Here is your handy collection of the most commonly used raingarden plants in the Northwest Region.

Cut along dashed line and laminate for your own set of plant indentification cards to take outside.

Plant ID Cards

Em

erge

nts

Em

erge

nts

Car

ex S

peci

es

sedg

esJu

ncus

Spe

cies

rush

esPlant ID Cards

Emergents

Emergents

Description: Sedges are grass-like, herbaceous plants

with solid, triangular stem

s and fibrous roots or rhizomes. M

ost have grass-like leaf blades. Leaves are arranged in sets of three, and have parallel veins. Flow

ers are arranged in several, dense clusters, usually at the ends of long stem

s. Fruits are enclosed in a m

embranous sac.

Habitat: O

ver 100 different sedges grow in m

oist and dry areas of W

estern Washington. M

any, such as Carex obnupta

(slough sedge) and Carex aquatilis var. dives (Sitka sedge), grow

in areas that are seasonally saturated or inundated. O

thers, such as C

. hendersonii (Henderson sedge) or C

. pensylvanica (long-stoloned sedge), prefer m

oist to well-drained soil.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: Sedges are

easily propagated, provide excellent soil- binding and erosion resistance, are quite attractive, and need little care. U

sed for food by ducks and num

erous other birds, and by deer, beavers, and sm

all mam

mals.

Propagation: Can be grow

n from seed, by sow

ing in the fall, either on-site or in trays, and allow

ed to over-winter. Rhizom

e cuttings are effective, but should only be taken from

appropriate salvage sites. Plants can be m

ultiplied by division, though this should be used only w

ith salvaged plants or plants already in

Description: Rushes are grass-like herbaceous plants

with cylindrical or flattened, solid stem

s. At their bases, leaves are tightly sheathed around the stem

, and leaves are sometim

es absent or little m

ore than bladeless sheaths on green stems.

Flowers are sm

all, greenish-brown to purplish-brow

n, and borne in clusters near or at the ends of sm

all flower stem

s.

Habitat: G

enerally found growing in clum

ps in wet soils

or shallow, standing w

ater. Rushes are widely-distributed, and

there are more than 20 rush species in W

estern Washington.

Advantages/Disadvantages: Rushes provide

excellent soil-binding and erosion resistance, and are attractive additions to gardens. Although rushes are believed to have low

value for w

ildlife, they provide cover for small m

amm

als and m

arsh birds, who probably also eat the seed heads. There are

numerous rushes native to W

estern Washington, and interested

persons should consult other references. The most com

mon

species in our area is Juncus effusus, but it can be invasive and push out other native plants, especially in level w

etland areas w

ith uniform w

ater depths. How

ever, it can be a good choice for hilly w

etland areas with both shallow

and deep water, as these

variations will prevent it from

taking over.

Propagation: Seeds are tiny, but germinate easily. Sow

on soil surface, barely cover, and keep m

oist. Rhizome cuttings

are effective. Division can be used to m

ultiply salvaged plants or plants already in your yard.

Carex Species

SedgesJuncus Species

Rushes

Em

erge

nts

Em

erge

nts

Sag

ittar

ia la

tifol

ia v

ar. l

atifo

lia

broa

dlea

f arr

owhe

adS

cirp

us a

cutu

s

hard

-ste

mm

ed b

ulru

sh

Emergents

Emergents

Description: This native grow

s up to three feet above the w

ater from tubers. Leaves are quite variable in shape, but are

often arrowhead-shaped at m

aturity. Flowers consist of three

white petals w

ith a yellow center, and are in w

horls of 2-8 (usu-ally three) flow

ers on a separate flower stalk.

Habitat: Shorelines, in m

ud and to depths of one foot.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: Its attractive

leaves and flowers, non-aggressive grow

th (plants will rem

ain in shallow

areas), and usefulness to wildlife m

ake this an excellent choice for shoreline areas and shallow

water, especially w

here erosion m

ight be a problem. Tubers are eaten by w

aterfowl and

humans, and m

uskrats, beavers, and porcupines eat the entire plant. N

umerous species of birds eat the seeds, and num

erous insects and am

phibians use the plant.

Propagation: Can be grow

n from seeds planted in m

ud, and tubers can be divided.

Description: This em

ergent perennial grows in a clum

p from

rhizomes, and reaches a height of 4-8 feet. Stem

s are bright green, cylindrical, erect, often ½

inch wide at the base,

with sm

all, poorly-developed leaves clasped around the stem.

Flowers appear near the tops of stem

s, and are contained in com

pact, grayish-brown spikelets clustered at the ends of short

offshoots from the m

ain stem.

Habitat: Periodically or perm

anently-flooded marshes, in

water up to three feet deep. Full sun.

Advantages/Disadvantages: Its value to w

ild-life and excellent soil-binding qualities m

ake it an ideal plant for restoring m

arshes and the edges of streams, ponds, or lakes.

Stems help reduce shoreline erosion from

wave action. Plants

destroy pathogenic bacteria in soil or water near the root zone.

Muskrats eat the rhizom

es and use the stems to build dens.

Propagation: Can be propagated from

seed, from

rhizome cuttings, by salvaging clum

ps, or by dividing salvaged plants or plants already established in your yard. Seed should be gathered in m

id-summ

er (July) and scattered on- site imm

edi-ately, or stored in dam

p sand at about 40° F and sown in pots in

the fall or spring. If sown in containers, use a w

ater-saturated mix

of organic soil and sand, and plant out seedlings the following

fall (seeds should germinate in about 3-4 w

eeks). Plants can be divided during w

inter and spring.

Sagittaria latifolia var. latifolia

broadleaf arrowhead

Scirpus acutus

hard-stemm

ed bulrush

Fern

s, G

roun

d co

vers

, Her

bace

ous

Per

enni

als

Fern

s, G

roun

d co

vers

, Her

bace

ous

Per

enni

als

Arc

tost

aphy

los

uva-

ursi

ssp

. uva

-urs

i

kinn

ikin

nick

Asa

rum

cau

datu

m

wild

-gin

ger

Ferns, G

round Covers,

Herbaceous

Perennials

Ferns, G

round Covers,

Herbaceous

Perennials

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ssp. uva-ursi

kinnikinnickA

sarum caudatum

wild-ginger

Description: This trailing ground cover can grow

to be 12 feet long, though it rarely gets m

ore than eight inches above the ground. It can be identified by its sm

all, evergreen leaves and thin, gray bark that flakes off to reveal sm

ooth, red bark. Leaves are alternate, dark-green, oval, and about one inch long. Flow

ers are sm

all (about ¼ inch across), drooping pinkish-w

hite bells, and appear in few

- flowered clusters at the ends of branches

April to June. Fruits are small (¼

inch) bright-red berries that rem

ain on the plant into the winter.

Habitat: Fairly com

mon and w

idespread in Western W

ash-ington. In w

ell-drained soils, especially sandy to rocky ones. Full sun to partial shade, though it grow

s and flowers best in full sun.

Prefers low sum

mer m

oisture.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: O

ne of a handful of native ground covers that w

ill grow in full sun and tolerate dry

soils. Its wide-spreading rooting stem

s make it especially useful

for stabilizing steep banks. Hosts butterfly caterpillars. Fruits are

eaten by birds, small m

amm

als, deer, elk, and bears.

Propagation: Can be grow

n from seeds or cuttings,

though both methods are slow

. Seed should be collected as soon as the fruit ripens, separated from

the pulp, and planted. Seeds m

ay take two years to germ

inate, and another 2-3 years to produce bloom

s. Cuttings of the current year’s grow

th should be taken August to N

ovember. Each cutting should be about

four inches long, and the lower leaves should be rem

oved be-fore planting in a container. C

uttings may take up to tw

o years to grow

enough roots to plant out. Plants already in your yard can be m

ultiplied by layering.

Description: This low

-growing evergreen perennial can

be identified by its large (2-5 inches across), shiny, heart-shaped leaves, and the lem

ony-ginger smell of its leaves w

hen bruised. Each leaf is attached to a hairy, 2-8 inch-tall stalk, and the stalks are in pairs from

each of the rhizome’s nodes. The solitary,

reddish-brown flow

ers are rarely seen due to concealing leaves, and produce a fleshy capsule.

Habitat: C

omm

on at low to m

iddle elevations in moist,

coniferous forests, in soils with a high organic content. Partial to

full shade.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: Its beautiful

leaves and willingness to spread by extensive rhizom

es makes it

a popular choice for gardens.

Propagation: Easily grown from

seed. Can also be

grown from

rhizome cuttings and by transplanting rooted sec-

tions.

Fern

s, G

roun

d co

vers

, Her

bace

ous

Per

enni

als

Fern

s, G

roun

d co

vers

, Her

bace

ous

Per

enni

als

Ath

yriu

m fi

lix-fe

min

a va

r. cy

clos

orum

lady

fern

Ble

chnu

m s

pica

nt

deer

fern

Ferns, G

round Covers,

Herbaceous

Perennials

Ferns, G

round Covers,

Herbaceous

Perennials

Athyrium

filix-femina var. cyclosorum

lady fernB

lechnum spicant

deer fern

Description: This large (2-5 feet tall) fern has m

ultiple fronds grow

ing from a central clum

p. Fronds are deciduous, bright yellow

-green, lance-shaped, tapered at both ends, and 2-3 tim

es pinnate (though the smallest leaflets are just coarsely

serrated).

