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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - December 15, 2011
From: Bellevue, WA
Region: Canada
Topic: Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs, Trees
Title: Canadian Marine West Coast Plants
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson
QUESTION:
What type of plants are found in the Canadian marine west coast climate?ANSWER:
Cold & Wet ones! More seriously: That is pretty much an entire ecosystem you know, so there are many plants.
In general, they are pretty much the plants that are native to where you are! I was originally going to recommend that you go to the Recommended Species page, and select British Columbia, but then I found that the Plants Database has a single species listed – Abronia latifolia (Coastal sand verbena).
My next level of research is to find species that are native to Washington, and then check the USDA database as to whether they are coastal and extend into British Columbia. A quick link to the USDA record is embedded into the Plants Database record in the line: USDA Symbol: ABGR
With that as my method – I’ll leave it to you to check out all the 218 Native Plants in Washington – but here is a nice selection:
Trees: Abies grandis (Giant fir), Betula occidentalis (Mountain birch), Cupressus nootkatensis (Alaska cedar)
Herbs: Asarum caudatum (British columbia wild ginger) Cornus canadensis (Bunchberry dogwood)
Shrub: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnick) [Love the name!], Amelanchier alnifolia (Saskatoon serviceberry)
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Smarty Plants on Fan Scarlet-Cardinal
September 02, 2005 - I have a lobelia x speciosa (Fan Scarlet-Cardinal) plant and was wondering if I should dead head it after blossoming so that the plant continues to flower. Can you help?
Thanks!
view the full question and answer
Non-native lambs ears wilting in heat from Fredericksburg TX
October 19, 2011 - 3 days ago I had professional landscaping done in an area with plants that tolerate heat & sun well. We planted 7 healthy, large lambs ear & mulched. Everything planted is doing well except the lambs ...
view the full question and answer
Insects attacking Gregg's Blue Mistflower from Comfort TX
June 20, 2013 - I have a beautiful stand of Gregg's Blue Mist flower that have been attacked by an unknown insect. The new growth is curled and stunted and it is not flowering. I'm not alone..I've seen the Gregg'...
view the full question and answer
Destruction of Straggler Daisy in Austin
December 18, 2011 - I hate Straggler Daisy. Not to be offensive, but it appears from other posts on this site that you, Mr. Smarty Plants, and many others would like to treat it as a protected species. It is taking over ...
view the full question and answer
Care for indoor ivy from Carollton TX
January 26, 2012 - I have an indoor ivy that is on a pole. The pole is breaking, and I need to separate the ivy from the pole with the least amount of trauma to the plant. How should I do this? Thanks!
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |