Top 10 Native Plants for Pacific Northwest Gardens

The Pacific Northwest's accommodating climate—from coastal British Columbia to Northern California—allows everything from cold-hardy palms to chill-loving peonies. Yet native plants offer unmatched wildlife value, beauty, and low maintenance. Here are 10 standout natives that evoke the region's distinct character.

1. Vine Maple (Acer circinatum)

Characteristic small tree for shade. Adapted to summer drought but prefers dappled light or morning sun. More sun = more water needed but brighter fall color (red, purple, orange). Seeds and buds feed birds and mammals. 12–20 feet in gardens.

2. Blueblossom (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus)

Glorious large shrub for hot, dry sun. Medium to large broadleaf evergreen; thrives in summer-dry/winter-wet climate with good drainage. No summer water once established. Honey-scented blue/white spring blossoms feed pollinators; seeds feed birds in fall.

3. Pacific Trillium (Trillium ovatum)

The region's iconic spring wildflower. Thrives in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained woodland soil. 1–1.5 feet tall with glistening white tripartite flowers late winter to early spring; visited by pollinators.

4. Pacific Coast Iris (Iris spp.)

Delicate candy-box colors on tough, drought-tolerant plants. Clumping, 6–18 inches tall; shades of white, pink, purple, maroon, blue, peach, yellow with striking markings. No summer water once established. Excellent drainage essential.

5. Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)

Dramatic, tough, adaptable evergreen fern. Dark green prehistoric-looking fronds to nearly 5 feet. Thrives in inhospitable spots: rock cracks, under trees, steep north-facing banks. Visually distinctive for shade.

6. Broadleaf Stonecrop (Sedum spathulifolium)

Colorful Northwest succulent. Acid-yellow spring flowers; powdery-white rosettes turn ruddy pink/red in summer, green in winter. Well-drained sandy soils; no summer water once established.

7. Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)

Small, elegant evergreen shrub with delectable fruit. Dense in full sun; open and over 12 feet in shade. Waxy white urn-shaped flowers feed hummingbirds/insects; delicious berries for wildlife and humans.

8. Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum)

Iconic cheerful shrub. Drought-tolerant, deciduous, scented resinous foliage. Chubby pink/rosy-red/white racemes in early spring feed hummingbirds and insects. Powdery blue-black fall berries for foragers. 6–12 feet tall and wide.

9. Coast Silktassel (Garrya elliptica)

Unusual evergreen with winter interest. Incredibly long silvery catkins in winter. 10–20 feet tall; prized "wall shrub" in England. Early pollen for bees; seeds for birds. Thrives on West Coast without warm walls.

10. Redtwig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

Brightly colored winter shrub for damp areas. Deciduous, 3–12 feet; striking red stems in winter. Flowers, foliage, and fruit feed insects and birds. Yellow-twigged and variegated varieties exist.

Not in the Pacific Northwest? Browse plants native to other U.S. regions.