By Patricia Diaz, from the May 2000 Newsletter

I got all excited when I saw the ad for 20% off native plants at Prairie Bloom Nursery. This offer, of course, is for Co-op members only, so another great excuse to become a member if you're not already. Anyway, I called Tim Eaton, proprietor, and asked him what he considered to be the ten best native plantings so that I could tell you about them this month in the gardening column. So here they are:

1. Serviceberry (Amelanchier). The very first plant that Tim mentioned was the Serviceberry. I must agree that this is a very top native plant choice, as I think this plant best symbolizes Spring to me. The hills are just abloom with Serviceberry bushes now. We have one really old bush, about 15 feet tall and I can see it out the kitchen window as I wash dishes. Serviceberry bushes need full sun and moderate water in the beginning. Very early in the Spring there are beautiful clusters of creamy white flowers. The purplish new foliage turns deep green then yellow then red in the Fall. There are also small dark blue fruits which are popular with the birds. These berries were used by Native Americans as an ingredient in pemmican. The roots are not aggressive and the shade is not dense. The name 'Serviceberry' comes from the trees' use as shade for outdoor church services by circuit-rider preachers in pioneer times.
2. Dwarf Mountain Ash (Sorbs). This is a beautiful tree which grows to about 10'-15' in sun or light shade. It, too, might need moderate water in the beginning. The leaves are finely cut and fernlike and there are clusters of white flowers followed by orange-red inedible (to us) fruit. These trees can withstand winter cold, strong winds, low humidity, and extreme heat. They appreciate soil with good drainage.
3. Ocean Spray (Holodiscus discolor), also called 'cream bush.' This is a deciduous shrub which likes partial shade and very little water. It grows to about 3' on the East side of the Cascades (much taller on the West side). The leaves are triangular to about 3" long in nodding, branched clusters. From May to July it has small creamy white flowers which attract birds. The flowers fade to tannish-gold and remain attractive for a long time. Prune back after flowers bloom and the clusters wither.
4. Sulfur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum). A new plant this year for Prairie Bloom Nursery, this is a wild buckwheat that likes full sun and some water. It grows best in well-drained, loose gravelly soil. It is very useful for covering banks and massing among rocks. It withstands wind and heat well. It has low, broad mats of woody stems set with 1" green leaves. In the summer the 4"-12" stalks carry clusters of beautiful bright yellow flowers that age to rust.
5. Golden Currant (Ribes aureum). Golden currant is another favorite of mine. Its erect growth reaches 3'-6' in sun or partial shade. The leaves are light green with toothed lobes. There are clusters of small bright yellow spring flowers with a spicy fragrance. In the summer there are yellow to red or black berries which birds love. The thicket-type growth also makes good nesting habitat for birds. This plant prefers moderate summer watering.
6. Kinnikinnick (Arcostaphylos uva-ursi), also known as 'bearberry.' This is another great native plant that I love. It is a great groundcover plant, especially on slopes. It likes full sun. With a prostrate form it spreads and roots as it creeps to about 15' wide. The leaves are glossy, bright green with a leathery feel, and turns red in winter. The flowers are white or pinkish and the fruits are bright red or pink for a very attractive, low-growing plant.
7. Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra). When I think of my favorite plant of the Fall I think of the sumac. It is a deciduous large shrub or small tree which grows upright to about 10' or more. The leaves are divided into 11-23 narrow 2"-5" long, toothed leaflets which turn a stunning brilliant scarlet in the Fall. There are inconspicuous greenish flowers followed by the Fall color which also displays scarlet fruit in conical clusters that last on the bare branches well into Winter. These fruits are loved by bluebirds. Dwarf varieties grow 3'-4' tall.
8. Spiraea densiflora. This deciduous shrub likes sun or light shade and is easy to grow in all kinds of soil. There are simple, alternate leaves and showy, generous clusters of small, shocking dark pink to purple flowers on arching branches. This plant is truly a dazzling sight. It is low in stature to about 3 feet.
9. Shrubby Penstemon (Penstemon fruticosus) also called 'beard tongue.' This is a great one to plant for hummingbirds. It likes full sun or light shade and little water. The tubular flowers of this particular variety are rose-purple to lavender. It is a woody, evergreen shrub with a low, compact form to about three feet. Penstemons like well-drained soil so you'll need to amend your soil if it's the typical clay found around here.
10. Coyote Willow (Salix exigua). This last plant is another new one for Prairie Bloom Nursery. If you've enjoyed the beautiful silver willows along the Clearwater River, then you'll want to get a coyote willow. Happy in full sun and any soil, it is fast growing and the most silver of all the willows. It looks particularly wonderful mixed in with perennials. It likes moist areas and grows to about ten feet.

Copyright: Copyright on articles and recipes are jointly held by the Moscow Food Co-op and the respective authors, except were otherwise noted.

Return to Resource Page

For additions or corrections to this page, please contact the Webmaster.