these, generally use of the wood from the European growing up 20’- 40’ tall. species of dogwood for tools. This plant is in decline in the • Seattle area falling prey to an The fruit is a favorite of many birds, introduced leaf fungus. Avoid especially the band-tailed pigeon, a fact injuring the bark to prevent which James Audubon immortalized in his introduction of this fungus. Pacific dogwood prefers painting of this bird. Audubon also named partial shade and to be left in its this plant after botanist James Nuttall. wild state, thriving in naturalized • The wood is very hard and used for a gardens, forest edges, and woodland glades, with natural variety of implements (such as arrows rainfall once established. and handles) by the native people here.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Winter Winter Native Plant of the Month

Fall/

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Landscape Value Douglas Fir Reaching maturity in 60-100 Pseudotsuga menziesii years, Douglas fir is our subclimax tree, providing shelter for slower • This plant has a rich botanical history and growing climax forest trees such honors, by name, two early botanists who first as red cedar and western hemlock. Though not typically planted in described it: David Douglas and Dr. Archibald landscapes, it is often an existing Menzies . feature in Seattle area landscapes. • It is not a true fir so its species name describes Vine maple, flowering dogwood, serviceberry, oceanspray, western it as a “false (pseudo) -fir (tsuga).” hemlock, and red cedar grow as • Its cone has unique “mousetail” bracts that help understory plants. Groundcovers such as sword fern, deer fern, protect the seeds from being devoured by native bleeding heart, trillium, Douglas squirrels which harvest this cone in foamflower, and fringecup add earnest as soon as it forms in fall. seasonal beauty. If a Douglas fir must be cut, • Thick, furrowed bark protects this tree from consider leaving a snag that will fire, and provides habitat for native bats which quickly become critical habitat for wildlife. retire in its crevices during the day.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Spring Native Plant of the Month

Photo by Heidi Bohan Photo by Heidi Bohan Photo by Heidi Bohan Photo by Heidi Bohan

Landscape Value Red Elderberry

Red elderberry is an excellent Sambucus racemosa addition to the landscape. It is • Red elderberry is named for its red clusters of especially valuable for the butter- berries. It is closely related to blue elderberry. fly and wildlife garden as it provides nectar, berries, and foliage • Red elderberries are a favorite food for many for birds, small mammals, butter- birds such as grosbeaks, finches, and robins. flies, and their larva. • The foliage is browsed by deer and elk. This Its arching pyramidal form works well in the back of a perennial bor- plant produces a bitter chemical to protect der, or along the edge of woodland itself when over-browsed. forest. In spring it is covered with • Red elderberry colonizes disturbed areas such lilac-shaped blooms and followed by striking clusters of red berries as landslides and logging clear-cuts and is part in summer. of the early succession of a forest ecology. Plant red elderberry with tall • The whole plant is somewhat toxic, and wild Oregon grape, oceanspray, mock orange, and Pacific ninebark to red elderberries are best left for the birds. create a fine woodland hedgerow.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Summer Native Plant of the Month

Spring/

Landscape Value Farewell-to-Spring

Clarkia is a summer annual that Clarkia amoena

reseeds happily in moist, well- drained • soil, and thrives in a full sun site, where Full bloom in summer when many other moisture remains constant during its plants are past their flowering stage, early growing season. Farewell-to-Spring reminds us that the Seeds can be directly-sown in fall or spring (seedlings don’t like to be profusion of spring flowers is past. transplanted), and will do best in sandy, • Also called “herald-of-summer” or unfertilized soil. “summer’s darling” for similar reasons. Plant en masse or mixed with other • summer flowering plants such as A member of the genus named to honor yarrow, goldenrod, pearly everlasting, William Clark for a similar native plant, Clarkia and Cooley’s hedge nettle. Add native pulchella, was first gathered along the Lewis & grasses such as Roemer’s fescue and tufted hairgrass for a meadow. Plant Clark trail. “Amoena” means “charming.” at the edge of flowering shrubs such • Butterflies and bees welcome this flower as mock orange, oceanspray, and for its nectar and pollen. serviceberry as a border.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Spring Native Plant of the Month

Fawn lilies emerge in . spring with mottled leaves and create a splendid show with unique lily-like blooms .

Landscape Value Fawn Lily

Fawn lily is a charming Erythronium oregonum woodland groundcover plant. • The mottled leaves resemble the spotted Most of our Erythronium species skin of a newborn fawn, the most likely tend to live in higher elevations but this lily thrives in lowland reason for its name. Also said to be named forests. for the leaves that appear like the Fawn Lily is usually grown from “pricked ears of a fawn.” an unusual corm, but can also be propagated from seed. It is easy • Fawn lily is a native species of the to cultivate and will increase to westside lowland forest. form “delightful drifts of their • Tentatively listed as extirpated in Seattle, lily-like splendor.”* Best grown in moist, shady this species still occurs naturally in eastern King parts of the garden, mixed with County, and is now being re-introduced in Seattle mosses, shooting star, and other habitat restoration projects. native Erythroniums and lilies. *Arthur R. Kruckeberg

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation

Summer Native Plant of the Month

Spring/

Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Seeds persist through the winter. Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto

Landscape Value Goat’sbeard Goat’sbeard has long been Aruncus dioicus

recognized by gardeners as an important landscape plant with • “Aruncus” derives from a Greek word several cultivars available. aryngos meaning goat’s beard. Goat’sbeard It is a graceful but tough may remind you of the white, fluffy perennial that grows from rhizomes. The flowers occur in late spring to beards of the mountain goats that live in early summer for long lasting and our alpine mountains. striking blooms. The arching seed- • Hummingbirds, mourning cloak butterflies, heads provide interest through the fall and winter. bumblebees, wasps, and other insects feed Goat’sbeard prefers to grow in on the flowers. Seeds last through winter partial to full shade, and is a bright and provide winter forage for small birds. addition to shady places along forest edges, walkways and on moist • Deer and elk feed on the foliage. banks. It often grows in company •There are male and female plants. Male with lady fern, maidenhair fern, plants have larger, fuller flowers while the bleeding heart, piggyback, fringecup, and false Solomon’s seal. female flowers are more arching.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Native Plant of the Month

Summer/ Fall

Red stems and sticky flowers help to identify this plant.

Landscape Value Entire-leaved Gumweed Also called Resinweed or Gum Plant Native to wet meadows, salt Grindelia integrifolia marshes, and rocky shorelines, entire-leaved gumweed is an • The leaves and flowers are “gummy” from a herbaceous perennial that grows very sticky, white, resinous latex especially from a taproot and forms colonies. The yellow flowers bloom from abundant around the flower heads. June to November making this a • “Entire” is a taxonomical term used for striking wild plant for naturalized leaves that are smooth-edged and not divided, areas. It is important to many species of insects and, therefore, which describes the entire-leaved gumweed’s insectivorous birds and mammals. uppermost leaves. It will tolerate clay soils and is a • Bees and butterflies gather pollen and nectar good choice for reclaiming seashores and disturbed wetland from this plant. habitats. Plant in sunny meadows • The aromatic resin is most abundant during along with sedges, tufted hairgrass, the warm days of late summer often scenting lupine, Pacific silverweed, American dunegrass, and beach strawberry. the air with its musky sweet odor.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Spring Native Plant of the Month

Winter/ Winter/

Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto

Landscape Value Beaked Hazelnut A beautiful small tree with Corylus cornuta var. californica

arching form, beaked hazelnut is • most valuable for the landscape One of the few nut trees in the Northwest, in winter when the charming male its common name comes from the sheathing catkins provide winter interest. that covers the nut, forming a “beak.” Use as a specimen plant or mixed with other woodland plants. Hazelnuts are also called filberts. In summer it is covered with • Beaked hazelnuts are easily recognized in soft furry leaves and provides a winter because the male catkins cover mature graceful backdrop in the landscape. Beaked hazelnut trees. As the season progresses, the catkins prefers part shade with dryer extend longer and longer, eventually producing woodland soil. large amounts of golden pollen. This pollinates “Hazel initiates the rites of spring hereabouts and will be a tiny bright red female flowers. special omen for those who watch • The nuts are edible and highly prized by for signs of yearly rebirth.” Arthur wildlife such as squirrels and large birds. R. Kruckeberg– “Gardening with Native Plants”

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Fall Fall Native Plant of the Month

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Landscape Value Highbush Cranberry Viburnums are highly regarded Viburnum edule landscape plants, and this species is no exception. The rounded, tall • While not a cranberry, the tart berries are carried shrub form, attractive foliage, high on the bush, so its common name is at least clusters of flowers in spring, and partly correct. brightly colored clusters of fruits, along with fall color, make this a • The berries on this Viburnum plant are indeed prime addition to the native edible (though not delicious) as described by its landscape. scientific name (edible= edule). This species prefers a shady, moist location in the company of trees such • These are favored berries for cedar waxwings, as paper birch, trembling aspen, robins, pileated woodpeckers, black bears, and black cottonwood, Pacific crabapple, squirrels. As thickets, these shrubs provide cover and red alder. Plant with other native shrubs such as twinberry, red osier and forage for other birds and animals. dogwood, snowberry, Nootka rose, • Bentwood boxes filled with highbush cranberries and willows. This plant roots well stored in oil or water were highly valued gifts or from hardwood cuttings. trade items by native people.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Summer / Native Plant of the Month

Spring

Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto

Sterile and fertile new shoots in spring (above).

Fertile shoots soon wither away leaving the sterile shoots (left).

Field horsetail colonizes and grows en masse (far left). Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto

Landscape Value Field or Common Horsetail Equisetum arvense Horsetail is often considered a nuisance weed in most gardens, • One of the most widespread plants in the because its rhizomatous root world, it descends from the age of the system makes it difficult to eradicate. dinosaurs. Consider planting (or encourage • Horsetail is named for the shape of its leafy, existing horsetail) to grow as a bushy tail-like stalks. groundcover under deciduous • trees along with flowering This was one of the first plants to send green shrubs. Horsetail can be an shoots up through the ash of Mt. St. Helens. attractive addition to the • This plant colonizes on poisoned land (such as landscape, especially in difficult along railroad tracks) and processes heavy places such as rocky slopes or wet areas. metals in the soil, making the soil compatible for other plants.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Fall Native Plant of the Month

Summer/ Summer/

Landscape Value Evergreen Huckleberry This valued landscape plant is Vaccinium ovatum

widely used for its tidy evergreen compact form, and year-round • All huckleberries and blueberries are attraction. Evergreen huckleberry Vaccinium species, along with cranberries. performs best in partial shade where Over a dozen species of huckleberries and it will reach 5-6’ in height, though it will tolerate a sunny location where blueberries are native to this region. it grows more slowly to 4-5’ tall. • Its common name describes its evergreen Plant as a hedge or low border, or leaves and fruit. mix with other woodland or perennial border plants to provide evergreen • Evergreen huckleberry produces clusters form. of deep blue berries late in the summer that In spring, this plant will send out persist well into winter, providing important new, coppery red growth, and clusters of pink bell-shaped flowers. food for small birds and other animals. In fall it will be covered with • Native people consider these berries worth attractive, blue fruit. Evergreen traveling far to gather and still value them huckleberry is a must-have in the native plant garden. today as “winter berries.”

