BONNER COUNTY NATIVE PLANTS RECOMMENDED FOR LANDSCAPING
Congratulations! You will be landscaping in an ecological,
cost effective, and aesthetically pleasing manner by selecting plants native to
Bonner County, Idaho. This plant list contains information to help guide your
selections. Most species are perennial or self-seeding. Weeding, mulching,
and watering may be required until plants are established. Your result should
be a stable ecosystem with diverse plant and animal life. It can flourish for
decades, providing a beautiful, hardy, drought resistant, low maintenance
landscape while benefiting the environment.
Decide what you want to do with your land.
·
Incorporate native plants into an existing landscape?
·
Restore an area to all native vegetation?
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Establish shelter and food to attract wildlife?
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Solve a problem such as flooding, run-off or soil stabilization?
·
Save time, money and resources in reduced plant care and
maintenance?
Evaluate all areas of your site for factors influencing
plant selection.
·
Sun and shade/ Moisture/ Soil and grade
Evaluate your expectations.
·
Eliminate/reduce use of lawn maintenance equipment. This will
improve air quality, reduce CO2 emissions and save you time.
·
Reduce or eliminate need for fertilizers and pesticides, reduce
watering and run-off, and save time and money. Native plants, properly
selected, are adapted to our geology, hydrology and climate. They generally do
not require outside intervention to maintain health and vigor when planted in
an appropriate site.
·
Help combat global warming. Indigenous plants are more effective
than traditional lawns as a carbon sink due to their extensive root systems and
ability to retain and store water.
·
Create an aesthetically pleasing landscape, harmonious with the
natural beauty of our area.
Select native plants ideal for your landscape needs.
·
Visit North Idaho Native Plant Arboretum, Lakeview Park, 611
South Ella Ave., Sandpoint, ID. The Arboretum is an ongoing educational
project of the Kinnikinnick Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society
(KCINPS). It is free and open to the public. Plants are identified and
grouped in habitats, enabling you to see plants that might work well for your
site.
·
Visit sites landscaped with native plants, such as the Mickinnick
Trailhead in Sandpoint and the WaterLife Discovery Center in Sagle. These
sites, planted and maintained by the KCINPS, illustrate creative design using
native plants.
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Obtain the "Bonner County Native Plant List" plant list
prepared by KCINPS. (Available @ www.nativeplantsociety.org.)
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Purchase from the native plant selections at local nurseries.
·
The University of Idaho includes some native plants for purchase
in the catalog, "A Guide to Seedling Selection." (Available @
http://seedlings.uidaho.com or free @ (208) 885-3888.)
·
Do not dig plants from the wild unless they are in the
path of development and you have permission from the landowner. Removing
plants from the wild may be unlawful and the chance of successful
transplantation is usually low. The greatest success comes from purchased
plants.
·
Although many native plants have edible parts or medicinal uses,
consider all plant parts to be toxic until you learn otherwise.