by Justin Borge | May 7, 2020 | Plants & Products, Tips & Tricks
A customer at our Portland garden center in the Raleigh Hills neighborhood walked in the other day quite distraught. Earlier in the spring, she had purchased a rose fertilizer developed by the Portland Rose Society from us.
In the past, she had always bought the conventional form of it directly from the Society, but this time, she had bought the organic version, and she was not pleased.
Fuzzy Rose Mold?
Something that seemed like “rose mold” had developed on the soil surface wherever she had used this fertilizer. She even brought us a sample to see. She said her roses looked fine but requested a refund for what was left in the bag.

if you’ve ever bought plants from a nursery, you might have noticed this white stuff on the bottom. Don’t remove it!
We were all mystified. We had never seen this kind of thing before and refunded her money. But I was still curious, so I called the Rose Society to find out if they had seen or heard about this phenomenon from other rose growers. Indeed they had! In fact, the rosarian on the other end started laughing!
Marvelous Mycorrhizae
It turns out that the fuzzy stuff was simply mycorrhizae doing its thing, except in overdrive. Mycorhizzae is a naturally existing fungus that has existed in soils for over 450 million years. It forms a symbiotic relationship with plant root systems, and essentially extends the plant’s nutritional network, boosting its ability to absorb water, key nutrients, and trace minerals.
Usually, this network is hidden underneath the soil surface. In our customer’s case, it had continued expanding above ground – manifesting itself with this white fuzz. Long story short – prolific mychorrhizae is exceptionally good news for your garden.

image courtesy of wikipedia.org
The world’s mycorrhizae networks are easily disrupted by construction, or even just digging. It is often completely disabled by industrial farming practices or the addition of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
The Benefits of Mycorrhizae Mold On Soil
Mycorrhizae boosts the plant’s immune system, and strengthens its chances of prosperous survival.
Per our amused rosarian – the addition of mycorrhizae to the custom rose fertilizer was the main reason the organic variety cost more than the conventional.
If you ever observe a fuzzy substance like the one in the photo growing near the roots of your roses – you will be prepared to treat it like the gift it is! 🙂
-Drake
by Justin Borge | May 7, 2020 | Featured Flora and Fauna, Plants & Products
We often get asked: “What plants do well in a coastal situation?”
Having just returned from a week on the southern Oregon coast, I had the time and opportunity to see for myself, and am happy to share some good options.
Here in western Oregon we have what is usually referred to as a Mediterranean climate, meaning mild winters and warm, dry summers.
As any gardener here knows, the possibilities to grow interesting, unique, and fabulous plants here are nearly endless. On the coast, there are three additional important factors to keep in mind that might make beach plants and coastal gardening challenging.
To my mind, these factors render coastal conditions even more truly Mediterranean than our more forgiving inland version.
The three factors of the coastal challenge:
- High and frequent winds
- Often sandy, fast-draining soils
- Salt – both in the air and often in the groundwater
Because of the less extreme temperature fluctuations near large bodies of water, you can also often push your boundaries with beach plants a little more than you can farther inland, which is always fun! 🙂 As a result of this, you will, for example, see Phormiums at the coast of a size you hardly ever see in Portland.
And I’ll bet coastal gardeners have never even heard of a “Phormium winter” like we experience in Portland from time to time, when all our lovingly tended New Zealand flax dies.

1. Phormiums
This Phormium is in bloom, which is another feature we don’t often see in Portland. It is of an entirely different proportion than its inland brothers and sisters.

2. Escallonia
The windy coastal conditions creates a need for screening. Here, the evergreen density of Escallonia is put to work to create shelter from the breezy barrages so often experienced on seaside properties.

3. Climbing Roses, Agapanthus, Sedums, Zauschneria, Cistus
Climbing roses, Bergenia, Agapanthus, Sedums, Zauschneria, Cistus and ornamental grasses accompany the dark foliage of the ornamental cherries anchoring this coastal cottage garden.

4. Leucadendron
There is a decidedly Californian flair over this seaside, streetside garden – Leucadendron, Parahebe perfoliata, Phormium, ornamental grasses, Ilex, etc. The large Rhododendrons in the background give a nod to a more traditional Oregon plant palette.

5. Hebes
Hebes is a great alternative – here seen with a wind-whipped Pine. The general rule of thumb when it comes to Hebe varieties is that the smaller the leaf, the hardier they are.

6. Coastal Hebes
Since you can push the envelope in milder coastal climates, you can get away with using showier, larger-leaved varieties. Hebes are evergreen and bloom for a long time, with white, pink, or purple blossoms. They are quintessential west coach beach plants.

