the

list

A Companion to the Choosing the Right Plants Natural Lawn & Garden Guide

a better way to beautiful

www.savingwater.org Waterwise garden by Stacie Crooks

Discover a better way to beautiful!

his plant list is a new companion to Choosing the The list on the following pages contains just some of the Right Plants, one of the Natural Lawn & Garden many plants that can be happy here in the temperate Pacific T Guides produced by the Saving Water Partnership Northwest, organized by several key themes. A number of (see the back panel to request your free copy). These guides these plants are Great Plant Picks ( ) selections, chosen will help you garden in balance with nature, so you can enjoy because they are vigorous and easy to grow in Northwest a beautiful yard that’s healthy, easy to maintain and good for gardens, while offering reasonable resistance to pests and the environment. diseases, as well as other attributes. (For details about the GPP program and to find additional reference materials, When choosing plants, we often think about factors refer to Resources & Credits on page 12.) like size, shape, foliage and flower color. But the most important consideration should be whether a site provides Remember, this plant list is just a starting point. The more the conditions a specific plant needs to thrive. Soil type, information you have about your garden’s conditions and drainage, sun and shade—all affect a plant’s health and, as a particular plant’s needs before you purchase a plant, the a result, its appearance and maintenance needs. better. By creating a plan and selecting plants wisely, you’ll avoid costly errors, reduce maintenance and enjoy a better way to a beautiful, healthy garden.

page 1 www.savingwater.org Wet Winter/Dry Summer Plants The following plants are some of the best at faring well in very wet winter soils—often due to slow drainage or constant seepage—and dry summer soils. Plants with an asterisk* can even handle standing water; all will thrive with good summer drainage. Refer to page 12 for additional resources to help you find plants that match your garden’s conditions.

Mature Tree Heights small up to 30 feet tall medium 30 to 70 feet tall Deciduous Deciduous Evergreen Trees Sun Partial Shade Shade large more than 70 feet tall Acer circinatum vine maple small; great fall color Betula albosinensis var. septentrionalis chinese red birch medium Betula nigra river birch large Betula utilis var. jacquemontii himalayan white birch medium; gorgeous bark Crataegus laevigata and cultivars english hawthorn small Liquidambar styraciflua american sweet gum large Metasequoia glyptostroboides* dawn redwood large; deciduous conifer Pinus contorta var. contorta shore pine large Quercus palustris pin oak large Betula albosinensis var. septentrionalis

Shrubs Aronia arbutifolia red chokeberry autumn berries Aronia melanocarpa black chokeberry autumn berries Aronia × prunifolia purple chokeberry autumn berries Berberis darwinii darwin’s barberry dense habit Berberis thunbergii and cultivars japanese barberry ‘Rose Glow’ is a GPP Cornus alba and cultivars* redtwig dogwood ‘Elegantissima’ is a GPP Cornus stolonifera and cultivars* red osier dogwood twig color best in sun Gaultheria shallon salal forms a thicket Myrica californica california wax myrtle birds like the berries Physocarpus opulifolius purpleleaf ninebark ‘Diabolo’ is a GPP Potentilla fruticosa shrubby cinquefoil long bloomtime Sambucus nigra and cultivars black elder ‘Gerda’ is a GPP Spiraea douglasii douglas’s spirea vigorous; forms a thicket Spiraea × vanhouttei bridal wreath spirea pretty white flowers white berries; forms a snowberry Symphoricarpos albus thicket

Berberis darwinii = a Great Plant Picks selection

page 2 www.savingwater.org Wet Winter/Dry Summer Plants

Perennials, Deciduous Deciduous Evergreen

Grasses and More Sun Partial Shade Shade semi-evergreen; brighter gold variegated sweetflag Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’* in sun Anemone nemorosa wood anemone dormant in summer Bergenia species and hybrids bold leaves Blechnum penna-marina alpine water fern in sun, needs more water Blechnum spicant deer fern in sun, needs more water Carex ‘Ice Dance’* variegated sedge vigorous groundcover Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’* variegated japanese sedge Erythronium revolutum pink fawn lily dormant in summer Erythronium ‘Pagoda’ yellow fawn lily dormant in summer needs water until flower daylily Hemerocallis cultivars buds develop Luzula nivea snowy woodrush unusual texture best with occasional Luzula sylvatica greater woodrush summer water

