Marion SWCD Native Plant List Flowering Plants Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) Description: This is a trailing, rhizomatous ground cover with showy white flowers turning into a bright orange/red berry that can be eaten by sparrows, thrushes, vireos, grouse and pheasants. Height: 4-6 in. Soil: Moist, well drained Bloom Time: May - September Coast Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) Description: It is a trailing perennial with white flowers, berries and evergreen leaves that turn red in the winter. It can be used as ground cover or in rocky crevises. It can be aggressive. Height: 4 in. Soil: Well drained, sandy Bloom Time: Mid-spring to early summer Common Camas (Camassia quamash) Description: Camas is a herbaceous perennial bulb with a blue violet flower that is a nectar source for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. It is native to meadows and oak savannas. Height: 1-2 ft. to partial shade Soil: Wet in the winter, dry in the summer Bloom Time: April - June False Solomon s Seal (Maianthemum stellatum) Description: This rhizomatous perennial has large smooth leaves on a single branchless stalk. Its small white star shaped flower clusters on the end of its stem. It produces green to red fruits. Height: 1-2 ft. Soil: Moist, organic Fringecup (Tellima grandiflora) Description: This perennial has flowering stalks 1-2 ft. high, bearing a long succession of cup-shaped flowers crowned by white, green or pink fringed petals. It grows in moist meadows and forests Height: 1-2 ft.. Soil: Moist Bloom Time: April - July
Goat s Beard (Aruncus dioicus) Description: A robust perennial with compound leaves. It produces a plume of fluffy white to cream flower clusters. lt is found in woodland edge habitats. Height: 3-6 ft. Soil: Moist Inside-Out Flower (Vancouveria hexandra) Description: This deciduous, rhizomatous perennial produces 10-30 dainty, white, nodding flowers on its leafless stems. It provides excellent groundcover. Height: 4-16 in. Sun: Partial shade Soil: Moist to dry high organics Meadow Checkermallow (Sidalcea campestris) Description: Checkermallow is a perennial herb with white to pale pink flowers on tall stalks with large palmate basal leaves. It is commonly found in dry grassy fields. Height: 3-6 in. Soil: Moist to dry Bloom Time: June - August Oregon Iris (Iris tenax) Description: This tufted perennial herb resembles many commercial iris varieties. It grows in clumps with purple to blue flowers and grass-like leaves that are slightly taller than the flower stem. Height: 4-20 in. Soil: Wet to dry Bloom Time: April - June Oregon (Woolly) Sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum) Description: This is a grayish plant with hairy leaves and stems. It has bright yellow daisy-like flowers on long stalks. It is tolerant of drought and rocky soil. Height: 6-24 in. Soil: Dry to well drained Bloom Time: June - September
Pacific Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa) Description: With drooping clusters of pink heart shaped flowers flushed with lavendar and fern-like leaves, this perennial rhizomatous plant makes a lovely understory plant. It may spread aggressively. Height: 16 in.. Soil: Moist to wet, high organics Bloom Time: March - July Redwood Sorrel (Oxalis oregana) Description: A rapidly spreading aggressive groundcover with white or pink flowers and three heart shaped leaflets. Competes well with weeds. Height: 6-8 in.. Soil: Moist Bloom Time: April - September Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) Description: This rhizomatous perennial is often mistaken for a lawn weed and is used as herbal remedy for throat ailments. It has tube shaped purple flowers on squarish, short stalks with hair bracts. Height: 12-20 in. Soil: Moist to dry Bloom Time: May - September Shooting Star (Dodecatheon hendersonii) Description: A colony-forming perennial with tube shaped purple flowers on short stalks and basal rosettes of broad leaves. It is virtually pest and disease free. Height: 4-8 in. Soil: Moist, well drained Bloom Time: February - May Rose Checkermallow (Sidalcea virgata) Description: Also know as wild hollyhock this perennial has rose pink flowers on stalks with trailing or reclining stems and large palmate basal leaves. It is often found in dry grassy fields. Height: 3-6 ft. Soil: Moist to dry
