Native Plant Descriptions
Woodbrook Nursery is one of the best retail sources for Pacific Northwest Native Plants in the greater Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia area. Why grow native plants? They are adapted to our wet winters and dry summers, unlike most non-native plants. They also provide food and shelter for indigenous wildlife. So when adding to your landscape, or doing a new landscape, do consider the advantages of these environmentally friendly plants.
Click on the name of the plant and you can see additional information and more pictures of each plant.
In the plant list, non-natives have an asterisk after the scientific name, such as:
Scientific name*
Deciduous Trees
Acer macrophyllum
Bigleaf Maple
A vigorous growing native maple tree that grows rapidly to 75-100 ft. high and 50 ft. wide.
Alnus rubra
Red Alder
Alders, thriving in areas and soils in which other plants barely survive, are very important in land reclamation.
Betula papyrifera
Canoe Birch, Paper Birch
As this specimen native tree matures, the bark develops creamy-white areas and peals off in papery layers.
Cornus nuttalli
Pacific Dogwood
Our native dogwood tree flowers in April or May before its leaves are out.
Crataegus douglassii
Western (Douglas) Hawthorn
A small native tree growing to 20 ft.
Fraxinus latifolia
Oregon Ash
This native tree does well in wet, low-lying areas.
Larix occidentalis
Western Larch
A large, deciduous conifer that turns a golden yellow in the fall.
Malus (Pyrus) fusca
Pacific Crabapple
Small native tree up to 15-30 ft. high, spreading 10-20 ft..
Metasequoia glyptostroboides*
Dawn Redwood
A prehistoric deciduous conifer, once thought to be extinct, was rediscovered in China.
Populus tremuloides
Quaking Aspen
An ornamental or reclamation native plant known for its quivering leaves and distinctive greenish white bark.
Populus trichocarpa
Black Cottonwood
This native tree grows rapidly. Tolerates moisture.
Prunus americana
Native American Plum
Deciduous native plum tree.
Prunus emarginata
Bitter Cherry
Small native tree or large shrub growing to 45 ft. tall and 15-25 ft. wide.
Prunus virginiana
Chokecherry
Small native tree or large shrub growing to 25-35 ft. high and 12-20 ft. wide.
Quercus garryana
Oregon White Oak
A slow growing native tree that develops an intricate branching pattern when older.
Rhamnus purshiana
Cascara
A small native tree growing up to 30 ft..
Salix hookeriana
Hooker's Willow
Large willow growing to about 18 ft..
Salix lasiandra
Red or Pacific Willow
A small tree or multi-stemmed shrub.
Salix scouleriana
Scouler's Willow
Rapidly growing large shrub or small tree growing to 30 ft.
Salix sitchensis
Sitka Willow
Small tree or shrub growing to 24 ft.
Sorbus scopulorum
Western Mountain Ash
A shrub or small native tree growing up to 12 ft.
Coniferous Trees
Abies amabilis
Pacific Silver Fir
A dense, conifer with a cylindrical, or conical shape, commonly found at high elevations.
Abies balsameas*
Balsam Fir
A good specimen or used as a Christmas tree.
Abies bournmuelleriana*
Turkish Fir
A good specimen or used as a Christmas tree.
Abies concolor
White Fir
A slow-growing, broadly pyramidal tree, growing to 75 or 100 feet..
Abies lasiocarpa
Subalpine Fir
This popular landscape plant grows slowly and is used extensively for specimen plantings.
Abies procera
Noble Fir
Usually found at higher elevations, the Noble Fir is a fine specimen tree and one of the most highly prized Christmas trees.
Calocedrus decurrens
Incense Cedar
Native to Oregon and California, this tree also does quite well in the Puget Sound area.
Cham.nootkXCupress leylandii*
Leyland Cypress
A rapidly growing hybrid between C. nootkatensis and Cupressus macrocarpa.
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
Port Orford Cedar, Lawson Cypress
A widely used ornamental conifer.
