Mahonia aquifolium (Tall Oregon Grape)

Native evergreen shrub grows to about 6 feet tall and spreads by creeping rhizomes. Does well in sun or shade and can also be drought tolerant. Holly-like evergreen foliage turns purple-bronze in winter. Showy yellow flowers bloom April to early May. Edible berries, loved by birds, follow in late summer and change from green to blue/black.

FLOWERS    BERRIES

Mahonia nervosa (Longleaf Oregon Grape)

Attractive evergreen shrub/groundcover that grows to 2 to 3 feet tall. Prefers part shade. Showy yellow flowers bloom April to June, and are followed by edible, but sour, blue berries in the fall. The flowers have nectar for hummingbirds and fruits are eaten by robins, finches and towee.

FLOWERS    BERRIES

Mahonia repens (Low Oregon Grape)

Sprawling evergreen shrub grows 1 to 3 feet high. Good groundcover that provides wildlife cover. Grows best in part shade. Small fragrant yellow flowers bloom April to July and are followed by showy purple fruit. Fruit is eaten by birds and other wildlife. The leathery, holly-like leaves are a muted green, some turning mauve, rose, and rust-colored in winter.

FLOWERS    BERRIES

Mimulus cardinalis (Scarlet Monkey Flower)

Creeping wetland perennial grows to 3 feet tall by 2 feet wide. Prefers part shade and moist soil. Tubular scarlet red flowers with yellow markings on the throat bloom July to October and attract hummingbirds.

FLOWERS

Mimulus guttatus (Common Monkey Flower)

Vigorous spreading perennial prefers part shade, but can grow in full sun if soil is kept consistently moist. Grows 1 foot tall by 2 to 4 feet wide. Yellow blooms July to September. Prefers moist soil and is usually found growing alongside streambeds. Great for a pond or bog garden. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies for anxiety and fear.

FLOWERS

Mimulus lewisii (Pink Monkey Flower)

Flower and foliage are similar to Scarlet Monkey Flower except it has pink to purple flowers. Blooms from July to September and grows 1 to 3 feet tall. Spreads by rhizomes. Prefers moist soil and part sun.

FLOWERS

Monarda fistulosa (Bee Balm or Wild Bergamot)

A pleasantly scented member of the mint family that can grow up to 4 feet tall. Rose-purple to lavender flowers bloom over a 4 week period from late May to August and are a great nectar source for hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Prefers full sun to part shade. Occurs naturally in prairies, open and dry rocky woods, roadsides, and borders of glades. The leaves can be made into a fragrant tea. Has many medicinal uses.

FLOWERS

Oemleria cerasiformis (Indian Plum)

Deciduous native shrub is the first sign of spring. Attractive orchid-like white flowers bloom late Winter to early Spring. Followed by clusters of yellow/orange to purple fruit that are much sought after by the birds. Only the female plants fruit. Grows to 15 feet tall. Can grow in full sun to shade.

FLOWERS    FRUIT

Oxalis suksdorfii (Western Yellow Oxalis)

Native to the west coast from southern Washington to northern California this perennial trailing plant grows in meadows and moist woods, but can grow on dry open slopes and gets 4 to 12 inches tall. The bright yellow flowers begin blooming in April and continue through August. The 3 heart-shaped leaflets resemble a three-leafed clover.

FLOWERS

Penstemon whippleanus (Whipple's Penstemon)

Found in meadows or on wooded slopes in moist areas. Has evergreen, lance-like leaves and rich deep burgundy-dark purple flowers with pinstriped, cream colored throats that bloom late summer on 2 foot spikes. Can tolerate moister and richer soils than other penstemons that are commonly used in xeriscape gardens. Prefers part shade.

FLOWERS

Philadelphus lewisii (Mock Orange)

Fast growing deciduous shrub that grows 8 to 12 feet tall by 8 to 10 feet wide. Found in open forest with moist fertile soils to brushy areas on dry, rocky soils. Fragrant white 2 inch flowers bloom May to July. Grows best in sun to part shade. Good shrub for bank stabilization.

FLOWERS

Physocarpus capitatus (Pacific Ninebark)

Fast growing deciduous shrub grows 6 to 12 feet tall. Dense clusters of tiny white flowers bloom early summer. Bark peels or shreds to reveal "nine" layers. Common in moist sites and along streams. Prefers full sun to partial shade.

FLOWERS

Potentilla gracilis (Slender Cinquefoil)

Perennial growing 1 to 2 feet tall by about 1 foot wide. Cheerful bright yellow flowers bloom late spring to fall. Leaves are compound with 5 to 7 coarsely toothed leaflets that arise from a common point like an open hand. Grows best in full sun to part shade. Found in meadows and open forests. It is a possible host plant for the Purplish Copper and Two-banded Checkered Skipper Butterfly.

FLOWERS

Prunus emarginata (Bittercherry)

Native deciduous single-trunked tree or multi-stemmed shrub grows 20 to 50 feet tall. Prefers full sun to part shade. Attractive clusters of small white flowers bloom in spring and are followed by small red fruits in late summer. Also has an attractive reddish bark. A great tree/shrub for wildlife; fruits for birds and mammals, nectar and leaves for butterflies and larvae.

FLOWERS    FRUIT    BARK

Prunus subcordata (Klamath Plum)

A deciduous shrub or small tree sometimes grows to 25 feet tall. Sprouts from its roots and can form dense, spiny thickets. Prefers full to part sun and does not do well in the shade. Clusters of pink or white flowers appear in the spring and are followed by small, plum-like fruit that may be red, yellow or purple. Tart but edible fruits mature in late summer and are used for making pies and preserves. Fruits and leaves are also used to make dye.

FLOWERS    FRUIT

Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry)

Deciduous shrub or small tree that grows 20 to 30 feet and prefers full sun. Clusters of small white fragrant flowers bloom May to early summer, and are followed by pea-sized fruit that turn nearly black when ripe. The fruit is edible, yet bitter, and is used to make jellies and jams. The pits are poisonous.

FLOWERS    FRUIT

Pyrus fusca (Western Crab Apple)

Native multi-branched shrub or small tree grows 20 to 35 feet tall. Prefers full sun, but can grow in part shade, and likes moist to wet soil; can even grow in heavy clay soil. Clusters of fragrant white to pink flowers appear April to May from spurs along the stem. Sometimes mistaken for thorns, they are not really that sharp, but do help to protect smaller birds. Clusters of tiny oblong yellow-reddish purple shaped fruit follow flowers and often persist into the winter, providing late-season food for many birds. The fruit is edible but sour, and can be made into jam or jelly.

FLOWERS