Thriving Plants in the Pacific Northwest of the US

The Pacific Northwest of the United States has several thriving plants in the area. The region consists of the northern part of California to the upper state of Washington. Depending on the location you are planning to lay the plants in, and the purpose for them, will determine the type of plant you purchase. There are plants that are resistant to deer, some that can be planted in all shade, and some that are excellent for fall colors. Using these native plants can help the area by controlling erosion, reducing flooding, and filtering the sediments before they reach the waters. Native plants also need little maintenance, less watering,have less cost, and survive longer than any non-native plant.

Listed below of my top five favorite native plants that grow strong in the Pacific Northwest of the US and how to take care of them.

Lonicera Ciliosa - Orange Honeysuckle

This plant is a nice addition to your shrubs. It's orange trumpet vines grow through your shrubs, and do not smother them. They grow to about 20 ft, and beautifully. They grow fast and they do spread, so light pruning may be necessary. Trimming old wood helps promote the growth of the vines. After about 2 years, heavy pruning should be tolerable. They do attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies and can tolerate drought seasons.

Rhododendron Macrophyllum - Pacific Rhododendron - Evergreen Shrub

This evergreen bush grow to about 20 ft and produces beautiful pink foliage and sometimes white. The leaves are about 6 inches long, mostly flat, and grows upright. They can be grown in dry or moist areas, and shaded or partly shaded areas as well. This shrub is very broad and the foliage attracts birds and butterflies. Since these shrubs are largely located in the forest areas, they take little to no maintenance to grow nice. Light pruning can consist of trimming away dead or old wood and removing excess cross woods around the middle of the shrub.

Spirea Betulifolia Var. Lucida - White Spirea; Shiny - Leaved Spirea - Deciduous Shrub

This shrub grows only to about 2 ft tall and upright. It can be grown in a dry or moist area and a sunny or partly sunny area. It produces dome-shaped, white flower clusters that attracts butterflies. This shrub is good for bordering other shrubs and do spread. They take little maintenance and bloom during the spring and summer months.

Lysichiton Americanum - Swamp Lantern; Skunk Cabbage

This plant grows in wet areas and like the shaded areas. This yellow bloomed plant grows to about 3 ft upright. It is best used for perennial groundcovering. This is not the type of plant you want to bend over and smell, since it smells a little skunky. Even thought this plant is not so great smelling, it is great for attracting insects like the gnat and fly so that they pollinate more. To keep this plant looking it's best, they must be kept in very moist areas.

Clarkia amoena - Farewell To Spring

This annual plant grows as annual groundcover and only gets to about 3 ft upright. Each year these beautiful cup-shaped, pink and lavender flowers can grow in dry to moist areas and can be planted in the sunny or party shaded areas in your landscape. They attract butterflies for your enjoyment during the spring and summer time. They do not take much care to keep them growing beautiful foliage each year.

Sources:

green.kingcounty.gov, http://green.kingcounty.gov/gonative/Article.aspx?Act=view&ArticleID=7

ehow.com , http://www.ehow.com/how_5074533_prune-honeysuckle-vines.html

green.kingcounty.gov, http://green.kingcounty.gov/gonative/Plant.aspx?Act=view&PlantID=54

ehow.com, http://www.ehow.com/how_15253_prune-evergreen-shrubs.html

green.kingcounty.gov, http://green.kingcounty.gov/gonative/Plant.aspx?Act=view&PlantID=156

gardenguides.com, http://www.gardenguides.com/81045-care-spirea-plants.html

Dave Ingram's Natural History Blog, http://daveingram.ca/2010/03/

green.kingcounty.gov, http://green.kingcounty.gov/gonative/Plant.aspx?Act=view&PlantID=87

green.kingcounty.gov, http://green.kingcounty.gov/gonative/Plant.aspx?Act=view&PlantID=140

themulch.com, http://www.themulch.com/index.php?option=com_mulch&func=details&id=234