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis
Alaska Yellow Cedar
Graceful conifer with drooping branches, native from Alaska to California.
Juniperus scopulorum
Rocky Mountain Juniper
A shrubby, evergreen tree found in dry, rocky habitats in the San Juan Islands.
Larix occidentalis
Western Larch
A large, deciduous conifer that turns a golden yellow in the fall.
Metasequoia glyptostroboides*
Dawn Redwood
A prehistoric deciduous conifer, once thought to be extinct, was rediscovered in China.
Picea pungens Glauca*
Colorado Blue Spruce
Attractive bluish needles make this tree a popular specimen or Christmas tree.
Picea sitchensis
Sitka Spruce
This tree is commonly found in the rain forests of the Olympic Peninsula.
Pinus contorta contorta
Shore Pine
Common from sea level to timberline, this medium sized pine tree is useful both in sandy areas subjected to salt spray or in ornamental gardens.
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Douglas Fir
A very common NW conifer, the Douglas Fir graces many a neighborhood already.
Sequoia giganteum
Giant Sequoia
Native to the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, it can grow to be one of the tallest trees in the world.
Sequoia sempervirens
Coast Redwood
Coastal redwood tree.
Taxus brevifoli
Pacific Yew
Evergreen understory shrub to small tree 6-45' tall.
Thuja plicata
Western Red Cedar
Highly valued for its rot resistant wood, this tree is also a valuable, attractive ornamental.
Tsuga heterophylla
Western Hemlock
A graceful tree distinguished by its drooping leader.
Tsuga mertensiana
Mountain Hemlock
Slow growing conifer common to the Cascades and Olympics.
Broadleaf Evergreen Trees
Arbutus menziesii
Pacific Madrone
This elegant, broad-leaved evergreen tree, has a distinctive smooth reddish brown trunk with exfoliating bark on upper branches.
Deciduous Shrubs
Acer circinatum
Vine Maple
This distinctive plant is as highly valued as an urban ornamental as it is in native plantings.
Acer glabrum
Douglas Maple
A deciduous shrub that can reach about 30 feet.
Amelanchier alnifolia
Serviceberry
Valued by English gardeners, this attractive plant merits wider use in ornamental gardens, as well as in naturalized settings.
Cornus sericea Flaviramea
Yellow Twig Dogwood
Like the red twig Dogwood, but with yellow stems.
Cornus stolonifera or Cornus sericea
Redtwig Dogwood, Red Osier, Creek Dogwood
With red stems in winter, this plant is highly valued ornamentally, but also does quite well in the naturalized landscape.
Corylus cornuta californica
Western Hazelnut
A tall, spreading deciduous shrub with edible hazelnuts favored by squirrels.
Crataegus douglassii
Western (Douglas) Hawthorn
A small native tree growing to 20 ft.
Holodiscus discolor
Ocean Spray
In spring, this member of the Rose Family provides quite a floral show along many NW roads.
Lonicera involucrata
Black Twinberry
This is the largest of the shrubby honeysuckles, reaching 10 feet tall.
Malus (Pyrus) fusca
Pacific Crabapple
Small native tree up to 15-30 ft. high, spreading 10-20 ft..
Oemleria cerasiformis or Osmaronia cerasiformis
Indian Plum or Oso Berry
By early March this shrub starts leafing out and blooms with pendant white flower clusters.
Philadelphus lewisii
Mock-Orange
Our native mock-orange has been a prized ornamental in Europe since 1825.
Physocarpus capitatus
Pacific Ninebark
This tallish shrub with an interesting bark favors low elevations in open woods, along creeks or in moist areas.
Prunus virginiana
Chokecherry
Small native tree or large shrub growing to 25-35 ft. high and 12-20 ft. wide.
Rhododendron occidentale
Western Azalea
Used extensively in azalea crosses, this is one of our best native summer bloomers.
