Perennial with large taproot. Beautiful bright flowers and delicate leaves. Flowers: yellow to orange, on 1' stems.
Where Found Drier, sun exposed soils. Seeds into disturbed sites. Hardy once established.
Notes A beautiful addition to a landscape. Good for areas that receive full sun and hot temperatures, borders, etc. Often sold as seed.
Camas Camassia quamash
Perennial herb (from bulb) to 2'. Center stem yields beautiful vibrant purple flower stalk, April to June.
Where Found Historically widespread, now declining. Moist to average meadows, gently sloping hills. Full sun to partial shade.
Notes Bulbs were an important food source to Native Americans. Ground, mixed with berries and dried into "pancakes."
Red Columbine Aquilegia formosa
Perennial herb with taproot. Delicate lobed leaves with breathtaking red, yellow fluted flowers to '2.
Where Found Varied habitat. Conifer and mixed forest at edge and openings, meadows.
Notes Nectar sought by hummingbirds.
Oregon Iris Iris tenax
Perennial, rhizome to 1'. Beautiful, large purple flower with white-yellow streaks and ruffled inner petals.
Where Found Open woodlands (conifer and deciduous), meadows, pastures and roadsides. Tolerates sun.
Notes Beautiful addition NW naturescape. Good in transition zones and borders and in beds with other natives.
Strawberry, Coastal Fragaria chiloensis
Perennial, low growing herb. Waxy green leaves, 1" white flowers and thumbnail size red berries.
Where Found Coastal: sand dunes, bluffs and well drained sandy sites. Woodland: at forest edges and openings.
Notes Both are an attractive and effective groundcovers over a wide range of conditions. Coastal more dense.
Oregon Grape, Creeping Mahonia nervosa
State flower of Oregon. Small evergreen shrub. Erect to 2'. Leaves: "holly-ish," yet softer, turning red-purple in autumn. Bright yellow flowers, yielding to small bluish berries or "grapes."
Where Found Dry to moist, open to closed forests. Low to middle elevations.
Notes Already a landscaping staple. Evergreen. Often planted with Salal (see below) and/or as an understory plant.
