NATIVE PLANT LANDSCAPING LIST

TREES

Codes:  Soil - D = dry; M = moist; W = wet    Light - S = sun; PS = part sun or shade; Sh = Shade    *Keep away from sewer and septic lines

Common Name

Scientific Name

Height

Bloom

Moisture

Light

Arboretum

Notes

Alder, Red*

Alnus rubra

40-60 ft

M/W

S/PS

Fixes nitrogen in the soil; catkins

Alder, Sitka*

Alnus viridis

30 ft.

M/W

S

Interior Rain Forest /Riparian

Improves soil by adding organic matter and nitrogen; catkins

Aspen*, Quaking

Populus tremuloides

90 ft.

M/D

S

Aspen Grove

Golden fall color; spreads by root runners; gray-white smooth bark

Birch, Paper*

Betula papyrifera

50-70 ft.

M

S

Wetland

Yellow fall foliage; white peeling bark

Birch, Water*

Betula occidentalis

13-26 ft.

W

S/PS

Wetland

Streambank stabilization; pinkish, non-peeling bark

Cottonwood*, Black

Populus trichocarpa

150-180 ft.

M/W

S

Sticky, red seed cases; good for erosion control on banks; attracts birds

Fir, Douglas; Red

Pseudotsuga menziesii

150 ft.

D/M

S/PS

Shade tolerant; well drained soil; pyramidal shape

Fir, Grand; White

Abies grandis

100 ft.

M/D

S/PS

Fragile erect cones at top of tree; fragrant foliage

Fir, Subalpine

Abies lasiocarpa

60-105 ft.

M

S/Sh

Subalpine

Dark-green needles with whitish-lines; drought and heat intolerant; narrow, slow-growing; red-purple cones at top

Hemlock, Western

Tsuga heterophylla

120-150 ft.

M

Sh

Interior rain forest

Needs shade when young; thick, acidic, humus soil

Larch, Western; Tamarack

Larix occidentalis

100-200 ft.

D/M

S

Young Forest

Golden fall color; deciduous, erect, slender

Maple, Rocky Mountain

Acer glabrum

20 - 30 ft.

M/D

S/PS

Young Forest

Shrubby multi-trunk tree; fall and winter color; attractive all year

Pine, Ponderosa; Yellow, Bull

Pinus ponderosa

140 ft.

D/M

S

Young Forest

3 needles per sheaf; dry open sites; fire resistant

Pine, Western White

Pinus monticola

230 ft.

D/M

S

Young Forest

Idaho State Tree; five needles per sheaf; good specimen tree

Redcedar, Western

Thuja plicata

100-120 ft.

M

PS/Sh

Moist Forest

Evergreen-scale-like leaves; aromatic; red-brown bark; rich, moist soil

Spruce, Engelmann

Picea engelmannii

75-120 ft.

M

PS

Subalpine

Blue-green, stiff, evergreen needles; slow growing

SHRUBS

Common Name

Scientific Name

Height

Bloom

Moisture

Light

Arboretum

Notes

Alder, Wavy leaf*

Alnus viridis ssp. Sinuata

10 ft.

May-July

M

S/PS

Forms thicket; fast growing; fixes nitrogen

Birch, Bog, Scrub*

Betula nana

3-10 ft.

Feb-June

W

S/PS

Deep orange in the fall; acidic soil; spreading

Buffalo Berry

Shepherdia canadensis

3-13 ft.

May-July

D/M

S/PS

Dry Forest

Small yellow flowers; orange to red berries: fixes nitrogen

Cascara, Buckthorn

Frangula purshiana

up to 30 ft.

Jun-July

M/W

Sh

Small, yellow flower clusters; black fruit; silvery gray bark; deciduous

Ceanothus, Shiny Leafed

Ceanothus velutinus var.

2 ft.

D/M

S

Small white flowers in pyramidal clusters; good browes

Chokecherry, Common

Prunus virginiana

3-12 ft.

Apr-May

D

S

Meadow/ Medicinal

White flowers; grows in rocky soil; fast growing; showy fruit; attracts birds

Cranberry, Highbush

Viburnum edule 

1.5 to10 ft

M/W

PS/Sh

Clusters of white flowers., red berries, likes rich organic soil

Devil’s club

Oplopanax horridus

3-10 ft.