7. Erigeron and Agapanthus
Erigeron is a tough, pretty, mounding plant that blooms for a long time with small, daisy-like flowers. Here placed in front of a row of Agapanthus.

8. Succulents
Succulents are a fantastic option! Agaves, Sedum, and Sempervivum all perform fantastically. Here is the hot pink Delosperma planted with pink Seathrift (Armeria) that has mostly finished blooming.

9. Sedums and Sempervivums
These incredibly exposed wild succulents were growing on a vertical rock face out in the ocean. These are a mix of Sedums and Sempervivums.

10. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a perfect evergreen tree for fast-draining soils. The leaves might turn red when heat stressed.

11. Junipers
Conifers often do well on the coast. Junipers, Pines, and Cypresses are common. Here is the free-form silhouette of a conifer paired with a more formally clipped broadleaf evergreen shrub and the sky blue rounds of the Agapanthus.

12. Exposed Pines
These exposed Pines put up a constant battle against the Western winds of the Pacific Ocean. As you can see, wind is a major factor in seaside gardens. Use the lee side of your house to your advantage to cultivate your less sturdy plants.

13. Echium
The dramatic foliage of an Echium is a great addition to any garden, but be sure to put it in a less windy spot to ensure its towering flowers do not collapse.

14. Rosemary
Rosemary does phenomenally well on the coast. After all, it is a Mediterranean plant in a very Mediterranean climate.

15. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas do great on the coast. This one is on the lee side of a building with an eastern exposure, but normally this would be a great spot for a Hydrangea, but this one is looking rather sad. Hydrangeas are thirsty plants and love ample moisture. If you plant them in fast-draining soils, you need to provide them enough water to look their best. You can see from the crispy mopheads that the above Hydrangea is not entirely happy. 🙁

16. Cordyline Australis
You can tell that these photos are from the southern Oregon coast, as some of the plants are decidedly Californian in stature. Here are a couple of mature Cordyline Australis – the likes of which you may not readily see on the northern coast. Yuccas might be a good alternative in those colder areas.

17. California Poppies
A little past their prime, but still lovely, tough-as-nails California poppies adorn the seaside landscape. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Roses, Crocosmias, Agastache, Ceanothus, Achillea, Salal, Lavender, Santolina, Cannas, Poppies, … the list of tough, excellent, salt-tolerant plants is a long one. You can find an excellent list here. Hopefully, this post will give you some ideas of what might work where you are. We are always available to answer more questions. Just stop by our Portland garden center in the Raleigh Hills neighborhood.
by Justin Borge | May 6, 2020 | Featured Flora and Fauna, Plants & Products
A successful garden starts out with a good garden plan. Haphazardly throwing plants, trees, and shrubs together without a well-informed plan can be a recipe for disaster.
Understanding your local climate is essential to solid garden planning. In the beautiful Pacific Northwest that we call home, we frequently receive questions about plants that do well in the moist environment of the Portland area. But the Northwest presents a wide range of climates from the high deserts of Bend to the mild coastal regions of Seaside. Following are some ideas to help your garden planning process, no matter what type of conditions you might live in. We carry many of these in our Portland garden center.
Plants for Wet Areas
Garden Planning with Wet Soil Plants
The following is a comprehensive list of trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and all-around wet soil plants. Most every Portland landscape has a need for a few plants that thrive in moist soil. Here are several to choose from!
Trees for Wet Areas

Acer Rubrum Red Maple
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Acer rubrum – Red Maple
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Acer saccharinum – Silver Maple
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Alnus – Alder
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Betula nigra – River Birch
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Fraxinus latifolia – Oregon Ash
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Larix – Larch
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Liquidamber stryaciflua – Sweetgum
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Lirodendron – Tulip Tree
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Malus – Crabapple
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Magnolia virginiana – Sweet Bay
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Metasequoia glyptostoboides – Dawn Redwood
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Nyssa slyvantica – Sourgum
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Picea sitchensis – Sitka Spruce
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Platanus – Poplar
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Quercus bicolor – Swamp White Oak
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Quercus palustris – Pin Oak
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Salix – Willow
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Taxodium distichum – Bald Cypress
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Thuja plicata – Western Red Cedar
Shrubs For Wet Areas

