Bring Northwest Beauty to your Garden.

Bring Northwest Beauty to Your Garden

By Eileen Stark

Long ago, magnificent forests covered much of the Pacific Northwest, along with other plant communities, including prairies, coastal plains and peat bogs. For most of us, it's too late to save what once was and it's virtually impossible to restore the original forest or bog in a garden. So how important is it to grow native species, especially when you have a passion for non-natives?

It's never too late to choose to incorporate natives into most garden settings, and it should be a serious consideration if your site is near an undeveloped or natural area. While some people strive toward an all-native garden, many gardeners choose to grow a blend--a fine compromise unless the exotic plants are invasive. It's generally easy to grow native species, as long as plants are placed in appropriate conditions for them.

The reasons to include native species in gardens are varied, but they all make sense. Some people choose to grow natives to help restore damaged and fragmented ecosystems, where the spread of non-native plants and animals poses the greatest threat to native plant survival, second only to human overpopulation and resultant habitat loss. Landscaping with exotic species, many of which originated in Asia and Europe, are often prone to pests, disease and require summer watering because they didn't evolve here. They rarely benefit environmental health and dwindling native wildlife, which developed a mutually supportive relationship with native flora and depend heavily on it for food and shelter. Native plants provide not only for the obvious birds and larger animals, but also to countless insects, invertebrates, fungi and microbes. Healthy gardens are full of pollinators, spiders and other creatures that help an ecosystem function. Unsurprisingly, wildlife is drawn to native gardens, particularly those that use true species forms rather than cultivated hybrids of natives which may not retain full natural appeal. These animals help control pests that make som people resort to toxic chemicals.

Other gardeners may be allured by the low maintenance quality of native plants, invaluable for people with busy lives away from home. Because native species evolved here, they are generally well adapted to our wet winters and dry summers and, once established in a garden (usually following two to three years of summer irrigation), may be able to handle some neglect. Native species such as vine maple (Acer circinatum), sword fern (Polystichum munitum) and Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa) have the advantage of being able to fend for themselves with little or no attention, water and fertilizer. They are also relatively resistent to insect and disease problems. Conversely, the high demands of exotic plants -- the need for frequent pruning, the potential to become invasive and dependence on supplemental watering and fertilizer -- drains our time, ecosystems and wallets.

Last, but far from least, many gardeners choose natives for the same reason as any other garden choice: Beauty. Whether it's fall color, fragrance, winter interest or some understated loveliness, the year-round range of native plant attributes is remarkable. Floral displays of the charming red-flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) and the delicate inside-out flower (Vancouveria hexandra) have an almost ethereal quality not found in hybridized, "look-at-me!" specimen plants. Beyond floral display are the more subtle elements of bark, foliage and berry. Sunlight striking the brilliant red stems of red-twig dogwood (Cornus osier) or the vibrant hips of a nootka rose (Rosa nutkana) provide a visual treat on short winter days. Interesting foliage, like that possessed by the Western hazelnut (Corylus cornuta var. Californica), too can be captivating and lasts much, much longer than blossoms.

One of the easiest trees (that offers fantastic wildlife value) to grow and find at plant nurseries is the handsome Western red cedar (Thuja plicata), which appreciates some shade and a little summer water. While its eventual size might seem intimidating, it adapts well to the garden, offering drooping branches with lacy, scale-like evergreen leaves; red cedars may also be made into an attractive hedge. The smaller evergreen coast silk-tassle bush (Garrya elliptica), is perfect for drier, sunny or partly shaded sites. It produces stunning, pendulous, creamy catkins during winter, most pronounced on male plants. Nature abhors a void, so planting ground cover will help keep out pesky weeds and protect the soil. For sun to part-shade, consider the shiny evergreen leaves of beach strawberry (Frageria chiloensis) and for shadier spots, the fern-like foliage of Pacific bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa) or the lush, heart-shaped leaves of wild ginger (Asarum canadense).

All plants, native or exotic, will not thrive without the right conditions. Figure out exactly what your light, soil and water conditions are, then match plants to them, paying close attention to plants' mature heights and widths. For the best success, use plants similar to those that occur naturally nearby, adapted to the climate and soils in your area. With some soil improvement and a little ingenuity, research and luck, you will reduce water dependence and the need for fertilizer and pest control while creating a renewed place for yourself and others.