native plants for oregon’s coastal climates

Linda R McMahan, Ph.D.Associate Professor Emeritus, Department of Horticulture

Oregon State Universitylinda.mcmahan@oregonstate.edu

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 linda.mcmahan@oregonstate.edu

Stream violet, Viola glabella