As native plant gardening becomes more popular, gardeners wish to learn which native plants will work for their area. This presentation is for coastal Oregon but is relevant to many places on the Western coast of North America

1. Linda R McMahan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Emeritus, Department of Horticulture
Oregon State University
linda.mcmahan@oregonstate.edu
Nutka rose Maianthemum dilitatum

2. Why native plants?
The most reliable
species
Different plants for
different purposes
Which species attract
the wildlife you want
to encourage and
enjoy
What We Will
Cover Today
Wood sorrel

3. Learn about some trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and
groundcovers native to coastal Oregon or nearby areas
Learn where to purchase them
Make a plan to incorporate native plants into your own
landscape
If something interests you during the presentation,
write it down—taking notes will help you remember
what you liked

4. 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

5. 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

6. Native Plants are:
Already adapted to our
weather and soils
Reminders of our natural
surroundings
Support for local insects, birds
and other wildlife
Beneficial for stream health
Hardy and relatively disease
free
Beautiful
Why
Native
Plants
Western mock orange,
Philadelphus lewisii

7. 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

8. 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

10. • Structure
• Shade
• Protection
• Vertical Interest
Trees in the
Landscape
Provide:
Grand fir, Abies grandis and
western red cedar, Thuja plicata

11. 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 cones
Cultivars, including dwarf
forms, are available

13. Stately tree
Use large leaves for
weed suppression or
compost
Once established
requires no added
water, but can support
a shady lawn

14. Bigleaf maple

15. Grows near but
not in water
Sun, part sun
Mature tree can
be very tall

17. Native to the Pacific
Coast
Evergreen
Supports bird life
Sun, part sun
Mature tree can be
very tall
http://oregonstate.edu/trees/conifer_g
from OSU Common trees of the
Northwest

18. 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.ph
p?curid=7579471

19. Graceful
understory tree,
prefers part
shade where it
“twines”
Slow growing
Readily available

21. • Light shade
• Drier areas
• March blooms
• “Plums” bird food
• Easy to grow

23. • Shelter
• Erosion Control
• Wildlife Value
• Eye Level Interest
• Garden “structure”
Shrubs in the
Landscape
Provide:
Red flowering currant, Ribes
sanguineum

24. Mock orange –
Philadelphus lewisii
• Fragrant,
• Good nectar
source
• Fast grower,
• Drought
tolerant
• Sun, part shade
• Butterfly host

25. Mock Orange

26. Full sun in drier areas
Bank stabilizer,
spreads underground
Flowers provide
nectar, hips are food
for wildlife
Host for native
butterflies

28. Evergreen, forms
colonies
Berries and nectar
support wildlife
State flower of
Oregon
Widely available

30. Native to coastal
climates, multi-stalked
Sun, part sun
Prefers wetter sites
White flower clusters-
conical
Red berries support
wildlife

32. Native to Coastal Oregon
Tall vigorous shrub to 8 or
more feet can be pruned
for height and size
Deciduous
Attractive flowers and berries
in pairs, berries ripen in July
Flowers attract hummingbirds
and butterflies

34. Blooms in spring
Shade/part-sun,
banks and drier areas
A stunning coastal
native evergreen

36. Blooms late
spring/sumer
Prefers full sun
Deciduous
Flowers are
bee favorites
Many selected
forms available

38. Blooms Feb/Mar
Shade/part-sun,
banks and drier
areas
Fast growing,
readily available
Drupes in late
summer for birds
Hummingbird
pollinated

40. Occurs naturally along
streams but tolerates
drier conditions
Full to part sun
Red winter twigs
Host for native
butterflies
Look for local plant
types of this
widespread species

42. Native to Coastal
Oregon
Stately and large
evergreen shrub with
grayish-green leaves
Pendant flowers in
February

44. Common in Coastal
Oregon
Evergreen shrub
sometimes used as a
tall ground cover 3-5
ft
Host to native
butteflies

46. • Mid height to 15 ft.,
especially tall at the
coast
• A favorite native
evergreen shrub,
cultivars available
• Fruits are edible
• Host to native
butterflies

48. Spreads to
stabilize banks
Spreads to
increase cover
Bluish, soft foliage
Fruits provide
food through the
winter

50. Garden interest up
close
Protection for
compaction by rain
Hiding places for small
creatures
Help prevent erosion
Ladyfern and oxalis

51. Part or full shade
One of the best
plants for bank
stabilization
Great landscape
ornamental
Easy to find
Easy to transplant
and relocate

53. Ground cover,
spreading by
runners
Some species
prefer shade;
others sun
Nectar for
butterflies and
other insects
Butterfly
caterpillar hosts
Fragaria chiloense

54. 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

56. Unfurling spring fronds
Prefers sun or part
sun, good soil
moisture
Good for bank
stabilization
Winter deciduous
Delicate soft foliage
2-4 feet tall or more

58. Aggressive groundcover
Full to part shade
Once established,
difficult to remove
Prefers moist shade
Pink-flowered form,
sometimes called
redwood sorrel, is less
aggressive and native to
the southern coast

60. Reliable native iris,
late spring blooms
Tolerates drier sites
Natural distribution
includes Oregon coast

62. Native to Coastal
Oregon and flourishes
there
Beautiful groundcover
for shade
Excellent hiding places
for small creatures

64. Moist soil
Sun/part-shade
Spreads to
become a ground
cover
Nectar
Seeds provide
food for wildlife

66. Native to Coastal
Oregon
Forms small clumps
Seems to prefer well
drained soils
Many cultivars are
also available

68. Native to the Oregon Coast
Look for native forms of
this widespread species,
‘Vancouver Jade’ is a West
Coast selection
Deer resistant, evergreen
groundcover
Host to native butterflies

70. 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

71. 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.

72. 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