Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Friday - September 14, 2012
From: Albany, DE
Region: Northwest
Topic: Plant Lists, Ferns, Grasses or Grass-like, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Plants for streambank area in Oregon
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am ready to replant a streambank area with native plants..what do you recommend for the Willamette Valley in Oregon? Thanks much!ANSWER:
Plant Oregon, a nursery in Talent, Oregon that specializes in native plants, has an article, Wetland and Riparian Zones, that list plants—mostly natives—that are species common to that setting. Here are some native plants from that list that are found in the Willamette Valley:
TREES
Acer circinatum (Oregon vine maple). Here are photos and more information from Washington Native Plant Society.
Alnus rubra (Red alder). Here are photos and more information from the Native Plant Guide, King County, Washington.
Fraxinus latifolia (Oregon ash). Here are photos and more information from Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery in Gig Harbor, Washington.
Thuja plicata (Western arborvitae). Here are photos and more information from the Native Plant Guide, King County, Washington.
SHRUBS
Holodiscus discolor (Cream bush). Here are photos and more information from Portland Nursery.
Lonicera involucrata (Twinberry honeysuckle). Here are photos and more information from Pacific Northwest Wildflowers.
Sambucus racemosa (Red elderberry). Here are photos and more information from Seven Oaks Native Nursery.
Spiraea douglasii (Hardhack spiraea). Here are photos and more information from Oregon State University.
Gaultheria shallon (Salal). Here are photos and more information from the Washington Native Plant Society.
HERBACEOUS PLANTS
Dicentra formosa (Pacific bleeding heart). Here are photos and more information from Native Plant Guide, King County, Washington.
Juncus effusus (Common rush). Here are photos and more information from Missouri Botanical Garden.
Carex obnupta (Slough sedge). Here are photos and more information from Seven Oaks Native Nursery.
Pteridium aquilinum (Western bracken fern). Here are photos and more information from Southwest Colorado Wildflowers.
Maianthemum dilatatum (False lily of the valley). Here are photos and more information from Seven Oaks Native Nursery.
You can choose other plants on that list and you can also search for possibilities on our Oregon Recommended page. Use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option in the sidebar to limit the list to plants that grow in "Moist..." or "Wet..." soil. For both this Oregon Recommended list and the one from Plant Oregon, you should check to see if the plant is found in the Willamette Valley. You can do this by going to the species page in our Native Plant Database—enter the botanical name to find the plant in question and then scroll to the bottom of the species page to find the "ADDITIONAL RESOURCES" area. Click on the USDA Plants link there and when you reach the USDA Plants Database page, click on Oregon on the Distribution Map. That will give you a map showing the counties where the plant occurs.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Low-maintenance native plants for Arizona
March 12, 2009 - Will you please suggest some Native plants that can be left without care for the summer and survive - other than cactus?
view the full question and answer
Seed for Kosteletzkya virginica, salt marsh mallow
January 13, 2009 - I have a nursery in North Carolina. We are looking for a reliable seed source for kosteletzkya virginica salt marsh mallow. We are www.campbellfamilynursery.com
view the full question and answer
Lupines annual or perennial in Zone 4b from Austin
November 08, 2012 - Are lupines treated as perennials or annuals in Zone 4b (Northeast) if they are planted in the ground? Will other native species of lupines grow in a region they are not native to? Any recommendations...
view the full question and answer
Patience pays off with chile pequin in Austin
September 24, 2011 - Hello. Re my June 08, 2011 message -- Guess what! The chile pequin is finally flowering and setting fruit in its container on my apartment patio. You said patience, you were right, and hooray once aga...
view the full question and answer
Erosion controlling plants for a shady Minnesota lakeside
August 11, 2015 - I live about 50 yards from a lake and there is a steep embankment. Recently someone decided to cut the trees off the embankment and now the dirt is eroding off the embankment as well as off my back ya...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |