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Our WatershedThursday, February 20, 2014

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Riparian zoneThursday, February 20, 2014

ConservationThursday, February 20, 2014

RestorationThursday, February 20, 2014

Native vs. InvasiveThursday, February 20, 2014

HabitatThursday, February 20, 2014

ErosionThursday, February 20, 2014

Native PlantsFor Riparian Plantings in Oregon


WSU Clark County ExtensionPNW Plants Searchable, categorized images

Red Twig DogwoodScientific name: Cornus sericeaTaxonomyFamily: CornaceaeType: Deciduous shrubsNative: YES

Plant RequirementsZone: 2 to 9Sun: Full sunMoisture: Wet

Plant Characteristics

Height: 10 ftWidth: 12 ft

Bloom: Spring flowersBloom Time: April to MayBloom Color: White

Additional CharacteristicsTrees

Small lot suitableFlowering treeSafe for beneath

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LeavesGood Fall colorLeaves fragrantGold foliageEvergreen

BarkShowy

Wildlife valueAttract

hummingbirdsAttract butterfliesAttract birds

PoisonousFoliageFruit

DescriptionRed Twig Dogwood is best known for its bright red winter stems which add color when it is needed most. The alternative name for thisshrub is Redosier Dogwood.

Morphology:This Northwest native deciduous shrub grows to a height of 6’-10’ with an equal to greater spread. It has a rounded and spreadinghabit, but stays loose and open in appearance. It spread by underground stolens.

This species bears deciduous simple leaves, arranged in an opposite arrangement. The leaf shape is described as ovate withrounded bases and acuminate tips. Leaves are 2”-5” long and 1”-2.5” wide. During the summer the leaves have a dark green color,but in the fall they take on a dull or rich purple-red color which is very pleasing in the woodland garden.

During the late spring white flower clusters begin to show. In the late summer the flowers morph to dull white berries. Berries are 1/3”in diameter. Birds love to feast on this fruit!

Adaptation:Red stem dogwood is very adaptable to many soils, including those that are wet. It is often used in wetland restoration sites for thisreason. With its ability to spread to form thickets Red Twig Dogwood is very effective in keeping soils intact on steeper slopes. It doesbest in full sun conditions.

Pests:None reported in the Northwest.



Indian PlumScientific name: Oemleria cerasiformisTaxonomyFamily: RosaceaeType: Deciduous shrubsNative: YES

Plant RequirementsZone: 6 to 10Sun: Partial shadeMoisture: Medium



Bloom: Winter flowersBloom Time: February to AprilBloom Color: White



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DescriptionIndian Plum is a Northwest native shrub best known for its attractive late winter to early spring dangling white blooms that appearbefore the leaves emerge.

Morphology:This deciduous shrub ranges in height from 6’-20’ and in width to 12’. It has an upright growth habit and can spread by suckers. As forvegetation, Indian Plum features green lance-shaped leaves that are gray-green underneath and fuzzy. If the leaves are crushed theygive off a watermelon rind scent.

The name comes from the presence of small plum-like fruit. These ripen in the fall providing winter feed for birds, rodents, deer, foxesand coyotes, all of whom relish the bittersweet fruits. As such this species is dioecious meaning that male and female plants exist. Iffruit is sought after, both male and female plants will need to be planted near one another. Only the female plants will bear fruit.

Adaptation:Indian Plum grows well on all sorts of Northwest sites from moist stream banks to dry woodland sites, but prefers the rich humus soils.It grows all through western Washington, Oregon, and northern California.

Pests:None reported.



Black TwinberryScientific name: Lonicera involucrateTaxonomyFamily: CaprifoliaceaeType: Deciduous shrubsNative: YES

Plant RequirementsZone: 6 to 8Sun: Full to partial sunMoisture: Medium



Bloom: Showy flowersBloom Time: March to JulyBloom Color: Yellow



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DescriptionBlack Twinberry is a woody, branching honeysuckle shrub semi-evergreen to fully deciduous in the Pacific Northwest. Black Twinberryis also known as Inkberry for the fruits' color, as well as Bracted Honeysuckle for its showy flower bracts that accompany the blackfruit.

Morphology:This is a deciduous shrub that grows to 6’ tall and 10’ wide. It bears ovate to oblong, lance-shaped, bright green leaves that are hairyunderneath and along the margins.

As early as the end of March it begins to set tubular flowers, half inch in length, which are surrounded by large green bracts. Theflowering season extends through the beginning of July.

By early June ripe berries are on display. When they mature, bright red bracts surround purple-black to jet-black doubled fruit. Fruitare globose berries up to 3/8” in width.

Young branches have yellow bark which ages to yellow-brown.