May-June

M

Sh

Interior Rain Forest

Creamy white flowers; beautiful red berries in fall; very spiny

Dogwood, Red Osier

Cornus sericea

3-6 ft.

May-July

M/W

S/PS

Interior Rain Forest

Greenish-white flower clusters;white berries; red twigs

Elderberry, Blue

Sambucus nigra var. cerulea

6-12 ft.

M

S

Riparian

Clusters of white flowers; grows along watercourses; powdery blue edible fruit; fast growing

Hawthorn, Black

Crataegus douglasii var.

6 to 25 ft.

May-June

D/W

S

White flower cluster; small black fruit; thorny; soil & stream stabilization

Hazelnut, Beaked

Corylus cornuta

3-12 ft.

M

S/Sh

Edible nuts; yellow, fall color; stream banks; well-drained soil

Huckleberry, Fool's; False Azalea

Menziesia ferruginea

up to 9 ft.

M

S/Sh

Tiny, pinkish-yellow flowers, blue-green foliage; crimson-orange fall foliage; acidic, humus soil

Huckleberry, Oval-leaf

Vaccinium ovalifolium

to 6 ft

M/W

S

Subalpine

White to pink flowers; edible blue-black berries; red fall foliage

Huckleberry, Thinleaf

Vaccinium membranaceum

to 4.5 ft

M/D

S

Subalpine

White to pink flowers; purple to reddish-black berries; red fall foliage

Juniper, Rocky Mountain

Juniperus scopulorum

3-30 ft.

D

S

Grayish-green; gray-blue berries; knotty, twisted trunk; rocky sites

Kinnikinnick

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

6-10 in.

D

S/PS

Paths

Urn-shaped flowers, red berries; evergreen shiny leaves

Maple, Rocky Mountain

Acer glabrum var.

20-30 ft.

M/D

S/PS

Young Forest

Shrubby multi-trunk tree; fall and winter color; attractive all year

Mountain Ash, Sitka

Sorbus sitchensis var.

3-15 ft.

June-July

M

S/PS

White flower clusters; grows on slopes; excellent fall color-leaves & berries

Mountain Ash, Western

Sorbus scopulina var. scopulina

3-13 ft.

May-July

D/M

S/PS

White flower clusters; grows on slopes; excellent fall color-leaves & berries

Mountain Lover, Myrtle Boxwood, False Boxwood

Pachistima myrsinites

1-2 ft.

May-June

M

PS

Berm

Tiny maroon flowers; good deer browse; evergreen;

Ninebark, Mallow

Physocarpus malvaceus

to 6 ft

May-June

D/M

S

Dry Rock

 White flowers; leaves hairy on both sides; peeling bark; rocky soil

Ocean Spray

Holodiscus discolor

3-10 ft.

June-Aug

D/M

S/PS

Dry Forest

Foamy, creamy-white flower clusters; arching stems; sandy to gravelly soil

Oregon Grape, Cascade

Mahonia nervosa

6-24 in.

Spring

D/M

PS/Sh

Path

Yellow flowers; shiny leaves; evergreen; dark berries

Oregon Grape, Creeping

Mahonia repens

6-12 in.

Apr/June

D/M

S

Path

Bright yellow flower clusters; blue berries; holly-like, evergreen leaves

Oregon Grape, Tall

Mahonia aquifolium

8-48 in.

May/June

D/M

S

Path

Yellow flower clusters; prickly, evergreen leaves; blue berries; drought resistant; rich soil;

Penstemon, Shrubby

Penstemon fruticosus

to 15 in.

June-Aug

D

S

Dry Rock

Flowers blue-lavender to purple, rocky soil

Rose, Baldhip

Rosa gymnocarpa var.

1-4 ft.

June-July

D/M

S

Small pink flowers; small scarlet hips

Rose, Nootka

Rosa nutkana var.

3-6 ft.

May-July

M

S

Dry Rock

Large pastel pink flowers; large, red hips

Rose, Pearhip

Rosa woodsii var.

3-6 ft.