Ribes aureum
Golden (Yellow) Currant
Attractive deciduous shrub with edible berries that attract birds.
Ribes lacustra
Swamp Currant, Black Gooseberry
Shrub that likes a moist to dryer soil in part sun to part shade.
Ribes sanguineum
Red Flowering Currant
Attractive flowering shrub used a lot ornamentally.
Rosa gymnocarpa
Baldhip Rose
This wild rose has brilliant red hips that are food for birds and small mammals.
Rosa nutkana
Nootka Rose
This native rose does well in both dryish and moist habitats on both sides of the Cascades.
Rosa pisocarpa
Clustered Wild rose, Peafruit Rose, Swamp Rose
A native rose with deep pink flowers followed by hips which provide food for wildlife.
Rosa Rugosa*
Rugosa Rose
Deep pink to white flowers are followed by red hips.
Rubus parviflorus
Thimbleberry
Shrub grows to 4 ft.. and has edible red fruit which is good wildlife food.
Rubus spectabilis
Salmonberry
Reddish purple flowers bloom before foliage appears in early spring and can attract hummingbirds.
Salix hookeriana
Hooker's Willow
Large willow growing to about 18 ft..
Salix lasiandra
Red or Pacific Willow
A small tree or multi-stemmed shrub.
Salix scouleriana
Scouler's Willow
Rapidly growing large shrub or small tree growing to 30 ft.
Salix sitchensis
Sitka Willow
Small tree or shrub growing to 24 ft.
Sambucus caerulea
Blue Elderberry
Deciduous shrub with blue edible berries, good for jams, jelly, pies, wine or the birds.
Sambucus racemosa
Red Elderberry
This deciduous shrub is very common west of the Cascades with showy white flowers followed by red clusters of berries popular with wildlife.
Sorbus scopulorum
Western Mountain Ash
A shrub or small native tree growing up to 12 ft.
Sorbus sitchensis
Sitka Mountain Ash
A shrub or small tree growing up to 12 ft.
Spirea densiflora
Subalpine Spirea
This shrub grows to about 70 cm, has attractive flat topped clusters of pink flowers.
Spirea douglasii
Douglas Spirea
This attractive, many-stemmed shrub does best in moist, open sunny areas.
Symphoricarpos albus
Common Snowberry
A low twiggy shrub usually reaching about 2-3 ft..
Symphoricarpos mollis
Creeping Snowberry
Similar to the Common Snowberry but smaller and can spread by above ground stems rooting at the nodes.
Syringa pubescens patula*
Miss Kim Lilac
Dense lilac bush growing to ~4-6 ft. tall in 5 years.
Vaccinium membranaceum
Mountain, Black Huckleberry
Understory shrub growing to about 4.5 ft. which gets purplish to red-black edible & tasty berries.
Vaccinium ovalifolium
Oval-leafed Blueberry
Deciduous shrub to 6 ft. tall with Blue-black berries which ripen in July.
Vaccinium parvifolium
Red Huckleberry
This deciduous shrub can vary from 3-12 ft..
Viburnum opulus
High Bush Cranberry
This shrub can grow to 10 ft.
Coniferous or Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs
Arctostaphylos columbiana
Hairy Manzanita
A hard to find coastal broad leafed evergreen plant.
Ceanothus velutinus
Snowbrush
Plants have thick, shiny, evergreen leaves often sticky on top with 3 main veins.
Gaultheria shallon
Salal
Plants have thick, evergreen leaves, that are valued in floral arrangements.
Juniperus scopulorum
Rocky Mountain Juniper
A shrubby, evergreen tree found in dry, rocky habitats in the San Juan Islands.
Mahonia (Berberis) aquifolium
Tall Oregon Grape
Highly valued as an evergreen ornamental as well as in naturalized settings.
Mahonia (Berberis) nervosa
Low (Cascade) Oregon Grape
An evergreen shrub, with compound leaves, about 2 feet in height.