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Spring Native Plant of the Month

Winter/ Winter/ Winter buds

Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto by Heidi Bohan Photo Landscape Value Indian-plum

Indian-plum is an excellent shrub for Also called Osoberry the forest edge and understory with Oemleria cerasiformis enchanting clusters of white flowers. These soon produce orange berries which • Indian-plum is the first native shrub to flower in turn a deep purple. our forest, and its blooming tells us to celebrate There are male and female plants so be sure to plant both to produce berries, the coming of spring. though they both have flowers in spring. • “Oso” means bear in Spanish. The berries are a By midsummer this plant blends into favorite food for bears, foxes, coyotes, and deer. obscurity as a light-green foliage plant, eventually turning yellow with leaf drop in • Birds such as cedar waxwings and robins also early fall. quickly devour the berries. This plant is most attractive grown in • Indian-plum’s early spring blooms help to feed groups along sunny to partly shady forest edges with vine maple, oceanspray, red Anna’s hummingbirds after a long winter. flowering currant, evergreen • The buds, flowers, and leaves smell like huckleberry, serviceberry, and Oregon cucumbers when lightly crushed. grape for year-round interest.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Native Plant of the Month

Winter- Spring Winter-

Landscape Value Kinnikinnick Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Kinnikinnick is a premier landscape plant used widely as an evergreen • The common name “kinnikinnick” is taken from groundcover. It is commonly used in a native word for an herbal blend which was commercial plantings such as parking lots and industrial areas because of burned in ceremony. This plant was one of several its toughness, once established. plants that were used in this mixture and was This plant thrives in sunny, well- given this name. drained areas, and is especially useful on slopes, islands, and sidewalk strips. • The berries (uva is Latin for grape) last through It spreads by runners, though easily the winter and are used by many animals including maintained, and can make an bears (Latin: ursa) as described in its scientific attractive cascading form on rockery. Plant en masse or mixed with other name. sun-loving northwest natives such as • The berries are also edible for humans, wax myrtle, penstemon, Pacific though dry and not pleasantly favored, but silverweed, oceanspray, Oregon grape, silk tassel bush, ground juniper, good to know about as a trail snack or survival and garry oak. food.

Text by Heidi Bohan For more information contact Starflower Foundation: 206-789-0263 Summer Native Plant of the Month

Spring/ The flowers of spring become the seedpods of summer (left) that feed scores of birds and small mammals, and sow meadows full of lupine.

Landscape Value Arctic Lupine This is one of the many native lupines that occur naturally in our Lupinus arcticus

region. Found in high meadows in the Cascade Range, it is • The name lupine is known around adaptable to many elevations the world for the beautiful spires of including the lowlands of Puget Sound. Consider planting this in a pea-like flowers that brighten spring sunny, moist site in your garden. and summer meadows. Lupine plants help to “fix” nitrogen from the air into the • Though the pods are pea-like they soil, enriching poor soils, which are not edible and may be toxic to gives lupine added garden value. Mix with monkey-flower, humans. Indian paintbrush, camas, and • Bumblebees and hummingbirds feed other wetland meadow plants for a showy long blooming meadow. on the flower nectar, while birds and These meadows are beautiful and mammals of all types relish the seeds. have enormous wildlife value.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Fall Fall Native Plant of the Month

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Landscape Value Big-leaf Maple A fast-growing, large tree, big- Acer macrophyllum leaf maple is not typically planted in landscapes, but the airborne • Big-leaf maple leaves can be as large as a seeds often plant themselves. foot across, certainly qualifying it for its They can make a wonderful addition to a large yard providing common and scientific name (macro= large + summer shade, and a great home phyllum= leaf). for tree forts and rope swings. • This is one of the most important deciduous Allow to grow as a specimen tree surrounded by groundcovers or lawn, trees in our ecosystem, providing habitat for or grow in a woodland edge with wildlife of all kinds, and as a key plant in the western hemlock and red cedar. In early spring this tree is adorned succession from disturbed land to forests. with white-green flower clusters, • The hard, dense wood is desirable for which transform into the well-known woodworking of all kinds. Historically, it was winged-seed ‘helicopters’ that fly through the air in fall breezes. The used by native people for canoe paddles, leaves change to bright yellows in spindle whorls, serving platters, food ladles, fall, eventually becoming piles of leaves excellent for garden mulch. mallets, and other useful implements.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Winter Winter Native Plant of the Month

