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Recommended Native for Home Gardens in Western Drought- Light Require- Common Name (1) Scientific Name (2) Description (3) Comments Tolerant (4) ments (5) Wildlife Value (6) alder, red or Oregon Alnus rubra Bong. tall to medium-tall , 40- beware of power lines overhead, pioneer tree 80', small, woody cone-like that grows well in poorer or wet soils, fast- growing and short-lived, adds nitrogen to the soil, white bark appearance due to growth of lichens, available cascara, buckthorn Rhamnus purshiana small deciduous tree or large to forest understory tree, prefers moist soil, bark DC. 30', silver bark, black -like fruit harvested for medicinal use, not as * attractive when grown in cultivation as in wild habitats cedar, western red Thuja plicata D. Don tall evergreen to 165' or more, beware of power lines overhead, requires yellowish-green to deep green frond- good drainage, can be sheared for hedges, * like foliage, soft reddish-brown bark, sweet odor to crushed foliage, castes a dense small cones shade but graceful and elegant tree, many cultivars available , wild or bitter emarginata medium deciduous tree to 50', shiny, beware of power lines overhead, fast-growing (Douglas ex Hook.) reddish-brown peeling bark, fragrant, tree, shrubbier forms native to east of Cascade Walp. clusters of greenish-white in Mountains also available spring, bright red fall , bright yellow fall color crabapple, western, fusca (Raf.) C.K. small deciduous tree or large shrub to tolerates and requires wetter conditions but Pacific, or Oregon Schneid. 40', fragrant, white to pinkish-white can survive in most gardens, can form * clusters in spring, yellow to thickets, slow-growing reddish-purple fruits ripen late summer

Douglas- Pseudotsuga menziesii tall evergreen conifer 75-150' in beware of power lines overhead - suitable for (Mirb.) Franco cultivation, deeply furrowed reddish- home landscapes in spacious gardens when * brown bark, dark green to blue-green planted away from homes, cultivars available, foliage with new growth in lighter tree has become symbolic of the Pacific shades, 2-4" hanging cones Northwest madrone, Pacific Arbutus menziesii Pursh medium broadleaf evergreen tree to 30- beware of power lines overhead, a bold tree 75', smooth, thin, reddish-brown but may be difficult to establish, slow-growing * peeling bark, clusters of white to pink and long-lived, tolerates dry soil, requires well- urn-shape flowers, small bright - drained soil, drops litter year-round red , Garry or Oregon Quercus garryana medium to tall deciduous tree to 100' or beware of power lines overhead, requires well- white Douglas ex Hook. more, deeply-lobed, leathery, dark drained soil site with little or no summer * green shiny leaves, acorn fruit moisture to prevent root diseases, slow- growing and very long-lived , pondorosa (yellow Pinus ponderosa tall evergreen conifer to 100' or more, beware of power lines overhead, look for pine) Douglas ex C. Lawson. buff-colored bark textured like jig-saw Willamette Valley or other form from west of * puzzle pieces, 5" long yellowish-green Cascades that tolerate soil moisture, in to dark green needles in bundles of 3, well-drained soil, do not plant close to large cones buildings because of large size, fast-growing and long-lived, cultivars available vine Acer circinatum Pursh small deciduous tree or large shrub with arches nicely (twines) if grown in shade, graceful arching form to 15-30', bright tiered branches resemble those of Japanese reddish-green bark, leaves nearly maple, best grown in shaded setting, circular in outline, bright yellow-green, otherwise needs additional water, slow- some with reddish fall color, fruits are growing, cultivars available samaras with wide-spread wings