Mahonia (Berberis) repens
Creeping (Mahonia) Or. Grape
This evergreen plant is the smallest of our native Oregon grapes.
Mahonia aquifolium Compacta
Compact Oregon Grape
Like the Tall Oregon Grape, but not growing as tall.
Myrica californica
Pacific Wax Myrtle
This plant makes an excellent, attractive screen, growing up to 15 feet high and about as wide.
Potentilla fruiticosa
Shrubby Cinquefoil
Semi-evergreen shrub with yellow flowers.
Prunus laurocerasus Schipkaensis*
Schipka Laurel
Evergreen shrub with dark green leaves.
Quercus sadleriana
Sadler Oak
This tree/shrub is evergreen with thick leaves.
Rhododendron macrophyllum
Pacific Rhododendron
The state flower of Washington has large leaves and large trusses of flowers.
Vaccinium ovatum
Evergreen Huckleberry
This superb evergreen does as well in cultivation as it does in more naturalized settings.
Groundcovers
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Kinnikinnick, Bearberry
A low growing native evergreen ground cover highly valued both as an ornamental and in naturalized settings.
Asarum caudatum
Wild Ginger
Low growing to about 6 in., it has glossy evergreen leaves and purple flowers.
Caltha leptosepala
Marshmarigold
Low Growing showy Plant with white flowers.
Ceanothus gloriosus*
Pt. Reyes Ceanothus
Low growing evergreen groundcover with blue flowers.
Cornus canadensis
Bunchberry, Creeping Dogwood
This deciduous groundcover, a member of the Dogwood Family, has the distinctive white bracts around its flower.
Fragaria chiloensis
Coastal Strawberry
Low, evergreen groundcover that spreads by runners.
Fragaria vesca
Woods Strawberry or Woodland Strawberry
Similar to Wild Strawberry but the leaves are a brighter green.
Fragaria virginiana
Wild Strawberry
This strawberry's leaves are bluish-green and not shiny.
Gaultheria procumbens*
Wintergreen
An eastern native, nice evergreen groundcover for shade with spicy berries.
Gaultheria shallon
Salal
Plants have thick, evergreen leaves, that are valued in floral arrangements.
Linnaea borealis
Twinflower
A charming little woodland groundcover.
Mahonia (Berberis) nervosa
Low (Cascade) Oregon Grape
An evergreen shrub, with compound leaves, about 2 feet in height.
Mahonia (Berberis) repens
Creeping (Mahonia) Or. Grape
This evergreen plant is the smallest of our native Oregon grapes.
Maianthemum dilatatum
False lily-of-the-valley
This understory plant prefers moist areas.
Oxalis oregana
Oregon Oxalis
A low growing perennial ground cover with clover-like leaves.
Vaccinium caespitosum
Dwarf Blueberry, Dwarf Bilberry
Low-spreading matted deciduous plant to ~12 in. tall.
Vancouveria hexandra
Inside-out Flower
Attractive delicate looking foliage and delicate white flowers.
Vinca minor*
Dwarf Periwinkle
An evergreen groundcover which does best in shade with some summer irrigation.
Viola palustris
Marsh or Blue-runner Violet
Perennial plant with lilac to white flowers.
Ferns
Adiantum pedatum
Maidenhair Fern
Delicate fern favored by gardeners.
Athyrium filix-femina
Lady-Fern
This deciduous fern does well in moist woods, along streambanks and in wet meadows.
Blechum spicant
Deer Fern
A delicate looking fern often used in floral arrangements.
Dryopteris expansa
Wood Fern
Deciduous fern which can spread by rhizomatic roots.
Gymnocarpium dryopteris
Oak Fern
A deciduous fern with delicate triangular blades, usually solitary but often in masses.
Polystichum munitum
Western Sword Fern
An evergreen fern which is very abundant in our northwest forests.
Perennials
Achillea millefolium
Yarrow
A perennial aromatic herb growing to ~4-38 in. tall.
