native plants for oregon’s willamette valley
DESCRIPTION
A show to introduce members of the public to selected native plants of Oregon's Willamette Valley that are good species for landscapes, gardens, and restoration projects.TRANSCRIPT
Linda R McMahan, Ph.D.
Botanist and Community Horticulturist
Oregon State University Extension Service
Native Plants for Oregon’s Willamette Valley
Why native plants? The most reliable speciesDifferent plants for different
purposesWhich species attract the wildlife
you want to encourage and enjoy
What You Might Like to Know
Native camas, Camassia sp.
Why Native Plants
Native Plants are: Already adapted to our weather
and soilsReminders of our natural
surroundingsSupport for local insects, birds and
other wildlifeBeneficial for stream healthHardy and relatively disease freeBeautiful
Western mock orange, Philadelphus lewesii
Trees in the Landscape
Grand fir, Abies grandis and western red cedar, Thuja plicata
• Structure
• Shade
• Protection
• Vertical
Interest
Oregon ash – Fraxinus latifolia
Oregon ashTree to 80 ft Tolerates moist /
seasonally wet soilsWildlife value:
FoodCoverNesting sites
Oregon oak
Quercus garryana
Oregon oakTall, deciduous,
slow-growing Fallen leaves can
suppress weeds & work well in compost
Cannot tolerate summer irrigation
Bigleaf maple
Acer macrophyllum
Big Leaf MapleAcer macrophyllum
Stately treeUse large leaves
for weed suppression or compost
Once established requires no added water, but can support a shady lawn
Ponderosa pine – Pinus ponderosa
Ponderosa pineTall, but usually ok
near structuresFull sunDry sites east of
CascadesWest of Cascades,
the Willamette Valley form withstands wetter sites
Western red cedar – Thuja plicata
Western red cedar
Grows near but not in water
Sun, part sunMature tree can
be very tall
Vine maple – Acer circinnatum
Vine maple
Graceful understory tree, prefers part shade
Slow growingReadily available
Osoberry (Indian plum) – Oemleria cerasiformis
OsoberryLight shade• Drier areas• March blooms• “Plums” bird food• Easy to grow• Available at nurseries
Shrubs in the Landscape
Red flowering currant, Ribes sanguineum
• Shelter
• Erosion Control
• Wildlife Value
• Eye Level Interest
Mock OrangePhiladephus lewesii
Mock orange
o Fragrant, good nectar sourceo Fast grower, drought toleranto Sun, part shadeo Butterfly host
Nootka Rose – Rosa nutkana
Nootka roseFull sun in drier
areasBank stabilizer,
spreads underground
Flowers provide nectar, hips food for wildlife
Oregon grape – Berberis aquifolium
Oregon grape
Evergreen, forms colonies
Berries and nectar support wildlife
State flower of OregonWidely available
Blue elderberry – Sambucus mexicana
Blue elderberryTall, multi-stalkedSun, part sunAverage to dry siteWhite, flat-topped
flower clustersBlue berries feed
wildlife
Red flowering currant – Ribes sanguineum
Red flowering currant
Blooms Feb/MarShade/part-sun,
banks and drier areas
Fast growing, readily available
Drupes in late summer for birds
Hummingbird pollinated
Red osier dogwood – Cornus sericea
Red osier dogwoodOccurs naturally
along streams but tolerates drier conditions
Full to part sunRed winter twigsHost for native
butterfliesLook for local plants
Snowberry - Symphoricarpus albus
SnowberrySpreads to
stabilize banksSpreads to
increase coverBluish, soft foliageFruits provide food
through the winter
Groundcovers and Herbaceous Plants in the Landscape
Ladyfern and oxalis
Garden interestProtection for
compaction by rainHiding places for
small creaturesHelps prevent
erosion
Sword fern – Polystichum munitum
Sword fernPart or full shadeOne of the best
plants for bank stabilization
Great landscape ornamental
Easy to findEasy to
transplant and relocate
Wild strawberries – Fragaria—3 native species
Ground cover, spreading by runners
Some species prefer shade; others sun
Nectar for butterflies and other insects
Butterfly caterpillar hosts
Lady fern – Athyrium felix-femina
Unfurling spring fronds
Lady FernPrefers sun or part
sun, good soil moisture
Good for bank stabilization
Winter deciduousDelicate soft foliage2-4 feet tall
Wood sorrel – Oxalis oregana
Wood sorrelAggressive
groundcoverFull to part shadeOnce established,
difficult to removeWill tolerate dry
shade and go dormant in dry summers
Camas - Camassia species
CamasCommercially
available bulbSpring bloomingNeeds spring
moistureNeeds summer
dry
Oregon iris – Iris tenax
Oregon iris
Reliable native iris, late spring blooms
Tolerates drier sites
Yellow monkey flower – Mimulus guttatus
Yellow monkey flowerMoist soilSun/part-shadeSpreads to
become a ground cover
Nectar Seeds provide
food for wildlife
In Summary
Natives add or enhance wildlife habitat
Look at all levels-trees shrubs, herbaceous plants and groundcovers
Match the requirements of the plant to its new habitat
Plant directly into native soil
Wild bleeding heart, Dicentra formosa
In Summary
Take care of plants for the first 2-5 years after planting—some will require additional irrigation during this time
Group plants with similar needs together
Enjoy your new connection with Oregon native plants
Wild bleeding heart, Dicentra formosa
Thank YouPhotos by the
authorPresentation may
be used freely for educational purposes
For all other purposes, contact the author at [email protected]
Stream violet, Viola glabella