Oemleria cerasiformis; One of the earliest to leaf out and bloom in late winter and one of the earliest to drop leaf in the fall. The berries are quickly eaten by birds but they bitter and mostly stone anyways.

Deciduous shrub

Adaptable to sun or shade

5-10’

Facultative Upland

Mahonia aquifolium; The barbs on the leaves and its evergreen nature make this plant an excellent hedge candidate. Bright yellow clustered flowers attract native bees and the blue/purple berries are our PNW citrus equivalent, almost.

Evergreen shrub

Adaptable to sun and shade

8-12’

Upland

Sambucus racemosa; Elegant shrub that can handle full sun and forest cover well. Commonly browsed into a vase shape and provides bright red berries and beautiful white umbel blooms for our woodland creatures. All parts of the plant are poisonous for humans, so I would advice not consuming.

Deciduous Shrub

Adaptable to sun and shade

8-16’

Facultative Upland

Rubus parviflorus; Silky white flowers attract Bumbles & other native bees which develop into very sweet, delicate red berries. Excellent for erosion control. Thimble doesn’t produce much fruit for the amount of space it takes up.

Deciduous shrub

More adaptable to sun than shade

4-5’

Facultative Upland

Holodiscus discolor; A bulletproof shrub also known as Ironwood, is a great addition for a fire resilient planting plan. Hundreds of tiny white flowers clustered together makes this shrub an excellent wildlife plant. It grows well on forest edges and exposed upland hillsides.

Deciduous shrub

Full Sun to light shade

8-16’

Facultative Upland

Ribes sanguineum; Along with Osoberry, one of the earliest signs of spring, Red Flowering Currant is a nectar plant for hummingbirds and produces a rather bland berry that birds enjoy.

Deciduous shrub

Full sun

6-12’

Facultative Upland

Symphoricarpos albus; Super hardy shrub that stays short to allow a viewing corridor. Snowberry has delicate leaves and small pink to white bell flowers but don’t be fooled, it is a tough plant that can handle drought and provides excellent cover for wildlife.

Deciduous shrub

Full sun to light shade

4-6’

Facultative Upland

Gaultheria shallon; Excellent plant for the residential setting. It requires vey little maintenance, offers white bell flowers in spring and black subtly sweet flavored berries in summer. Its leathery leaves stand up well to the summer heat once established. This is another species that is excellent for erosion control.

Evergreen Shrub

Adaptable to sun or shade

2-6’

Facultative Upland

Spirea douglasii; Truly one of the best wetland plants at boxing out invasive species. This plant is a host for many native butterflies and its pink fluffy flowers are a nectar source for short tongued butterflies, bumblebees & hummingbirds.

Deciduous shrub

Full sun

4-6’

Facultative Wetland

Cornus alba; Showy white umbel flowers in summer, bright red young whip growth in winter that stands out in our gray days, Red Osier Dogwood has all season appeal. Dear usually browse this plant into a vase shape which creates wildlife corridors. This plant is versatile and can grow on upland sites but does best when given ample access to water.

Deciduous shrub

Adaptable to full sun and light shade

8-20’

Facultative Wetland

Lonicera involucrata; Twinbery tends to blend into the background of the woods. Its blooms are small, sparse and quickly spent. Its berries are shiny black, hang in pairs and get gobbled up by birds quickly. The berries are considered poisonous, which is fine because I have tried them and they are astringent and bitter and in no way desirable. I put this plant in the wetlands section, because although it is listed as facultative, it can grow well in seasonally inundated soils.

Deciduous shrub

Adaptable to sun and shade

5-10’

Facultative

Rubus spectabilis; Very common to Western Washington. Salmonberry is adapted to most soils and conditions and can fruit even in full shade. Its berry is astringent but tasty and is eaten by birds, sometimes before the berries are ripe. Once established, it can be a vigorous grower and its small barbs can make harvesting a challenge.

Deciduous shrub

Adaptable to sun or shade

5-8’

Facultative

Salix sp; There are many native willows and they vary slightly in terms of water needs and adaptability. they tend to hybridize in the same area so it can be tough to tell different species apart. In general, they are wonderful additions to a planting plan if the site can accommodate their size. Willows are excellent for pollinators and great shelter for birds and small mammals.

