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Native Plants

Looking for native plants? The Skagit Conservation District hosts an Annual Plant Sale every year! Be sure to join our mailing list to be alerted when the shop will open.

Plant Locator

In case you missed our sale or we sold out of the plants you were hoping for, browse this map to find local retail and wholesale companies selling native plants. And keep scrolling to learn more about plants and access our planting guides!

Finding the "Right" Plant

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Plants all need the same things, but they don't all have the same needs.  Some plants need more sun, some need more shade.

Some plants need a lot of water, some need very little, and everything in between…

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Plant the right tree in the right place

Plant taller trees away from utility lines

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Putting the right plant in the right place, not only increases the likelihood of a happier healthy plant, but also reduces the likelihood of big problems later.

Step 1. Evaluate what you have to work with.

  • Is it flat or Steep?

  • Is it Wet or Dry?

  • Sunny or Shady?

Are there things in the way?

Pavement?

  • Pipes?

  • Powerlines?

  • easements?

  • Is there a house blocking the sunlight? 

  • Does the roof restrict the amount of water getting to the plants underneath.

The physical aspects that are there, will direct how you can or should proceed. 

Common Native Plants

Title
Image
Description
More Info
Botanical Name
Grand Fir
Evergreen Height: 140-200 ft Light: Mostly Shade – Part Shade Moisture: Dry to  Moist
Grand Fir (Also known as lowland white fir, silver fir, balsam fir, or yellow fir) is a rapid-growing tree that is relatively short-lived, living less than 300 years. It is shade tolerant and grows from moist river valleys to dry forests. Wildlife benefits from the trees shelter and seeds and it is a butterfly larval host.
Abies grandis
Noble Fir
Evergreen Height: 100-200 ft Light: Part Shade – Sun Moisture: Dry – Moist
Noble Fir is the largest American fir and the largest of the true firs which needs a large, wide open landscape setting. Because of its quality and strength, the wood of the noble fir is valued over the wood of other true firs. It is also considered an excellent Christmas tree. In addition to food, it provides cover and thermal protection for wildlife.
Abies procera
Incense Cedar
Evergreen Height: around 60', but up to 200' Light: Full to Part Sun Moisture: Dry - Moist
Note: This species is being offered for conservation purposes, although not native to Skagit. Drought tolerant when established. One of the most distinctive features of the Incense Cedar is its striking reddish-brown bark, which emanates a fragrance reminiscent of vanilla and cinnamon when touched or crushed.
Calocedrus decurrens
Port Orford Cedar
Evergreen Height: 150-200 ft Light: Mostly Shade – Part Shade Moisture: Wet to Moist 
Port Orford cedar is from the coastal ranges of far northwestern California and southern Oregon. Though limited in it’s native range it is very adaptable to many climate zones throughout the country and has shown considerable cold tolerance in interior climates. 
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
Sitka Spruce
Evergreen Height: 100 – 150 ft, up to 200 ft Light: Part Shade - Sun  Moisture: Moist - Wet
Also known also as tideland spruce, coast spruce, and yellow spruce, it is a long-lived tree (more than 800 years) that can grow over 200 ft tall. It is the largest species of spruce and the fifth-largest conifer in the world. It is known for being extremely tolerant of poor conditions and once established, it is fast-growing (up to 3 feet per year). It is tolerant of salt and is the most tolerant spruce for warm, humid conditions. It supports hummingbirds and beneficial insects and are a caterpillar host plant and larval food source.
Picea sitchensis
Shore Pine
Evergreen Height: 35-100ft Light: Part Shade - Sun Moisture: Dry – Wet