Fall/

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Landscape Value Vine Maple This is one of the premier landscape plants for the Northwest Acer circinatum gardener. It is widely adaptable to • This maple often has a “vine-like” appear- sun or shade, and will grow in ance as it works its way through the forest compact form in the sun, or be more open and spreading in the shade. understory and may even lay along the Hanging, red flower clusters in ground as it reaches towards the sun. spring, change to red-green, then to • Its strong, yet flexible, branches make it brown winged nutlets which adorn the tree. Deciduous leaves unfold in ideal for basket rims, snowshoes, and strong spring, cover the tree in summer and bows which were favored uses of this plant change to brilliant reds and yellows by native people in this region. in the fall. Grow in a moist, woodland garden • The winged nutlets persist on the tree and along with native conifers, Madrone, are sought after by evening grosbeaks, nut- red alder, paper birch, hazelnut, hatches, chickadees and Douglas squirrels serviceberry, Indian plum, salal, Oregon grape, sword fern, lady fern during the long winter months. and deer fern.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Spring Native Plant of the Month

Photo by Heidi Bohan

Landscape Value Siberian Miner’s-Lettuce

This is an easy-to-grow self- sowing Also called Candy Flower annual plant, best planted en masse Claytonia (or Montia) sibirica

with later blooming perennials or • grasses to follow, such as foamflower An early flowering annual covered with and tufted hairgrass, or mixed white and pink “candy-striped” flowers. sparingly with other early blooming • A widespread native plant that is easily forest groundcover plants such as bleeding heart, false lily of the valley, identified by its lance to egg-shaped star-flowered false Solomon’s seal, leaves arranged on opposite sides of the piggyback and native violets. stem, one of our few common annuals. Siberian miner’s-lettuce prefers • a rich moist soil in the under-story The leaves and flowers are highly edible or edges of forests. After and make a delicious wild spring salad. flowering it can become leggy and • Siberian miner’s-lettuce is closely unattractive as it returns to the earth so it is advisable to mix with related to common miner’s-lettuce other groundcovers to follow. (Claytonia perfoliata) which has round leaves that wrap around the stem.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Summer Summer Native Plant of the Month

Unique leaf veining helps to identify this plant (above). The flowers turn into dry seed capsules (below).

Landscape Value Mock Orange Philadelphus lewisii Mock orange, a member of the Hydrangea family, is now a well-known • The large, four-petaled, sweet scented flowers ornamental worldwide. Its attractive are similar to orange blossoms and so provides its form and leaves provide a strong foundation for its profuse display of common name. scented flowers in summer. The flowers • Meriwether Lewis collected this plant during are followed by unusual seed capsules. the Voyage of Discovery. The Voyage’s herbarium This deciduous shrub loves a full sun position though it will tolerate partial collection was brought to Philadelphia where it shade. Its range includes eastern was studied and named in honor of Lewis. Washington, Idaho, and Montana where • Bees, butterflies, and other nectar-loving it grows along rivers and creeks. Plant in the company of serviceberry, creatures flock to this plant during its bloom in oceanspray, Ceanothus, wild rose, red early summer. flowering currant, and wax myrtle for a • The hard dense wood was used by native people beautiful shrub hedgerow. Underplant with perennials such as farewell-to– for arrows and other tools. The leaves and spring, yarrow, lupine, and goldenrod. flowers were used as a soap.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Summer Summer Native Plant of the Month

Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto

Landscape Value Oceanspray Oceanspray is a graceful and Holodiscus discolor

attractive plant to add to most • landscapes. The long arching The plumes of white flowers that cover branches on 6-12’’ tall plants have this plant bring to mind the spray from an fine form throughout the year. ocean wave. Early summer brings on a blanket of • white plumed flowers. The foliage Insects feed and find shelter in this is attractive, and the seed plumes shrub attracting insect-eating birds such persist through winter adding as chickadees and bushtits. interest to the landscape. • Oceanspray thrives in a full sun Oceanspray foliage is important food for to part-shade border or forest the larvae of swallowtail, brown elfin, edge and is adaptable to a wide admiral, and spring azure butterflies. range of conditions. • Plant oceanspray with mock Thickets provide cover for nesting birds. orange, red flowering currant, • The long straight branches were serviceberry, red osier dogwood, historically used for arrows, cooking tongs, hawthorn, and vine maple for a mixed hedge ideal for wildlife. mat-making needles, and other tools.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Native Plant of the Month Spring-Summer Spring-Summer

Clusters of yellow flowers in late spring are followed by blue berries in summer.

Shiny evergreen leaves look similar to holly.

Landscape Value Tall Oregon Grape

Tall Oregon grape is one of three Mahonia aquifolium Mahonia species native to Washington. This particular species • The state flower of Oregon, the berries is valued worldwide in landscapes grow in grape–like clusters and are edible, for its evergreen, erect, dense form and attractive clusters of yellow though sweet-sour, and have been used for flowers, closely followed by wine, juice, and jam; hence the common name. attractive, edible blue berries. • Tall Oregon grape was collected by Lewis & Its holly-like leaves (though not holly which is a non-native) make Clark while in Oregon, and studied by Dr. this plant valuable as a barrier Mahone (who is recognized in the scientific plant under windows, along fences name) upon their return. “Aquifolium” (water and in parking lots. It is also good in mixed borders, islands, and leaf) refers to the shiny leaves. woodland edges. • The bright yellow inner bark is highly Wildlife use this plant through all medicinal and also used by native people as the seasons for its nectar, berries, and protection. a strong yellow dye.

Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Winter Winter Native Plant of the Month Fall/

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Landscape Value Pacific Madrone

Pacific Madrone is a stunning Arbutus menziesii tree in a naturalized planting. The • The Spanish word “madrono” and the Latin beautifully patterned cinnamon- word “arbutus” both mean “strawberry tree.” red bark and the form of the trunk are striking in any season. This reflects the color, shape, and texture The evergreen leaves, flowers, and of the madrone fruit. fruit add beauty and attract • This is one of the few native, evergreen wildlife throughout the year. It is best to transplant young broadleaf trees in our forests. The thick, seedlings in a well-drained site shiny leaves persist through winter. near the sunny south or west- • The berries, foliage, and flowers are facing edge of a clearing, especially near Douglas fir. This plant important wildlife food for many birds, bees, “litters” its bark and leaves so and butterfly and moth larva. allow room for shedding. Plant • Seattle folklore has it that the Magnolia sturdy understory plants such as salal, snowberry, Oregon grape, area was intended to be named for the coastal strawberry, sword fern, abundant madrone but was misnamed for the and kinnikinnik. magnolia tree. Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Spring Native Plant of the Month

Winter/

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Seedhead Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto

Landscape Value Pacific Water-parsley Pacific water-parsley is a common wild plant in wet seeps and along Oenanthe sarmentosa small creeks in native forests. Insignificant white flowers appear in • Pacific water-parsley thrives in wet very early spring and are followed by a mass of growth through summer, places and has leaves that are similar in which dies back in winter. appearance to parsley; hence its common A good choice for partial to full name. shade wetland ponds or creeks, • Pacific water-parsley provides Pacific water-parsley develops colonies critical breeding habitat for with strong rhizomatous root systems amphibians including our that help to hold the soil in place in wet Northwestern salamander and the threatened red-legged frog. areas. Grows easily with slough sedge, yellow pond-lily, water smartweed, buckbean, cotton grass, spike-rush, and many other wetland sedges and rushes.

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Landscape Value Paper Birch

Paper birch is a common and useful Betula papyrifera deciduous landscape tree which makes • Paper birch is named for the paper thin a striking show in clumps, woodlands or tight places. This plant will fit layers that peel away from its white bark. neatly in narrow sidewalk strips or These thin layers have been used historically near buildings, where it will tolerate as writing parchment. Its scientific name pruning if needed. The striking white bark, attractive simply repeats the common name in Latin. foliage, yellow fall color, and • The catkins are a major food source for decorative catkins in winter make this several species of birds. It is common to a plant with year-round landscape interest. observe flocks of pine siskins moving quickly Plant in a sunny spot in the company through the canopy as they feed in winter. of red osier dogwood, red flowering • The layers of bark have traditionally currant, mock orange, oceanspray, serviceberry, Oregon grape, wax been used by tribes throughout North myrtle, deer fern, bleeding heart, and America for making containers, canoes, woodland strawberry. and other useful objects.

Summer

Landscape Value Pearly Everlasting Pearly everlasting is a drought- Anaphalis margaritacea

tolerant plant that creates clumps • The flowers bloom in midsummer and leave which die back each winter and return each spring to grow 1-3’ tall. behind “pearly-white” dry bracts which By midsummer they are covered retain their color and shape for months. with clusters of white flowers • “Margaritacea” derives from a Greek which last through fall. These are sturdy, reliable plants work that means “a pearl.” to include in sunny wildflower • The flowers attract pollinators such as gardens where they provide syrphid flies, small wasps, and butterflies. critical habitat for native butterflies. • The caterpillars of painted lady Plant with other sun-loving plants butterflies feed on the foliage. such as goldenrod, Oregon • The foliage and young flowers have been sunshine, lupine, farewell-to– spring, yarrow, bluebells and asters used for healing throughout North America, for a colorful perennial butterfly and now Europe, where it has naturalized. garden.

Winter/ Winter/

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Landscape Value Red Osier Dogwood Cornus stolonifera (also scericea) Red osier dogwood is an important medium-sized shrub used • “Osier” comes from the French/Gaulish extensively in naturalized landscapes. word that means “riverbed,” which is The red branches in winter provide important winter interest. The prime habitat for this plant. “Osier” is umbels of white flowers in spring are also the word used for the long flexible followed by clusters of white to blue branches used in wicker basketry. berries. This plant is most successful in a • There are three types of dogwoods that sunny, rich, moist garden soil. Place it grow in our area: a groundcover, a behind the perennial border, plant en flowering tree, and this attractive shrub. masse or mix it with other native plants such as snowberry, mock orange, • The berries are important food for many red elderberry, thimbleberry, tall birds and, though bitter, were also eaten Oregon grape, paper birch and red by Native Americans. cedar for year round interest. Trim back to old wood every few years to • Red osier dogwood thickets provide nest encourage new red growth. sites and cover for many songbirds.

Fall/

Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto Nootka Rose Landscape Value Rosa nutkana Wild rose species are an excellent addition to any • Nootka rose is one of many species of wild landscape and are especially roses that grow in the Pacific Northwest. suited for creating naturalized thickets along banks and in the • Fragrant flowers provide nectar for bees and back of a perennial border. butterflies, and pleasure for people. Nootka rose will thrive in full • The fruit is called a “rose hip” and is a favorite sun or partial shade. Thickets usually reach about 6’ tall and will food for birds, hares, chipmunks, rabbits, deer, spread readily by underground elk, coyotes, and bears. rhizomes. • The hips are high in Vitamin C and used in teas. The flowers arrive in early summer and leave behind attractive • Rose leaves are important food for morning orange-red hips that will last cloak butterfly larva. The leaf cutter bee cuts lit- through the winter. Our native rose tle circles from leaves to make its nests. will easily naturalize and endure the drought of summer and cold of • Rose thickets are critical habitat for nesting winter. birds and small animals.