Deciduous shrub

Full sun

8-50’

Obligate to Facultative Wetland

Corylus cornuta; Are you a nut nut? Its called “beaked” because the nut has a husk that extends beyond the nut kind of like a ducks beak. This plant is found sporadically but consistently throughout Western Washington as a forest edge and understory plant. The nuts are commonly gathered by birds and squirrels so plant this shrub in abundance to give yourself the best chance of getting some nuts!

Deciduous shrub

Full sun to full shade

3-15’

Facultative Upland

Philadelphus lewisii; Mock Orange’s most noteworthy quality are its bright white and very sweetly aromatic blooms that attract bees & butterflies. It is also an excellent erosion control plant due to its relatively fast growth and anchoring ability. Mock Orange is an excellent choice for the residential landscape.

Deciduous shrub

Full sun to part shade

4-10’

Facultative Upland

Physocarpus capitatus; An excellent ornamental native that grows fast, has beautiful clustered flowers that bees and butterflies like and is adaptable to both upland and lowland spaces, There are many cultivars of this plant that come in different sizes and colors that are really pretty, but they don’t serve wildlife as well.

Deciduous shrub

Full sun to part shade

5-12’

Facultative Wetland

Rhododendron macrophyllum; State flower of Washington! There are 100’s of cultivars of Rhododendron that are really popular and offer different sizes and bloom colors that can work for your landscape, but this true native species has pink flowers and grows in forests and woodland edges. It can bloom even in deep shade and is noted for its erosion control abilities.

Broadleaf evergreen shrub

Adaptable to sun or shade

10-25’

Facultative Upland

Vaccinium parvifolium; Red Huckleberry is realistically only used in the residential landscape as an addition to a forest garden. It has a unique ability to grow out of decaying stumps. The fruit is delicious and one of my favorite trail snacks, but it can take all day to fill a basket.

Deciduous shrub

Part sun to full shade

3-6’

Facultative Upland

Vaccinium ovatum; Evergreen Huckleberry is an excellent plant to include for low maintenance landscapes as well as edible landscape planting plans. It produces tasty blue-black berries abundantly and is drought tolerant once established. It is a slow grower initially and its mature height is relatively short so the berries stay easy to harvest.

Broadleaf evergreen shrub

Full sun to full shade

3-10’

Facultative Upland

Amelanchier alnifolia; Serviceberry is another excellent choice for the residential landscape due to its moderate size, its beautiful white flowers in spring that attract bees and its tasty blue to purple berries in the summer. You must be quick though, they are a bird favorite. As fall rolls around, the leaves can turn lovely shades of red and yellow.

Deciduous shrub

Full sun to part shade

15-25’

Facultative Upland

Acer circinatum; Vine Maple is a very common forest understory plant. It twists, bends and reaches for sunlight. It is an adaptable plant that can handle full sun and nearly full shade. This is an excellent choice for residential landscapes as well as restoration sites.

Deciduous Shrub

Adaptable to sun or shade

10-20’

Facultative

Rosa nutkana; One of three native roses commonly found on the western side of the Cascades, Nootka Rose an excellent residential landscape plant and restoration site plant. It is adaptable to most soils and conditions and has beautiful showy aromatic flowers that attracts bees and abundant hips that hang on the plant in the winter. This plant can be aggressive and combined with its thorny stalks, it could be an excellent hedge or barrier plant!

Deciduous Shrub

Full sun

3-8’

Facultative

Lysichiton americanus; Named for its strong and familiar smell, it is not commonly desired in residential plantings or when trying to reclaim a site from invasive species, but Skunk Cabbage is more of an indicator of wet, still areas. One cool thing about this plant is that it exhibits thermogenesis, which is the ability to generate heat and warm up the soils around it.

Aquatic herbaceous

Usually found in full shade

1-3’

Obligate

Symphyotrichum subspicatum; This plant is versatile and can grow well on many sites but is commonly found around pond edges. With the right conditions, it can spread fast via underground runners. It is a really late season bloomer, and it can maintain its bloom even after frost hits. Douglas Aster is another excellent candidate for a mixed border.