Andromeda Polifolia – Bog Rosemary
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Andromeda polifolia – Bog Rosemary
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Ardisia japonica – Japanese Ardisia
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Aronia arbutifolia – Chokeberry
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Calycanthus – Spice Bush
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Chaenomeles – Flowering Quince
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Cornus stolonifera – Red-Osier Dogwood
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Ilex glabra – Inkberry
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Ilex virginica – Sweetspire
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Leucothoe fontanesiana – Drooping Leucothoe
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Lindera benzoin – Spice Bush
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Lonicera involucrate – Twinberry
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Myrica pensylvanica – Bayberry
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Rosa palustris – Swamp Rose
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Salix – Shrub Willow
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Sambucus Canadensis – Red Elderberry
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Spirea douglasii – Douglas Spirea
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Syphoricarpus orbiculatas – Coral Berry
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Viburnum opulus – Snowball Bush
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Viburnum trilobum – Cranberry Bush
Perennials For Wet Areas

Aruncus dioicus Goatsbeard
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Aruncus dioicus – Goatsbeard
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Aster novae-angliae – New England Aster
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Astilbe – Astilbe
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Bellis pernnis – English Daisy
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Caltha palustris – Marsh Marigold
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Camassia – Camas Lily
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Canna – Canna Lily
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Chelone – Turtlehead
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Cimicifuga – Bugbane
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Dicentra Formosa – Bleeding Heart
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Eupatorium maculatum – Joe-Pye Weed
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Filapendula – Meadow sweet
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Gunnera – Dinosaur Food
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Iris – Iris
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Lilium canadense – Canada Lily
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Lysimachia – Loosestrife
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Lobelia cardinalis – Cardinal Lobelia
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Mentha – Mint
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Mimulus – Monkey Flower
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Monarda – Bee Balm
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Mysosotis – Forget-me-not
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Polygonatum – Solomans Seal
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Primula japonica – Japanese Primrose
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Rodgersia – Rodgersia
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Schizostylis – Kafir Lily
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Sisyrichium – Blue-eyed Grass
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Tolmiea menziesii – Piggyback Plant
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Trollius – Globeflower
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Viola – Violet
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Zantedeschia – Calla Lily
Grasses For Wet Areas

Acorus gramineus Japanese Sweet Flag
Image courtesy of Monrovia
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Acorus gramineus – Japanese Sweet Flag
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Calamagrostis – Feather Reed Grass
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Carex – Sedges
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Chasmanthium latifolium – Northern Sea Oats
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Deschampsia – Tufted Hair Grass
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Juncus – Rushes
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Miscanthus sinensis – Maiden hair Grass
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Molinia – Moor Grass
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Panicum virgatum – Switch Grass
Beach Flowers: Garden Planning with Plants that Thrive in a Coastal Environment

Acer ginnala Amur Maple
Coastal Trees
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Acer ginnala – Amur Maple
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Arbutus menziesii – Pacific Madrone
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Chamaecyparis lawsoniana – Port Orford Cedar
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Chamaecyparis obtuse – Hinkoki Cypress
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Crataegus – Hawthorn
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Cupressocypraris leylandii – Leyland Cypress
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Ilex apuifolium – English Holly
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Laurus nobilis – Bay Laurel
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Picea sitchensis – Sitka Spruce
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Pinus contorta – Shore Pine
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Pinus mugho – Mugo Pine
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Pinus nigra – Austrian Black Pine
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Pinus ponderosa – Ponderosa Pine
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Pinus sylvestris – Scotch Pine
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Pinus thunbergiana – Japanese Black Pine
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Prunus – Flowering Cherry
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Pseudotsuga menziesii – Douglas Fir
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Robinia – Black Locust
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Salix discolor/ caprea – Pussy Willow
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Sequoia sempervirens – Coast Redwood
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Thuja plicata – Western Red Cedar
Shrubs That Thrive on the Coast

Abelia grandiflora Abelia
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Abelia grandiflora – Abelia
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Arbutus unedo – Strawberry Bush
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Aucuba japonica – Aucuba
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Berberis – Barberry
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Buxus sempervirens – Boxwood
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Ceanothus – California Lilac
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Choisya – Mexican Orange
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Cistus – Rockrose
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Cotoneaster – Cotoneaster
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Cytisus – Broom
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Eleagnus – Silverberry
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Erica – Heath
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Escallonia – Escallonia
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Euonymus – Euonymus
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Garrya eliptica – Silktassel
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Hebe – Hebe
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Hydrangea – Hydrangea
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Ilex aquifolium – English Holly
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Ilex glabra – Inkberry
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Lonicera pileata – Box Honeysuckle
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Myrica californica – Pacific Wax Myrtle
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Potentilla – Potentilla
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Prunus laurocerasus – English Laurel
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Prunus lusitanica – Portugal Laurel
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Punica granatum – Pomegranate
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Pyracantha – Pyrancantha
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Rhamnus – Rhamnus
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Ribes – Flowering Currant
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Rosa rugosa – Rugosa Rose
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Rosmarinus officinalis – Rosemary
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Syringa vulgaris – Lilac
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Taxus – Yew
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Vaccinium ovatum – Evergreen Huckleberry
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Viburnum tinus – Laurestinus Viburnum
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Yucca – Yucca
Perennials For A Coastal Environment