best with occasional Osmunda regalis and cultivars* royal fern summer water Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’

best with occasional Polystichum munitum western sword fern summer water

best with occasional Polystichum polyblepharum japanese tassel fern summer water

best with occasional Polystichum setiferum Divisilobum soft shield fern Group and others summer water semi-evergreen; out- Waldsteinia ternata barren strawberry competes many weeds

spreading, self-seeding; Limnanthes douglasii poached egg plant dormant in summer Polystichum munitum = a Great Plant Picks selection NOTES:

page 3 www.savingwater.org NOTES: Shrubs Vaccinium corymbosum sorbifolia Sorbaria racemosaSambucus nigra Sambucus purpurea* Salix discolor* Salix opulifolius Physocarpus californica Myrica Lonicera involucrata stoloniferaCornus andcultivars* alba andcultivars* Cornus Clethra alnifolia floridus Calycanthus ×prunifolia Aronia melanocarpa Aronia arbutifolia Aronia Taxodium distichum* Nyssa sylvatica* Nyssa sinensis* Metasequoia glyptostroboides* Liquidambar styraciflua utilisvar.Betula jacquemontii nigraBetula albosinensisvar.Betula septentrionalis Amelanchier canadensis Moisture-Loving Plants plants thatmatchyourgarden’sconditions. drainage. Plantswithanasterisk*caneventolerate standingwater.Refertopage12foradditionalresourceshelpyoufind Here are avarietyofplantsthatcanthrivewithmoistorwetconditionsthroughouttheyear,includingpoor Trees and cultivars black twinberry black red osierdogwood dogwood redtwig pepperbush sweet allspice carolina chokeberrypurple chokeberryblack red chokeberry high bush blueberryhigh bush false spirea red elderberry elderberryblack willow arctic pussy willow ninebark california wax myrtle bald cypress gum black tupelo chinese dawn redwood gum sweet american himalayan whitebirch birch river red birch chinese serviceberry = a Great Plant Picks selection Picks = aGreat Plant www.savingwater.org page 4

Sun

Partial Shade

Shade Deciduous Evergreen more than70feet tall large 30to70feet upto30feet tall tall medium small Mature Tree Heights delicious fruit torestrict spreadsuckers athicket;forms remove glossy red fruit ‘Gerda’ isaGPP athicket forms athicket forms ‘Diabolo’ isaGPP athicket forms athicket forms color sun forbesttwig ‘Elegantissima’ isaGPP pinkflowersfragrant interesting flowers autumn berries autumn berries autumn berries small treesmall orshrub large; deciduousconifer medium medium large; deciduousconifer large medium large medium Physocarpus opulifolius Physocarpus var. alboseninsis Betula ‘Diabolo’ septentrionalis

Moisture-Loving Plants

Perennials, Deciduous Deciduous Evergreen

Grasses and More Sun Partial Shade Shade golden variegated semi-evergreen; sun for Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’ * sweetflag brightest color Adiantum aleuticum western maidenhair fern usually sold as A. pedatum Astilbe (all)* astilbe in sun, needs more water Blechnum spicant deer fern in sun, needs more water Caltha palustris* marsh marigold yellow flowers Carex ‘Ice Dance’* variegated sedge vigorous groundcover Carex elata ‘Aurea’* bowles’ golden sedge sun for brightest color Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’* variegated japanese sedge Dryopteris wallichiana wallich’s wood fern tall, glossy fronds Gunnera manicata giant rhubarb protect from drying winds

‘June’ and ‘Sum and Hosta (all) Substance’ are slug- resistant GPPs

Iris ensata and cultivars* japanese iris gorgeous flowers Iris laevigata and cultivars japanese iris gorgeous flowers Iris versicolor blue flag gorgeous flowers Ligularia dentata* golden groundsel avoid midday sun Carex ‘Ice Dance’