As with most honeysuckles, the twinberries attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies

Adaptation:This species prefers full sun to partial shade. It thrives in a wide array of soils and sites. As a native plant, it will populate moist sitesalong streams and swamps, as well as along the ocean near sand dunes.

Parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested.




Common SnowberryScientific name: Symphoricarpos albusTaxonomyFamily: CaprifoliaceaeType: Deciduous shrubsNative: YES

Plant RequirementsZone: 3 to 8Sun: Full to partial sunMoisture: Dry



Bloom: Spring flowersBloom Time: May to JuneBloom Color: White



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DescriptionIn the Pacific Northwest native plant community Common Snowberry is widely known for its white, waxy berry-like drupes that providewinter substance for area songbirds. Also known as Waxberry or Coralberry

Morphology:Common Snowberry is an erect deciduous shrub which can grow 2’-5’ tall and spread out to 4’-6’ wide in a rounded thicket spreadingby root suckers. Limbs are multi-branched, slender and have brown, shreddy bark.

Leaves are arranged in an opposite fashion. They are typically 1.5” long and elliptic to oval in shape. They are thin and light green ontheir upper surfaces and paler below. Leaf margins are entire or wavy-toothed.

Flowers appear in the spring in small dense clusters at the ends of the branches. These flowers are pinkish to white and bell-shaped.This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. Flowers give rise to the white fruit which can grow 3/8” in diameter. The fruitare inedible to humans. Over the winter months birds feast on the berries until they disintegrate naturally.

Adaptation:This species does best in full sun to partial shade on moist, well-drained soils. The roots of Common Snowberry are considered veryvigorous and deep ranging making it an excellent choice for bank stabilization. All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested.




Oregon AshScientific name: Fraxinus latifoliaTaxonomyFamily: OleaceaeType: Deciduous treeNative: YES

Plant RequirementsZone: 6 to 7Sun: Partial shadeMoisture: Wet



Bloom: Spring flowersBloom Time: April to MayBloom Color: Purple



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DescriptionA PNW native deciduous tree commonly found in wet areas in the lower reaches of the river valleys west of the Cascades. Its rangeextends from British Columbia to southern California.

Morphology:Compound opposite leaves, with 5-7 bright green, tapered leaflets. Golden yellow fall leaf color. Fruits winged.

Adaptation:An excellent native for wetland areas and restoration sites. Grows best where summers are generally cool and humid and winters areusually mild.

Pests:Leaf spot (caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella effigurata) can make the leaves look unslightly, but does not limit the growth of thetree.



Oregon GrapeScientific name: Mahonia aquifoliumTaxonomyFamily: BerberidaceaeType: Evergreen shrubsNative: YES

Plant RequirementsZone: 5 to 9Sun: Partial shadeMoisture: Dry



Bloom: Showy flowersBloom Time: April to MayBloom Color: Yellow



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DescriptionOregon Grape is the state flower of Oregon, best known for its production of blue-black berries which somewhat resemble clusters ofgrapes.

Morphology:Oregon Grape is an evergreen shrub which can grow to a height of 7’-10’ and up to 5’ wide. It does not have a well defined shape andoften forms scraggly clumps. Leaves are arranged in an alternate fashion and are pinnately compound. Leaves can be up to 12” long,each consisting of 7-13 leaflets. They are stiff and leathery in texture, with a dark green upper surface during the summer and a brightred-purplish color in the winter. With the spines on the edges of the leaves they resemble holly.

In April yellow flowers form followed by clusters of blue, grape-like fruit. While the berries are edible, they are very sour.

This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds.

Adaptation:In the garden Oregon Grape is widely adapted to a multitude of soil conditions. It can be grown in either full sun or shade with partialshade being the best. While the leaves will turn redder in the winter with more sun exposure, the foliage will retain its best appearancewith partial shade.




Nootka RoseScientific name: Rosa nutkanaTaxonomyFamily: RosaceaeType: Deciduous shrubsNative: YES

Plant RequirementsZone: 5 to 8Sun: Full to partial sunMoisture: Dry



Bloom: Fragrant flowersBloom Time: May to JulyBloom Color: Pink



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DescriptionNooka Rose is a Northwest native extending from northern California into Alaska. It is best known for its attractive pink blooms, andred rose hips that persist in the winter.

Morphology:Nootka Rose is a fast-growing, deciduous, erect shrub that can attain a height of 6’ with an equal spread. New plants arise from themother plant via underground runners.

Leaves are pinnately compound, with five to nine ovate and serrated leaflets. At the base of the leaves is a pair of thorns. Leaflets arearranged in an alternate fashion.

Flowers appear from May through July. They are pink, about 2” across and subtle but sweet smelling. Each flower has five petals andfive sepals.

