Date post: | 27-Jan-2017 |
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Linda R McMahan, Ph.D.Associate Professor Emeritus, Department of Horticulture
Oregon State [email protected]
Nutka rose Maianthemum dilitatum
Why native plants? The most reliable
speciesDifferent plants for
different purposesWhich species attract
the wildlife you want to encourage and enjoy
What We Will Cover Today
Wood sorrel
Learn about some trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and groundcovers native to coastal Oregon or nearby areas
Learn where to purchase themMake a plan to incorporate native plants into your own
landscapeIf something interests you during the presentation,
write it down—taking notes will help you remember what you liked
Natives add or enhance wildlife habitat
Look at all levels-trees shrubs, herbaceous plants and groundcovers
Match the requirements of the plant to its new habitat
Plant directly into native soil
Wild bleeding heart, Dicentra formosa
Take care of plants for the first 2-5 years after planting—some will require additional irrigation during this time
Group plants with similar needs together
Enjoy your connection with Oregon native plants
Piggy-back plant, Tolmiea menziesii
Native Plants are: Already adapted to our
weather and soilsReminders of our natural
surroundingsSupport for local insects, birds
and other wildlifeBeneficial for stream healthHardy and relatively disease
freeBeautiful
Why Native Plants
Western mock orange, Philadelphus lewisii
Housed at Oregon State University, this searchable site has distribution information, printable maps, and photographs. It is a non-profit organization.
http://www.oregonflora.org
This site provides correct and current scientific names, generates printable maps of plant distribution
This is the reference page for the Golden current, Ribes aureum, var. aureum, native to Oregon’s east side.
www.oregonflora.org
• Structure
• Shade
• Protection
• Vertical Interest
Trees in the Landscape Provide:
Grand fir, Abies grandis and western red cedar, Thuja plicata
A shorter relative of the lodgepole pine but with highly different characteristics – lower stature and wetter habitat
Native to the Oregon Coast Evergreen with colorful
winter conesCultivars, including dwarf
forms, are available
Stately treeUse large leaves for
weed suppression or compost
Once established requires no added water, but can support a shady lawn
Bigleaf maple
Grows near but not in water
Sun, part sunMature tree can
be very tall
Native to the Pacific Coast
EvergreenSupports bird lifeSun, part sunMature tree can be
very tallhttp://oregonstate.edu/trees/conifer_genera/spp/image_big/sisp91.jpg from OSU Common trees of the Northwest
machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=524751
By Alexander Karnstedt (Alexrk2) - Eigenes Werk (own work), SRTM30 V2, National Atlas of the United States, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7579471
Graceful understory tree, prefers part shade where it “twines”
Slow growingReadily available
• Light shade• Drier areas• March blooms• “Plums” bird food• Easy to grow
• Shelter
• Erosion Control
• Wildlife Value
• Eye Level Interest
• Garden “structure”
Shrubs in the Landscape Provide:
Red flowering currant, Ribes sanguineum
Mock orange – Philadelphus lewisii
• Fragrant, • Good nectar
source• Fast grower,• Drought
tolerant• Sun, part
shade• Butterfly host
Mock Orange
Full sun in drier areasBank stabilizer, spreads
undergroundFlowers provide nectar,
hips are food for wildlife
Host for native butterflies
Evergreen, forms colonies
Berries and nectar support wildlife
State flower of Oregon
Widely available
Native to coastal climates, multi-stalked
Sun, part sunPrefers wetter sitesWhite flower clusters-
conicalRed berries support
wildlife
Native to Coastal OregonTall vigorous shrub to 8
or more feet can be pruned for height and size
DeciduousAttractive flowers and berries
in pairs, berries ripen in JulyFlowers attract
hummingbirds and butterflies
Blooms in springShade/part-sun,
banks and drier areasA stunning coastal
native evergreen
Blooms late spring/sumer
Prefers full sunDeciduousFlowers are
bee favoritesMany selected
forms available
Blooms Feb/MarShade/part-sun,
banks and drier areas
Fast growing, readily available
Drupes in late summer for birds
Hummingbird pollinated
Occurs naturally along streams but tolerates drier conditions
Full to part sunRed winter twigsHost for native butterfliesLook for local plant types
of this widespread species
Native to Coastal Oregon
Stately and large evergreen shrub with grayish-green leaves
Pendant flowers in February
Common in Coastal Oregon
Evergreen shrub sometimes used as a tall ground cover 3-5 ft
Host to native butteflies
• Mid height to 15 ft., especially tall at the coast
• A favorite native evergreen shrub, cultivars available
• Fruits are edible• Host to native
butterflies
Spreads to stabilize banks
Spreads to increase cover
Bluish, soft foliageFruits provide
food through the winter
Garden interest up close
Protection for compaction by rain
Hiding places for small creatures
Help prevent erosionLadyfern and oxalis
Part or full shadeOne of the best plants
for bank stabilizationGreat landscape
ornamentalEasy to findEasy to transplant
and relocate
Ground cover, spreading by runners
Some species prefer shade; others sun
Nectar for butterflies and other insects
Butterfly caterpillar hosts
Fragaria chiloense
Native to the Oregon Coast
Prefers full sun but can take part-shade
Berries not palatable although it is one of the parents of commercial strawberries
Spreads by runners
Unfurling spring fronds
Prefers sun or part sun, good soil moisture
Good for bank stabilization
Winter deciduousDelicate soft foliage2-4 feet tall or more
Aggressive groundcoverFull to part shadeOnce established, difficult
to removePrefers moist shadePink-flowered form,
sometimes called redwood sorrel, is less aggressive and native to the southern coast
Reliable native iris, late spring blooms
Tolerates drier sitesNatural distribution
includes Oregon coast
Native to Coastal Oregon and flourishes there
Beautiful groundcover for shade
Excellent hiding places for small creatures
Moist soilSun/part-shadeSpreads to become
a ground coverNectar Seeds provide food
for wildlife
Native to Coastal Oregon
Forms small clumpsSeems to prefer well
drained soilsMany cultivars are
also available
Native to the Oregon CoastLook for native forms of
this widespread species, ‘Vancouver Jade’ is a West Coast selection
Deer resistant, evergreen groundcover
Host to native butterflies
Local nurseries - ask if you are unsure – Let’s make a list now to share with each other
Native Plant Sales, such as those often sponsored by Soil and Water Conservation Districts or plant societies
Larger plant sales such as that sponsored by the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon or the Leach Botanical Garden (Portland)
Online – but look for local forms if possible
Make a plan to incorporate native plants in your own garden.
Draw a picture or make a list of goals. List at least 3 goals.
Pick 8-10 native plants plants that are of interest to you.
For each kind of plant, describe how you will use it in your garden.
For each plant, describe a conservation or wildlife value.
Photos by the author unless noted
Presentation may be used freely for educational purposes
For all other purposes, contact the author at [email protected]
Stream violet, Viola glabella