Pacific Northwest Native Plants for Your Garden

Native plants thrive in Northwest gardens—naturally climate-adapted, showy blooms/foliage, many drought-tolerant once established. Give them right exposure and well-drained soil. Even drought-tolerant natives need summer water for 1–2 years until established.

Eight Excellent Natives

• Lewisia (L. cotyledon): 1 ft × 10 in.; white/pink striped flowers. Perfect drainage (rockery/wall); little water. Zones 1–7, 17.
• Mahonia: Two evergreen spreaders with spring flowers, bird-loved berries. M. aquifolium (6 ft, zones 2–7, 17); M. nervosa (2 ft, shade, little water, zones 2b–7, 17).
• Pacific Coast iris (Iris douglasiana + hybrids): 1–2 ft; spring blooms in blue, copper, pink, white. Part shade (sun on coast); little–moderate water. Zones 4–7, 17.
• Redtwig dogwood (Cornus stolonifera): 7–9 ft × 12 ft; red fall foliage/winter stems. Spreads by underground stems. Part shade; regular water. Zones A1–A3, 1–7, 17.
• Vine maple (Acer circinatum): 5–35 ft; red/orange/yellow leaves from midsummer. Part shade (full sun with water). Zones A3, 2b–6, 17.
• Western azalea (Rhododendron occidentale): 6–10 ft; fragrant white/pinkish flowers with yellow blotch late spring. Moderate water for bloom; sparing summer water OK. Zones 4–7, 17.
• Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa): 1½–3 ft × 1½ ft; 2-in. red/yellow flowers. Seeds feed songbirds. Part shade; regular water. Zones A1–A3, 1–7, 17.
• Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum): 2–4 ft; classic dark green sword fronds. Part to full shade; little water. Zones A3, 2–7, 17.