Habitat: W

et meadow

s, forested wetlands, bogs, and nearly

any damp area. In m

oist to wet, organic soils. Full sun to full

shade.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: An excellent ad-

dition to wetland restoration projects due to its rapid grow

th and adaptability to a variety of environm

ental conditions. It can also be used as an ornam

ental plant in a wet site. Provides cover for

wildlife.

Propagation: Easily salvaged during the dormant sea-

son (Novem

ber to March), w

hen the dead fronds can be used to locate individual plants. O

nce established in a favorable environ-m

ent, it spreads readily from spores. Salvaged plants or plants

Description: This 1-3 foot tall fern consists of sterile

fronds encircling a central clump of fertile fronds. Both types of

fronds have widely-spaced, oblong leaflets that becom

e pro-gressively sm

aller as one moves from

the middle of the frond

toward either end. The surrounding sterile fronds are evergreen

and frequently lie on the ground, while the central fertile fronds

are deciduous and erect, with m

uch narrower and often rolled-

up leaflets.

Habitat: In m

oist, coniferous forests. Full sun (in moister

areas) to full shade; prefers shade, and takes dry shade well.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: An attractive ad-

dition to appropriate landscapes. In some areas, it is an im

por-tant w

inter food for deer and elk.

Propagation: Can be salvaged.

Fern

s, G

roun

d co

vers

, Her

bace

ous

Per

enni

als

Fern

s, G

roun

d co

vers

, Her

bace

ous

Per

enni

als

Dic

entra

form

osa

ssp.

form

osa

Paci

fic b

leed

ing-

hear

tP

olys

tichu

m m

unitu

m

swor

d fe

rn

Ferns, G

round Covers,

Herbaceous

Perennials

Ferns, G

round Covers,

Herbaceous

Perennials

Dicentra form

osa ssp. formosa

Pacific bleeding-heartPolystichum

munitum

sword fern

Description: This succulent, creeping perennial grow

s 6-20 inches tall, w

ith deeply and much-divided (alm

ost fern-like) leaves and drooping, heart-shaped flow

ers. Leaves arise from

a slender, brittle rhizome on long stalks, and are num

erous and sm

ooth. The heart-shaped flowers have tw

o deep, sac-like spurs, are pale to deep pink, about one inch long, and appear above the leaves in clusters of 5-15. Seeds are in pod-like cap-sules up to tw

o inches long.

Habitat: A com

mon low

to mid-elevation plant in m

oist, rich soils, in partial to full shade.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: Transplants and

spreads easily, but is not aggressive. Hosts butterfly caterpillars,

and flowers attract butterflies.

Propagation: Can be grow

n from seed or rhizom

e cut-tings, and can be salvaged. Seed not planted in the fall m

ay need three m

onths cold stratification to break dormancy.

Description: This evergreen fern is fam

iliar to residents of W

estern Washington. Its dark-green fronds arch from

a central clum

p, and are 2-5 feet long and lance-shaped, with sim

ple, alternate, pointed, sharp-toothed leaflets. In spring, young fiddle-heads sprout gracefully from

the center of the plant and unroll to reveal new

fronds. Roots form a dense, fibrous m

ass.

Habitat: Throughout low

land mixed conifer and deciduous

forests; especially prevalent in moist areas and on steep slopes

with loose soil. Full sun to full shade, though it prefers som

e shade. Plants can be rem

arkably drought-tolerant, even in full sun.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: A hardy plant

suitable for nearly any upland site with shade or partial shade. It

makes an attractive ornam

ental ground cover, and is good for restoration w

ork due to its easy propagation and transplanta-tion. Provides cover for ground-dw

elling animals. D

eer and elk brow

se on the leaves.

Propagation: Successfully grown from

salvaged plants. Fronds can be sheared off about six inches from

the base to facilitate digging and reduce w

ater loss through the leaves. Sm

all specimens can be dug up and transported w

ith their soil. In order to m

ove larger plants you may need to divide them

or carefully shake the dirt off the roots; m

ake sure the roots do not dry out by w

rapping them in w

et sawdust or leaves and then in

plastic, and transplant as quickly as possible. Keep well-w

atered for the first year, if possible. Large clum

ps can be divided during the dorm

ant season to multiply plants.

