LANDSCAPING WITH NATIVE PLANTS

Yellow Island Grassland Prairie is in the San Juan Islands – Photo by Phil Green

WHAT IS A NATIVE PLANT“A native (indigenous) species is one that occurs in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat without direct or indirect human actions” (Kartesz and Morse 1997; Richards 1998)

The first major human caused change in the natural landscape arrived with European settlers. They introduced plants from their homelands.

We continue to alter the natural landscape with invasive plants from far away regions that escape from our gardens.

This slide show will: Increase your knowledge about native plants. Learn how to plant & maintain natives. Provide ideas for adding natives to the landscape.

NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITIESAn association of plants that tend to occur together because of similar microclimate, soil, moisture, and sun requirements.

Ranunculus occidentalis – Western ButtercupCamassia leichtlini – CamasCastilleja hispida – Paintbrush

Growing Popularity Native Plant Gardening

Native plants . . .• Belong here • Are as beautiful as ornamentals• Adapted to our precipitation cycles• Adapted to our climate highs and lows• Break bud at the right time• Attract soil microbes that clean water• Get nutrients from soil microbes• No need for chemical fertilizers• No need for pesticides• Support birds, bees, and beneficial insects• Provide human medications

Create your own natural sanctuary.

“A growing body of research links more time in nature - or at home with a nature based design - with reduction of stress and depression, faster healing time and lessen the need for pain medication.” AARP

Gardening has a role that transcends the gardener. You can help save the planet.

• Individual gardeners can make a difference in the survival of songbirds, butterflies and pollinators.

• Landscaping with native plants will save you time, energy and money while preserving a sense of place and regional identity.

Erythronium oreganum – White Fawn Lily

GROWING NATIVE

RIGHT PLANT – RIGHT PLACEMatch plant needs for sun, moisture, and soil type to the existing conditions in your landscape.• Native plants are genetically

predisposed to specific growing conditions.

• Some natives needs are very specific conditions or niches.

• Others are equally at home in a variety of conditions.

BEST TIME TO PLANTAutumn after the rains rehydrate the soil.

• The soil is still warm.• Winter/spring rains keep roots

moist.• Root growth will continue all

winter. • Fall planted natives are better

able to withstand drought.

Spiraea slendens – Subalpine Spiraea

Mimulus lewisii – Pink Monkeyflower

Dicentra formosa – Bleeding Heart

WHERE TO BUY NATIVESRETAIL NURSERIES • Most carry a few natives like salal• Plantas Nativa is a native plant nursery

WHOLESALE NURSERIES• Fourth Corner Nursery - Visit their

website for sales information

SPRING SALES • Whatcom Co. Conservation District Sale• Komo Kulshan Native Plant Society Sale• Master Gardeners Plant Sale

CREATE A LANDSCAPETHAT IS MORE

SELF-SUSTAINING WITH EACH PASSING YEAR

WHY ARE NATIVE PLANTS LOW MAINTENANCE?

Nutrient Cycling – Feed the Soil Not the Plants• Leave fallen leaves, twigs, and even logs in your landscape beds.• Insects will decompose organic waste into plant nutrients.• Save your back – let insects deliver the nutrients to your plant

roots.

Take raking & ‘tidying-up’ tasks off your to-do-list Take adding synthetic fertilizers off your to-do-list

Drought tolerance – Conserve Potable WaterThe PNW maritime climate comes with a long summer drought. • Native plants are adapted to our precipitation cycles.

Take dragging around the hose off your to-do-list. Take that irrigation system off your to-do-list.

Disease and Pest Resistant – Be A Pesticide Free ZoneBirds, insects, and soil microbes are nature’s pest managers. • Native plants feed and shelter beneficial birds and insects.• Avoid herbicides and insecticides – they kill the beneficial

organisms.

Take mixing and applying pesticides off your to-do-list. Take replacing pest/disease infested plants off your to-do-list.Iris innominata- Golden Iris

Heuchera cylindrica- Roundleaf AlumrootSedum spathulifolium- Broadleaf Stonecrop

Mycorrhizal fungi can be introduced to your garden:

• Inoculum on salvaged or transplant roots of plants• Direct application of purchased inoculum to soil• Salvaged soil from a healthy native soil site• Woody mulch made by grinding the entire tree –

including the roots can carry fungi spores• Trees and shrubs secrete chemicals to attract and

feed mycorrhizae spores already in the soil

MYCORRHIZAE MAGIC: Fungi dominate our Pacific Northwest moist, acid soils.

Mycorrhizae & plants live in a symbiotic relationship. • It enhances plant establishment• Provides for optimal sustained plant growth• Prevents soil from wicking water away from roots• Helps plants gather nutrients and water• Shields and protects roots from pathogens

Do a site analysis of your property then match plant needs with your microclimates and conditions.

PLANT ESTABLISHMENT

All newly planted plants need extra care until the roots spread and become extensive enough to help the plant survive summer drought and winter cold. The extra help the first year will ensure that your plants thrive.

• Provide regular water during the first summer. Monitor for water needs the 2nd and 3rd years.

Oemleria cerasiformis – Indian Plum

Mahonia aquifoliumTall Oregon Grape

Gaultheria shallonSalal

Vaccinium ovatum Evergreen Huckleberry

Top Dress with 3-4 inches of Organic Mulch Mulch reduces soil moisture evaporation and your need to water, discourages weed and helps to build a beneficial layer of duff.

Match Plants’ Needs to Site ConditionsUse Good Planting Techniques

DESIGNING

WITH NATIVES

Natives Fit Any Garden Style

WHAT’S YOUR STYLENatives can be used in any style garden – cottage, modern, Japanese, habitat, etc.• Select plants that will complement

family uses. • Example: Should the dining Area feel

like its in the food gardens, a meadow, under a shade tree, etc.

• Consider the maintenance requirements for the style of garden you like.

IMAGE YOUR DREAM GARDEN. Take a chair and sit in various parts ofyour property. • Evaluate what your have. Take notes

so you don’t lose any ideas.• What would you like to add: more

seating, more birds, storm water management, a hide-away for naps, a butterfly/hummingbird garden, more shade, etc.

• Plant a mix of evergreen and deciduous for winter interest.• Create three layers of canopy cover (high, medium, low):

Trees, Tall-Low Shrubs, Flowers, Ferns, Grasses, etc.• Plan for continuous bloom for your enjoyment and help

bees and pollinators survive.

• Dense plantings that reduce weeding and the evaporation of moisture from the soil. You will water less.

• Know the mature size of each plant and put it where it will fit.• Structurally complex landscapes that are a mix of trees, shrubs

and ground covers provide the best habitat.

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ACCENTUATE NATIVES’ ATTRIBITES:

COLOR OF TRUNKS AND STEMS The red stems of Salal

stand out when planted with red/burgundy barberry shrubs.

Hairy Manzanita’s red trunk & gray/green leaves are emphasized by blue-gray plants like fescue.

Maidenhair ferns’ black stems are more noticeable planted with dark plants like Mondo grass.

ADDING NATIVES TO EXISTING LANDSCAPING

Arctostaphylos columbiana Hairy Manzanita

Gaulthera shallon - Salal

Adiantum pedatumMaidenhair Fern

Combine Plants Based on:Leaf shape

Leaf textureLeaf size

Tellmia grandiflora - Fringcup is purple in winter. Planted with rubus and carex

Adiantum pedatum - Maidenhair fern with a mix of ferns, hanoki grass, saxifraga,

and turtlehead

Gathera shallon – SalalDicentra formosa - bleeding heart

Maianthemum stellata - star-flowered false solomon seal

FLOWERS PROVIDE A FLASH OF COLOR BUT LEAVES LINGER

LIMIT YOUR COLOR PALETTE to 4 colors to create a cohesive display

Knowing the whole world is an option is overwhelming, limiting the choices gives

you a framework to guide selections.

1 Pearly Everlasting 2 Oxalis 3 Red-flowering Currant 4 Camas 5 Fawn Lily 6 Subalpine Spirea 7 Serviceberry 8 ndian Plum 9 Oregon Iris 10 Western Azalea 11 Cascade Penstemon

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3

4 56

7

8 9 10 11

Whether you are adding native plants to your existing landscaping or replacing the lawn with a habitat garden…

Bring Natives Back Home

Washington Native Plant Society website resources:• A Manual of Native Plant Communities for Urban Areas

of the Pacific Northwest • Categorized plant lists• Contact information about local chapters• Plant lists for popular hikes