Shrubs Drought- Light Require- Common Name (1) Scientific Name (2) Description (3) Comments Tolerant (4) ments (5) Wildlife Value (6) , western Rhododendron mid-height, multi-stemmed deciduous from Oregon's southern coast, selected color occidentale (Torr. & A. shrub, 6-8' or more, flowers white to forms available, often used in azalea Gray) A. Gray pale with yellow spots in summer, breeding programs fragrant with musky scent blueblossom ( Ceanothus thyrsiflorus large shrub or small tree, evergreen, 6- hardiest of the wild lilacs, cultivars available lilac, mountain lilac) Eschsch. 20', fine lustrous foliage, numerous clusters of pale blue to deep lilac-blue flowers in summer currant, red-flowering Ribes sanguineum mid-height deciduous shrub, 8-10' or selected color forms and varieties available in (blood currant) Pursh more, many upright stems from the shades of red, pink and white, blooms emerge * base, gray-green leaves, pendant, red before foliage, rapid grower but can be short- flower clusters in late winter, black fruit lived with powdery bloom dogwood, creek or red- Cornus sericea L. (C. mid-height, deciduous multi-trunked great for winter interest, control size by osier stolonifera ) shrub or small tree, 6-16', reddish bark, cutting tallest trunks at base every 2-4 yrs, * flat-topped clusters of creamy white vigorous colonizer, look for native forms of flowers, followed by white or bluish this wide-spread species berries elderberry, blue Sambucus mexicana (S. large, deciduous multi-stemmed shrub tolerates dry sites, will colonize, has edible cerulea) C Presl ex DC. or small tree to 15' or more, flat-topped fruits, fast-growing and short-lived * flower clusters of yellowish-white followed by gray-blue, waxy berry-like fruit with bloom elderberry, red Sambucus racemosa L. large, deciduous multi-stemmed shrub prefers moist sites, vigorous colonizer or small tree to 20', bushier than blue * elderberry, compound leaves, pyramid- like elongated clusters of creamy-white flowers followed by bright red berry- like fruit huckleberry, evergreen Vaccinium ovatum mid-height evergreen shrub to 15', slow-growing, may require additional Pursh glossy, dark green leaves, bronzy new moisture during establishment, good foliage * growth, profusely flowering, small for cut flower arranging, edible fruits, pinkish white bell-like flowers in cultivars available clusters, followed by shiny purplish- black fruit huckleberry, red (red Vaccinium parvifolium mid-height deciduous shrub, 3-12', thin, plant in soil rich in organic matter such as bilberry, red blueberry) Sm. light, bluish-green foliage, wispy light composted fir bark, edible berries, in nature is green foliage, inconspicuous greenish often found rooted in old stumps flowers followed by salmon-egg to bright red berries in early summer

Indian (osoberry) Oemleria cerasiformis small deciduous tree or large multi- can sucker from the base, best used in (Torr. & A. Gray ex branched shrub, 15-20', pendulous informal or woodland garden * Hook. & Arn.) J.W. clusters of green and white flowers Landon. emerging late winter, pendulous purple fruits by early summer manzanita, bristly or Arctostaphylos large evergreen shrub 10-15', gray- good for south or west-facing sites, best in hairy columbiana Piper green hairy leaves, reddish-brown, sandy, well-drained soils, cultivars available * flaking bark, white, bell-like flowers followed by red fruits in summer mock orange, western mid-height, multi-stemmed deciduous to control size and keep flowers at lower Pursh shrub to 10' with masses of fragrant level, prune oldest individual canes to the * bright-white flowers in long clusters in base after flowering, highly recommended for late spring the shrub border, considered to be best ornamental mock-orange in US, cultivars available ninebark, Pacific or Physocarpus capitatus mid-height, multi-stemmed deciduous older stems have shredding bark, best used in western (Pursh) Kuntze shrub to 8' or more, leaves resemble moist locations maple, small white flowers in dense 2- 3" clusters in late spring, rose-brown fall color oceanspray, creambush Holodiscus discolor mid-height, multi-stemmed deciduous slow growing when young, can be difficult to (Pursh) Maxim. shrub, 4-15', tiny creamy white flowers establish, to control size, prune largest stems in large pendant clusters in June, deeply-from the base, requires well-drained soil, lobed pleasing foliage with golden fall spent fruit remains on shrub until following color season

Oregon grape, Cascade Berberis (Mahonia) very small, spreading, broadleaf can be slow to establish, slowly spreads, (longleaf mahonia) nervosa Pursh evergreen shrub to 2', dull-green making an elegant tall groundcover for part to compound leaves, bright yellow flowers full shade, edible berries on long stalks, followed by blue fruit