May-July

D

S

Dry Rock /Medicinals

Pink flowers; large, dark red hips; spreads well.

Rose, Prickly

Rosa acicularis var.

3-6 ft.

June-Aug

M

S

Pink flowers; very spiny

Service Berry; Saskatoon

Amelanchier alnifolia var.

6-30 ft.

May-June

M/D

S

Young Forest

White flowers; dark blue berries; attracts birds

Snowberry

Symphoricarpos albus

4 ft.

May-Aug

D

S

Path

Pink flowers, white berries (poisonous) persist through winter;

Spiraea, Birch-Leaved

Spiraea betulifolia var.

10"-24"

June-July

M/D

S

Meadow/Moist Forest

White flowers in dense flat clusters; easy to grow

Spiraea, Douglas, Pink

Spiraea douglasii var.

4 ft.

June-July

M/W

S

Riparian/Rain Forest

Pink to deep rose, dense, elongate clusters; easy to grow

Sumac; Smooth

Rhus glabra

3-9 ft.

June-July

D

S

Dry Rock

White flower clusters; grows on slopes; excellent fall color-leaves & berries

Syringa, Mockorange

Philadelphus lewisii

3-9 ft.

May-July

M

S/PS

Young Forest

White, fragrant flowers; Idaho state flower; grows in open forests

Thimbleberry

Rubus parviflorus

1 1/2-7 ft.

 May-July

D/M

PS/Sh

Dry Rock

White flowers; edible fruit; spreads by rhizomes

Twinberry, Black; Bearberry

Lonicera involucrata

3-9 ft.

June-July

M/W

S/PS

Yellow flowers clusters; black berries in fall; boggy soil

Twinberry, Red; Utah Honeysuckle

Lonicera utahensis

3-6 ft.

May-July

M

S/PS

Moist Forest

Twin, yellow flowers. followed by twin red berries

Willow, Bebb's*

Salix bebbiana

1-15 ft.

W

S/PS

White catkins; grows in seeps

Willow, Drummond*

Salix drummondiana

6-12 ft.

M

S/PS

Long, oval-shaped leaves; tolerates poor soil; moist, water's edge  

Willow, Geyer's*

Salix geyeriana

4-15 ft.

M

S

Catkins; holds shorelines

Willow, Pacific*

Salix lasiandra

3-27 ft.

W

S

Pale yellow catkins; medium shrub or small tree; holds shorelines

Willow, Sandbar*

Salix exigua

to 12ft.

May-June

W

S

Grows on sandbars

Willow, Scouler*

Salix scouleriana

7-33 ft.

D/M

S

Young Forest

Erect, clumped growth

PERENNIALS

Common Name

Scientific Name

Height

Bloom

Moisture

Light

Arboretum

Notes

Alumroot, Round-Leafed

Heuchera cylindrica var.

6-20 in.

May-Aug.

D

S

Dry Rock/Meadow

Cream flowers on spike-like clusters

Arnica, Broadleaf 

Arnica latifolia var.

3-20 in.

All Summer

M

S/PS

Medicinal Garden

Bright yellow ray flowers

Arnica, Heart-Leaved

Arnica cordifolia

3-20 in.

May-Aug

M

S/PS

Medicinal Garden

Yellow, daisy-like flowers; leaves similar to trail plant

Aster, Showy

Eurybia conspicua

1-3 ft.

July-Sept

D/M

PS/Sh

Young Forest

Blue to violet ray flowers with yellow centers; loamy soil; grows under pines

Aster, Smooth Blue

Aster laevis

4-10 in.

July-Sept

D/M

S

Rose-purple to blue or violet, yellow center

Balsamroot, Arrowleaf 

Balsamorhiza sagittata

12-18 in.

May-June

D

S/PS

Dry Rock

Very showy, daisy type yellow flower; well drained soil

Beargrass

Xerophyllum tenax

stems to 4.5 ft

May-Aug

M

S

Subalpine

Creamy flower cluster on tall stem; grass-like leaves in clumps; lily family 

Bedstraw,  Fragrant

Galium triflorum

8-39 in.

May-June

M/W

PS/Sh

Tiny white flowers; reseeds; peat soil

Bergamot, Wild Beebalm

Monarda fistulosa

8-28 in.