Lobelia cardinalis cardinal flower short-lived perennial Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ * golden creeping jenny spreads quickly Matteuccia struthiopteris ostrich fern spreads vigorously Mimulus cardinalis* scarlet monkey flower dappled shade Osmunda cinnamomea cinnamon fern Osmunda regalis and cultivars* royal fern Primula beesiana* candelabra primrose can be semi-evergreen Primula bulleyana* candelabra primrose can be semi-evergreen Primula denticulata* drumstick primrose can be semi-evergreen Primula elatior* oxlip can be semi-evergreen Primula japonica and cultivars* japanese primrose Rodgersia pinnata* rodgersia cut back mid-summer for water figwort Scrophularia auriculata ‘Variegata’* fresh flush of foliage Thalictrum delavayi ‘Hewitt’s Double’ double meadow rue airy leaves and flowers Viola glabella stream violet can be semi-evergreen Zantedeschia aethiopica* calla lily evergreen in mild winters Carex elata = a Great Plant Picks selection ‘Aurea’

page 5 www.savingwater.org Shrubs Rubus parviflorus Rubus Rosa nutkana Rhododendron occidentale Rhododendron macrophyllum Philadelphus lewisii Paxistima myrsinites californica Myrica Mahonia nervosa Lonicera involucrata Ledum groenlandicum Holodiscus discolor shallon Gaultheria stoloniferaCornus Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Amelanchier alnifolia glabrum Acer Trees Tsuga mertensiana garryana Quercus Pinus contorta var. contorta Malus fusca nootkatensisChamaecyparis decurrens Calocedrus circinatum Acer proceraAbies grandis Abies Favorite Pacific NorthwestNativePlants Refer topage12foradditionalresourceshelpyoufind plantsthatmatchyourgarden’sconditions. to make sure theplantsare nursery-propagatedtoavoidharmingnatural plantenvironmentsinthewild. These are amongthemostgarden-worthy nativeplantsavailableinlocalnurseries.Whenbuyingnatives,ask labrador tea sprayocean salal red osierdogwood kinnikinnick serviceberry maple douglas thimbleberry nootka rose azalea western rhododendron pacific coast orangemock falsebox california wax myrtle cascade oregon grape twinberry black mountain hemlock garry oak shore pine pacific crabapple cedarweeping yellow incense cedar vine maple noble fir grand fir = a Great Plant Picks selection Picks = aGreat Plant www.savingwater.org page 6

Sun

Partial Shade

Shade Deciduous Evergreen more than70feet tall large 30to70feet upto30feet tall tall medium small Mature Tree Heights tolerates dry soilonce dry tolerates soil moist ordry groundcover soil well-drained tree orsmall shrub dry soils dry athicket;forms moistor forms a thicket; pink flowers needs good drainage sites dry moist tofairly flowersfragrant compact shrub summer drought winterwet,tolerates drought tolerant tolerant athicket;forms drought moist soil athicket forms established large; drought tolerant drought tolerant ingardensmall setting; drainage small; needsexcellent summer drought large; winterwet, tolerates standingwater tolerates tree; orsmall large shrub ‘Pendula’ isaGPP large; drought tolerant; large; drought tolerant small; great color fall large Chamaecyparis nootkatensis Chamaecyparis Myrica californica Myrica Rubus parviflorus Rubus ‘Pendula’ Shrubs Vaccinium parvifolium Vaccinium ovatum albus Symphoricarpos Spiraea douglasiisubsp. racemosaSambucus subsp. nigra subsp.Sambucus cerulea spectabilisRubus Grasses andMore Perennials, Gymnocarpium dryopteris dryopteris Gymnocarpium Fragaria chiloensis lanatum Eriophyllum pulchellumDodecatheon hookeri Disporum Dicentra formosa canadensis Cornus Campanula rotundifola Camassia quamash Camassia leichtlinii Blechnum spicant caudatum Asarum dioicus Aruncus Aquilegia formosa microphyllaAntennaria cernuum Allium aleuticum Adiantum NOTES: (cont.) douglasii pubens Favorite Pacific Northwest Native Plants Native Northwest Pacific Favorite salmonberry red huckleberry huckleberry evergreen common snowberry hardhack red elderberry blue elderberry deer fern wild ginger goat’s beard red columbine pussytoes rosy nodding onion western maidenhair fern oak fern beach strawberry oregon sunshine few-flowered shootingstar hooker’s fairybells pacific bleedingheart bunchberry common harebell common camas leichtlin’s camas www.savingwater.org = a Great Plant Picks selection Picks = aGreat Plant page 7