Oregon grape, tall Berberis (Mahonia) mid-height, broadleaf evergreen shrub, state flower of Oregon, edible berries, many (grape holly) aquifolium Pursh 8-10' or more, spiny and glossy cultivars available, including dwarf forms compound leaves with bronzy-copper new foliage, clusters of golden-yellow urn-shaped flowers, blue fruit with bloom rhododendron, Pacific Rhododendron large evergreen shrub or small tree to has classic look of rhododendron, may require or coast macrophyllum D. Don 25', usually shorter in cultivation, additional water because of mountain or ex G. Don reddish-brown scaly bark, showy white coastal origin, cultivars available to pink flowers, leathery, shiny gray- green foliage rose, Nootka Rosa nutkana C. Presl. mid-height, deciduous thorny shrub to best native wild rose for gardens, vigorous 10', large, solitary soft-pink flowers to 2-colonizer * 3", purplish, pear-shaped or round hips salal Gaultheria shallon small evergreen shrub, 3-5', lustrous spreads underground to form thick colonies, Pursh dark green leaves, pinkish showy often used as high groundcover, edible * flowers, purplish berries berries, good for dry shade serviceberry, western Amelanchier alnifolia large deciduous shrub or small tree, slow growing, can form thickets (serviceberry) (Nutt.) Nutt. Ex M. multi-trunked, 10-25', attractive silver * Roem. bark, small leaves with yellow to orange fall color, compact clusters of small white flowers, reddish-purple to black fruit silk-tassel, wavy-leaved Garrya elliptica large evergreen shrub or small tree to native to southern OR coastal areas, many Douglas ex Lindl. 20', grayish-green leathery leaves with cultivars available, male plants are considered wavy margins, 6-12" pendulous catkins to be more highly ornamental in late winter spirea, Douglas' Spiraea douglasii mid-height, multi-stemmed deciduous although will survive in dry areas, looks best (hardback, steeplebush) Hook. shrub to 11' or more, gray-green leaves in moist soil, vigorous spreader with silvery white undersides, 3" pyramid-shaped clusters of purplish- pink to deep rose flowers fading to pink, then turning brown after production spirea, subalpine or Spiraea splendens (S. very small, deciduous multi-stemmed requires moist cool soil conditions mountain densiflora) Baumann ex shrub to 2' or more, small dark green K. Koch leaves, vivid pink to purple flowers in cauliflower-shaped clusters

Groundcovers Drought- Light Require- Common Name (1) Scientific Name (2) Description (3) Comments Tolerant (4) ments (5) Wildlife Value (6) kinnikinnik (bearberry) Arctostaphylos uva-ursi prostrate, evergreen woody plant with one or our finest groundcovers for full sun, (L.) Spreng. long, trailing branches to 6-8" tall, forming creeping mats, best in well-drained * leathery leaves, white or pink urn- soil, tolerates sterile soils, cultivars available, shaped flowers, reddish-brown berries look for West Coast named cultivars or native wild types of this wide-spread species inside-out flower, white Vancouveria hexandra deciduous herbaceous groundcover to spreads underground, somewhat resembles (Hook.) C. Morren & 2', delicate foliage, small, white, star- Epimedium , valuable as a groundcover for Decne. like flowers on stiff stalks in spring, shade bright yellow fall color in late fall strawberry, coastal Fragaria chiloensis (L.) spreading evergreen groundcover to 9", edible berries, vigorous groundcover for sun Duchesne thick leathery clover-like leaves, white spreading by short, hairy runners, very easy to * flowers, red fruits grow, edible fruit strawberry, wild Fragaria virginiana spreading deciduous groundcover, 2-5", freely-spreading by runners, very easy to Duchesne gray-green or bluish-green clover-like grow, edible fruit * foliage, white flowers, red fruit strawberry, or Fragaria vesca L. herbaceous groundcover to 8", clover- best wild strawberry for shade, spreading by woodland like leaves, white flowers, red fruit runners, variegated form available, prolific * berry producer, edible fruit -sorrel, Oregon Oxalis oregana Nutt. ex rapidly spreading groundcover to 6-8", aggressive groundcover for areas where no Torr. & A. Gray clover-like leaves, white or pink other herbaceous plants are present, prefers flowers, depending upon the moist shade