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Landscape Value Salmonberry This unique Northwest native is not Rubus spectabilis typically planted in landscapes as it has a reputation for uncontrollable • Salmonberry is one of the Northwest's spreading by underground rhizomes. great harbingers of spring, calling home hum- However, this growth habit may mingbirds from their southern migrations to make salmonberry ideal for situations where a thicket is desirable such as feed on the nectar from its spectacular in a back woodland natural area or (“spectabilis”) flowers. Wear this color to forest edge. attract hummingbirds on your walks. Salmonberry may be planted in moist to dry, partial to full sun situations. • Salmonberry is named for its seasonal and Plant in groups with thimbleberry and physical relation to salmon; its berries ripen vine maple, deer fern, sword fern and at the time of the spring salmon runs, and its salal; and edge with groundcovers of piggyback, bleeding heart, fringecup berries are reminiscent of salmon eggs. and false lily of the valley. This plant • The yellow to red-colored berries are a has excellent wildlife and aesthetic favorite of baby robins as their parents value and is worth fitting into a native wildlife landscape. carry these colorful feasts to their nest.

Spring/ Summer

Photo by Heidi Bohan Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto by Heidi BohanPhoto Landscape Value Serviceberry Serviceberry grows as a shrub Also Sarvisberry, Juneberry and Saskatoon or small tree with beautiful Amelanchier alnifolia flowers in spring, and clusters of berries in summer. The leaves are • Its numerous common names indicate its dark and attractive. This is a good wide distribution in North America. plant for the back of a planting and along forest edge zones. • The names “Service” and “Sarvis” are most Its fruit is so tasty it can be likely mutations of its previous classification in planted as part of a berry garden the Sorbus genus. along with blueberries, currants, raspberries, and blue elderberry. • “Juneberry” indicates the month the berries It thrives in sun to part shade ripen. “Saskatoon” is derived from a Blackfoot and is drought tolerant. name for this berry, mis-ask-a –tomina.. Serviceberry has a long history of horticultural use and there are • Tribes throughout its range used this many cultivars available. The plant for its sweet berries and hard wood. Center for Urban Horticulture at • Deer and elk browse on its foliage and UW has an experimental display garden of many of these cultivars. many birds feed on the berries.

Winter/ Winter/

Catkins in fall turn to pendulous tassels of flowers in spring. Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto

Landscape Value Silk Tassel Bush

Garrya elliptica A highly prized evergreen shrub, silk tassel bush has a glorious display • The silvery-cream, 6”-12” male catkins of catkins in late winter and give this plant its common name. attractive scented foliage. • Female plants have shorter tassels and Silk tassel bush may grow to 20 feet as a small tree, yet remains produce the seed. densely leafy and elegant in form. • The evergreen leaves emit a sweet, spicy Foliage and bloom can be odor when crushed. used in making striking floral arrangements. • The silky tassels produce silky-woolly Silk tassel bush does best in a fruit that attracts birds such as robins. sunny location, with good drainage, • This early successional species often and warm soil. Male plants are preferred, but be sure to include appears after fire as seed dormancy is females in naturalized settings for broken by heat. ongoing self-sowing and fruit • Silk tassel bushes fix nitrogen in the production for wildlife. soil.

Summer

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Landscape Value Slough Sedge Carex obnupta Slough sedge is a perennial evergreen plant that forms attractive clumps of • Slough sedge is a grass-like plant that dark green foliage with interesting grows in wet meadows and standing water flower spikes from spring through as found in “sloughs” and wetlands. summer. Easily grown in full sun to part shade, • This plant is usually submerged in late slough sedge prefers a wet location, winter when amphibians, such as the red- and will also thrive in a landscape legged frog and salamanders, attach their setting with rich soil and occasional water. It will self-sow easily from egg masses to the stems. seed. • The large crop of seeds produced is There are many other species of important food for dozens of bird species. sedges that have ornamental value and will tolerate a wide range of landscape • The new growth in spring is browsed by settings including: Dewey’s, Fox, and many animals and leaves are used in nests. Henderson’s sedge. Plant with camas, • Coastal native people continue to use the lupine, red osier dogwood, and wild rose. leaves for fine traditional baskets. Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Winter Winter Native Plant of the Month Fall/ Snowberry mixed with Nootka rose.

Photo by Heidi Bohan Photo by Heidi Bohan Photo by Heidi Bohan Photo by Heidi Bohan Photo by Heidi Bohan

Landscape Value Snowberry

Snowberry is an excellent Symphoricarpos albus landscape plant with its arching form, attractive, deciduous • The white, waxy berries form in early foliage, winter berries, and wide fall and persist into winter giving this adaptability. It forms solid masses, and plant its common name. spreads by underground runners, • The berry is considered to be a famine so give it room to grow. It provides a nice backdrop and food for birds who rely on it in late mixes well with select native winter, if other food is scarce. woodland shrubs such as wild rose, evergreen huckleberry, red • This plant forms thickets which provide osier dogwood, beaked hazelnut, important habitat for small birds, insects, oceanspray, and mock orange. Plant in sun or partial shade and other small animals. with moist rich soil, and it will • This berry is not edible and is somewhat thrive, though it is gracefully adaptable to less ideal situations. toxic to humans.