Sun

Partial Shade

Shade Deciduous Evergreen forms athicket;forms aggressive; redbright fruits blue fruits athicket;forms moistsoils tangy red berries tangy delicious blueberries white berries athicket;forms moist towetsoils in sun, needs more water also called G.also called disjunctum spreading groundcover drought tolerant moist soilinsun whiteflowers dainty in summer spreads quickly; dormant dormant spreads quickly; slow-growing groundcover perennialsmall summer drought bulb; winterwet, tolerates bulb; blueorwhiteflowers in sun, needs more water spreading groundcover red-and-yellow flowers A.also called rosea bulb; pinkflowers

Blechnum spicant Blechnum Rubus spectabilis Rubus Tiarella trifoliata occidentale Thalictrum Tellima grandiflora stellataSmilacina racemosaSmilacina douglasii Sisyrinchium californicum Sisyrinchium Sedum spathulifolium Sedum oreganum Sedum divergens Polystichum munitum Oxalis oregano Maianthemum dilatatum Lonicera ciliosa tenax Iris Heuchera micrantha Grasses andMore Perennials, Vancouveria hexandra Trillium ovatum Tolmiea menziesii For andphotos descriptions ofmany plants, native go totheMasterGardener websiteat on theirsite. Or, order plantsforyou. will native ifthey nursery askyour favorite simply Nurseries.Native Plant You alsopurchase atthe natives can WNPS plantsales, alsolisted on Gardening, websiteatwww.wnps.organdclick thenscroll down to (WNPS) Society plants.in native To plantnurseries, identifynative go tothe Washington Native Plant Favorite Pacific from thatspecialize listmay beavailableonly nurseries Plants Northwest plants. ofnative avariety Most retailsell However, nurseries some oftheselections on the Finding NativePlants http://gardening.wsu.edu/nwnative/ (cont.) Favorite Pacific Northwest Native Plants Native Northwest Pacific Favorite foamflower meadowrue western fringecup seal star-flowered solomon’s false solomon’s seal satin-flower grassgolden-eyed broadleaf stonecrop oregon stonecrop spreading stonecrop sword fern oregon oxalis false lily-of-the-valley honeysuckle trumpet western toughleaf iris small-flowered alumroot inside-out flower trillium western plant piggy-back = a Great Plant Picks selection Picks = aGreat Plant www.savingwater.org page 8

Sun

Partial Shade

Shade Deciduous Evergreen drought once tolerant forms also evergreen insummer dormant spreading groundcover; vine climbing semi-evergreen reddish-black fruit white flowers; dark blueor white flowers; red fruit flowersred-purple semi-evergreen; self-seeds flattened grayleaves oval succulentleaves round succulentleaves established moist soil blue-green foliage moist soil dainty groundcover dainty insummer dormant moist soil Polystichum munitum Polystichum Smilacina racemosa Smilacina Trees Ginkgo biloba ‘Autumn Gold’ ‘Aspleniifolia’ Fagus var. sylvatica heterophylla Fagus Fountain’ ‘Purple sylvatica Crataegus ×lavalleei mas Cornus ‘Fastigiata’ betulus Carpinus decurrens Calocedrus utilisvar.Betula jacquemontii albosinensisvar.Betula septentrionalis triflorum Acer tataricumAcer subsp. griseum Acer buergerianum Acer additional resourcestohelpyoufindplantsthatmatchyourgarden’sconditions. Drought-Tolerant Plants Note thattheplantsonWet Winter/Dry SummerPlantslistare alsodrought-tolerant. established, aprocessthatusuallytakes 2to3years.Asageneral rule,theseplantsneedgooddrainage inwinter. The followingplantscansurvivewithlittleornosupplementalwatering—besidesr Tsuga mertensiana Trachycarpus fortunei Sequoiadendron giganteum salicifolia‘Pendula’Pyrus f. glauca Pinus parviflora Pinus leucodermis Picea orientalis Picea omorika Parrotia persica Koelreuteria paniculata NOTES: ginnala and cultivars maidenhair tree beech fernleaf beech columnar weeping copper lavalle’s hawthorn cornelian cherry european hornbeam incense cedar himalayan whitebirch red birch chinese roughbark maple amur maple paperbark maple trident maple weeping willowleaf pear weeping willowleaf white pine blue-needled japanese bosnian pine oriental spruce spruceserbian persian ironwood goldenrain tree mountain hemlock windmill palm giant sequoia = a Great Plant Picks selection Picks = aGreat Plant www.savingwater.org page 9