June-Aug

M/D

S/PS

Pink/purple flowers; large clumps; rhizomes; a mint; sand to loam soil

Biscuitroot, Fern-leaved

Lomatium dissectum

to 5 ft.

Apr-June

D

S/PS

Yellow or purple flowers; rocky soil

Biscuitroot, Nine-leaf

Lomatium triternatum

8-32 in.

Spring

D

S

Yellow flowers; likes rocky soil

Biscuitroot, Salt & Pepper; Gorman's Desert-Parsley

Lomatium gormanii

4-10 in.

Early Spring

D/M

PS

Small white flowers (salt) w purple anthers (pepper); east exposure

Bitterroot

Lewisia rediviva

2-3 in.

Apr-July

D/M

S

Showy pink flower; well drained rocky soil

Blanketflower

Gaillardia aristata

8-27 in.

June-July

D

S

Young Forest

Flowers yellow to maroon; reseeds; well-drained soil; tolerates heat

Bluebell, Long-flowered or Mountain

Mertensia longiflora

5-8 in.

Apr/June

M

S/PS

Pink, clustered, bell shaped flowers turn blue

Bluebells

Campanula rotundifolia

6-20 in.

All Summer

D

S

Dry Rock

Purplish-blue, bell-shaped flowers on thin, wiry stems; well drained soil

Buckwheat, Cushion

Eriogonum ovalifolium

2-6 in.

May-Aug

D

S

Creamy white flower cluster; mat-forming, gray-green leaves

Buckwheat, Sulphur

Eriogonum umbellatum

2-12 in.

June-Aug

D

S

Creamy white flower cluster often tinged with red or purple; mat-forming, gray-green leaves

Buttercup, Little

Ranunculus uncinatus

6-24 in.

Early Summer

M/W

S/Sh

Small pale yellow flowers

Buttercup, Sagebrush

Ranunculus glaberrimus var.

2-8 in.

Early Spring

D/M

S/PS

Yellow flowers; coniferous forests; vanishes in mid-summer

Camas, Common

Camassia quamash

12 in.

Apr/July

M

S/PS

Riparian

Several blue-purple flowers per stem; like coarse grass; wet spring & dry summer soil

Cattail, Common

Typha latifolia

stems to 6 ft

W

S

Riparian

Dark brown blossoms become cottony when mature; organic soil; wet feet; rhizomes

Cinquefoil, Graceful

Potentilla gracilis var.

1-2 ft.

Late Spring

D

S/PS

Yellow flowers; 5-fingered leaves; looks like "marijuana leaf"

Cinquefoil, Sticky

Potentilla glandulosa var.

6-16 in.

June-Aug

D/M

S/PS

Pale yellow flowers; 5-fingered leaves.

Clarkia, Pink Fairies

Clarkia pulchella

2-8 in.

May-June

M/D

S

Pink flowers; well-drained soil; annual; reseeds

Collomia, Narrow-leaved

Collomia linearis

4-15 in.

May-Aug

D/M

S

Small tubular pink flowers in dense cluster

Columbine, Red

Aquilegia formosa

8-28 in.

May-Aug

D/M

S/PS

Dry Rock

Drooping red sepals, yellow petals

Columbine, Yellow

Aquilegia flavescens

8-30 in.

June-Aug

M

S/PS

Yellow petals, yellow sepals may be tinged with pink; mountain meadows

Cow Parsnip

Heracleum maximum

3-7 ft.

June

M/W

S/Sh

Wetland

White flower clusters 4-12 in. across; maple-like, showy leaves

Fireweed

Chamerion angustifolium ssp. angustifolium

1-7 ft.

June-Aug

M

S

Dry Rock

Large rose to purple flowers. First to grow after a fire; spreads by rhizomes

Flax, Blue

Linum lewisii

2 ft/

May-Sep

D/M

S/PS

Young Forest

Blue flowers replace daily; reseeds; very easy to grow

Fleabane, Daisy

Erigeron speciosus

4-24 in

May-Aug

D/M

S-PS

Subalpine

Blue ray flowers with yellow center. Blooms before the asters

Foamflower

Tiarella trifoliata var.