Shr

ubs

Shr

ubs

Cor

nus

seric

ea s

sp. o

ccid

enta

lis

red-

osie

r dog

woo

dC

oryl

us c

ornu

ta v

ar. c

alifo

rnic

a

beak

ed h

azel

nut

ShrubShrub

Cornus sericea ssp. occidentalis

red-osier dogwood

Corylus cornuta var. californica

beaked hazelnut

Description: This m

any-stemm

ed, deciduous shrub grow

s up to 15 feet tall. Leaves are opposite, 2-6 inches long, elliptical, pointed, w

ith 5-7 distinct, curving veins that merge at

the smooth or w

avy leaf margin. In autum

n, leaves turn a deep red before falling. Tw

igs and stems are often reddish or purple.

Small, greenish-w

hite flowers grow

in dense, flat-topped clusters at the ends of branches, and produce bluish-w

hite berries in the fall.

Habitat: In m

oist, well-drained soils, especially along

stream banks and in sw

amps. Full sun to partial shade. Tolerates

seasonal flooding.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: Possesses ex-

cellent soil-binding qualities. Red stems m

ake it attractive with or

without foliage. Provides excellent w

ildlife cover, and is browsed

by rabbits, deer, and elk. Hosts butterfly caterpillars. Buds and

fruit provide food for numerous birds, sm

all mam

mals, and black

bear.

Propagation: Easiest to propagate from hardw

ood cut-tings, including live stakes. C

uttings taken in the spring will also

root readily and grow rapidly, but m

ust be well-w

atered over the sum

mer. C

an also be grown from

seed collected August to Septem

ber. Plant the whole berries (you don’t need to clean

them) in flats, one-gallon pots, or garden beds (if the berries are

dry, soak them for 24 hours before planting). Som

e of the seeds w

ill germinate soon after sow

ing, and should be transplanted into gallon containers. The rest of the seeds w

ill germinate the

following spring. Transplant seedlings or rooted cuttings before

roots grow too large. C

an also be propagated by layering, but hardw

ood cuttings are generally preferred.

Description: This deciduous shrub grow

s up to 20 feet tall in dense, arching clum

ps, or occasionally as a small tree up

to 30 feet tall. Leaves are alternate, oval, 2-4 inches long and 1½

- 3 inches wide, w

ith toothed or serrated edges. Buds and new

leaves are covered with fuzzy, w

hite hairs. Catkins appear before

the leaves in late winter or early spring, and are 2-3 inches long.

Nuts are sm

all (half-inch), round, in clusters of 2-4, and each nut is surrounded by m

odified leaves that extend beyond the nut to form

a vase-like husk (hence the name “beaked”). In w

inter it can be identified by its distinctively zigzag branchlets, rem

aining catkins, and round, hairy, alternate buds.

Habitat: In m

oist (but well-drained) to dry sites. Intolerant of

saturated soil. Full sun to full shade. Often found in the under-

story of coniferous forests, along streams, and on burned-over

and logged-over lands.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: C

lumps form

attractive fountains of vegetation. Provides excellent food and cover for w

ildlife. Nuts are eaten by birds, num

erous small m

am-

mals, deer, and hum

ans. Spreads to form clum

ps.

Propagation: Grow

s best from seed, though they can be

difficult to find. Collect seed August through Septem

ber once the nuts are nearly ripe, but before squirrels harvest the entire crop. Before sow

ing, allow the nuts to ripen and dry until the husk

turns brown; husks can be left on or rem

oved. Sow nuts in trays.

Nuts not sow

n in the fall need two to three m

onths cold strati-fication to break seed dorm

ancy. Suckers can be transplanted, and plants under five feet tall can be salvaged. Plants in your yard can be layered to produce new

offshoots

Shr

ubs

Shr

ubs

Gau

lther

ia s

hallo

n

sala

lH

olod

iscu

s di

scol

or

ocea

nspr

ay

ShrubShrub

Gaultheria shallon

salalH

olodiscus discolor

oceanspray

Description: This thicket-form

ing broadleaf evergreen usually grow

s 3-7 feet tall (though more com

pact in full sun or full shade), w

ith branches that zigzag. Leaves are alternate, thick, leathery, glossy, broadly oval (2-4 inches long by 1-2 inches w

ide) and pointed, with fine teeth. Flow

ers are shaped like small

(about ¼ inch) pinkish to w

hite urns, and hang from stalks in

loose clusters of 5-15. Berries are small (under ½

inch), dark-purple to black, oval, have m

inute hairs, and hang in clusters.

Habitat: O

ne of the most com

mon understory shrubs in our

forests. Prefers dry places or raised areas within forested w

et-lands. Full sun to full shade, but does best w

ith some shade, and

requires some sunlight to produce m

uch fruit.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: H

as good soil-binding qualities, delicious berries, and is tolerant of poor soils. Provides cover for birds and sm

all mam

mals. H

osts butterfly caterpillars. Flow

ers attract butterflies. Fruits are eaten by birds, deer, bear, and hum

ans. Plants are often slow to establish and

begin spreading (often two to three years after transplanting).