A relatively short pine tree, often with crooked trunk and bushy habit which grows along coastal bluffs, dry mountain forests and rocky areas, and in sand dunes and sphagnum bogs.
Pinus Contorta
Western White pine
Evergreen Height: up to 250 ft Light: Full Sun Moisture: Dry - Moist
This large pine does best in large open spaces. It thrives on a wide variety of sites, from peat bogs to dry sandy soils and rocky earth, but they grow best in moist valleys and on gentle slopes. Pines are second only to oaks in their food value to wildlife and are a butterfly host species.
Pinus monticola
Douglas Fir
Evergreen Height: 100-150 and up to 290 ft  Light: Sun-Part Shade Moisture: Dry – Moist, well-drained soils. 
Douglas-fir trees, sometimes called red firs, Oregon pines, and Douglas spruce, are neither true fir trees nor pines nor spruces. The genus name Pseudotsuga means “false hemlock,” referencing another kind of tree they resemble.
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Giant Sequoia
Evergreen Height: up to 300 ft Light: Full Sun Moisture: Dry - Moist
Native to California, this species is being offered for conservation purposes. While neither the tallest nor the widest tree known, giant sequoia is the world’s largest tree in total mass. Under optimal conditions, a tree will reach a height of 250-275 feet and a diameter of fifteen to twenty feet. The largest giant sequoias may reach heights of 350 feet, diameters of thirty-five feet with root spreads of 400 feet in diameter, and ages of more than 3,000 years. The roots of giant sequoia develop rapidly, which can increase the tree’s stability but makes transplanting difficult. Due to its majestic stature, giant sequoia should only be planted in areas with abundant space. Giant sequoia is intolerant of shade and benefits from plenty of sunlight.
Sequoiadendron giganteum
Western Red Cedar
Evergreen Height: 150-200 ft Light: Shade to Part Shade Moisture: Moist to Wet
This species grows best on seepage and alluvial sites. It can grow in drier habitats as long as it's not too dry.  Western red cedar is an important tree in Native American cultures, and is the provincial tree emblem for British Columbia.
Thuja plicata
Vine Maple
Deciduous Height: up to 25 ft Light: Part Shade - Sun Moisture: Dry – Wet Bloom: Pink-white, March-June
Vine maple is planted in forested riparian habitats to help reduce erosion. Vine maples do well under a shade canopy and also in sunny locations. Birds and small mammals rely on the flowers, buds, and seeds. This plant is a larvae source for the brown tissue moth and the Polyphemus moth, as well as a good nectar source for bees.
Acer circinatum
Douglas Maple
Deciduous Height: up to 32 ft. Light: Sun - Part Shade Moisture: Dry-Moist Bloom: May -June
Able to withstand drier, colder, sunnier sites than Vine Maple. Adapts to a wide range of conditions, tolerant of poor soils, drought, and strong winds. Fire resistant.
Acer glabrum
Big Leaf Maple
Deciduous Height: Up to 80 ft Light: Sun- Part Shade Moisture: Dry – Moist Bloom: March- June, early bloom for pollinators 
Often found growing in disturbed areas like land cleared by fire or logging, Acer macrophyllum will sprout quickly from its stump and can grow over three meters in a year. Big-leaf maples often grow with many trunks and will drop its lower branches as it matures. This creates many nooks and crannies in the tree, providing ideal housing for birds and small mammals. Its deeply ridged bark creates and ideal habitat for epiphytes (plants that grow on trees without soil), including many species of mosses and lichens as well as the Licorice Fern,
Acer macrophyllum
Pacific Serviceberry
Deciduous Height: up to 15 ft. Light: Sun - Part Shade Moisture: Dry - Moist Bloom: April – July
A thicket forming shrub or small tree that provides year-round interest in the landscape, as well as producing edible fruits. They also called shadbush, juneberry and saskatoon in different areas of the country. Their roots aren’t aggressive, so understory plants that prefer partial shade, can easily be planted under them. The white flowers in late spring become a sweet fruit similar to blueberries. Fire resistant.