Sun

Partial Shade

Shade Deciduous Evergreen ainfall—after theyare small small; tree suckering small; peeling bark small; slow growing small; columnar small; showy fruit tree orsmall shrub medium; slow growing large; conifer medium; whitebark medium large medium more than70feet tall large 30to70feet upto30feet tall tall medium small Mature Tree Heights conifer ingardensmall setting; protect whenyoung medium; slow growing; ‘Pendulum’ are GPPs large; ‘Glaucum’ and small; weepingform medium; conifer medium; conifer large; conifer medium; slenderconifer medium medium Refer topage12for Trachycarpus fortunei Trachycarpus ‘Autumn Gold’ ‘Autumn Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo Drought-Tolerant Plants Deciduous Deciduous Evergreen

Shrubs Sun Partial Shade Shade Arbutus unedo strawberry tree shrub or small tree Berberis darwinii darwin’s barberry blooms better in sun Ceanothus ‘Julia Phelps’ california lilac midnight blue flowers Ceanothus ‘Victoria’ california lilac bright blue flowers Ceanothus ‘Puget Blue’ california lilac bright blue flowers Choisya ‘Aztec Pearl’ mexican mock orange fragrant white flowers Cistus × hybridus white rockrose Cotinus ‘Grace’ hybrid smoketree large burgundy leaves Cotoneaster dammeri bearberry cotoneaster groundcover golden variegated Elaeagnus pungens ‘Maculata’ elaeagnus fragrant flowers in fall Arbutus unedo Hebe ‘Emerald Green’ white flowers Hebe cupressoides ‘Boughton Dome’ cypress hebe white flowers Hebe ochracea ‘James Stirling’ whipcord hebe bronzey foliage Hebe odora ‘New Zealand Gold’ white flowers Hebe pinguifolia white flowers Hebe topiaria white flowers Ilex aquifolium ‘Ferox Argentea’ hedgehog holly male clone: no berries Ilex crenata ‘Convexa’ convex leaf japanese holly excellent for hedge Laurus nobilis bay laurel excellent for cooking Mahonia nervosa cascade oregon grape blue berries Elaeagnus pungens ‘Maculata’

needs some water in full dwarf heavenly bamboo Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’ sun to look its best Malus toringo subsp. sargentii ‘Tina’ dwarf sargent’s crabapple disease resistant ‘King Edward VII’ and flowering currant Ribes sanguineum and cultivars ‘White Icicle’ are GPPs Syringa vulgaris and cultivars common lilac fragrant flowers Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’ irish yew columnar conifer Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’ spreading english yew mounding conifer Viburnum tinus ‘Spring Bouquet’ compact laurustinus flowers less in shade Viburnum tinus ‘Spring Bouquet’ Perennials, Grasses and More Allium cristophii star of persia bulb; sandy soil Anemone nemorosa wood anemone dormant in summer Asarum europaeum european wild ginger creeping groundcover Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ hybrid hyssop long bloomtime Camassia leichtlinii subsp. leichtlinii leichtlin’s camas bulb; dormant in summer Crocus tommasinianus tommasini’s crocus bulb; dormant in summer Cyclamen coum persian violet tuber; dormant in summer Allium cristophii = a Great Plant Picks selection

