Trees & Shrubs
The under- and overstory layers of your project.
Remember that successful restoration projects have layers. Your selections for the under- and overstory levels are critical to your project's vitality. The deep and expansive roots of trees and shrubs feed and stabilize soils. Their limbs and foliage create wildlife habitat. Their shade protects flora, fauna, and us.
Species Descriptions: Trees & Shrubs
Categories
We've broken under- and overstory selections into two simplified categories: Trees and Shrubs. Within this organization, trees are plants typically with a single central stem or trunk. Shrubs are typically multi-stemmed. All of these plants take on different forms depending on the site conditions and maintenance. Thinking long term, not all trees are part of the overstory and not all shrubs create an understory. Be mindful of the mature height described in the form section during the selection process.
Additional Considerations
Trees and shrubs are crucial components in most restoration projects. These are long-lived beings, often exceeding our own life expectancies. It is important to be selective about what we plant where, considering the long-term prosperity of the landscape. The responsibility to be legacy-minded is heavy in these choices we make within the ecosystems we share. Explore some of these superstars that call the Pacific Northwest home.
These species lists are not comprehensive of the incredible native diversity of our Pacific Northwest region. Instead, they detail the plants that we have found to have great value in restoration for their hardy characteristics and ecosystem services. For more complete databases, we recommend visiting our friends at the University of Washington Burke Herbarium or Washington Native Plant Society.
Trees
Grand fir
Abies grandis
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Soil moisture: Moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Moderate
Form: Coniferous evergreen to 260 feet; deep, extensive root system
Grand fir is adapted to a wide range of habitats and is drought tolerant. It has deep, wide-spread roots and is a good choice for binding soil at the top or base of a slope. Provides seeds, cover, and nesting sites for wildlife. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Bigleaf maple
Acer macrophyllum
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Soil moisture: Wet to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous large tree to 110 feet; deep, wide spreading roots
Big leaf maple is an excellent pioneer species that tolerates poor soil conditions and grows as much as a few feet a year. Its deep roots are good for stabilizing steep slopes, especially on stream ravines and marine shorelines. It re-sprouts vigorously from cut stumps. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Red alder
Alnus rubra
Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Soil moisture: Wet to moist
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: Medium
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous tree to 90 feet; branching, fibrous, moderately deep root system with taproot
One of the best species for high-speed revegetation! Alder will grow several feet a year, even in poor soil. Alder roots are associated with nitrogen-fixing bacteria that improve the soil. If there are mature red alder near the site, we suggest not planting alder because seedlings will usually move in on their own. Although the USDA Plants Database rates red alder with no salinity tolerance, we know from experience that this can be a coastal tree within our region. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Pacific madrone
Arbutus menziesii
Exposure: Sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Dry and well-drained
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Medium
Transplanting success: Very low
Growth rate: Slow
Form: Broadleaf evergreen tree to 75 feet; deep taproot
This Pacific Northwest favorite grows on dry sites, usually near salt water. Although the USDA Plants Database rates madrone with no salinity tolerance, we know from experience that this can be a coastal tree within our region. This said, do not expose madrone to saltwater inundation. Seeds germinate easily, but it is very difficult to transplant successfully; saplings are susceptible to sunburn and various diseases. We recommend small material and several plants for every one you want to succeed. Success may be higher if you place the plant in the same orientation that it grew in the nursery (we mark the south side of each container). Madrones can die from overwatering, so don’t plant it in an area that will receive frequent irrigation. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Black hawthorn
Crataegus douglasii
Exposure: Sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Wet to very moist
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: High if adequate moisture
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid
Form: Deciduous shrub or small tree to 30 feet; branching, moderately deep root system
Black hawthorn grows well when planted into wet meadows and water edges, such as streambanks. It provides good forage and cover for wildlife. It is so much favored by deer, that it may not be a good choice if deer will be frequenting the site. When strategically placed, it can also be a deterrent against unwanted trespassers. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Cascara
Frangula purshiana
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Soil moisture: Wet to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Medium
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous tree to 30 feet; fibrous, moderately deep root system with taproot