Amelanchier alnifolia
Birch
Deciduous Height: up to 80 ft Light: Part Shade - Sun Moisture: Moist, well-drained soils Bloom: April - June
A small to medium-sized deciduous tree with attractive white, peeling, papery bark which grows in marshes, wetlands, along bog margins, and in forests and woods.
Betula papyrifera
Pacific Dogwood
Deciduous Height: up to 66 ft Moisture: Moist, well drained Light: Part Shade - Sun Bloom: April - June
Douglas fir timber is of great commercial importance for lumber and are widely grown for Christmas trees.
Cornus nuttallii
Red Osier Dogwood
Deciduous Height: up to 20 ft Light: Shade – Sun Moisture: Moist – Wet Bloom: White, May – June
Red osier-dogwood is an excellent plant for restoration purposes.  It is easy to propagate, grows quickly, and has wildlife value. It does well in areas that are seasonally inundated with water. It has a fibrous root system which is great for soil stabilization. This dogwood is an excellent shrub to plant along sunny edges and in deciduous canopy shade because it is sun-loving and shade tolerant. 
Cornus stolonifera
Beaked Hazelnut
Deciduous Height: 15 ft Light: Part Shade - Sun Moisture: Dry – Moist, well-drained Bloom: January - March
Pollinated by the wind, hazelnut is the earliest shrub to bloom. This an attractive shub handles a wide variety of conditions. Edible nuts ripen September to October. Drought tolerant and fire-resistant.
Corylus cornuta
Black Hawthorn
Deciduous Height: up to 45 ft Light: sun - part shade Moisture Requirements: moist - wet Bloom: May-June
Spread readily by root suckers, planted as a hedge, Hawthorns can create an impenetrable, thorny thicket. Bloom: May-June. Fruits; mid-July through August. Fire-resistant.
Crataegus douglasii
Oregon ash
Deciduous Height: up to 80 ft. Light: Sun - Part Shade Moisture: Moist-Wet Bloom: April – May. 
Particularly suited to heavy soils and poorly drained areas, which are often too wet for any other tree. The winged seeds of Oregon Ash are eaten by a birds and small mammals. The foliage is food for butterfly larvae and may be consumed by passing browsers. Fire resistant.
Fraxinus latifolia
Oceanspray
Deciduous Height: up to 10 ft Light: Part Shade – Sun Moisture: Dry – Moist Bloom: White, May-Aug.
It does exceedingly well on dry slopes and at the edge of deciduous forests of alder and cascara. It can also stand alone as a feature plant in a garden or at the back of a border. It’s fountain like clusters of lovely blooms attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies (and it is a butterfly host plant).
Holodiscus discolor
Tall Oregon Grape
Evergreen Height: up to 10ft Light: Shade - Full Sun Moisture: Dry – Moist Bloom: Yellow, March - June
Evergreen woody-stemmed shrubs with distinct holly-like leaves. Bronze-colored new growth in spring, with mounds of small, bright yellow fragrant flowers in spring, followed by clusters of round, dusky blue (edible, though often sour) fruit. Foliage often takes on a striking red to purplish cast in fall-winter.
Mahonia aquifolium
Low Oregon Grape
Evergreen Height: up to 3 ft Light: Part to full Shade Moisture: Dry – Moist Bloom: Yellow, March - June
Low growing woody-stemmed shrubs with distinct holly-like leaves. Bronze-colored new growth in spring, with mounds of small, bright yellow fragrant flowers in spring, followed by clusters of round, dusky blue (edible, though often sour) fruit. Foliage often takes on a striking red to purplish cast in fall-winter.
Mahonia nervosa
Creeping Oregon Grape
Evergreen Height: up to 2 ft Light: Full Shade to Full Sun Moisture: Dry – Moist Bloom: Yellow, March - June
The lowest growing of the three, Mahonia, its leaves are more rounded and less prickly. More common east of the Cascades.
Mahonia repens
Osoberry
Deciduous Height: 5-10ft Light: Part Shade - Sun Moisture: Dry – Moist Bloom: White, February - April