Achlys triphylla
Vanilla Leaf
A perennial herb spreading by underground roots.
Allium cernuum
Nodding Onion
A wild onion preferring moist sunny locations such as wet meadows.
Anaphalis margaritacea
Pearly Everlasting
Leaves are green on top and woolly-white underneath.
Aquilegia formosa
Western Columbine
This red columbine is found in mountain meadows, along streamsides, and in open rocky places throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Armeria maritime
Sea Thrift
A perennial herb commonly found along coastal beaches and sometimes in meadows.
Aruncus dioicus (sylvester)
Goatsbeard
Perennial growing with White flowers hang down in clusters that resemble a beard of a goat or spaghetti.
Asarum caudatum
Wild Ginger
Low growing to about 6 in., it has glossy evergreen leaves and purple flowers.
Aster modestus
Great Northern Aster
Violet daisy-like flowers with yellow centers. 1 to 3 feet tall.
Aster subspicatus
Douglas Aster
Perennial growing 8-36 in. tall with blue to purple flowers.
Balsamorhiza deltoidea
Deltoid Balsamroot
This perennial has a sunflower-like inflorescence (about 3-5 in. wide).
Brodiaea congesta
Northern Brodiaea
Perennial herb growing from a corm with pinkish to bluish-purples flowers.
Calochortus tolmiei
Tolmie's Mariposa Lily
Perennial herb from a bulb.
Caltha leptosepala
Marshmarigold
Perennial with short fleshy stems favoring moist areas and has showy white flowers.
Caltha leptosepala
Marshmarigold
Low Growing showy Plant with white flowers.
Camassia leichtlinii
Great Camas, Leichtlin's Camas
Perennial herb with grass like leaves to 18 in. high and pale to deep blue flowers.
Campanula rotundifolia
Harebell or Bluebells-of-Scotland
Perennial herb with blue, bell-shaped flowers.
Carex lyngbyei
Lyngby's Sedge
A native grass that does well in tidal marshes and flats.
Carex obnupta
Slough sedge
A native grass that does well in moister areas. Picture taken by Warren Krupsaw.
Castillejas
Indian Paintbrush
Colorful bright red to scarlet bracts surround inconspicuous flowers.
Cornus canadensis
Bunchberry, Creeping Dogwood
This deciduous groundcover, a member of the Dogwood Family, has the distinctive white bracts around its flower.
Delphinium nuttalli
Nuttall's Larkspur
Growing 1-2 ft. Deep blue to purple flowers on stalks.
Deschampsia caespitosa
Tufted Hairgrass
Densely tufted perennial with many stems reaching 8-40 in. tall.
Dicentra formosa
Pacific Bleeding Heart
This native perennial can be found from British Columbia to California, usually west of the Cascades.
Dodecatheon jeffreyi
Jeffrey's Shooting Star
One of the most beautiful native wildflowers.
Elymus mollis
American Dunegrass
A robust perennial grass, 2-4 feet tall, with thick spreading rhizomes.
Erigeron speciocus
Showy Fleabane
An attractive perennial, 8-24 in. tall, with lavender-blue daisy-like flowers.
Eriophyllum lanatum
Wooly Sunflower, Oregon Sunshine
An perennial subshrub, 4-40 in. tall with yellow, daisy-like flowers.
Festuca idahoensis
Idaho Fescue
Densely tufted perennial with narrow bluish-green leaves.
Fragaria chiloensis
Coastal Strawberry
Low, evergreen groundcover that spreads by runners.
Fragaria vesca
Woods Strawberry or Woodland Strawberry
Similar to Wild Strawberry but the leaves are a brighter green.
Fragaria virginiana
Wild Strawberry
This strawberry's leaves are bluish-green and not shiny.
Geum machrophylum
Large Leaf Avens
Heracleum lanatum
Cow Parsnip
A very large perennial, 3-9 feet tall with large white umbrella-like flower clusters, similar to wild carrot or Queen Anne's Lace.
