RAINYRAMBLES
Native plants for local gardens
and neat feather moss (Pseudoscleropodium
purum). Since many commercially sold
mosses are harvested unsustainably, I recom-
mend getting permission from private land-
owners to gather small sections from healthy
populations.
Rebecca Lexa is a naturalist, nature edu-
cator, tour guide and writer living on the
Long Beach Peninsula. Find more about her
work at rebeccalexa.com.
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Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
also makes a lovely ground cover, and is
even tolerant of salty ocean breezes. Plenty
of native fern species also grow quite well
on the North Coast, like deer fern (Blech-
num spicant), western sword fern (Polys-
tichum munitum) and lady fern (Athyrium
fi lix-femina).
Moss gardens are fairly easy to estab-
lish too, even from small fragments. Com-
mon local species include square goose neck
moss (Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus), com-
mon haircap moss (Polytrichum commune)
Rebecca Lexa
The common yarrow is a widely seen regional
native species.
Mu
Other n otable n atives
Rebecca Lexa
The Nootka Rose is a lovely addition to any
native plant garden.
th
Want a little extra pop of color? Native
wildfl owers provide a lovely variety of sea-
sonal beauty. One of my favorites is the
Pacifi c bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa),
with a more delicate pink color than culti-
vated species. Native violets like early blue
(Viola adunca), stream (Viola glabella) and
evergreen (Viola sempervirens) make lovely
additions, while Western lily of the valley
(Maianthemum dilatatum) sprouts lovely
green heart shaped leaves in the spring. The
lily’s white fl owers will in time become red
berries, persisting even after its greenery
fades in the fall. Beach strawberry (Fragaria
vesca) is one of two strawberry species
hybridized into the local landscape. The
berry makes an attractive evergreen ground
cover. To add a nice climbing vine, try plant-
ing western honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa).
To make local pollinators happy, consider
adding both yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
and pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margari-
tacea). These plants both feature tall stems
with clusters of white fl owers. While coastal
seashore lupine (Lupinus littoralis) isn’t
common in nurseries, other local lupines like
broadleaf (L. latifolius) and riverbank (L.
For native plant shrubs, consider planting
either of two local huckleberries, red (Vac-
cinium parvifolium) and evergreen (Vac-
cinium ovatum). Salal (Gaultheria shal-
lon), which forms a perennial ground cover
along local trails, also features edible berries,
while Western thimbleberry (Rubus parvifl o-
rus) grows with bright red berries. Blackcap
raspberry (Rubus leucodermis) grows fruit
resembling a blackberry, though the rest of
this plant gives it away as a raspberry. Pair
its berries with beaked hazelnut (Corylus
cornuta) for more edible garden off erings.
For a hedge, try Pacifi c wax myrtle
(Myrica californica), which can grow up to
30 feet tall and features dense evergreen foli-
age. The region’s most common rhododen-
dron, mock azalea (Rhododendron menzie-
sii) is not commonly found in the nursery
trade, but its cousin the Pacifi c rhododen-
dron (Rhododendron macrophylla) is more
easily found. Both can grow to form excel-
lent hedges.
Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor) is
another hardy native shrub with lovely white
fl owers, while twinberry honeysuckle (Lon-
icera involucrata) is a native bush with
bright yellow fl owers, beloved by humming-
birds. Red Osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)
shows off bright red branches, even in win-
ter when the leaves have been shed. Pacifi c
ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) is fast
growing, can compete well with invasive
plants, and is a good soil stabilizer for slopes
and embankments.
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Wildfl owers
Shrubs
usic
Ecologically valuable and supportive of
local wildlife, native plants are those that
have adapted already to local climate and
soil patterns. For gardeners, this means that
they’re easier to grow than many non-native
species, and make an excellent addition to
any garden.
That said, some are tougher to culti-
vate than others. There’s a great diff er-
ence between a well established native eco-
system and a cultivated residential garden.
With some time and a little experimenta-
tion, however, a lovely array of native plants
can grow right outside of your home. Some
smaller plants will even thrive on an apart-
ment balcony.
The following native plant species may
be found along the coastline, in nearby
mountain areas or both, and are available at
nurseries across the Pacifi c Northwest. Some
species may also be propagated by cuttings.
Be sure to check local laws and regulations
before collecting plant materials from pub-
lic lands, or get permission from private land
owners.
i v er s i t y
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BY REBECCA LEXA
rivularis) are often available. Another choice
for fans of purple fl owers is Oregon iris (Iris
tenax), or Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana),
which ranges in shade from off -white to rich
violet. Native Nootka (Rosa nutkana) and
baldhip (Rosa gymnocarpa) roses can cross
over into shrub territory in size, and feature
simple but lovely pink fl owers.
tin
Working with the landscape to
fi nd fl owers, shrubs, hedges
Spring Concert 2022
Friday, May 20th, 7pm
Saturday, May 22nd, 4pm
Director, Dr. Denise Reed
Tickets Online:
www.partnersforthepac.org
Gen $17, Children under 12 Free
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Charlene Larsen
Performing Arts Center
16th and Franklin in Astoria.
North Coast Chorale
THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022 // 7