Useful in restoration projects due to its wide tolerance for various shade and moisture regimes, its rapid growth, and its thicket-forming suckering habit. Despite preferring wet conditions it can withstand drought and dry conditions. Use in greenbelts and stormwater facilities for its formation of fibrous roots that help mitigate soil erosion. The flowers provide a nectar source for pollinators and the fruits are eaten by birds and mammals .
Oemleria cerasiformis
Mock Orange
Deciduous Height: 10 ft Light: Part Shade - Sun Moisture: Dry – Moist Bloom: White, May – July
An upright, loosely-branched, deciduous shrub with large fragrant white flowers which grows along coastal bluffs and rocky slopes, in open forests and disturbed areas, and along forest edges, openings, or clearings. Seeds are enjoyed by many birds and flowers attract numerous pollinators.
Philadelphus lewisii
Ninebark
Deciduous Height: up to 13 ft. Light: Sun - Part Shade Moisture: Moist-Wet Bloom: April-July.
Benefits small bees, host plant for Spring Azure butterflies. It’s fibrous roots and capacity to root from un-rooted cuttings make it suitable for soil bioengineering techniques including live stakes, fascines and brush mats. It is particularly valuable for streambank and lakeshore stabilization applications. Fire resistant.
Physocarpus capitatus
Quaking Aspen
Deciduous Height: 80'  Light: Sun to part shade. Moisture: Dry-Moist.  Bloom time: April – June. 
Fire resistant. Because this tree produces slender, laterally-flattened petioles, the wind causes the leaves to appear to shake or tremble. In autumn, the leaves turn golden to yellow in color. This tree grows vigorously through spreading roots to form large clonal groves. The species is similar to the European aspen (Populus tremula) which is commonly found in landscaping and in commercial nurseries.
Populus tremuloides
Garry Oak
Deciduous Height: up to 60 ft Light: Part Shade - Sun Moisture: Dry – Moist
Garry Oak (also called White Oak) is a long lived, slow growing, deciduous tree with a well-behaved root system. Once established, it is drought-resistant, flood-tolerant, and mature trees are fire-resistant. When it comes to habitat value, Garry oaks are a species of merit, providing an incredibly rich habitat for wildlife.
Quercus garryana
Cascara
Deciduous Height: 15-35 ft Light: Shade - Part Sun Moisture: Moist - Wet  Bloom: Greenish-yellow, April-June
A widely-adaptable small tree that is a favorite for birds and suitable for the smaller urban garden; growing as a shrub to about 15 feet, it can also reach 30 feet as a small tree. The insignificant, creamy greenish-white flowers are liked by butterflies and the fruit attracts many species of birds.
Rhamnus purshiana
Pacific Rhododendron
Evergreen Height: up to 24 ft Light: Sun- Shade Moisture: Dry - Moist Bloom: Pink, May - July
This plant is good for low water use landscaping and offers erosion protection within steep watersheds. It can grow up to 26 ft in shade. This plant has a shallow root system.
Rhododendron macrophyllum
Red Flowering Currant
Deciduous. Height: Up to12 ft Light: Part Shade - Sun Moisture: Dry – Moist Bloom: Pink-red, March – June
Red-flowering currant tolerates poor soil and grows in sunny to partly shady areas making it a great landscaping or restoration shrub. Spring flowers provide a nectar source for hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators. The berries are eaten by birds and mammals and many moths and butterflies use the leaves as forage during the caterpillar stage.
Ribes sanguineum
Nootka Rose
Deciduous.  Height: 3-8 ft Light: Part Shade - Sun Moisture: Dry– Moist Bloom: Pink, May - July
Spreads aggressively by rhizome. Wildlife food & shelter, host plant for numerous butterflies.
Rosa nutkana
Peafruit Rose
Deciduous.  Height: 3-6 ft Light: Part to Full Sun Moisture: Dry – Moist Bloom: Pink, May - July
Flowers are smaller than Nootka and usually in clusters of 2-10. Cluster rose excels in moist areas like wetlands and stream edges. Once established, its shrubby habit is ideal to create a thicket for hedge rows and to provide shelter for small birds. Clustered rose can help stabilize soil along stream banks.
Rosa pisocarpa
Thimbleberry
Deciduous Height: up to 10 ft Light: Part Shade Moisture: moist - dry, Well-drained Bloom: White, May - July.
