RARE NATIVE PLANTS THAT I’D LOVE IN MY PORTLAND GARDEN
I love learning about the different plants that are locally native to my location. At nurseries, I routinely see the same popular native plants. It’s likely for good reason - either that plants are hard for customers to grow, or they’re hard for growers to propagate, or both!
After scouring the local native plant list (Portland Plant List), I’ve found some beautiful plants that are rarely found in local nurseries. I’d love to find ways to acquire and grow these plants in the future. If I’ve found a place to purchase the plant, I will include the link below.
Western Starflower (Pacific Starflower) Lysimachia latifolia
These little flowers bloom in late spring and early summer. I think they are so cute and perfect, like little confetti stars! They can be either pink or white. This perennial plant loves moist and shaded sites.
May be available at Bosky Dell Natives!
Western White Anemone (Columbian Windflower) Anemonastrum deltoideum
In contrast to the starflower, the perennial anemone has huge flowers, with toothed leaflets. The anemonastrum family also has popular non-natives that are often found in nurseries. I think these are some of the most beautiful native flowers, and I’ve actually seen this growing in the wild, while on a hike. It grows in forests at mid to high elevations.
May be available as seeds from Sunmark Seeds!
White Baby Blue Eyes Nemophila menziesii ssp. Atomaria
This small annual wildflower is so cheery and showy. The flower shape reminds me a bit of an anemone. There are several west coast sub-species: although the Portland Plant List only lists the species Nemophila Menziesii, the variety ssp. Atomaria (which is primarily white) is the locally native form in Portland. The bright blue variety is easier to find commercially but is native to southern Oregon. I think this showy flower would be very marketable to gardeners who might not be seeking out native plants. This plant is resilient and easy to grow.
Giant Vetch Vicia gigantea
There are many non-native vetch species, but there are also a few native species. As suggested by the name, this species has larger flowers that are typically pink. It is primarily a coastal species but can be found in some inland areas such as streambanks.
Fairy-Slipper Calypso bulbosa
This orchid is delicately beautiful and almost impossible to grow commercially, which is why you won’t find it at a nursery. Picking the flower or transplanting it will kill the plant, so don’t touch them if you see them in the wild! It is a perennial that has a widespread range in the United States and around the northern countries of the world. If there was a way to grow these, I’d love to have them in my garden!
Snow Queen Synthyris reniformis
Snow Queen grows in the coastal forests and inland forests. It blooms in late winter, and can have a range of flower colors from light pink to bluish purple. This is a short flower (2-6”), so it would look great in a background of moss or among another low ground covers.
May be available at Bosky Dell Natives!
Available by seed at Steel Acres.
What rare or hard-to-find Portland natives did I miss?
