Essay about Spu01 003855

Submitted By Princess-Chen
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Pages: 14

the

list
A Companion to the Choosing the Right Plants Natural Lawn & Garden Guide

a be tt er w ay t o bea ut if ul

www.savingwater.org

Waterwise garden by Stacie Crooks

Discover a better way to beautiful!

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The list on the following pages contains just some of the many plants that can be happy here in the temperate Pacific
Northwest, organized by several key themes. A number of these plants are Great Plant Picks ( ) selections, chosen because they are vigorous and easy to grow in Northwest gardens, while offering reasonable resistance to pests and diseases, as well as other attributes. (For details about the
GPP program and to find additional reference materials, refer to Resources & Credits on page 12.)

his plant list is a new companion to Choosing the
Right Plants, one of the Natural Lawn & Garden
Guides produced by the Saving Water Partnership
(see the back panel to request your free copy). These guides will help you garden in balance with nature, so you can enjoy a beautiful yard that’s healthy, easy to maintain and good for the environment.
When choosing plants, we often think about factors like size, shape, foliage and flower color. But the most important consideration should be whether a site provides the conditions a specific plant needs to thrive. Soil type, drainage, sun and shade—all affect a plant’s health and, as a result, its appearance and maintenance needs.

Remember, this plant list is just a starting point. The more information you have about your garden’s conditions and a particular plant’s needs before you purchase a plant, the better. By creating a plan and selecting plants wisely, you’ll avoid costly errors, reduce maintenance and enjoy a better way to a beautiful, healthy garden.

page 1

www.savingwater.org

Wet Winter/Dry Summer Plants
Deciduous
Evergreen

Shade

Partial Shade

Trees

Sun

The following plants are some of the best at faring well in very wet winter soils—often due to slow drainage or constant seepage—and dry summer soils. Plants with an asterisk* can even handle standing water; all will thrive with good summer drainage. Refer to page 12 for additional resources to help you find plants that match your garden’s conditions.
Mature Tree Heights

small up to 30 feet tall medium 30 to 70 feet tall large more than 70 feet tall

Acer circinatum

vine maple

small; great fall color

Betula albosinensis var. septentrionalis chinese red birch

medium

river birch

large

himalayan white birch

medium; gorgeous bark

english hawthorn

small

american sweet gum

large

dawn redwood

large; deciduous conifer

shore pine

large

pin oak

large

Betula nigra
Betula utilis var. jacquemontii
Crataegus laevigata and cultivars
Liquidambar styraciflua
Metasequoia glyptostroboides*
Pinus contorta var. contorta
Quercus palustris

Betula albosinensis var. septentrionalis

Shrubs

Aronia arbutifolia
Aronia melanocarpa
Aronia × prunifolia
Berberis darwinii
Berberis thunbergii and cultivars
Cornus alba and cultivars*
Cornus stolonifera and cultivars*
Gaultheria shallon
Myrica californica
Physocarpus opulifolius
Potentilla fruticosa
Sambucus nigra and cultivars
Spiraea douglasii
Spiraea × vanhouttei

red chokeberry

autumn berries

black chokeberry

autumn berries

Symphoricarpos albus

purple chokeberry

autumn berries

darwin’s barberry

dense habit

japanese barberry

‘Rose Glow’ is a GPP

redtwig dogwood

‘Elegantissima’ is a GPP

red osier dogwood

twig color best in sun

salal

forms a thicket

california wax myrtle

birds like the berries

purpleleaf ninebark

‘Diabolo’ is a GPP

shrubby cinquefoil

long bloomtime

black elder

‘Gerda’ is a GPP

douglas’s spirea

vigorous; forms a thicket

bridal wreath spirea

pretty white flowers

snowberry

white berries; forms a thicket = a Great Plant Picks selection

page 2

www.savingwater.org

Berberis darwinii

Deciduous
Evergreen

Shade

Sun

Perennials,
Grasses and More

Partial Shade

Wet Winter/Dry Summer Plants

Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’*

gold variegated