A beautiful, low maintenance landscape in Oregon is achievable as long as you make smart choices. One of the best decisions a property owner can make is to include native plants in their landscape. These are the plants that have been naturally growing in a certain area even before the European settlers came. They have had many years to grow and adapt to their environment, making it easy for them to survive without much help.

Native plants require very little maintenance. They are able to tolerate the conditions specific to their environment, making their need for extra fertilizer and water very low. Native plants are perfect for those who want to increase their curb appeal without breaking their back maintaining their landscape.

Below are 5 native plants that property owners in Oregon should consider adding to their landscape.

1. Sword Ferns

Sword ferns are a great addition to any lawn because they make the lawn look lush and thick. This evergreen plant can grow up to six feet long and has been around since 400 million years ago, according to Oregon State University. It has adapted well to OR, needing very little maintenance.

While it prefers shady conditions and rich soil (the reason why it can be found in many moist forests), it can actually adapt well in many different soil conditions, as long as it has good drainage.

An interesting fact about the sword fern is that the Cowichan tribe used it for medicinal purposes, rubbing the leaf onto their skin to treat stinging nettle rash.

2. Western Serviceberry

This deciduous shrub is also called a Saskatoon, and it can grow up to 30 feet tall! By springtime, fragrant, white flowers bloom from the shrub which will eventually turn into edible purple/black berries. Come fall, the leaves change from yellow to red, making for a beautiful backdrop to your landscape.

The Western serviceberry attracts pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

For optimum health, western serviceberries should be planted in moist to dry soil with good drainage and full sun or partial shade.

3. Douglas Aster

For property owners with plenty of room to spare, planting Douglas asters is perfect because they spread, growing up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. This native plant has a beautiful blue or lavender flower that looks similar to a daisy, which blooms from late summer up to fall.

You'll find a lot of them in streambanks, as they thrive in soil with lots of moisture. They will tolerate both sun and part shade.

4. Douglas Iris

Douglas iris is another semi-green perennial that attracts lots of pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies. It can grow up to 2 feet in height and while the flowers are mostly blue, some will have other colors like pale cream, reddish-purple, and pinkish-white. Douglas iris can be found in grasslands that are near coastal areas and in environments that receive full to partial sun and rich soil.

5. Pacific Bleeding Heart

It might have a dramatic name, but just one look at the Pacific bleeding heart and you'll understand why. This herbaceous perennial boasts pink, purple, and white pendant-like flowers that really look like the shape of a heart. They can grow up to 2 feet long and prefer moist soil with proper drainage.

Pacific bleeding hearts have even been used to produce perfumes.

Thinking of adding native plants to your landscape? Call our team today!

At J&C Lawn Care, we always choose plants for our clients that do well in their unique environment. Native plants are always a great choice if you are looking for a low-maintenance option. During our design and installation service, our team can help you choose which flowers work best in your landscape, depending on color balance, soil condition, sun exposure, symmetry, and more.

We offer our services to the Gresham, Oregon area, including Happy Valley and Troutdale. If your property is located nearby, give our office a call today at (971) 284-2035 to set up a consultation. Get on the road to a colorful landscape full of low-maintenance, native plants!