Flowering Plants, cont. Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) Description: An attractive and hardy species for the home landscape, this refined fern resembles palm fronds. It can be kept smaller by trimming back old foliage. Its easily transplanted and deer proof. Height: 3-5 ft. Bloom Time: March - April Tiger Lily (Lilium columbianum) Description: A slender stemmed perennial bulb which grows bright orange maroon speckled flowers with curving petals. It forms clumps with multiple flowers on each stem. It attracts hummingbirds. Height: 2-4 ft. Soil: Well drained, moist, organic Bloom Time: June - September Western Trillium (Trillium ovatum) Description: This perennial has one white flower on a short stalk which grows from the center of a whorl of three broad, ovate leaves. The flower fades to a rose color after a week. Height: 1-3 ft. Soil: Moist, wet Bloom Time: February - June Western Geranium (Geranium oreganum) Description: Also know as an Oregon geranium it is a rapidly growing herbaceous perennial arising from a woody base with a hairy unbranched stem and pinkish purple flowers. Height: 18-30 in. Sun: Full to particial sun Soil: Moist Bloom Time: May - August Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum) Description: A lush slow growing evergreen groundcover with large shiny heart-shaped dark green leaves under which grow maroon to white flowers. It has a delicious ginger aroma. Beware of slugs and snails. Height: 8-14 in. Soil: Moist with high organics Bloom Time: April - August
Flowering Plants, cont. Western Yarrow (Achillea millifolium) Description: Yarrow is a perennial with narrow fern-like leaves. Its small white flowers are arranged in large compact clusters. It is drought tolerant and can be used as a lawn substitute. It attracts butterflies. Height: 1-3 ft. Bloom Time: April - September The mission of the Marion Soil and Water Conservation District is to protect, conserve and improve the quality of soil and water in Marion County through planning, technical assistance and education in cooperation with property owners and operators, public and private conservation organizations, agricultural groups, public agencies and area citizens. Shrubs Black Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata) Description: This honeysuckle has deciduous leaves and pairs of yellow tubular flowers which turn into shiny black berries. It attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and wildlife and is a source of food and cover. Height: 10 ft. Soil: Moist to wet Bloom Time: March - August Blue Elderberry (Sambucus cerulea) Description: A native deciduous shrub, blue elderberry has small white flowers and tasty blue colored berries. It is drought tolerant and attracts birds insects and other wildlife. Height: 10-30. Bloom Time: March - September Douglas Spirea (Spiraea douglasii) Description: Also called hardhack, it is an erect, leggy shrub with pinkpurple flower. It is good for stream bank stabalization and attracts butterflies, insects, bees and wildlife providing forage, cover and food. Height: 3-6 ft. Bloom Time: June - September
Shrubs Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) Description: This huckleberry s provides food, forage and shelter for birds, butterflies and wildlife. It has leathery, glossy leaves with pink flowers. It s dark purple berries are edible and ripen in early autumn. Height: 10 ft. Soil: Moist, well drained Bloom Time: March - May Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) Description: Kinnikinnick is a low spreading shrub with small clusters of light pink urn-shaped flowers near its stem tips. It has small red berries. It stablizes stream banks as well as attracting butterflies and insects. Height: 6-8 in. Soil: Moist to dry, well drained Bloom Time: March - June Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor) Description: This multi-stemmed shrub with creamy white flowers is used for riparian restoration and wildlife habitat, It is drought-tolerant, attracts birds and butterflies. Height: 8-12 ft. Bloom Time: March - June Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis) Description: Also called Indian plum it blooms before spring. It has white flowers and small purple edible plums. It is highly sought by birds and hummingbirds. Height: 8-15 ft. Bloom Time: Janurary - February Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) Description: Red elderberry is a fast growing plant. It has white flowers and bright red berry-like clusters which are a favorite of birds but can t be eaten by humans. Height: 15 ft. Soil: Moist to wet