Stems have varying numbers of thorns.

Flowers give rise to red fruit known as hips and are large (!” - "” long) and round.

Adaptation:Nootka Rose grows in both full sun and partial shade. It can tolerate flooding and can grow well on a host of different soil types.Summer drought does not have a real effect on this species.

Pests:Pest free.



Red ElderberryScientific name: Sambucus racemosaTaxonomyFamily: CaprifoliaceaeType: Deciduous shrubsNative: YES




Bloom: Spring flowersBloom Time: April to MayBloom Color: White



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DescriptionWith its lacy foliage, large white flower clusters and brilliant red berry clusters, Red Elderberry is a showy shrub that makes awonderful addition to the native plant garden.

Morphology:This deciduous shrub grows up to 20’ tall and 6’ in width. It has arching stems that give this species a vase shape form.

Leaves are pinnately compound with individual leaflets set in an opposite arrangement. Each leaf is 6”-12” long with 5 to 7 lanceolateleaflets, with a pointed apex and pointed and serrated margins. The foliage is dark green and smooth above and paler below. In thefall the leaves turn red before being shed for the winter.

Flowers are monoecious (both male and female parts together). The flowers are white and small and appear in April through May.They form in large dome shaped clusters (umbels). They have a rather unpleasant, skunk smell. Butterflies enjoy the nectar of theflowers, while birds will feast on the ripe berries.

In mid summer the flowers morph to small (1/16 to 1/8 inch) red, berry like fruits.

The stems are hollow. Early Americans made them into pipe-stems and flutes or toy whistles.

Adaptation:Red Elderberry thrives in both full sun as well as partial shade. It will put on more growth with wetter site conditions.

The clusters of drupes are generally considered toxic for human consumption. When ripe however they can be cooked and made intoprocessed products, or fermented into wine. The rest of the plant (flowers, leaves, seeds, roots) is toxic as it contains cyanide-producing glycosides.




Western SpireaScientific name: Spiraea douglassiTaxonomyFamily: RosaceaeType: Deciduous shrubsNative: YES

Plant RequirementsZone: 1 to 9



Bloom: Summer flowersBloom Time: June to SeptemberBloom Color: Pink



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DescriptionAs a fast growing Northwest native deciduous shrub, western or Douglas spiraea (also referred to as hardhack or steeplebush) grows5'-6' tall and nearly as wide. Western spiraea is best known for its towering rose colored flowers, resembling cotton candy cones,which appear from June through September. Home gardeners should consider this species for their native landscape designs.

Morphology:Leaves alternate, simple, oblong, and 1”-3” long. Leaves have irregular serrate or toothed margins, and are dark green above, andwhitish beneath. Flowers are deep pink, 2 to 8” long, and are arranged in conical plumes. The beautiful flowers of this plant attractbutterflies, bees and other insects. Spent flower clusters are dark brown, and are retained as dried out forms over the winter. WhenDouglas spiraea forms dense thickets, it is a perfect hiding spot for small mammals, amphibians, and birds.

Adaptation:It is native to low, moist places, from northern California north to Alaska, at lower elevations. It likes sun to part shade. It will tolerate alot of water. It can become very drought tolerant. Extensively used for wetland restorations.




CascaraScientific name: Rhamnus purshianaTaxonomyFamily: RhamnaceaeType: Deciduous treeNative: YES




Bloom: Spring flowersBloom Time: MayBloom Color: White



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DescriptionCascara is known in both the native plant as well as the medical trade. In the late 1800’s it was discovered that the bark from theCascara tree could be used as a mild cathartic, helping the symptoms of habitual constipation. Also knonwn as Chittam, or CascaraBuckthorn.

Morphology:Cascara is a deciduous tree that can attain a mature height of 30’ and width of 15’. In the southern portion of its range (California) itoften becomes a small shrub.

Leaves are borne in an alternate fashion at the ends of the limbs. Leaves are simple and elliptic to oblong in shape. Mature leavescan be up to 6” long. They have 10-15 parallel veins and a pointed tip. During the growing season the leaves are dark green on theirupper surfaces and lighter below. Fall foliage can become a very intense yellow, with shades of orange and red possible.

In May small green-white flowers appear. Flowers have sepals, petals, and stamens in clusters. Flowers are classified as umbels.Flowers morph to small black berries (known as drupes). They are obtusely 3-angled, about the size of a large pea, and contain 3black, shining seeds. Immature berries are red but mature to deep purple to black.

Adaptation:The Cascara tree can grow in both sun or shade. It prefers moist, well drained sites. This native tree grows from northern BritishColumbia south into California and east into Idaho and Montana.



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