Using native plants in your landscape encourages wildlife and uses fewer resources.
pPlease exercise caution when using plant lists, particularly native plant lists. Older plant lists may include plants that seemed like a good idea at the time the list was published, but over time were found to be invasive or have other objectionable characteristics. Often native plant lists include plants that may not be a good choice for a residential landscape (or even a commercial landscape for that matter) even though they are native.
Some of our native plants need very specific habitats to thrive. And certain native plants are too robust for very small urban and suburban lots.
Please observe the Right Plant / Right Place method of choosing plants. First select plants you like. Then do some research to be sure the plants you like will perform well on your lot and not become a danger or a pest to you or others. Then edit your initial list accordingly.
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Plant Lists
The NBB program plant list includes native plants and zone-appropriate plants that are generally wildlife . Some native plants that can become a problem in smaller residential situations have been removed. This list also separates trees according to appropriateness for smaller or larger landscape situations.
NBB Habitat-friendly Plants for Residential Landscapes
— NBB program.
Other Plant Lists — Goodnight Design.
The Successful Landscaping knowledge base has a wealth of information, including plant lists. You’ll see the NBB plant list there as well as many general and specific lists.
Advantages of Native Plants in the Landscape
— Watershed Stewards, Clark County, WA and WSU Clark County Extension.Native plants list in addition to lots of other good information and links.
Attract Beneficial Insects: Plant List — Goodnight Design.
Plant list and additional resources links.
Butterfly Larva Host Plants — PNW
— TheButterflySite.comThis list is edited from a larger list to list only butterflies of the Pacific Northwest.
Clark County Native Plants
— Washington Native Plant Society.
Erosion Control
— Goodnight Design.Use this list cross-referenced with the NBB Habitat-friendly Plants for Residential Landscapes
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Gardening with Native Plants Poster
Handy pictorial guide for choosing native plants.
Pollinator Plants for Maritime Northwest
— Xerces Society.
Rain Garden Plants — See Rain Gardens under Water Use & Management.
Street Trees — City of Vancouver, WA.
Approved trees for parking strips.
The Plant List
— Saving Water Partnership.This is a good overall list.
Water-efficient Plants for the Willamette Valley
— Oregon.gov.
Wildlife On White Oaks Woodlands
— World Forestry Center, Portland, OR.Great article with list of the many creatures who depend upon Garry Oak ecosystems for their survival.
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Safe & Friendly Plants for Dogs
Lots of folks have dogs, but many fewer folks know which plants are toxic to dogs and how to design a landscape to keep their dog happy and safe.
Designing for Dogs
- Dog Friendly Gardens — Sunset Magazine.
- Gardens & Dogs — Goodnight Design.
Safe Plants — ASPCA.
Select dog, cat, or horse.
Toxic Plants — ASPCA.
Select dog, cat, or horse.
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Right Plant / Right Place
This is a guiding principle for all gardening everywhere. Plants have certain requirements to thrive. In observing the Right Plant / Right Place principle, we commit to planting a plant in a location that provides:
- Correct sun exposure
- Moisture
- Soil type and fertility
- Space both in height and width
Furthermore, we commit to choosing plants that suit our desire care for them. Annual pruning is a good example. If you don’t want to prune every year, then you need to be sure a plant’s size at maturity is only as large as the space available.
Right Plant / Right Place — Saving Water Partnership.
Index page with general guidelines.
Right Plant / Right Place: Choosing Plants
— Saving Water Partnership.More specific information.
Related resources: Landscape Design & Maintenance | Lawn | Water Use & Management
Related articles: Tolerant Mindset | Alternatives to Chemicals | Appropriate Plants | Inviting Habitat