Propagation: Can be grow

n from seed. C

ollect berries August through Septem

ber, and separate seeds from the fruit

(seeds are minuscule, so use pantyhose to strain the seeds out).

Using flats or sm

all pots filled with a m

ixture of sand, composted

leaves, and loam, sow

the seeds on the surface (a salt shaker can be used for sow

ing). New

ly-germinated plants are tiny, and

must be protected from

late frosts, as well as from

drying during w

arm spring w

eather.

Description: This deciduous shrub usually has several,

thin, main stem

s and grows up to 15 feet tall. Leaves are alter-

nate, oval, ¾ - 2½

inches long, with shallow

lobes or teeth. Flow-

ers are profuse, white to cream

, and form cascading clusters.

Small, dry fruits form

in drooping clusters that persist into the w

inter. The presence of drooping fruit clusters and alternate buds are the best clues for w

inter identification.

Habitat: O

n well-drained to dry sites. Full sun to partial

shade. Intolerant of saturated soils.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: D

oes well on

disturbed sites, has good soil-binding qualities, and is very at-tractive w

hen blooming. Extrem

ely drought-tolerant. Provides cover for sm

all mam

mals and birds. D

eer and elk browse

branches. Nectar source for butterflies and num

erous other insects. Birds eat seeds.

Propagation: Best grown from

hardwood cuttings,

salvaged plants, or seed. Collect seed Septem

ber to Novem

ber, and plant them

in the fall in trays or garden beds. They should be sow

n thickly, as only small percentage of the seed typically

germinates. H

owever, because the seeds are so num

erous, this is not a serious problem

. Seeds not sown in the fall need 4½

m

onths cold stratification to break dormancy.

Shr

ubs

Shr

ubs

Phy

soca

rpus

cap

itatu

s

Paci

fic n

ineb

ark

Rho

dode

ndro

n m

acro

phyl

lum

Paci

fic rh

odod

endr

on

ShrubShrub

Physocarpus capitatus

Pacific ninebarkR

hododendron macrophyllum

Pacific rhododendron

Description: This m

ulti-stemm

ed, deciduous shrub grow

s 6-13 feet tall, with thin, reddish-brow

n or yellowish-brow

n bark that flakes aw

ay in thin strips. Leaves are alternate, 1½ - 3½

inches long, and serrated, w

ith 3-5 toothed lobes. Flowers are

small, w

hite, and are borne in dense, round pompom

clusters about 1-3 inches in diam

eter. Fruits form inconspicuous, reddish

clusters, each fruit being about ¼ inch in diam

eter.

Habitat: M

oist to wet sites, in som

ewhat open areas (e.g.,

wooded edges bordering m

eadows and along w

ater). More

often in wetlands than in dry, brushy areas. Full sun to partial

shade.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: H

as excellent soil-binding qualities, attractive leaves, and beautiful flow

ers. Provides cover, nesting sites, and food for birds and sm

all mam

-m

als. Deer and elk brow

se on the twigs, foliage, and buds. Bears

eat the berries.

Propagation: Grow

s best from hardw

ood cuttings, is easy to propagate from

cuttings at any time of the year, and

can be live- staked. Can also be grow

n from seed (collect late

August to September), but germ

ination is spotty. Seed not sown

in the fall may need 2-3 m

onths cold stratification to break seed dorm

ancy. Plants under six feet tall salvage well.

Description: This broadleaf evergreen shrub is the state

flower of W

ashington. Usually 3 -15 feet tall, it tends to have a

straggly form in shade and a m

ore compact form

in the open. Leaves are alternate, thick and leathery, 3-8 inches long, ob-long, w

ith smooth and often rolled-under edges, and range in

color from gray green (in the sun) to dark green (in the shade).

Flowers are pale pink to deep rose, broadly bell-shaped w

ith five partially fused petals, ¾

- 1½ inches long, and appear M

ay to July, often in dense clusters of 10-20 flow

ers.

Habitat: In coniferous or m

ixed forests. Prefers moist,

well-drained, acid soils, though also found on excessively w

ell-drained sites. C

omm

on on the Olym

pic and Kitsap peninsulas, W

hidbey Island, and the western slopes of the O

regon Cascades

at elevations of about 3,000-5,000 feet; less comm

on in the San Juan Islands and in other areas around Puget Sound. G

rows in

sun or shade, though blooms are m

ost profuse in partial shade.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: Though often

leggy in the shade, it can be pruned. Its beautiful floral display of-ten rivals that of cultivated rhododendron hybrids. D

ue to toxins in the leaves and flow

ers, it has limited food value for anim

als, and is considered poisonous to sheep.

