Walking through my Seattle neighborhood recently, I exulted in the increasingly abundant signs of spring, as all the greenery between the sidewalks and the houses began to resurge. My eye was especially drawn to landscapes with lots of Northwest natives. It is these gardens that make me feel more connected to living in the Pacific Northwest.

What are Northwest natives?
Northwest native plants are those that existed in the Northwest prior to European settlement. In this article, I focus on the subset of native plants from Western Washington. 

Why use native plants?
Native plants are fairly uncommon in the urban areas of Western Washington, where ornamental plants, lawns and concrete have largely replaced them. By planting natives, we invite the natural character of the Northwest to return to our cities. A garden characterized by native plants can evoke the hikes and vistas that are a large part of what so many of us love in this region.

Beyond aesthetic connections, native plants generally do not require a lot of fussing over (assuming they’re planted in the right spot). Once their roots are established, they don’t need extra watering or fertilizers, since they are adapted to the glacial soils and dry summers of this region. Natives generally resist pests and disease without chemicals.

Native plants also attract native fauna. While birds and insects obtain food from non-native plants, native birds recognize the fruits, seeds and nectars of plants they have co-evolved with over generations. The insects attracted to these plants in turn provide more food for birds. 

What are common misconceptions of natives?

Misconception #1: “Native plants are plain and boring”
While native plants are generally not as showy as their nursery-developed ornamental counterparts, they offer a wide variety of leaf color and texture and a host of beautiful flowers. The bright bark of the red-osier dogwood offers a welcome splash of red in the winter landscape. Indian plum brightens up late winter with its early white blossoms and chartreuse green foliage. Notice the pink pendulous flowers of red-flowering currant that is blooming right now. And there are a variety of spring-blooming bulbs and summer perennials. The images in this newsletter are a sampling of the beauty natives have to offer.

Misconception #2:  “They’ll grow anywhere since they’re native.”
While it is true that natives are inherently adapted to our region, each species is specifically adapted to certain soils and levels of moisture and sunlight. Take care to pick the right plant for the right spot in your garden. Local field guides and websites describe the conditions that each species prefer. (See the Featured websites in this newsletter.)

Misconceptions #3:  “Unlike other plants, they don’t need to be watered or cared for.”
Once their roots are well established, natives are relatively low-maintenance. But, like any other plant, they still need healthy soil for healthy roots and water during dry times while they’re young. To ensure plants thrive, follow these simple steps:

1. Pick the right spot (sunny or shady, well-drained or boggy, dry or moist)

2. Prepare the spot (remove weeds and dig compost into the soil)

3. Water the plants deeply while their roots are developing – particularly during late spring and summer dry spells for their first three years

4. Cover the soil around the plants with three to four inches of mulch

5. Consider planting in fall to give your plants a head start at getting some roots established before the stress of warmer and drier weather.

The importance of mulch cannot be over-emphasized. Arborists’ woodchips are a good, usually free source of mulch. As they decompose, they provide a substitute for the forest duff that many of our natives are accustomed to growing in. Mulch retains soil moisture, prevents weed seeds from germinating, and keeps roots protected during summer heat and winter frost. It also prevents the soil from washing away during winter downpours.

Suggested Plant List
This Suggested Plant List for Urban Gardens is based on my experience through native plant restoration projects for the Starflower Foundation.  Beyond my suggestions, see the links to many more plant lists contained within the Featured websites.

Learn More
The Featured public gardens, websites, books and retailers in this newsletter will give you inspiration and detailed facts about adding native plants to your garden. Whether you create an all-native garden or simply incorporate a few with other plants, you’ll find that natives bring unique and often-welcomed qualities to your garden.