Achillea Yarrow
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Achillea – Yarrow
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Antennaria – Pussy Toes
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Arabis – Rockcress
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Armeria maritima – Sea Thrift
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Artemisia – Mugwort
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Bergenia – Bergenia
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Carex – Sedge
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Cerastium – Snow in Summer
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Coreopsis – Tickseed
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Dianthus – Pinks
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Echinops – Globe Thistle
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Festuca – Fescue
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Gaillardia – Blanket Flower
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Gypsophilia – Baby’s Breath
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Fuchsia – Hardy Fuchsia
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Helianthemum – Rockrose
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Kniphofia – Red Hot Poker
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Lavandula – Lavender
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Limonium – Sea Lavender
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Santolina – Lavender Cotton
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Sedum – Sedum
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Sempervivum – Hens and Chicks
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Stachys – Lambs Ear
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Thymus – Thyme
Ground Covers For a Coastal Environment

Arctostaphylos Kinnikinnick
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Arctostaphylos – Kinnikinnick
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Ceanothus Pt. Reyes – Pt. Reyes CA Lilac
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Euonymus fortuneii – Euonymus
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Fragaria chiloensis – Ornam. Strawberry
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Gautheria shallon – Salal
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Juniperus – Junipers
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Lithospernum – Lithodora
Drought Resistant Plants
Following is a collection of trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and vines that are drought resistant.

Abies Concolor
Drought Resistant Trees
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Abies concolor
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Acer campestre
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Acer ginnala
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Aesculus
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Ailanthus altissima
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Arbutus unedo
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Calocedrus decurrens
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Catalpa
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Cedrus deodara
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Cedrus atlantica
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Cercis occidentalis
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Cornus nuttali*
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Corylus
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Cotinus coggyria
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Crataegus
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Cupressocyparis leylandii*
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Eleagnus angustifolia
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Ficus carica**
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Fraxinus
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Ginkgo biloba
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Gleditsia triancanthos
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Gymnocladus dioica
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Juglans
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Koelreuteria paniculata
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Lithocarpus densiflorus
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Maclura pomifera
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Morus
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Phellodendron amurense
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Picea
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Pinus
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Platanus acerifolia
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Pseduotsuga menziesii
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Quercus
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Robinia
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Sequoiandendron gigantica
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Sophora japonica
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Sorbus
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Tilia tomentosum
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Thuja plicata
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Umbellularia californica
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Zelkova serrata
Drought Resistant Shrubs

Acanthus mollis
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Acanthus mollis
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Amelanchier alnifolia
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Aronia
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Aucuba japonica
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Berberis
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Buxus micro jap.
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Calycanthus occidentalis
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Camellia japonica
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Caryopteris clandonensis
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Ceanothus* **
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Cerocarpus montanus
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Chaenomeles
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Cistus
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Cotinus coggyria
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Cotoneaster
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Cytisus
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Deutzia
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Eleagnus
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Escallonia **
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Euonymus
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Forsythia
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Garrya fremontii
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Genista
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Hamamelis
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Hibiscus syriacus
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Helianthemum
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Holidiscus discolor
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Ilex
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Kerria japonica
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Lagerstroemia indica**
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Ligustrum
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Mahonia
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Myrica
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Nandina
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Osmanthus**
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Osmarea burkwoodii
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Philadelphus
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Photinia
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Prunus laurocerasus
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Punica granatum
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Pyracantha
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Rhus
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Rhamnus
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Rosa rugosa
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Skimmia japonica
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Spirea
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Symporicarpos
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Syringa
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Tamarix pariflora*
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Taxus*
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Viburnum lantana
Drought Resistant Perennials