Propagation: Due to past over-collecting, plants or cut-

tings should not be collected from natural settings, unless it is a

salvage site. Plants are available from som

e nurseries and it can be grow

n from seed, though it can take up to seven years for

plants grown from

seed to bloom.

Tree

Tree

Ace

r circ

inat

um

vine

map

leA

lnus

rubr

a

red

alde

r

TreeTree

Description: This fam

iliar tree has thin, smooth, gray

bark, frequently with patches of w

hite lichen, and grows 30-120

feet tall. Leaves are deciduous, alternate, 3-6 inches long, broad and elliptic, w

ith pointed ends. Leaf surfaces are shiny green to yellow

-green and smooth above; paler w

ith hairs along the veins below

. Leaf edges are wavy and slightly rolled-under, w

ith coarse, blunt teeth. M

ale and female flow

ers are on the same

tree and appear in catkins before the leaves. The small,

Habitat: D

isturbed sites, landslides, stream banks, m

oist w

oods, wetlands, and floodplains. G

rows in various types of

disturbed soils. Tolerates drought, flooding, or brackish condi-tions. Full sun to partial shade. O

ften mixed w

ith other trees, but can form

pure stands in nutrient-poor soils or on logged-over or otherw

ise disturbed lands.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: This tree has

been greatly under-valued in our region. Its quick growth and

ability to fix nitrogen makes it particularly useful for stabilizing

disturbed soils and revegetating nutrient-poor soils. Deer and elk

browse the leaves, as do large num

bers of invertebrates (which,

in turn, feed many insect-eating bird species). Beaver use the

branches. Larger trees provide habitat for numerous cavity-nest-

ing birds and small m

amm

als.

Propagation: Seeds germinate easily. C

ollect seeds Septem

ber to October. Seed not planted in the fall m

ust be cold-stratified for 30 days to break seed dorm

ancy. Seedlings under four feet tall can be salvaged: w

hen digging them, notice the

nitrogen-fixing bacteria nodules on the roots! Layering may also

work.

Acer circinatum

vine maple

Alnus rubra

red alder

Description: This deciduous native often grow

s to 25 feet tall, taking the form

of an erect tree (often with m

ultiple stems) or

a tangle of branches creeping vine-like along the ground before turning upw

ard. Branches are usually green or slightly reddish. Leaves are 2-4 inches in diam

eter, opposite, round in form w

ith 5-9 (usually 7) shallow

, fan-like and finely-toothed lobes, and palm

ate veins. In the fall, leaves turn gold or bright red before falling. Like other m

aples, it has “helicopter” seeds. How

ever, its paired seeds are held w

ide apart, almost in a straight line, w

hile those of m

ost other maples form

a “V”. In winter, look for sm

all (less than ¼

inch), opposite buds and a pair of terminal buds.

Habitat: C

omm

on understory plant in coniferous forests, and in clear-cut or burnt-over areas. D

ry to moist sites. Full sun

to full shade; prefers some shade, but becom

es leggy in deep shade.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: H

as excellent soil-binding qualities, is shade-tolerant, and produces beautiful fall color. Provides valuable forage for deer and elk, and cover for deer, elk, birds, and sm

all mam

mals. Flow

ers attract butterflies. Several species of birds and m

amm

als eat the seeds.

Propagation: Best grown from

salvaged plants or by lay-ering. Tw

o-leaf seedlings growing around trees in urban settings

may be dug up and potted im

mediately. W

ater sparingly for the first sum

mer after potting; after planting out the young seedlings,

water only as necessary. Even m

ature specimens can be suc-

cessfully salvaged given sufficient care. Layering can be used to m

ultiply plants you already have. It can also be grown from

seed, but they are difficult to germ

inate.

Tree

Tree

Am

elan

chie

r aln

ifolia

wes

tern

serv

iceb

erry

Cor

nus

nutta

llii

Paci

fic d

ogw

ood

TreeTree

Description: This deciduous tree usually grow

s 20-30 feet tall w

ith an irregularly shaped trunk and smooth, dark bark that

develops rectangular scales with age. Tw

ig ends curve upward,

and branchings are often in whorls of four, m

aking branch tips look som

ewhat like candelabras. Leaves are opposite, 3-5

inches long, generally oval with a sharp tip, and deep to bright

green above, paler below. Leaf veins are in opposite pairs that

parallel the curves of the leaf, and leaf edges are smooth or

wavy. In autum

n, leaves turn dull- to pinkish-red before falling. Trees flow

er April to June, and some individuals flow

er a second tim

e in August or September.