Landscape Value Swamp Lantern or Skunk Cabbage Swamp lantern is an “obligate” Lysichiton americanus wetland plant which indicates the presence of wetlands with • This plant emits a chemical which heats associated hydrology and soils. This is an attractive and exotic the soil, allowing it to emerge in early plant to include in the wetland spring. This, along with the shape of its landscape. It thrives in wetland bright yellow flower stalk, leads to its forest and bog plantings, and is especially attractive along pond common name, swamp lantern. edges and in forest glens. • The flower arrives before bees and They can be planted en masse butterflies, so it emits a strong odor that or as individuals with lady fern, slough sedge, Pacific water attracts carrion beetles and blowflies as parsley, and moss-covered nurse pollinators, hence its other common name. logs, and an over-story of Indian • The large waxy leaves were used by native plum, salmonberry, red alder, red cedar, Sitka spruce, and other people for gathering, preparing, and storing wetland plants. food, much like we use wax paper today.

Waxy fruit “cones” persist through winter.

Landscape Value Sweet Gale Sweet gale is not a common Myrica gale ornamental. However, this low, deciduous shrub, with aromatic • This wetland and bog-loving plant has foliage and yellow flower clusters in sweet scented foliage. spring, is a choice addition to a • Sweet gale is important ecologically as it wetland bog landscape. Bogs and fens were once a common occurrence in fixes nitrogen in the soil, nourishing other our region. They are noted for their plants that follow in the natural succession. highly acidic soil and rich humus • There are several species of native content, primarily from sedge or peat moss accumulating over Myrica species in North America. Their centuries. Bogs can be created in fruits provide winter food for birds. landscapes for interest (refer to • The waxy fruits of Myrica have been pond-building literature). Companion plants could include used as a form of wax for centuries. Labrador tea, bog rosemary, douglas • Its local native name “monkey bush” spirea, sundew, cotton grass, implies that ‘”Sasquatch” also used this shooting star, bog asphodel, many sedges, and mosses. plant in some way.

Spring-Summer Spring-Summer

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Landscape Value Thimbleberry Rubus parviflorus Thimbleberries are covered with large, white, rose-shaped flowers in • The deep red berries of summer are thin- spring, and put on a wonderful show when planted as a hedge or at the walled with a hollow center, and shaped like a back of a border. The red berries in thimble, explaining its common name. summer produce over a long period. • Thimbleberry will typically form thickets The thornless zig-zag stems provide winter interest. which are prime habitat for wildlife, The soft maple-like leaves providing cover, nesting sites, and food for provide a backdrop of green birds and small mammals. in a naturalized planting where they can be planted in sunny • The berries are edible, though a bit on the forest edges or meadow seedy and dry side, and good as a trail snack. clearings along with Indian plum, Be sure to leave plenty for the wildlife who vine maple, oceanspray, red flowering currant, and depend on them. groundcovers such as piggyback, • The leaves are sometimes referred to as fringecup and Pacific waterleaf. “nature wipes” for their softness.

Trillium flowers change from white to purple as they age.

Landscape Value Western Trillium Trillium often grows in masses Also Western Wake-Robin in the deep forest, where the flat spread of leaves makes maximum Trillium ovatum use of available sunlight. This • The three petals, sepals, leaves and makes it ideal for shady garden seedpod shape are reflected in the name corners, and under the canopy of trees such as vine maple and cedar. “trillium” which means “in threes” in Latin. Trillium has become scarce in public • The flowers bloom at the time robins seem areas because its early single bloom to ‘wake up’ in spring. and small size makes this especially tempting to pick or transplant. • Native children were cautioned not to pick Plants can be purchased at the flower since it might bring rain, and native plant sales and nurseries. current folklore suggests that the flower Mix with nurse logs and moss, and other delicate forest ground- won’t return for seven years if picked. covers such as inside-out flower, • The seed is attractive to ants who carry bleeding heart, corydalis, and it back to their nests, helping to disperse wood sorrel. the seed throughout the forest.

Viola sempervirens Heart–shaped leaves and five petal flowers, with a distinctive spur, make violets easy to recognize.

Viola glabella Viola adunca

Landscape Value Native Wild Violets

Native wild violets provide a lovely Viola species groundcover that is easy to • The Pacific Northwest is home to many establish in the garden, especially in borders and forest understories. different native violet species. Most are Underground rhizomes help this plant found in moist forest understories. to spread throughout the garden. • The flower shape and bright color invites Very low growing, it is best placed among rockery and nurselogs, and our bumblebees and hummingbirds to mixed with groundcover perennials share its sweet nectar in early spring. such as fringecup, deer fern, • Violet flowers and leaves have a long bleeding heart, Siberian miner’s- lettuce, enchanter’s nightshade and history of human use for food and foamflower. medicine. This is a tough little plant that will • There are dozens of related non-native take the extremes of our climate with very little care, once species familiar as ornamental plants in established. our gardens.

Blooming plant in spring. Leaves are whitish underneath, distinguishing it from Labrador tea.