6-20 in.

June-July

W/M

Sh/PSh

Tiny, delicate white flowers on wiry stalks

Geranium, Cranesbill

Geranium richardsonii

16-35 in.

May-Sept

M

PS/Sh

White to pinkish flowers

Geranium, Sticky

Geranium viscosissimum

16-35 in.

May-Sept

D

S/Sh

Pinkish-purple flowers; grassy meadows

Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis var. salebrosa

12-70 in.

July-Oct

D/M

S/PS

Meadow

Dense clusters of showy yellow flowers

Grass Widow

Olsynium douglasii var. inflatum

6-10 in.

Early Spring

M

S/PS

Purple-blue flowers; iris-like leaves

Groundsel, Arrowleaf

Senecio triangularis

1-5 ft.

June-Sept

W

S/PS

Yellow composite flowers in flat topped heads

Hollyhock, Mountain

Iliamna rivularis

3-6 ft.

June-Aug

M

S

Showy spikes of pink to white flowers; large, maple-like leaves; well-drained soil

Hooker's Fairybells

Disporum hookeri

1-3 ft.

Late Spring

M/W

S/Sh

Moist Forest

2-3 creamy flowers hang from stem ends; red berries in fall

Hyacinth, Wild

Brodiaea douglasii

6-10 in.

Apr-June

D

S/PS

Blue flowers clumped at the end of a long stem

Jacob's ladder

Polemonium pulcherrimum

2-15 in.

May-Aug

D/M

S

Blue flowers; in the Phlox family; reseeds readily

Larkspur, Montana

Delphinium bicolor

3-15 in./ 6-24 in.

Apr-July

D/M

S

Stalk of blue/purple, showy flowers; grassy prairies, coniferous forests

Larkspur, Nuttall's

Delphinium nuttallianum

6-16 in.

D

S/PS

Showy blue to violet flowers; open forest

Lily, Columbia; Tiger lily

Lilium columbianum

2 feet/

Jul/Aug

3

3

Dry Rock

Orange flowers with red-purple dots; loose fertile soil; purchase as seed or corms

Lily, Leopard; Chocolate Lily

Fritillaria lanceolata

2 1/2 ft

April-June

M

S-PS

Purple-brown flowers mottled with green. Purchase corms

Lupine, Silky

Lupinus sericeus

8-24 in.

Spring

D

S

Meadow

Deep blue/purple flowers on erect stems

Lupine, Silvery

Lupinus argenteus

4-16 in.

Spring

D/M

S/PS

Meadow

Violet/blue flowers on erect stems; clumps

Meadowrue, Western

Thalictrum occidentale

1-3 ft.

M

S

Small white flowers in loose clusters at top of stems

Miner's Lettuce

Claytonia perfoliata (Montia perfoliata)

2-12 in.

Apr-July

M

PS/Sh

White to pink nodding flowers in a cluster above leaf disk

Miner's lettuce, Heart-leaved

Claytonia cordifolia

4-12 in.

May-Sept

W

PS

Moist Forest

Small white flowers with pink veins; grows along streams

Monkey Flower, Yellow

Mimulus guttatus

3 -36 in.

Summer

W

S/Sh

Yellow flowers; grows along streams

Nightshade, Dwarf Enchanter's

Circaea alpina

4-20 in.

M/W

Sh

Tiny flowers: showy leaves; cool, damp forest or wetland sites

Onion, Pink nodding

Allium cernuum

4 - 20 in.

June-July

D

S/PS

Medicinal

Pink to rose purple flowers; spreads by clumping

Pearly Everlasting

Anaphalis margaritacea

1-3 ft.

July-Oct

D/M

S

Dry Rock

White flowers in dense clustered heads; good dried flower

Phalicia, Threadleaf

Phacelia linearis

3-20 in.

May-July

D

S

Lavender-blue flowers; annual; reseeds

Prairie Smoke

Geum triflorum

4-12 in.

May-July

D/M

S/Sh

Dry Rock

Pink to red flowers, lacy leaves; plumed seed pods; gravelly soil

Prince's Pine

Chimaphila umbellata

1 ft.