Cascara transplants well, thrives in a range of conditions, and grows fairly quickly, making it useful for revegetation in a variety of situations. It is a small tree with relatively open growth and may be a good choice for slope plantings where view preservation is important. Cascara is common in western Washington, often mistaken for red alder as they look similar when full-grown and thrive in similar habitats. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Oregon ash
Fraxinus latifolia
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Wet to very moist; will tolerate standing water early in growing season
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Medium
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Rapid given adequate moisture
Form: Deciduous tree to 80 feet; branching, moderately deep root system
We select this hardy, fast growing tree for plantings on flood plains and wet meadows. It is also found on the banks of lakes and streams on highly organic substrate. It prefers saturated soil, making it one of our wettest trees. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Pacific crabapple
Malus fusca
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Soil moisture: Wet to moist
Salinity tolerance: Low
Fire tolerance: Low
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid
Form: Deciduous tree or shrub up to 35 feet
Western crabapple provides excellent cover and food for wildlife. It has dense, thicket-like growth that deters predators and produces abundant crabapples. Twigs are also favored by browsing animals, so much so that you may need to use a deer-repellant or other protection to avoid losing young plants. Transplants tolerate a relatively wide range of soil and light conditions. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Sitka spruce
Picea sitchensis
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Moderately wet to moist
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: None
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid
Form: Coniferous evergreen tree shrub to 200 feet; shallow, branching, shallow roots
Sitka spruce is most abundant on the wet, sandy soils of the coast and associated rainforests. Although the USDA Plants Database rates Sitka spruce with no salinity tolerance, we know from experience that this can be a seaside or estuarine tree within our region. In Puget Sound it is found only along the major rivers. It prefers moist or wet well-drained soils and transplants fine. Along with shore pine, Sitka spruce can be a good choice over western hemlock and western red cedar for transplanting into sunny sites. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Shore pine
Pinus contorta var. contorta
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Wet to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: None
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Coniferous evergreen tree to 60 feet; tap root
Shore pine is common in coastal bogs and Puget Sound wetlands. Although the USDA Plants Database rates shore pine with no salinity tolerance, we know from experience that this can be a seaside or estuarine tree within our region. It accepts an extraordinary range of moisture: from wet or even saturated to dry, rocky soil. It also will tolerate bare mineral soil under full sun, which means it can survive open, unimproved sites. Give it fluffy loam and mulch, and it will thrive all the more. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Black cottonwood
Populus trichocarpa (P. balsamifera)
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Saturated to moist
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: None
Transplanting success: High (both container-grown & live stakes)
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous tree to 160 feet; roots are fibrous and branching, shallow or deep, and extensive
Cottonwood grows along lakeshores and streams and anywhere else the soil is wet enough. It is tolerant of nutrient-poor soil, but does not do well with drought until established. Keep it wet, and it will grow a dozen feet a year. Live stakes of this species have a very high success rate. Cottonwood may out-compete other native plantings. It is the tallest deciduous tree species in North America. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: Medium
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Moderate
Form: Deciduous shrub or small tree to 20 feet; spreads from suckers
Chokecherry is found in clearings and edges on well-drained soils of western Washington. It is more common east of the Cascades. Provides food for wildlife; nearly all parts of the plant are favored by some creature or another. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Douglas fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii
Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Soil moisture: Moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: Low
Fire tolerance: Low
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid
Form: Evergreen tree to 200 or 300 feet; tap or modified taproot, shallow or deep, widespread root system
Doug-fir prefers open sites and grows well in mineral soil. It is also drought tolerant and fast growing, which means it can accept harsh conditions that might make other plants wither. Also an excellent species for anchoring steep slopes; planted at the top or toe of a rise, its root system provides far-reaching stability. While we’ve seen this species transplant very well from one and two gallon pots, we’ve heard that larger specimens can suffer from severe transplant shock. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Garry oak
Quercus garryana
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Moist to dry, well-drained
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Low
Transplanting success: Medium to high
Growth rate: Slow to moderate
Form: Deciduous tree to 80 feet; deep taproot
Garry oak is typical of well-drained, rocky prairie soil in the Puget Trough and, once established, withstands drought very well. Also found on flood plains where it can tolerate winter flooding along with summer drought. Transplanting success is highest in partial shade or with part-shade screens. Oaks grow slowly on top and quickly below; we grow our oaks in tall pots, since even a two-inch seedling will have a taproot eighteen inches long. Acorns are coveted food for wildlife. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Scouler's willow
Salix scouleriana
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Moderately dry to moist
Salinity tolerance: Low
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: High (both container-grown & live stakes)
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid
Form: Deciduous tree or shrub to 40 feet; fibrous, moderately deep and widespread roots
Scouler's willow is drought tolerant and prefers drier sites than the other western Washington willows. This makes it a good choice for planting on moderately dry slopes or at the top of stream banks. Also the most shade tolerant of our willows and may work for shady wetland plantings. Planted from live stakes, this species root more slowly and may not leaf out until late spring, but the success rate is still generally high. Click here for photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Western red cedar
Thuja plicata
Exposure: Partial shade to deep shade
Soil moisture: Wet to moist, tolerates seasonal flooding
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Low
Transplanting success: Medium
Growth rate: Moderate
Form: Coniferous evergreen tree to 200 feet with buttressed base; shallow, widely spreading root system
Western red cedar does not do well planted in open sites; the foliage sunburns easily and transplants often do not survive. With mulch and ample moisture, success in the sun will be higher, but this species is better suited to shady, nutrient rich sites. If the site is somewhat dry, provide mulch and shade. If the site is wet, plant the cedar where it will not be saturated during the growing season. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Western hemlock
Tsuga heterophylla
Exposure: Partial shade to deep shade
Soil moisture: Wet to moist
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Low
Transplanting success: Medium
Growth rate: Moderate
Form: Coniferous evergreen tree to 200 feet; shallow, slow-growing roots becoming wide-spread
Like western red cedar, western hemlock transplants best into shaded sites; seedlings are often dried up by sun. This species is not tolerant of drought after transplanting, but will accept a fairly wide range of soil moisture if mulch and/or shade are available. At the nursery, we have seen best root growth with very low levels of fertilization. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Shrubs
Vine maple
Acer circinatum
Exposure: Partial shade to deep shade, full sun if ample soil moisture
Soil moisture: Moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Medium
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Moderate
Form: Deciduous small tree or large shrub to 20 ft; moderately deep root system
Vine maple is relatively slow to establish, especially in the full sun, but it usually is a survivor. Provide mulch and/or irrigation for best results. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Soil moisture: Moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: Low
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: Medium
Growth rate: Moderate, may be slow to establish
Form: Deciduous large shrub or small tree to 20 feet; tap root, may spread by suckers
Berries and foliage are favored by wildlife; it is common along woodland margins and is drought tolerant. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Red osier dogwood
Cornus sericea (C. stolonifera)
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Saturated to moist
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Low
Transplanting success: High for container-grown, low or medium for live stakes
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous large shrub or small tree, 5-20 feet depending on site conditions; fibrous, shallow root system, spreads by layering and suckers
Typically found in fairly wet sites, such as ditches, streambanks or lake shores. It can tolerate dry conditions in summer as long as it receives adequate water in the early growing season. Fast growing, vigorous, and spreading; however, deer love to chomp on it (though this rarely kills it). Red osier dogwood can be grown from live stakes and other cuttings with variable success; we’ve heard that installing them in shade or part shade gives the best results. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Beaked hazelnut
Corylus cornuta var. californica
Exposure: Sun to deep shade
Soil moisture: Moist and well-drained to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: Medium-high
Growth rate: Moderate
Form: Deciduous shrub 4-12 feet; branching, roots, suckers occasionally
This species grows on moist but well-drained soils, typically in shade to part sun. Can be transplanted into full sun if irrigation is provided during first few years. Nuts are coveted by wildlife. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Salal
Gaultheria shallon
Exposure: Partial shade to deep shade
Soil moisture: Moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: Medium to high if shaded, low if not
Growth rate: Slow until established
Form: Evergreen shrub 2-5 feet, sometimes more; very shallow and fibrous root system, spreads vigorously by underground stems once well established
We've all seen salal growing in the full sun, but transplanting salal into full sun on bare mineral soil is a recipe for failure. It is not a pioneer species and suffers from severe transplant shock. If it survives, it generally takes at least a few years before its typical, rampant growth begins. For somewhat better results, plant into shade or partial shade and add woody mulch. It can survive full sun if irrigated and mulched, but growth is usually meager. Click here for photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Oceanspray
Holodiscus discolor
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Soil moisture: Moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Medium
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous large shrub to 12 feet; branching, fibrous, moderately deep root system, sometimes spreads by root suckers
Oceanspray tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions and generally does well on all but very wet or very hot and dry sites. It is widespread across the Puget Sound lowlands in habitats ranging from ocean bluffs to forest understory. Oceanspray can be a good choice for erosion control plantings. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Black twinberry
Lonicera involucrata
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Saturated to moist
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Medium
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous shrub to 10 feet; branching, fibrous, shallow roots
This hardy species will grow like gangbusters in the right situation; with plentiful moisture it will put on several feet a year; it is less vigorous in drier spots, but tends to be a survivor. Berries are favored by birds. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Tall Oregon grape
Mahonia aquifolium
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Unknown
Transplanting success: Medium to high
Growth rate: Moderate
Form: Evergreen shrub to 8 feet; moderately deep taproot, spreads by underground stems
Tall Oregon grape is typically found on rocky soil in the open sun or partial shade. It can suffer from transplant shock, but is very drought tolerant and may survive on sites that will not be irrigated. Birds love the berries. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Low Oregon grape
Mahonia nervosa
Exposure: Shade
Soil moisture: Moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: Medium
Growth rate: Slow
Form: Evergreen shrub to 2 feet; taproot, spreads by underground stems
The common names "long-leafed", "low", and "dull" all apply to this one species of Oregon grape! Its needs are very different from tall Oregon grape. It requires shade to survive transplanting, and on drier or nutrient-poor soils, organic mulch such as wood chips is advised. We have found this species difficult to establish except as an understory planting—it is best suited for enhancement projects. Click here for photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Pacific wax myrtle
Morella californica (Myrica californica)
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
Salinity tolerance: High
Fire tolerance: Low
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid
Form: Broadleaf evergreen shrub to 15 feet
Pacific wax myrtle is typically found on the coast in sandy soils. It can do well inland with similar soil conditions. Given enough water, it is the fastest growing evergreen shrub in our inventory (when we operated a native plant nursery, closed in 2022). Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Osoberry
Oemleria cerasiformis
Exposure: Partial shade to shade
Soil moisture: Moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: Low
Fire tolerance: Unknown
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid
Form: Deciduous small shrub-tree to 15 feet; branching, fibrous, shallow root system
This species does fine in poor soil conditions with shade. Planted in the sun, it may scrape by-provide mulch and irrigation or expect high mortality. The "plums" are sought after by birds. It grows well on slopes and is a good candidate for erosion control plantings where shade is available. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Mock orange
Philadelphus lewisii
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Moderately moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Low
Transplanting success: Medium to high
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous shrub to 10 feet; moderately deep, branching roots
Mock orange favors dry, rocky soils and is common only in the southern part of western Washington. However, its tolerance for dry conditions (and probably it’s heavenly fragrance) have meant that it is commonly used for revegetation projects throughout western Washington. It may grow slowly if the soil is extremely dry or poor in nutrients, but in most cases this species grows by leaps and bounds. Mock orange is a nectar plant for butterflies. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Pacific ninebark
Physocarpus capitatus
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Soil moisture: Wet to moist
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: None
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous shrub to 12 feet; fibrous, shallow root system, spreads by suckers
Pacific ninebark is abundant along wet roadsides in our area. It favors moist to very wet soils, but also can sometimes be found on drier sites. It does fine with "flashy" hydrology (alternatingly wet and dry) which makes it useful for planting stormwater ponds and other fluctuating water edges. The twigs and greenery provide browse for wildlife. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Pacific rhododendron
Rhododendron macrophyllum
Exposure: Partial shade to shade
Soil moisture: Moderately moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Medium
Transplanting success: Low to medium
Growth rate: Slow
Form: Evergreen shrub to 20 feet; fibrous, massive, and shallow roots
Like other native species in the heath family (Ericaceae), Pacific rhododendron is tricky to establish successfully. With an organic mulch and part shade, transplanting success may be high, but even so, it is slow growing. Not a plant for quick results. It is the state flower of Washington state! Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Coast black gooseberry
Ribes divaricatum
Exposure: Partial shade to shade
Soil moisture: Wet to moist
Salinity tolerance: Unknown
Fire tolerance: Unknown
Transplanting success: Medium
Growth rate: Moderate
Form: Thorny, deciduous shrub to 8 feet; branching root system
Gooseberries are important for wildlife as hedgerows or individual plantings. The berries provide food and the dense, prickly growth is excellent cover. This species is also called wild gooseberry and wax currant (usually "currants" are thornless). Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Red-flowering currant
Ribes sanguineum
Exposure: Sun to part shade
Soil moisture: Dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Medium
Transplanting success: Medium
Growth rate: Moderate
Form: Deciduous shrub to 10 feet; branching root system
The trick with red-flowering currant is not over watering, as it is susceptible to root rot. Make sure it is planted in well-drained soil and do not irrigate unless the soil is very dry. This species is scattered in many dry habitats throughout western Washington; it is widely planted for its sun and drought tolerance and its ornamental qualities. The flowers are magnets for hummingbirds, and the fruit food for many other birds and mammals. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Baldhip rose
Rosa gymnocarpa
Exposure: Partial shade to shade
Soil moisture: Moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Medium
Transplanting success: Medium
Growth rate: Moderate
Form: Deciduous shrub to 6 feet; spreads by suckers
This is the driest and shadiest of our three native roses; it is typically found in dry to moist native forests. Bald-hip rose can be transplanted into the open successfully if adequate moisture and mulch are provided, but full sun is definitely not its preferred condition. Rose hips are eaten by wildlife. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Nootka rose
Rosa nutkana
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Wet to moist, dry okay if shaded
Salinity tolerance: Low
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous shrub to 10 feet; branched, fibrous, shallow roots, spreads vigorously by suckers
Nootka rose is a workhorse of a plant. It is successful in a range of sun and moisture conditions and spreads easily. We have monitored harsh restoration sites where Nootka rose was not only surviving but spreading. It is also one of the few species that can compete with Himalaya blackberry. Nootka rose likes it wetter than bald-hip rose but not as wet as swamp rose. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Swamp rose
Rosa pisocarpa
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Saturated to moist
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Unknown
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous shrub to 8 feet; branched root system, spreads vigorously by suckers
In wet soils, swamp rose grows quickly and spreads to create thickets, even holding its own against the aggressive Douglas spirea. It transplants well and is one of the most dependable plants for wetland revegetation. It prefers the wettest conditions of our three native roses. It will do okay in merely moist soils as long as they don't dry up entirely during the summer. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Thimbleberry
Rubus parviflorus
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Soil moisture: Moist
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous shrub 3-8 feet; spreads vigorously by suckers
This common species grows very well planted into moist soils--it quickly becomes established, spreading to form thickets. It also can do well in relatively dry soil if initial irrigation, shade, or mulch is provided. Wet soils are fine, if well drained. Thimbleberry is often a good choice for erosion control plantings, since it is drought tolerant and spreads by underground stems. We have found this species to be a good survivor! Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Salmonberry
Rubus spectabilis
Exposure: Partial shade to shade
Soil moisture: Wet to moist
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: Medium to high
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid
Form: Deciduous shrub to 12 feet; fibrous shallow roots, spreads by suckers
Salmonberry is a frequent choice for mitigation sites, but some practitioners have reported high mortality. This may be due to droughty conditions that salmonberry seedlings cannot tolerate. In our experience, given adequate moisture or shade during establishment, this species grows vigorously and spreads to form thickets. May be planted in full sun if soil remains moist through the summer. Although the USDA Plants Database rates salmonberry with no salinity tolerance, we know from experience that this can be a shoreline shrub within our region. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Hooker's willow
Salix hookeriana
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Saturated to moist
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: High (both container-grown & live stakes)
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous tree or shrub to 20 feet; fibrous, moderately deep root system
Hooker's willow is generally found within a few miles of salt water. Although the USDA Plants Database rates Hooker's willow with no salinity tolerance, we know from experience that this can be a shoreline shrub within our region. If ordering live stakes, be sure to request material harvested from coastal sites. All native willows are excellent for stabilizing slopes and bluffs, as long as there is plenty of moisture. This species is also be known as Piper's willow (Salix piperi). Click here for photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Pacific willow
Salix lasiandra
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Saturated to moist
Salinity tolerance: Low
Fire tolerance: Medium
Transplanting success: High (both container-grown & live stakes)
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Multi-stemmed deciduous tree to 60 feet; fibrous, moderately deep and widespread root system
Pacific willow is the tallest of the native willows. Given ample moisture, it grows abundantly and can quickly become established to anchor soil at the base of a slope. Pacific willow grows very well from cuttings, although the wood is somewhat brittle and live stakes may split if pounded vigorously. Click here for photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Sitka willow
Salix sitchensis
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil moisture: Saturated to moist
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: High (both container-grown & live stakes)
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous shrub to 25 feet; fibrous, moderately deep and widespread roots
Sitka is the most common native willow in south Sound wetlands. This species is a shrubby willow, but can still attain heights of twenty-five feet or more. To maintain a view, you can cut them down by half their height without significant harm to the plants. Sitka willow is our favorite choice for live stakes, because it has a very high success rate and the wood stays sound when pounded with a mallet. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Blue elderberry
Sambucus cerulea
Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Soil moisture: Moderately moist to dry, must be well-drained
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Medium
Transplanting success: Medium
Growth rate: Moderate
Form: Deciduous shrub to 20 feet, thick taproot
This species is generally found in open sites with rocky or gravelly soil, primarily in the Puget Sound prairies and further south; it is much more common east of the Cascades. Blue elderberry must be planted into well-drained soil or will likely suffer high mortality. Berries are important food for wildlife and come later in the season than berries of most other native plants. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Red elderberry
Sambucus racemosa
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Soil moisture: Moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: Medium
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous shrub to 20 feet; fibrous, branching, shallow root system
Red elderberry does best in moist, well-drained soil. Occasionally it does not survive transplanting, but once it lives through transplant shock it grows vigorously even in its first growing season. Stems that are damaged or die back have an amazing ability to regenerate from the roots. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus
Exposure: Full sun to shade
Soil moisture: Very moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: Medium
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: High
Growth rate: Rapid
Form: Deciduous shrub to 2-6 feet; fibrous, shallow root system, spreads vigorously by suckers
Snowberry is an incredible survivor, flourishing in situations that would slay a lesser plant. It transplants well, tolerates sun or shade, withstands drought and/or occasional flooding, and spreads quickly even in poor soil or on steep hillsides. Another plus for snowberry is that it is one of the few native shrubs that stays small--it averages about four feet tall--and thus is a good choice for areas where view corridors are important. Hooray snowberry! Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Evergreen huckleberry
Vaccinium ovatum
Exposure: Partial shade to shade
Soil moisture: Moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: Medium
Transplanting success: Medium
Growth rate: Slow until established
Form: Evergreen shrub to 12 feet; fibrous, shallow root system
Like other natives in the heath family, Evergreen huckleberry can be difficult to establish, although it may be the easiest of the lot! Success is higher with shaded plantings, but with rich soil or an organic mulch and sufficient moisture, sun plantings can work. Evergreen huckleberry seems to grow most gloriously on well-drained marine bluffs and shorelines. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
Red huckleberry
Vaccinium parvifolium
Exposure: Shade to deep shade
Soil moisture: Moist to dry
Salinity tolerance: None
Fire tolerance: High
Transplanting success: Low to medium
Growth rate: Slow until established
Form: Deciduous shrub to 12 feet; deep and spreading, woody roots
Typically, red huckleberry favors rotting wood as a substrate, a difficult preference to satisfy at a restoration site. Certainly, if there is rotten wood available, plant directly into it or break it up and mix it into the soil. Otherwise, provide an organic mulch such as wood chips. This species is shade dependent, do not plant it in the full sun, as it will shrivel and die. Click here for more photographs of this species on the University of Washington Herbarium website.