Achillea
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Achillea
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Agapanthus**
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Allium
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Antennaria rosea* **
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Anthemis tinctoria
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Arenaria montana
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Artemisia*
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Asclepias*
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Baptisia*
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Bergenia cordifolia
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Centaurea gymnocarpa**
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Centranthus rubber
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Ceratistigma pumbaginoides
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Convolvulus
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Coreopsis*
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Echinacea purpurea*
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Echinops exaltus*
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Erysium*
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Gaillardia grandiflora*
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Geranium sangiuineum
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Gypsophilia paniculata*
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Helenium autumnalis
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Helleborus
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Hemerocallis
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Iris
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Kniphoia uvaria*
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Lavandula*
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Liatris*
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Limonium*
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Linum
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Lychnis*
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Nepeta
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Oenothera*
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Papavera*
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Penstemon*
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Perovskia*
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Phlomis*
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Polystichmum munitum
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Romneya*
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Ruta*
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Salvia officinalis*
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Santolina*
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Saponaria*
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Sedum*
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Sisyrinchium
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Solidago
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Thymus*
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Tradescantia
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Verbascum
Drought Resistant Grasses

Cortaderia selloana
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Cortaderia selloana
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Festuca ovina glauca
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Calamagrostis
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Miscanthus
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Pennisetum*
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Stipa
Drought Resistant Vines

Clematis Armandi
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Clematis armandi**
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Lonicera japonica “Halliana’
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Wisteria
*These plants will not tolerate heavy clay soils which are water-saturated in the winter.
** These plants are marginally hardy for the Northwest. They will freeze out some years.
by Justin Borge | May 5, 2020 | Featured Flora and Fauna, Plants & Products
Attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden is the dream of many, and for good reason. They add a sense of calm and serenity to a world that certainly could use more of it.
And the great news is that, if you understand what you’re doing, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies can easily be done.
Hummingbird Gardens
Hummingbird gardens must offer not only nectar-filled flowers but also provide a habitat that supports their lifestyle.
These little birds need
- Sun and shade
- Shrubs and tree branches for perching
- Fresh water for drinking and bathing
- Materials for nest-making such as spider webs, dryer lint, or bits of leaves

These delicate birds spend lots of energy flying, so it comes as no surprise that they must feed many times each hour (3-5 times). While our flowers are blooming there is nectar for them to sip, but once you have offered them a flower food source, you can also place hummingbird feeders in prominent locations to feed them.

Hummingbird Feeders
Hummingbird feeders supplement the flower nectar, especially when flowers are few. Hang them from tree branches or a shepherd hook high enough to keep the hummingbird safe from the neighborhood cats.
Flowers that Attract Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds love tubular shaped flowers (although that shape is not absolutely required). Fragrance is not important to them, but vivid colors of red, purple, pink, orange, and yellow will attract them to your garden. At our Portland garden center, we have a large selection of flowering annuals, perennials & woody plants that will attract hummingbirds into your garden.
Just a few to check out:
Angel Trumpet

Cape Fuschia

Nasturiums

Camellias

Daphne

Trumpet Vines

Lily

Image courtesy of birdwatchinghq.com
Butterfly Plants: Attracting Butterflies to Your Garden
Below you will find a thorough list of butterfly-attracting trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. All will grow well in the Pacific Northwest, and if you’re looking for any help with the following foliage, be sure to visit us at our Portland garden center
Trees that Attract Butterflies

Aesculus Hippocastanum
If you are interested in bringing butterflies to your garden, here are a few trees that will do the trick:
Shrubs that Attract Butterflies

Abelia Grandiflora
When planting shrubs in your garden, consider the following if you want to invite butterflies for a visit:
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Abelia
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Buddleia
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Calycanthus occidentalis
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Caryopteris
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Clethera
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Ceanothus
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Ligustrum
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Lonicera
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Rhododendron
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Salix
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Syringa
Perennials for Attracting Butterflies

Achillea Millefolium
Going shopping for perennials anytime soon? Keep the following list handy:
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Achillea
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Allium
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Arabis
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Asclepias
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Aster
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Aubretia
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Centhranthus
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Chives
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Chrysanthemum
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Coreopsis
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Helenium
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Helianthus
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Hemerocallis
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Echinacea
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Echinops
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Erigeron
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Eupatorium
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Gaillardia
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Lavender
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Liatris
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Lilium
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Lythrum
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Mentha
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Monarda
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Myosotis
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Nepeta
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Phlox
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Physostegia
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Salvia
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Scabiosa
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Sedum
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Solidago
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Rosemarinus
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Rudbeckia
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Verbena
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Veronica
Annuals for Attracting Butterflies

Ageratum Corymbosum
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Ageratum
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Cosmos
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Heliotrope
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Lantana
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Linonium
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Lunaria
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Marigold
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Nicotiana
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Petunia
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Tithonia
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Verbena
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Zinnia