Gardening in the Pacific Northwest offers unique opportunities thanks to the region’s mild temperatures and abundant rainfall. Washington and Oregon gardeners enjoy growing conditions that allow for an incredible diversity of plants, from lush ferns to towering evergreens.
For me, transforming my Oregon backyard felt completely different from gardening anywhere else—the plants that flourished were those already adapted to the Pacific Northwest’s distinctive climate patterns.
1. Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Native to both Washington and Oregon, this iconic evergreen defines the regional landscape. The Douglas Fir grows impressively tall while maintaining a graceful silhouette.
What makes it special is its adaptability to various soil conditions while still preferring the natural acidity found throughout the region. Many homeowners plant these as statement trees, though they require space to reach their potential.
2. Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
Graceful and aromatic, Western Red Cedar creates natural privacy screens throughout Oregon gardens. The reddish-brown bark and scale-like foliage offer texture all year long.
My neighbor’s cedar hedge survived twenty Pacific Northwest winters without losing its rich color. This tree handles wet conditions beautifully, making it perfect for those challenging spots where water tends to collect after our famous regional rainstorms.
3. Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)
Walking through Washington forests, you’ll spot these hardy natives carpeting the understory. Their arching, deep green fronds bring woodland charm to home gardens.
Surprisingly tough once established, sword ferns need minimal care beyond occasional watering during summer dry spells. Last summer, my Oregon shade garden relied on these resilient plants during water restrictions, and they remained lush while other plants struggled.
4. Salal (Gaultheria shallon)
Leathery, glossy leaves make salal a standout ground cover that thrives in Washington’s coastal areas. The small pink flowers transform into edible dark purple berries by late summer.
Forest hikers recognize this plant immediately—it forms dense patches along trails throughout Oregon. Once established in your garden, salal requires almost no maintenance while providing year-round structure and seasonal interest through its flowers and berries.
5. Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
Bright yellow flowers appear in early spring, creating a welcome burst of color after Washington’s gray winters. The holly-like leaves develop a bronze-purple tint in cold weather, adding seasonal interest.
Blue-black berries follow the flowers, attracting birds while also being useful for making preserves. This state flower of Oregon performs wonderfully in difficult dry shade conditions where other plants struggle, making it perfect for those tricky spots under established trees.
6. Pacific Rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum)
Spectacular pink blooms cover this native shrub each spring, creating stunning displays throughout Washington gardens. Large, leathery leaves provide structure all year long.
As Washington’s state flower, this rhododendron connects gardens to the region’s natural heritage. My first spring in Oregon, I was amazed to see these plants growing wild along forest edges—the same species that creates such magnificent garden specimens when given just a bit more care.
7. Vine Maple (Acer circinatum)
Small and multi-stemmed, vine maples create perfect understory trees for Washington landscapes. Their star-shaped leaves turn brilliant orange-red in fall, lighting up gardens when many other plants are fading.
Growing naturally along streams throughout Oregon forests, these natives thrive in similar conditions in home gardens. Unlike their Japanese maple cousins, vine maples handle our Pacific Northwest weather patterns with ease, rarely suffering from the leaf scorch that can affect non-native species.
8. Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii)
Large white flower bracts create a stunning spring display throughout this native tree’s branches. The flowers appear before the leaves, creating an ethereal floating effect in woodland gardens.
Fall brings clusters of red berries and burgundy foliage that extends the seasonal interest. During my years gardening in Oregon, I found that Pacific dogwoods appreciate afternoon shade and consistent moisture—conditions that naturally occur in their native forest habitats throughout Washington.
9. Red-flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum)
Cascades of pink-to-red flowers dangle from branches in early spring, often before many other plants have awakened. Hummingbirds arrive right on schedule for these nectar-rich blooms throughout Oregon gardens.
The blue-black berries that follow attract native birds while the maple-like leaves provide nice summer texture. When I moved to Washington, planting this native shrub immediately connected my new garden to the local ecosystem, bringing wildlife and seasonal beauty.
10. Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)
Small, glossy leaves with reddish new growth make this shrub attractive year-round in Washington gardens. Tiny pink bell-shaped flowers appear in spring, followed by delicious dark berries by late summer.
Growing naturally in forest understories throughout Oregon, these shrubs prefer similar conditions in gardens. The berries taste even better than blueberries—sweeter with more complex flavor—making them perfect for both wildlife and human enjoyment in Pacific Northwest landscapes.
11. Western Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aleuticum)
Delicate, fan-shaped fronds create a light, airy texture in shaded Washington gardens. The black stems contrast beautifully with the bright green foliage, adding visual interest.
Morning mist often collects on these ferns, creating jewel-like droplets across the garden. During my time gardening in Oregon, I discovered these ferns thrive alongside streams or in rain gardens—anywhere that mimics their naturally moist woodland habitats throughout the Pacific Northwest.
12. Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii)
Intensely fragrant white flowers fill Oregon gardens with citrus-like perfume each summer. The sweet scent carries on evening breezes, making outdoor living spaces especially enjoyable.
Named for Meriwether Lewis of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition through the Pacific Northwest, this native shrub connects gardens to regional history. After planting one near my Washington patio, summer evenings became magical—the perfume drawing family conversations outdoors long after sunset.
13. Inside-Out Flower (Vancouveria hexandra)
Dainty white flowers appear to wear their petals backward, creating unique spring interest in Washington woodland gardens. The soft, blue-green foliage forms attractive groundcover mats even when not in bloom.
Growing naturally in Oregon’s forest understory, this plant thrives in similar garden conditions. My shaded garden path features these charming natives as edging—they’ve spread gradually over the years, creating a soft, elegant border that perfectly captures the Pacific Northwest woodland aesthetic.
14. Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Low-growing mats of small, leathery leaves spread slowly across difficult sites in Oregon landscapes. Pink bell-shaped flowers appear in spring, followed by bright red berries that persist through winter.
Drought-tolerant once established, this groundcover thrives in poor soils where other plants struggle. My Washington rock garden relies on kinnikinnick to soften hard edges while requiring almost no maintenance—a perfect example of how native plants solve challenging landscape problems throughout the Pacific Northwest.
15. Pacific Wax Myrtle (Myrica californica)
Aromatic, evergreen foliage makes this shrub perfect for hedges throughout coastal Oregon gardens. The narrow leaves have a pleasant fragrance when brushed against or crushed.
Salt-tolerant and wind-resistant, Pacific wax myrtle thrives where other plants fail near the coast. During winter storms along Washington’s shoreline, I’ve watched these sturdy natives stand firm while other landscape plants were damaged—proving why the region’s 17 most reliable plants often come from our native flora.
16. Coastal Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis)
White flowers give way to small, intensely flavored berries across this native groundcover in Washington gardens. The glossy, trifoliate leaves turn reddish in fall, extending seasonal interest.
Sandy soil doesn’t intimidate this tough plant—it’s naturally adapted to Oregon’s coastal conditions. The berries might be smaller than commercial varieties, but their concentrated flavor makes them worth seeking out, both for wildlife and for gardeners looking to incorporate edibles into their Pacific Northwest landscapes.
17. Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana)
Large pink flowers with sweet fragrance bloom on arching canes throughout Washington gardens. Unlike fussy hybrid roses, this native species resists diseases naturally without chemical sprays.
Red rose hips follow the flowers, providing winter food for birds while adding color to the dormant garden. Throughout Oregon’s wild areas, these roses form thickets that protect wildlife—in home gardens, they can create beautiful, low-maintenance hedges that connect landscapes to the authentic character of the Pacific Northwest.