Herbs & Ferns

Drought- Light Require- Common Name (1) Scientific Name (2) Description (3) Comments Tolerant (4) ments (5) Wildlife Value (6) alumroot, small- Heuchera micrantha herbaceous perennial 1-2', small white grow in moist shade, selected color forms or flowered Douglas ex Lindl. flowers on stalk in late spring, large cultivars available such as 'Palace Purple' basal rosette of leaves aster, Douglas' Aster subspicatus Nees herbaceous perennial to 3', blue to readily reseeds and spreads underground purple flowers in late summer bleedingheart, Pacific or Dicentra formosa herbaceous perennial to 2', delicate, valuable garden plant, best for moist shade, western (Andrews) Walp. deeply-cut foliage, pendant jewel-like can be aggressive in a garden setting, selected pale to dark pink flowers in spring, color forms and varieties available, seed dormant in fall and winter disseminated by ants blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium bellum S. herbaceous perennial to 16", grass-like although resembles a grass, is actually in Watson leaves, dainty blue to violet flowers family, reseeds readily, considered to be most with yellow eye in summer ornamental of US blue-eyed grasses camas Camassia leichtlinii stately bulb, 1-3', daffodil-like foliage, needs site with spring moisture and summer (Baker) Watson blue-violet flowers in spring, goes dryness, does well in heavy soils, self- C. quamash (Pursh) dormant by end of summer Greene C. cusickii S. Watson checker-mallow Sidalcea species, herbaceous perennial, 3-5', basal rosette good for dry areas, re-seeds freely and easy several are available of leaves with tall flowering stems, to grow from seed attractive, 1"-wide, pink hollyhock-like flowers columbine, western red, formosa herbaceous perennial to 2-3', strongly self-seeds red or Sitka Fisch. ex DC. resembling garden columbines but with smaller red and yellow nodding flowers in summer deer-fern Blechnum spicant (L.) delicate fern, 1-3', finely divided, deep "exquisite" ornamental, best in moist shade Sm. green fronds from basal tuft with spore- bearing fronds in center fringecup Tellima grandiflora woodland herbaceous or semi- self-seeds prolifically, very easy to grow (Pursh) Douglas ex evergreen perennial to 3', leaves in Lindl. basal rosette, delicate flowering stalks of small, filigreed pale-cream or pinkish- white flowers, sometimes fragrant goat's beard, sylvan Aruncus herbaceous perennial to 5-6', attractive resembles Astilbe , spreads slowly dioicus (Walter) Fernald fern-like foliage, plumes of tiny white underground, male plants have showier flowers in summer flowers, female plants self-seed prolifically goldenrod Solidago species, many herbaceous perennial 1-2', bright orange-reseeds freely and spreads underground native kinds available yellow flowers in plumes iris, Douglas Herb. statuesque semi-evergreen perennial, 2', considered to be one of the best native iris for broader leaves than other native iris, home gardens, needs spring moisture and cream to deep purple flowers in spring summer dryness iris, golden Iris innominata L.F. short iris, 8-12", narrow, grass-like, best in rock gardens or other well-drained Hend. tough, shiny dark green leaves, flower soils, or grow in pots, needs dry summer soil color deep golden yellow to clear yellow or purple iris, Oregon Iris tenax Douglas ex herbaceous perennial, 10-14", violet to requires dry summer soil Lindl. purple flowers, occasionally white or yellow monkeyflower, yellow Mimulus guttatus DC. herbaceous perennial to 2-3', rounded does best in wet or watered areas in sun, smooth leaves, yellow trumpet flowers spreads rapidly underground often with crimson or brownish-red spots Oregon sunshine (wooly Eriophyllum lanatum low-growing herbaceous perennial to 2', needs good drainage, growth form variable sunflower, golden (Pursh) J. Forbes. green or silvery foliage and stems, depending on origin, lowland forms taller and yarrow) small leaves in rosettes, bright yellow greener than mountain or Columbia Gorge daisy-like flowers, each on single stalk forms, which are shorter and grayer in summer pearly everlasting, Anaphalis herbaceous perennial to 2', gray-green slowly spreading, everlasting flowers can be common margaritacea (L.) leaves, heads of tiny yellow flowers, dried for flower arranging, widespread Benth. & Hook. f. each with white bracts species, cultivars available penstemon, Cascade or Penstemon serrulatus herbaceous perennial with woody base good for perennial borders in full sun, coast Menzies ex Sm. to 4', glossy serrated leaves, deep blue considered best native penstemon for gardens to dark purple or violet flowers in early west of Cascades, may be short-lived but self- summer seeds, although is drought tolerant, looks best in moist spot stonecrop, broadleaf or Sedum spathulifolium short, evergreen perennial to 6", thick requires good drainage, suitable for spoonleaf Hook. succulent leaves, flattened or paddle- containers, easy to propagate by cuttings, shaped, in rosettes, leaves bluish with sometimes recommended as groundcover for red highlights, short clusters of bright sunny, dry area yellow flowers in late spring or early summer sword-fern Polystichum munitum statuesque, evergreen fern, 3-5', new a favorite fern for landscaping, tolerates dry (Kaulf.) C. Presl. foliage in March, retaining older foliage shade, can be kept smaller by trimming back through the winter older foliage each spring, transplants easily trillium, western white Trillium ovatum Pursh herbaceous perennial to 2', large white propagated forms relatively expensive, (wake robin) flowers, fading to pink, perched above a requires moist soil trio of wide leaves in spring violet, stream (yellow glabella Nutt. ex herbaceous, spreading perennial to 3- delicate, slowly-spreading plant that can be wood violet) Torr. & A. Gray 5", yellow flowers in early spring used as a groundcover, providing colorful spots in the shaded garden, largest of native violets yarrow Achillea millefolium L. herbaceous perennial to 3', finely good for dry areas, sometimes used in herb divided fern-like foliage, creamy white lawn or ecolawn mixes and kept short by or sometimes pinkish flat-topped flower mowing, look for native forms of this wide- clusters in summer spread species Annuals Drought- Light Require- Common Name (1) Scientific Name (2) Description (3) Comments Tolerant (4) ments (5) Wildlife Value (6) poppy, California Eschscholzia annual, sometimes a perennial in our self-seeds readily californica Cham. area to 2', grayish foliage, golden- yellow flowers farewell-to-spring Clarkia amoena annual to 3', gracefully nodding buds self-seeds (Lehm.) A. Nelson & opening to showy pink to rose-purple J.F. Macbr. flowers, each 4-petaled with dark spotted areas in mid-summer gilia, globe (bluefield Gilia capitata Sims annual to 3', delicate compound leaves, has taproot, grows easily from seed gilia) pale lavender, small ball-shaped flower clusters in early summer