Thimbleberry is related to raspberries and blackberries that spreads by underground rhizomes. The thornless canes can create a dense stand that is topped by large, maple-like leaves with edible red fruit that resembles a raspberry (or a thimble). Bees and other pollinators are attracted to the flowers, and the leaves are a host plant for many different species of butterflies and moths. Birds and other mammals eat the berries.
Rubus parviflorus
Salmonberry
Deciduous.  Height: up to 12 ft Light: Part Shade - Sun Moisture: Dry– Moist Bloom: Pink, April - May
Prefers part shade but can handle full sun with sufficient moisture. Spreads by branching rhizomes that form dense thickets. The stems of Salmonberry have shedding bark, similar to Pacific Ninebark which although largely unarmed, can range from having scattered prickles to being very bristly.
Rubus spectabilis
Hooker Willow
Deciduous Height: Up to 20 ft Light: Part Shade - Sun Moisture: Dry – Moist Bloom: February- March
Known by the common names dune willow, coastal willow, and Hooker's willow, this plant is native to the west coast of North America from Alaska to northern California, where it grows in coastal habitat such as beaches, marshes, floodplains, and canyons. It is useful in riparian restoration and to control soil erosion.
Salix hookeriana
Pacific Willow
Deciduous Height: - 60' Light: Sun to part shade. Moist: Dry to moist sites; Bloom: February - March. 
One of our largest native willows, reaching 20-60 feet, it has excellent soil-binding and wildlife-enhancing properties. It can quickly create a canopy and competes well with invasive plants like reed canary grass. It is the easiest to identify because of its lance-shaped leaves. Its smooth branches are attractive in winter, especially in varieties that have yellow twigs. Fire resistant. Wildlife food & shelter, pollen.
Salix lucida (Also called Salix lasiandra)
Sitka Willow
Deciduous Height: Up to 30 ft Light: Part Shade - Sun Moisture: Moist - Wet Bloom: February- March
Native to stream banks from southern Alaska to southwestern Oregon, Sitka willow is found on or near lake shores, wetland margins, forest edges, wet openings, and clearings at low to middle elevations. Excellent for planting with live stakes. Quick growing willow that is more shrub than tree.
Salix sitchensis
Blue Elderberry
Deciduous Height: up to 30 ft Light: Sun Moisture Requirements: Dry – Moist Bloom: May-June
Blue Elderberry can be used as a hedgerow, as a screen, or planted at the edge of a forest. It is also valuable for revegetation projects, and to stabilize slopes and streambanks. It is most often grown for its edible berries and to attract birds and pollinators.
Sambucus cerulea
Douglas Spirea
Deciduous.  Height: 3-8 ft Light: Part Shade - Sun Moisture: Dry– Wet Bloom: Pink, July-August.
Commonly known as Hardhack and Steeplebush, it grows in margins of ponds, meadows, & open space at low elevation spreading by rhizomes. It will tolerate a lot of water and can become very drought tolerant. It is very aggressive, often forming dense colonies. Used for erosion control, wildlife shelter. Fire resistant.
Spiraea douglasii
Snowberry
Deciduous.  Height: 3-8 ft Light: Part Shade - Sun Moisture: Dry– Moist Bloom: Pink, May - August
Snowberry prefers well drained soils, but it can tolerate wet and dry conditions, and nutrient poor soils. Although snowberry grows best in part sun, it can also tolerate shade and full sun. Snowberry’s deep and rigorous roots make it an ideal species to plant on slopes for erosion control and along riparian zones for bank stabilization projects. The flowers attract pollinators such as hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Songbirds and bears are known to eat the winter berries. The sphinx moth (Spinx vashti) feeds on snowberry during its larval stage.
Symphoricarpos albus
Evergreen Huckleberry
Evergreen Height: 2 – 13 ft (depends on site conditions) Light: Shade - Sun Moisture: Dry – Moist Bloom: Pink, March-August
