Help Preserve Native Plants Why Use Native Plants? Some Useful References Did you know that Washington State has over 2,300 There are many resources to help you learn about NATIVE PLANTS OF native plant species? Here are some reasons why and appreciate native plants — in your garden and native plants are important and benefi cial additions to in the wild. WESTERN WASHINGTON your garden. Plants of the Pacifi c Northwest Coast. Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon, Eds. Lone Pine Publishing, Vancouver, Native plants: BC. 1994. The Natural Way to Grow Flora of the Pacifi c Northwest : An Illus- Photo by ClayPhoto Antieau by are adapted to our climate of wet winters and trated Manual. C. Leo Hitchcock and Arthur Cronquist . dry summers University of Washington Press (UW Press), Seattle. 1973. Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacifi c require less water than non-natives once they Northwest , 2nd Edition. Arthur R. Kruckeberg . UW Press, are established Seattle. 1996. Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacifi c North- resist native pests and diseases better than non- Ruth Photo Munson by west. Russell Link. UW Press, Seattle. 1999. Broad-leaved stonecrop (Sedum spathulifolium) natives Native Plants in the Coastal Garden, 2nd Edition. April Pettinger . Whitecap Books, Vancouver, BC. 2002. Each of us can help preserve native plant species and improve water quality by needing less fertilizer Ethnobotany of Western Washington. Erna and no pesticides habitat. You’ve already taken the fi rst step by picking Gunther . UW Press, Seattle. Revised 1973. up and reading this brochure! Want to know more? provide shelter, food and pollination Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples. Nancy J. Read on. Here are more suggestions on how to take opportunities for native wildlife Turner. UBC Press, Vancouver, BC. 1995. action. Grow Your Own Native Landscape. Item MISC0273 save resources and encourage a sense of WSU Cooperative Extension. Revised 1999. Order at 1-800-723- Plant natives in your garden; ask your local nurs- stewardship 1763 or >http://pubs.wsu.edu< Propagation of Pacific Nothwest Native ery to stock them Plants. Robin Rose, Caryn E.C. Chachulski and Diane L. Become active in your local chapter of the Wash- Haase. Oregon State University Press. 1998. ington Native Plant Society Washington State Noxious Weed Board. >www.nwcb.wa.gov Washington Natural Heritage Program. >www.dnr.wa.gov/ Share information with friends and neighbors nhp/indes.html Photo by Alan Yen Photo by about how native plants contribute to the health and vitality of the northwest ecosystem and sus- tain the animals that live here Red-fl owering currant (Ribes sanguineum) Encourage others to “go native” in their home gardens Remind our elected offi cials that native plants Washington Native Plant Society play a key role in keeping Washington green Pull out a non-native invasive plant and plant a Smith Rivers Marcia Photo by native in its place Volunteer to help pull out non-native plants in lo- Bunchberry (Cornus unalaschkensis) cal parks – contact the city arborist to learn where you can help out WASHINGTON NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY The creation of this brochure was made possible through Phone: (206) 527-3210 • E-mail: [email protected] WaterWorks, the King County Water Quality Block Grant Website: www.wnps.org awarded by the King County Department of Natural Resources. Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa) Revised and reprinted with separate funding, 1/2006. Landscaping with Finding Native Plants for Native Plants Your Garden Gardening with native plants is rewarding and fun. Na- Buy native plants at spring and fall plant sales held by tive plants have a subtle beauty that defi nes the Pacifi c several chapters of the Washington Native Plant Soci- Northwest. To design your native garden, begin by ety (WNPS), County Conservation Districts, and other walking around your yard and evaluating the planting organizations. A list of local nurseries carrying a good Photo by Marcia Rivers Smith Rivers Marcia Photo by Photo by Marcia Rivers Smith Rivers Marcia Photo by space. It is important to work with existing soil, water collection of native plants and seeds is available on and light conditions. For example, moisture-loving our WNPS web site. shade plants will struggle in dry soil and constant sun. Vanilla leaf (Achlys triphylla) Salvage plants from development sites. Remember that Here are some planting suggestions to help you get you must get permission from owners before removing What are Native Plants? started. Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) plants. When digging plants it is important to take some Washington’s native plants grew in this region before of the native soil along with the plant’s root system. European-American settlers arrived. They have co- Shrubs Consider where the salvaged plant is going to be placed evolved with local insects, fungi and wildlife and are Red-fl owering currant (Ribes sanguineum), Nootka in your own yard. Similar light, soil and water condi- adapted to the local climate and soils. rose (Rosa nutkana), and Mock-orange (Phila- tions should apply. Other options include taking seeds delphus lewisii) have showy fl owers and attract and cuttings. Be sure collecting is done at the proper Douglas-fi r (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Pacifi c pollinators like hummingbirds, bees and butterfl ies. time. Some native plants transplant more easily than bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa) and Red Medium-sized shrubs like sun-loving Oregon box- others. Learn more about identifying, huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium) are common wood (Paxistima myrsinites) and shade-tolerant using, propagating, and caring for native plants from native plants growing in western Washington. Photo by Alan Yen Photo by Low Oregon grape (Mahonia nervosa) are great references listed in this brochure. evergreen additions to the garden. For striking visual PLEASE NOTE: The WNPS policy on collecting na- interest and colorful fall fruit, include tall shrubs such tive plants from the wild discourages taking whole Beach as drought-tolerant Hairy manzanita (Arctostaphy- plants unless the site is about to be destroyed. It is los columbiana), shade-tolerant Red elderberry preferred that plants be obtained through ethical seed (Sambucus racemosa) and sun-loving Serviceberry collection and propagation methods. Rare plants (Amelanchier alnifolia). should not be collected in any manner. The Washing- Photo by Carol Carol Photo by Vine maple (Acer circinatum) ton Natural Heritage Program has more information on the rare plants of our state. Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana) Perennials & Ground Covers Caring for Native Plants in Pacifi c bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa) is a the Garden What are Invasive Plants? Trees beautiful spring plant with delicate pink fl owers and People have accidentally and intentionally introduced Once planted, native plants will need water for Vine maple (Acer circinatum) and Pacifi c dogwood lacy, blue-green leaves. Sword fern (Polystichum many non-native plants from other places. Some non- (Cornus nuttallii) are shade tolerant, fl ower early in munitum) transplants well and its dark green leaves the fi rst two growing seasons. A bit of T.L.C. dur- natives grow rapidly and crowd out native plants, spring and have good color in fall. Mountain hem- look great all year. Sun-loving Coastal strawberry ing a plant’s infancy helps it develop a good root eliminating wildlife habitat and food for native birds lock (Tsuga mertensiana) and Shore pine (Pinus (Fragaria chiloensis) is drought-tolerant, has shiny, system, grow more vigorously and become more and mammals. contorta) are sun-loving evergreens that are attractive evergreen leaves and white fl owers in spring. Inside- resistant to insect Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Japanese additions to the home landscape. Shade-loving West- out fl ower (Vancouveria hexandra) likes moist shade, attacks. The ad- knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), English ivy ern redcedar (Thuja plicata), Western hemlock spreads quickly and is covered with unusual diminu- dition of organic (Hedera helix), and Scot’s broom (Cytisus scopari- (Tsuga heterophylla) and sun-loving Douglas-fi r tive white fl owers in spring. Shade-loving Vanilla mulch helps the us) are particularly invasive and damaging non-native (Pseudotsuga menziesii) are large, stately evergreens leaf (Achlys triphylla) will form a light-green carpet soil conserve Alan Yen Photo by plants. Once established, non-natives can be diffi cult that do well in greenbelts and spacious yards. of delightfully-scented broad leaves with slender moisture and keeps weeds to a to control or remove. stalks of tiny fl owers. Seep Monkey Flower minimum..