Shrubs Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) Description: Red flowering currant is a beautiful ornamental shrub; flowers vary from white, pink and deep red. It attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife providing them food and cover. Height: 3-8 ft. Soil: Moist to dry well drained Bloom Time: March - April Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) Description: This dogwood has attractive red stems with white flowers and berry clusters. It is fast growing, perfect along stream banks and provides bird and wildlife habitat Height: 3-18 ft. Soil: Full range of soils Salal (Gaultheria shallon) Description: With dark green leathery leaves, edible berries and white or pink flowers Salal is good for attacting butterflies, birds and wildlife because it provides forage, cover and food. Height: 2-10 ft. Soil: Moist, well drained soils Bloom Time: April - July Snowbrush (Ceanothus velutinus) Description: Snowbrush is a broadleaf evergreen shrub. It has stout stems and clusters of fragrant, creamy-white flowers which contrast well with the dark, balsam scented, sticky foliage. Height: 6-12 ft., rocky and well-drained Bloom Time: April - August Tall Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) Description: This shrub is Oregon s state flower;. It has holly-like leaves, yellow flowers and dark blue edible berries. It is drought-tolerant, attracts butterflies, bird and wildlife providing forage, cover and food. Height: 5-8 ft. Bloom Time: March - May
Shrubs Vine Maple (Acer circinatum) Description: A nice addition to the garden for its attractive fall colors and shade. It is a forest under-story plant and is drought-tolerant. It attracts butterflies, bird and wildlife providing forage, cover and food. Height: 20-25 ft. Soil: Moist, well drained Bloom Time: March - July Trees For more information about native plants in Marion County and Oregon Contact Marion SWCD s Invasive Species/Native Plant Specialist Jenny Meisel at (503) 391-9927 ext. 312 or send email to jenny.meisel@marionswcd.net Beaked Hazlenut (Corylus comuta) Description: The beaked hazelnut is dense, mound-shaped, and forms thickets. It has yellowish-brown catkins which are showy while its bloom are obscure. The nut husk is extended forming a slender beak. Height: 15 ft. Soil: Moist to wet Bloom Time: March - June Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Description: The Doug Fir is Oregon s state tree. It can live over 1000 years. It s thick bark helps it survive moderate fires. Young trees grow quickly. It attracts insects, bees, butterflies and birds. Height: 200+ ft. Soil: All but wet soil Bloom Time: April Oregon Ash (Fraxinus latifolia) Description: This deciduous tree has leaves which turn bright yellow in fall. It tolerates flooding and is good for wetlands and streambank stablization. It provides forage, cover and food for bird and wildlife. Height: 60+ ft. Soil: Moist to dry, well drained Bloom Time: April
Trees Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana) Description: The Willamette Valley s only native oak. It forms wide spreading branches. It is slow growing, long lived and an important wildlife species producing edible acorns. Height: 20+ ft. Soil: Moist to dry, well drained Bloom Time: March - May Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) Description: This attractively shaped conifer sports a drooping top. It s seeds are a food source for birds and small mammals. Hemlock seedlings prefer to develop under shade. Height: 50-150 ft. Soil: Fairly dry to wet sites Bloom Time: April Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) Description: Western red cedar is an excellent source of cover for wildlife as well as attracting birds, insects, bees and butterflies. It has fragrant wood and reddish-grey bark. Great for streambank stabilization. Height: 180 ft. Soil: Moist to poorly drained Bloom Time: April Western Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) Description: Also called Saskatoon the serviceberry has showy white flowers, dull red edible fruit that birds like to eat. It is an Important source of winter browse for deer and elk. Height: 3-15 ft. Soil: Moist to dry, well drained Bloom Time: April - June The Marion SWCD provides services to the public without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, mental or physical disability, marital status, age, or other protected status or activity in accordance with applicable law.