Heuchera micrantha
Small-flowered Alumroot
Similar to Fringecup and Piggyback plant, this perennial from the saxifrage family has bright green leaves and grows in clumps.
Ipomopsis aggregata
Scarlet Gilia
A biennial or short-lived perennial.
Iris douglasiana
Douglas Iris
Showy clumped perennial with flowers from cream to reddish purple.
Iris setosa
Alaska Iris, Wild Flag
A blue iris with dark veins.
Iris tenax
Oregon Iris
Showy clumped perennial with blue to purple spring flowers.
Juncus ensifolius
Dagger-leafed Rush
Wetland grass with spiked leaves.
Lewisia cotyledon
Siskyou Bitterroot
A rock garden favorite native to the Siskyous of Oregon and California.
Lewisia rediviva
Bitterroot
A rock garden favorite native to eastern Washington.
Lilium columbianum
Tiger Lily
Grown from a bulb, this has small flowers that are orange and spotted red.
Lonicera ciliosa
Trumpet Honeysuckle
A climbing vine with clusters of trumpet-shaped orange flowers.
Lonicera hispidula
Hairy Honeysuckle
Like the trumpet honeysuckle but flowers are pinkish.
Lupinus albicaulis
Sickle-keeled Lupine, Pine Lupine
Perennial growing 4-15 in. Leaves with silky hairs.
Lupinus littoralis
Seashore Lupine
A trailing, hairy perennial growing to 24 in. often in mats.
Lupinus polyphyllus
Big Leaf Lupine
Perennial growing 2-5 ft. with blue flowers.
Lupinus rivularis
Streambank Lupine
Perennial growing 18-24 in. with violet or blue flowers.
Lysichiton americanum
Skunk Cabbage
Perennial with large leaves that bear like to eat.
Maianthemum dilatatum
False lily-of-the-valley
This understory plant prefers moist areas.
Mimulus guttatus
Yellow Monkey-Flower
A perennial growing 4-28 in. tall with bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers.
Oxalis oregana
Oregon Oxalis
A low growing perennial ground cover with clover-like leaves.
Petasites palmatus
Petasites palmatus, Palmate Coltsfoot
A Rhizomic perennial with large clusters of creamy white to pinkish flowers.
Potentilla gracillis
Graceful Cinquefoil
Perennial herb with runners. Yellow flowers.
Scirpus microcarpus
Small-fruited Bullrush
A grasslike wetland perennial useful for nesting of waterfowl.
Sedum oreganum
Oregon Stonecrop
Attractive succulent herb that spreads from rhizomes.
Sisyrinchium californicum
Yellow Eyed Grass
Like the Idaho Blue-eyed grass, but with yellow flowers.
Sisyrinchium idahoense
Idaho Blue-eyed Grass
Dainty blue to purple flowers in May/June on stems ~16" tall.
Smilacina racemosa
False Solomons seal
Creamy white flower clusters followed by fleshy fruit.
Tolmiea menziesii
Youth-on-age, Piggy-back plant
Perennial that can spread from rhizomes.
Trillium ovatum
Western Trillium
When this distinctive flower blooms, northwesterners know that spring is here!
Typha latifolia
Common Cattail
Perennial reaching 3-9 ft. tall.
Vancouveria hexandra
Inside-out Flower
Attractive delicate looking foliage and delicate white flowers.
Viola palustris
Marsh or Blue-runner Violet
Perennial plant with lilac to white flowers.
Xerophyllum tenax
Beargrass
A clumped grass up to 3-5 ft. tall that has flowers on spikes.
Vines
Lonicera ciliosa
Trumpet Honeysuckle
A climbing vine with clusters of trumpet-shaped orange flowers.
Lonicera hispidula
Hairy Honeysuckle
Like the trumpet honeysuckle but flowers are pinkish.
Annuals
Claytonia sibirica
Siberian Miners Lettus
Succulent annual with white or pinkish flowers.