Herbaceous perennial

Full sun

3-5’

Facultative Wetland

Carex obnupta; Tough as nails and versatile. This plant is very commonly included in restoration planting plans because of its dependable growth and ability to outcompete weeds and invasive species. Waterfowl love the seeds of Slough Sedge and it is deer resistant. It is considered an Obligate plant but also has the versatility to grow on drier sites if shaded.

Evergreen sedge

Adaptable to sun or shade

1-3’

Obligate

Chamaenerion angustifolium; An aggressive self seeder who’s presence benefits native beneficial insects greatly. Easy to grow; Gorgeous addition to your mixed border. It is reported to be toxic to dogs so if your pup is easily tempted, maybe steer clear of Fireweed or plant it outside of the fence!

Herbaceous perennial

Full sun to part shade

4-6’

Facultative Upland

Solidago canadensis; Gorgeous wildife magnet with long, late season blooms. Can spread aggressively by windblown seed and underground runners. People associate late season allergies to Goldenrod when really its Ragweed who’s to blame!

Herbaceous Perennial

Full sun

3-6’

Facultative Upland

Lupinus polyphyllus; Known for its beautiful and multicolored blooms, this perennial also fixes nitrogen in the soil to help neighboring plants grow. Its taproot mines nutrients deep in the soil and can break up hardpan soils. I’d recommend planting via seed to avoid major transplant shock.

Herbaceous perennial

Full sun

Tops out at 3’

Facultative

Anaphalis margaritacea; Pearly Everlasting is a beautiful and abundant herbaceous perennial that is a butterfly favorite. It is drought tolerant and does excellent at competing and integrating with others in the herbacous layer. This plant is excellent for a mixed border with long lasting blooms that hold up as a cut flower.

Herbaceous Perennial

Full sun

1-3’

Upland

Dicentra formosa; Bleeding Heart is a showy and fun addition to the woodland garden. It grows well beneath conifers and needs the shade. Wildlife enjoy the small pink flowers and it excels in a damp area with rich soils that allow it the space to spread!

Herbaceous perennial

Part shade to full shade

6” to 18”

Facultative Upland

Achillea millefolium; Yarrow is one of the most common plants seen on disturbed dry sites such as roadsides and fallow fields. It is an incredible wildlife plant that plays host to many butterfly species and is used by a wide array of beneficial predator insects. It is an excellent choice for the residential landscape and can be easily incorporated into a mixed variety low maintenance border. I’d recommend it under specimen fruit trees to keep common pests away. Its considered deer resistant.

Herbaceous perennial

Full sun

1-3’

Facultative Upland

Allium cernuum; Although this plant won’t knock your socks off, I like to include it in mixed variety borders. The flowers are droopy and cute as if the plant is “nodding” towards the earth. The green onion can be used in the kitchen similar to chives and when crushed, has a strong odor which contributes to its deer resistance. The plant does a good job of holding its own space without overtaking others, making it a worthy addition to a residential border planting.

Herbaceous perennial

Full sun

1-2’

Facultative Upland

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi; Less a shrub and more an evergreen mat forming groundcover, Kinnikinnick is an excellent residential landscape plant which serves a particular niche. It is a versatile plant that can grow under specimen trees to keep weeds at bay and grows as well in the most exposed water starved areas in your landscape. It’s spreading ground covering growth conserves moisture below while staying relatively tidy and easy to maintain. It has cute, white bell flowers in spring that turn into red wintergreen-like berries that birds like.

Evergreen groundcover

Part shade to full sun

3”-1’

Upland

Sedum oreganum; Similar to Kinnikinnick, Oregon Stonecrop is an evergreen spreading groundcover. It may even exceed Kinnikinnick in its ability to thrive in moisture starved soils. It has a really unique yellow flame spring bloom and the foliage can change from lush green to yellow and bright red in spring. This is a great choice for the residential landscape to fill small gaps in between walkways, garden beds or planters.

Evergreen groundcover

Full sun to part sun

1-6”

Upland

Tellima grandiflora; Fringecup is a common herbaceous layer plant found in the damp woodlands of Western Washington. It self seeds easily and is usually found in the disturbed soils along trails. It has cute white bell flowers that run the length of its main stalk that bumblebees like. Although this plant isn’t commonly included in residential landscape plans, its an attractive, easy to maintain and tough plant that attracts wildlife: a great combo!

