Crew planting shrubs in a new bed
Native plants evolved for exactly our weather: soggy winters, bone-dry summers. Once they're established, most need little or no summer water, and they feed local birds and pollinators.
Our go-to natives
- Oregon grape: Oregon's state flower. Glossy evergreen leaves, yellow spring flowers, blue berries for birds. Handles shade.
- Red-flowering currant: one of the first shrubs to bloom in spring, and hummingbirds love it.
- Sword fern: the classic shade plant under big firs. Nearly indestructible.
- Vine maple: a small, graceful native maple with great fall color. A good alternative to a Japanese maple.
- Kinnikinnick: a low evergreen groundcover for sunny slopes.
When to plant
Fall is the best time to plant in Beaverton. Winter rains water new roots for you, so plants are settled in before their first dry summer.
A tip for clay soil
Work compost into the planting area, not just the hole. A single amended hole in clay can act like a bathtub and drown the roots.
Want us to take a look?
We'll stop by for free and give you an honest plan, even if it's a job you can do yourself.
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