Habitat: M

oist, well-drained soils. Partial to full shade. A

comm

on understory tree in open to fairly dense, mixed forests,

though it may not produce fruit in heavy shade. Found through-

out most of our region.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: Its attractive

branching pattern, flowers, fruits, and fall foliage m

ake this a beautiful tree in all seasons. O

nce established, it can do without

summ

er watering, and is long-lived (to 150 years). Very shade

tolerant. Plants host butterfly caterpillars. Birds, especially band-tailed pigeons, eat fruit clusters. D

eer browse on tw

igs and foliage.

Propagation: Seed is the best method. C

ollect fruit as soon as ripe (Septem

ber to October), before the birds get them

. O

ne source says they can be sown as is, w

hile another recom-

mends rem

oving the pulp. Plants under three feet high can be salvaged. Plants in your yard can probably be m

ultiplied by layering sm

all branches.

Am

elanchier alnifolia

western serviceberry

Cornus nuttallii

Pacific dogwood

Description: This m

ulti-stemm

ed, deciduous native usu-ally grow

s 10-12 feet tall, and has smooth, dark gray to reddish

bark. Leaves are alternate, thin, oval, 1-2 inches long, and mostly

smooth-edged on the low

er half of the leaf, becoming regularly

toothed on the outer half, with veins running out to the teeth.

Flowers are w

hite with five long, thin petals, and form

showy,

erect or droopy clusters. Fruits are small (½

inch in diameter)

and initially dull-red, becoming dark purple w

hen ripe, and look som

ewhat like sm

all blueberries. Difficult to identify in w

inter, but look for slender, curved, alternate buds and a larger term

inal bud. Tw

o of the varieties found in Western W

ashington are var. hum

ptulipensis and var. semiintegrifolia.

Habitat: In m

oist to dry areas, on well-drained soils; often in

open conifer forests. Full sun to partial shade. Com

mon through-

out the Northw

est, frequently in thickets. Very drought-tolerant.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: Though largely

unnoticed except when in bloom

, its showy flow

ers and deli-cious fruit m

ake it a good ornamental plant for open, w

ooded sites, or w

oodland edges. Can form

soil- holding thickets via rooting branch tips. Provides good w

ildlife cover.

Propagation: Can be grow

n from seed or salvaged

seedlings. Collect fruit w

hen ripe (in late summ

er) and separate seeds from

pulp. Seed not sown in the fall should not be allow

ed to dry out, and needs to be cold-stratified for 3-6 m

onths to break seed dorm

ancy. Seedlings under three feet tall can be salvaged. Plants in your yard can be layered to produce new

plants.

Tree

Tree

Cra

taeg

us s

uksd

orfii

blac

k ha

wth

orn

Frax

inus

latif

olia

Ore

gon

ash

TreeTree

Description: This deciduous tree grow

s 40-80 feet tall w

ith opposite branches and leaves. Bark is dark-gray or brown,

with thick, furrow

ed and forking, scaly ridges. Leaves are pin-nately-com

pound, up to one foot long, with five, seven, or nine

bright-green, broadly-tapered leaflets that turn yellow in the fall.

Flowers are greenish and in dense clusters w

hich, on female

trees, bear winged fruits 1-2 inches long. In w

inter, the opposite tw

igs are distinctive.

Habitat: Low

-lying areas, on moist, saturated, or ponded

soils. Full sun to partial shade. May form

pure stands, or mixed

stands with black cottonw

ood and red alder. Tolerates standing w

ater early in the growing season.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: This is the only

true ash native to the Northw

est. Its flood tolerance makes it a

good choice for wet sites and riparian areas. Provides nesting

sites for birds; and cover for birds, deer, and fish. Plants are an im

portant food source for deer, elk, beavers, small m

amm

als, and birds. Leaves are susceptible to a disfiguring, but not seri-ous, fungal blight late in the grow

ing season.

Propagation: Best grown from

seeds or salvaged seedlings. C

ollect seed August to October, and sow

as soon as possible in trays or garden beds. M

ulch in the fall, and carefully rake off m

ulch in the spring. Plant out seedlings in 1-2 years. If seeds m

ust be stored, air-dry them thoroughly. Seed not sow

n in the fall require three m

onths cold stratification to break seed dorm

ancy. Seedlings under four feet tall can be salvaged.