1. Common Names are those most used in to Kruckeberg (1996), Link (1999), Pojar (1994), & ODFW Naturescaping (2001)

2. Scientific names and authors courtesy of Scott Sundberg, Oregon Flora Project, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, OSU ( http://www/oregonflora.org/OFP)

3. Description, characteristics, and comments from Elias (1980), Kruckeberg (1996), Pojar (1994), Cullina (2000, 2002). Size categories for trees (tall to small) according to Elias; categories for (large to very small) according to Hightshoe (1988) scale. 4. Drought Tolerance assigned according to Link (1999), Kruckeberg (1996), Bell et. al. (2001), Cullina (2000, 2002) 5. Light requirements assigned according to Link (1999), Kruckeberg (1996), and Cullina (2000, 2002)

= Sun = Part shade/sun

= Shade

6. Wildlife Value assigned according to, Link (1999), Kruckeberg (1996), ODFW Naturescaping (2001), Cates et. al (2002), Lam and Allen (2002), Lamb et. al ((2002), Olsen and Allen (2002), Neill (2001), and Pyle (2002).

= source for butterflies

= Food source for native butterfly caterpillars

= Nectar source for hummingbirds

= Food source, shelter, or nesting sites for birds = Food source for native wildlife or rodents

= Shelter for native amphibians or reptiles

* = Among species considered to be the most valuable wildlife plants by ODFW Naturescaping (2001) reference = Recommended for wildlife meadow garden by ODFW Naturescaping (2001) reference