page 10 www.savingwater.org Grasses andMore Perennials, Vitis vinifera ‘Purpurea’Vitis Stipa gigantea Rain’ verticillata ‘Purple Salvia Light’ sinensis‘Morning Miscanthus Lonicera japonica ‘Becky’ ×superbum Leucanthemum Leptinella squalida ‘Pratt’s Black’ vernus Lathyrus ×hybridus Helleborus foetidus Helleborus argutifolius Helleborus Helictotrichon sempervirens Helenium Beauty’ ‘Moerheim Euphorbia characias subsp. Epimedium ×versicolor ‘Sulfureum’ Crambe maritima Cyclamen hederifolium wulfenii (cont.) purpleleaf grapevine purpleleaf giant needle grass salvia silvergrasschinese japanese honeysuckle shasta daisy brass buttons pea bush spring lenten rose stinking hellebore corsican hellebore blue oat grass sneezeweed spurge mediterranean large barrenwort sea kale cyclamen ivyleaf Drought-Tolerant Plants Drought-Tolerant = a Great Plant Picks selection Picks = aGreat Plant www.savingwater.org page 11

Sun

Partial Shade

Shade Deciduous Evergreen tuber; insummer dormant vine; redder insun infall back trim long bloomtime cut toground inMarch vine; flowers fragrant long bloomtime creeper forcrevices charming showy flowers green flowers leaves striking not cuttoground comb outoldleaves; do rash cause contact withsapmay groundcover add limetosoil Cyclamen hederifolium Cyclamen Vinus vinifera Vinus ‘Purpurea’ Resources & Credits Books for more plant information Photo credits A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants Cover and waterwise garden photos: Jacqueline Koch American Horticultural Society, DK Publishing, Inc., 1996. Plant photos: Courtesy Great Plant Picks, Richie Steffen, Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest Richard Hartlage, Alan Dodson by Arthur R. Kruckeberg; University of Washington Press, 1982. Perfect Plant, Perfect Place With thanks to by Roy Lancaster; DK Publishing, Inc., 2002. Center for Urban Horticulture Sunset Western Garden Book Furney’s Nursery Kathleen Norris, ed.; Sunset Publishing Corp., 2001. Molbak’s Trees and Shrubs for Pacific Northwest Gardens Piriformis by John and Carol Grant; Timber Press, Inc., 1990. Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden Swanson’s Nursery Hotlines for gardening questions University of British Columbia Botanical Garden Natural Lawn & Garden Hotline 206.633.0224 Washington Native Plant Society Center for Urban Horticulture Plant Answer Line Washington State Department of Transportation 206.UWPLANT (206.897.5268) Master Gardener Hotline, King County 206.296.3440 A Special Note of Appreciation to Carolyn Jones and Richie Steffen of the Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Websites Garden and Great Plants Picks for their generous help in creating this Great Plant Picks descriptions and photos www.greatplantpicks.org plant list. Natural Lawn & Garden Care www.savingwater.org Comprehensive horticultural information www.millerlibrary.org Washington State University Extension/Master Gardener information http://gardening.wsu.edu Native plant information (also see page 8) www.wnps.org http://gardening.wsu.edu/nwnative

Great Plant Picks The Great Plant Picks (GPP) educational program promotes plants well-suited to Pacific Northwest gardens west of the Cascade Mountains. Each year, noteworthy plants are added to the GPP

list, selected by professional horticulturists from Washington, g

r

o . Oregon and British Columbia. GPP is funded by the Pendleton s

k

c i and Elisabeth Miller Charitable Foundation and administered by p t n la the staff of the Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden. For more tp ea .gr details, visit: www www.greatplantpicks.org

page 12 www.savingwater.org NOTES:

page 13 www.savingwater.org The Natural Lawn & Garden Series Brought to you by your local water providers: Cedar River Water and Sewer District City of Bothell City of Duvall Coal Creek Utility District Highline Water District King County Water District 20 King County Water District 45 King County Water District 49 Growing Healthy Soil Choosing the Right Plants Smart Watering King County Water District 90 King County Water District 119 King County Water District 125 City of Mercer Island Northshore Utility District Olympic View Water and Sewer Seattle Public Utilities Shoreline Water District Composting at Home Natural Pest, Weed & Natural Lawn Care Soos Creek Water and Sewer District Disease Control Woodinville Water District

Natural Yard Care (summary)

For TTY assistance, please call 206.233.7241. This information can be made available on request to To request a Natural Lawn & Garden Guide, contact the Natural Lawn & Garden accommodate people with disabilities and those who Hotline at 206.633.0224 or at [email protected], or visit www.savingwater.org need language assistance.