Beautiful foliage and edible fruit make this a must in most gardens. Evergreen Huckleberry grows slowly, reaching 3-6 feet in the sun and 12 feet or more in the shade. Does not transplant well, but can be grown easily from smaller potted stock. Fruit ripens August to September but often remain on the plant through December.
Vaccinium ovatum
Kinnikinnick
Evergreen Height: Up to 1 ft Light Requirement: Part Shade - Sun Moisture Requirements: Dry Bloom: White-pink flowers, April - July.
Spreading groundcover with red berries in the fall that does best in the sand and/or on a hill slope and can help protect from erosion. It does not do well in heavy, compacted soils where it tends to languish.  Benefits:  Butterflies, Fire-resistant, Drought tolerant
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Common Camas
Perennial Bulb. Height: up to 3' Light: Sun - Part shade Moisture: Moist - Dry Bloom: Blue Violet, April - July
Grows in open areas which are vernally moist, and dry by late spring when it eventually goes dormant. Camas is an important flower for pollinating insects in prairie habitats. Considered among the easiest of and showiest of native bulbs.
Camassia quamash
Great Camas
Perennial Bulb. Height: up to 4' Light: Sun - Part shade Moisture: Moist - Dry Bloom: Blue Violet, April - July
Taller in stature and larger flowers than its close relative the common camas. Grows in open areas which are vernally moist, and dry by late spring when it eventually goes dormant. Camas is an important flower for pollinating insects in prairie habitats. Considered among the easiest of and showiest of native bulbs.
Camassia leichtlinii
Woodland Strawberry
Perennial  Height: up to 1 ft Light: Sun - Shade Moisture: Dry- Moist Bloom: March - August
Attractive spreading strawberry groundcover, white flowers and small strawberry fruit. Not as aggressive as beach strawberry and excellent for woodland settings.
Fragaria vesca
Salal
Evergreen Height: up to 6 ft Light: Sun- Shade Moisture: Dry – Moist Bloom: White and pink, May – June
Although often slow to establish, in time it will aggressively fill in and develop into large patches of verdant foliage. Plants have thick, evergreen leaves, that are valued in floral arrangements. Small white flowers bloom in late spring or early summer bearing edible black fruit in fall. Benefits: pollinators, drought tolerant, edible, and fire-resistant.
Gaultheria shallon
Fringe Cup
Semi-evergreen Height: up to 1 ft with flower spikes up to 3 ft. Light: Part to Full Shade Moisture: Moist Bloom: April - July
Fringecup can establish well in disturbed and shady areas to create a thick ground cover, which may even outcompete invasive weeds. Once established, they are also slug resistant and evergreen during mild winters.
Tellima grandiflora
Early Blue Violet
Perennial Height: 4 in  Light: Part shade Moisture: Moist - Dry Bloom: Blue Violet, April - July
The Early Blue Violet is the sole hostplant for the Oregon silverspot butterfly. Although the Oregon silverspot butterfly has been extirpated from Washington, WDFW has led habitat restoration efforts on coastal sites in Pacific County in preparation for future butterfly reintroductions.
Viola adunca
common native plants

NOTE: Fire-resistant does not mean fireproof! Even fire-resistant plants will burn if not well maintained. Be sure to keep all of your landscape plants healthy with appropriate watering, proper pruning, etc.

Plant info

Plant and Landscape Resources

Care should be taken to not plant invasive species as they tend to crowd out the native species. Some common groundcovers, shrubs, and vines are invasive and are prohibited from being planted. Refer to the state list of invasive plants.  

Planting for pollinators

The Xerces Society has collaborated with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to create plant lists that are attractive to native bees, bumble bees, honey bees, and other beneficial insects, as well as plant lists with value as nesting materials for native bees. These lists can be narrowed down with additional criteria such as state, soil moisture, bloom time, and sunlight requirements.

 

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