Crataegus suksdorfii

black hawthorn

Fraxinus latifolia

Oregon ash

Description: This deciduous native grow

s as a small

tree (20-30 feet tall), or smaller thicket-form

ing shrub (10 feet tall), w

ith sharp, single spines up to one inch long. Leaves are alternate, 1½

- 4 inches long, generally oval, and serrated on the outer half of the leaf. Sm

all white flow

ers (about ½ inch in diam

-eter) appear in spring in clusters, and produce black berries by August. N

ew tw

igs often turn reddish in early summ

er. A related species, C

. douglasii (formerly called C

. douglasii var. douglasii) is also native to W

estern Washington.

Habitat: D

ry to moist areas, especially on the edges of pas-

tures along streams. In w

ell-drained, sandy or gravelly soils. Full sun to partial shade. Form

s dense thickets.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: Stabilizes soil

and is well-adapted to disturbed sites. C

an be used to create a thorny barrier. The thickets provide excellent nesting sites for birds, and as cover for birds and sm

all mam

mals. Flow

ers attract hum

mingbirds and butterflies. Fruits are a food source for birds

and small m

amm

als. Deer usually shun the foliage. Produces a

fair amount of sm

all, leafy debris in the fall.

Propagation: Grow

from seed or salvage. Seed should

be collected as soon as it ripens (late July through August), because it is harvested quickly by birds. Separate seeds from

pulp and sow

seeds imm

ediately in trays containing ordinary soil. Sow

very thickly, because some seeds m

ay not germinate

until the second spring, and place the trays in an unheated area. Seed not planted in the fall needs to be cold-stratified for 2½

m

onths to break seed dormancy.

Tree

Tree

Mal

us fu

sca

Paci

fic cr

abap

ple

Pru

nus

emar

gina

ta v

ar. m

ollis

bitte

r che

rry

TreeTree

Description: This deciduous native grow

s as a large shrub or sm

all tree, to heights of 20-50 feet tall, and has shiny, reddish-brow

n bark with thin, horizontal stripes. Leaves are alter-

nate, 2-4 inches long, oval to oblong, with rounded tips and fine

teeth on the margins; and bright to dark-green in color, turning

bright-yellow in the autum

n before they fall. Flowers are sm

all, w

hite to pinkish, and form loose, flat-topped clusters of 5-10 flow

-ers.

Habitat: Both species occur on dry to m

oist sites, in full sun to partial shade, though P. virginiana prefers settings that are slightly m

ore open. Both are intolerant of full shade.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: P. em

arginata m

akes a stately ornamental tree in open, conifer forests. The

fruits of both species are an important food source for birds and

small m

amm

als (especially in early winter), and deer and elk

feed on the leaves and twigs. Provides nesting sites for cavity-

nesting birds, mam

mals, and som

etimes bees. Plants are short-

lived (40- 60 years).

Propagation: Both species grow best from

seed. Collect

fruit when fully m

ature (July to September for P. em

arginata; late August to Septem

ber for P. virginiana). Remove pulp, keep soak-

ing time to a m

inimum

to avoid damage to seeds. Sow

liberally in the fall. Seed not sow

n in the fall must be cold-stratified for 3-4

months to break seed dorm

ancy. Seedlings under six feet tall can be salvaged.

Malus fusca

Pacific crabapplePrunus em

arginata var. mollis

bitter cherry

Description: This deciduous native grow

s as a tree up to 40 feet tall, or as a large shrub grow

ing in dense thickets, som

etimes w

ith sharp thorns on limbs and young trunks. Leaves

are alternate, 1- 4 inches long, ovate, oval, or elliptical in shape, w

ith serrated or lobed margins, dark-green to yellow

-green on the upper surface and paler below

. Flowers are sm

all (½ inch),

white, borne in clusters in the spring, and develop into sm

all crabapples that vary in size and color. C

an be identified in winter

by its sprawling branches, peeling bark, and alternate buds that

(on older branches) appear on spur shoots.

Habitat: Sw

amps, m

arshes, and other moist sites near

streams. Full sun to partial shade.

Advantages/ Disadvantages: H

as attractive flow

ers and fruits, and is an excellent plant for creating thickets. D

oes well near salt w

ater, sloughs, and estuaries, and is toler-ant of prolonged soil saturation. Provides nesting sites for birds, and shelter for birds and other w

ildlife. Fruits are eaten by birds, squirrels, elk, and deer. Foliage and tw

igs are browsed by deer

and elk. Beavers use the whole plant. Som

ewhat untidy, as it

sheds twigs, bark, leaves, and flow

ers, but this is more than off-

set by its value to wildlife.

Propagation: Can be grow

n from seed. Separate seeds

from pulp, and plant im

mediately in flats or directly in the ground.

Seed not planted in the fall needs to be cold-stratified for three m

onths to break seed dormancy. Seedlings are sm

all and start slow

ly. Plants in your yard can be layered to produce new off-

shoots, but it may take tw

o years for sufficient roots to develop.