Landscape Value Western Bog-Laurel Kalmia microphylla var. occidentalis A small evergreen shrub with showy rose-purple flowers, bog- • This is a plant of our bogs and fens, laurel is worth making room for in a tolerating even the high acid soils of our wet bog garden along with Labrador tea, fool’s huckleberry, peat bogs. The leaves are aromatic and cotton grass, sundew, and other similar in shape to true laurel (or bay) extraordinary native bog plants. leaves. This provides its common name. It is possible to create a bog in your landscape by placing a pond • Bog laurel contains unique compounds liner a foot or so below the soil line which lead to its use by native people for to collect and hold water, and certain kinds of medicine. filling with a low pH humus and rich soil.* Bogs are typically in open • Uncommon in our region because of its sunny areas surrounded by forest specific soil and hydrology requirements, so consider placing your bog along it can be found naturalized in forested the sunny edge of a forest or near small trees. lands with bogs and fens, which are dotted *See pond building literature to learn more. with its rose-purple flowers in spring.

Landscape Value Western Red Cedar This fragrant evergreen cedar is a Thuja plicata graceful addition to the landscape. Western red cedar is slow • The common name describes its growing, taking up to 100 years to cinnamon-red colored bark and wood. mature. It is valued for its • Distinctive “J”-shaped boughs provide adaptability to a wide range of conditions; from sun to shade, dry shelter for many wildlife species. wetlands to upland forests. • Porcupines, squirrels, and ravens use If planted closely together, red strips of its soft bark to line their nests. cedar can be used as a hedge or screen that can be groomed by • Known as the “Tree of Life,” native people pruning for height and width. Plant used its wood for housing, canoes and with vine maples, dogwoods, carvings; its soft inner bark for clothing, hazelnuts, and other small trees with an understory of ferns and blankets, and baskets; its branches for woodland flowers for year round rope, incense, and medicine; and its roots interest. for basketry. To learn more, read Cedar by Hilary Stewart. Text by Heidi Bohan ©Starflower Foundation Winter Winter Native Plant of the Month Fall/

Photos by Heidi Bohan Photos by Heidi Bohan

Landscape Value Wood Sorrel

Wood sorrel is an excellent Oxalis oregana evergreen groundcover in the woodland • Lewis and Clark noted this plant in the garden. It needs to be placed correctly otherwise it may grow happily out of woods of Oregon as being similar in taste bounds. to the Eurasian salad plant “sorrel,” with It thrives in deep shade, and will its tangy, tart taste. Hence, its common tolerate dry summer conditions, so it is a prime candidate for the understory name, and part of its scientific (Oregon). of existing trees and shrubs, or along • Its high content of oxalic acid provides the north side of buildings. It is best the rest of its scientific name. placed in areas bounded by walkways or other borders to keep it from • Deer and small herbivores dine on the spreading too far by underground leaves and flowers in small quantities, as rhizomes. oxalic acid is potentially harmful. Flowers appear in spring and fall, and the new leaves and flowers are tasty • The leaves will fold back sharply in additions to salads. Their oxalic acid is direct sun, during the night, or in rainfall present in many foods, and is as an interesting, protective response. considered safe in small quantities.

Photo by Heidi BohanPhoto by Heidi Bohan Photo

Landscape Value Yarrow Achillea millefolium Yarrow is a well known perennial flower used in • “Achillea” owes its name to the Greek borders, containers, butterfly gardens, and naturalized god Achilles. Yarrow is an ancient herbal meadows. remedy for stopping the flow of blood and The native species is white- is said to have been used to staunch the flowered, but cultivars are available in shades of yellow to wound in Achilles’ heel. purple and also serve as food • “Millefolium” is Latin for the “thousand for birds, butterflies, and bees. leaves” that make up its fern-like leaf. Yarrow is a tough, self-sowing, deer-resistant, and drought- • The flower head is shaped like an hardy plant that can be included umbrella (called an umbel), a perfect shape with confidence in any sunny for butterflies that can easily land on this perennial border. Grow with other natives such as goldenrod, flat-topped flower head for nectar. tufted hairgrass, penstemon, • The flowers have a sweet, unusual smell lupine, and bluebells. reminding us of its use as a medicinal herb.

Winter/ Winter/ Caltha leptosepala (or C. biflora) is a similar species, with white flowers.

Landscape Value Yellow Marsh Marigold Yellow marsh marigolds are Caltha palustris var. asarifolia

charming plants for the bog • garden, with attractive succulent “Caltha” comes from an early Greek name for foliage and an early season a similar yellow-flowered plant; “palustris” buttercup flower. comes from Latin for swampy, marshy. Bog gardens need to be peaty, • high acid (4.0 pH), and moist The word “marigold” comes from “Mary’s year-round. It is possible to Gold,” a medieval name for a yellow daisy create wetland bogs by using sacred to the Virgin Mary. existing wet sites or by making • artificial ponds using pond liners, A very early flowering plant that is found in and incorporating peat mix soils. bogs along the Northwest coast. Yellow marsh marigold can be • Formerly part of an extensive willow plant grown with other interesting bog and wetland plants such as bog community in swamps that covered Oregon and birch, Labrador tea, cotton Washington lowlands, yellow marsh marigold is grass, marsh cinquefoil, shooting now greatly reduced. star, and bog rosemary.