Herbaceous perennial

Full shade to part sun

6”-2’

Facultative Upland

Stachys Cooleyae; Cooley’s Hedgenettle isn’t a common residential landscape plant for a few reasons but it is excellent as a damp woodland or forest edge restoration plant. It is in the mint family, so just like common mint plants, it has square stalks, which make it easy to identify and it is an aggressive spreader (Deer keep it in check). This is a huge plus; I’ve seen it be so good at boxing out other plants, including Reed Canarygrass! Not pictured, but it has striking pink flowers that attract bumblebees & hummingbirds!

Herbaceous perennial

Part sun to part shade

4-6’

Facultative Wetland

Scirpus microcarpus; One of my favorites! Similar to Slough Sedge, Small Fruited Bulrush does a great job of holding its own and spreading to retake space from invasive species like Reed Canarygrass. It can spread quickly when given access to water and it is commonly found in bogs or along streams/creeks. Maintaining its lovely lush spring green color all year, this is one of my favorite plants for rain gardens. the seeds are a waterfowl favorite.

Herbaceous perennial

Full sun to part shade

1-3’

Obligate

Juncus effusus; Common Rush is a wetland plant that can also do well in the residential landscape! Its a low maintenance evergreen plant that adds structure and really looks great when planted in bunches. For restoration and rain gardens, Common Rush can help naturally filter the water from pollutants and is considered deer resisitant. This is a great habitat plant for native amphibians.

Evergreen Rush

Full sun to part shade

1-4’

Facultative Wetland

Festuca idahoensis ssp. roemeri; Roemer’s Fescue is a tidy, low maintenance ornamental native bluish-green grass that can work well in the residential landscape in place of the troublesome Mexican Feather grass. Birds and small wildlife enjoy the cover this plant offers and is a butterfly host plant. Like other Fescue’s this plant’s colors pop the most in the cooler weather and can make an attractive addition when looking for quiet winter color.

Evergreen grass

Full sun to part sun

1-3’

Facultative Upland

Deschampia caespitosa; Another one of my favorites! This is a bigtime butterfly plant and its versatility is appreciated in restoration projects and residential plantings for its quick and tidy growth and ability to grow in many environmental conditions including rain gardens. Tufted Hairgrass has light and airy growth that can look great along walkways and border plantings.

Ornamental grass

Full sun to part shade

1-5’

Facultative Wetland

Aruncus dioicus; Goatsbeard is a graceful arching forest perennial that does best in dappled shade or damp woodland edges. It has showy feathery white blooms that stand out amongst the forest’s lush green growth but otherwise the plant tends to blend into its surroundings. For wildlife, it is a butterfly attractant and host plant and had positive reports about deer resistance.

Herbaceous perennial

Part sun to full shade

3-6’

Facultative Upland

Polystichum munitum; Sword Fern is a super common understory plant in Western Washington. It can grow in full sun and deep shade. It provides great cover for birds and other small wildlife and provides excellent erosion control. This plant works great in the residential landscape in nearly all environments except the most exposed high and dry sites. It is low maintenance and is a classy, timeless addition to the landscape.

Evergreen fern

Full sun to full shade

2-4’

Facultative Upland

Pteridium aquilinum; Found in the deep shade of forests as well as fallow pastures, Bracken Fern has a tendency to grow in large clumps. It is best suited for the woodland garden and out of reach of pets and livestock as its reported to be poisonous to horses, sheep and other grazers.

Herbaceous fern

Full sun to full shade

2-4’

Facultative Upland

Athyrium filix-femina; Lady Fern is a versatile fern that can tolerate sunnier dryer sites than most ferns. Like most ferns, this plant is great for erosion control and shelter for small wildlife. Contrary to Deer Fern, this one is considered deer resistant, so give it a shot!

Deciduous fern

Part sun to part shade

2-3’

Facultative

Blechnum spicant; Commonly found in the damp woods of Western Washington, Deer Fern, along with Sword Fern, is one of the best ferns for the residential landscape. The name might be a clue but deer enjoy chowing down on this plant but they have coevolved together and it can usually survive the browse.

Evergreen fern

Adaptable to part sun and full shade

1-3’

Facultative