June-Aug

M

S/PS

Pink flowers on top of long stem; evergreen, rosette leaves

Shooting star, Woodland

Dodecatheon pulchellum

6-16 in.

Apr-Aug

M

S/Sh

2-15 pink flowers per stem; likes moist humus-rich soil

Skunk Cabbage

Lysichiton americanus

1-3 ft.

Apr-July

W

PS/Sh

Wetland

Spike of tiny yellow flowers surrounded by a yellow hood; bogs

Solomon's-Seal, False

Maianthemum racemosum

1-3 ft.

Apr-July

M

PS/Sh

White flowers; red berries; spreads by rhizomes

Solomon's-Seal, Star-flowered 

Maianthemum stellatum

8-24 in.

May-June

M

S/PS

Small white flowers; rhizomes; moist, open forest

Stonecrop

Sedum stenopetalum

2-8 in.

May-Aug

D

S/PS

Star-shaped, bright-yellow flowers, grows on well drained rocky slopes.

Sweet Cicely, Western

Osmorhiza berteroi, Osmorhiza purpurea

16-48 in.

Apr-July

M

Sh

Yellow or white flowers in groups; black, needle-shaped seeds; licorice aroma; rich soil

Trailplant, Pathfinder

Adenocaulon bicolor

Up to 3 ft.

June-Sept

M

Sh

Tiny white flowers on multiple wispy stems; leaves light color underneath

Trillium

Trillium ovatum

1 ft.

Mar-June

M/W

Sh/PSh

Moist Forest

Three broad white petals on showy flower; three leaves

Twisted Stalk

Streptopus amplexifolius

1-3 ft.

May-June

M

PS/Sh

Greenish-white, bell-shaped flowers hang down from underside of leaves; red berries in fall

Valerian, Sitka

Valeriana sitchensis

1-3 ft.

June-Aug

M

S/PS

Pale pink fading to white flowers; feathery seed plumes; rhizomes

Violet, Early Blue

Viola adunca var.

4 in

Apr-Aug

D/M

S/PS

Dry Rock

Blue or purple flower

Violet, Round-leaf

Viola orbiculata

to 2 in

Apr-July

M

S/PS

Moist Forest

Yellow flower

Violet, Stream or Pioneer

Viola glabella

2 to 7.5 in

Apr-July

M/W

S/PS

Moist Forest

Yellow flower; streams and seeps

Waterlily, Yellow

Nuphar lutea ssp. polysepala

4-18 in.

Summer

W

S/Sh

Large, yellow flowers and large leaves float on the surface of ponds 2-10 ft. deep or slow streams

Woodland Star; Prairie Star

Lithophragma parviflorum var.

8-20 in.

Apr-June

M

S/PS

Small, white flower

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

6 - 24 in.

Aug - Oct

D/M

S

White flowers; leaves fern-like; re-seeds aggressively; fragrant

Yellow Bell

Fritillaria pudica

3-12 in.

 Apr-June

D

S/PS

Nodding yellow flowers. Purchase corms

FERNS

Common Name

Scientific Name

Height

Bloom

Moisture

Light

Arboretum

Notes

Brittle Bladder (Fragile) Fern

Crystopteris fragilis

4-12 in.

D

S

Rocky sites; foothills to alpine

Cliff Fern

Woodsia  scopulina

to 10 in

D

PS

Rocky soil; dry cliffs; talus slopes

Sword Fern, Common

Polystichum munitum

2-4 ft.

D/M

Sh

Interior Rain Forest

Rich soil; large clumps of leathery, deep-green fronds

Crested Shieldfern

Dryopteris cristata

12-25 in.

M/W

PS/Sh

Interior Rain Forest

Wet woods; evergreen

Lady Fern

Athyrium filix-femina

2-5 ft.

M

PS/Sh

Interior Rain Forest

Leaves in vase-like clusters; spreads well by rhizomes

Oak Fern

Gymnocarpium dryopteris

3-14 in.

M

Sh

Spreads well by rhizomes; well-drained, acidic soil

Oregon Woodsia; Western Cliff Fern

Woodsia oregana

to 7.5 in

D

PS

Rocky soil; dry cliffs; rocky slopes; clusters of leaves

P