Native Plant Species Information

Kendrick Forest Farm.com

~ Native Plant species information ~

~Western Serviceberry ~

Amelanchier alnifolia

( Growing Locations A, B, C )

A member of the rose family, this deciduous shrub grows at a medium rate from 3’ to 12’ in height and has deep green oval leaves with toothed edges near the tip. Highly adaptive to various soils and locations, it can take full sun or partial shade and dry to moist well-drained soil. It sets lovely pure white flowers with slender petals clustered at the ends of branches in spring that are a nectar source for butterflies & bees, and fruits that are a wildlife favorite. It provides wildlife cover and is a host for swallowtail & spring azure butterflies. Deer/elk love foliage and new twigs.

~ Red-osier /Creek Dogwood ~

Cornus sericea

( Gowing Locations C & D )

This native shrub is a very fast growing member of the dogwood family, its interesting red stems often seen growing along creek banks. It is highly adaptable and likes sun to shade, grows in dry or moist soils and even tolerates seasonally wet soils. It grows from 4’ to 12’ tall, but can be pruned to control height. Its leaves are soft, veined, elliptical- & highly prized by deer & elk. It sets flat-topped clusters of cream colored flowers in May, that provide a good nectar source for butterflies, followed by blue or blueish white fruit that are a staple for birds and mammals of many kinds. Its wood is often eaten in winter by rabbits, porcupines & deer.

~ Oceanspray ~

Holodiscus discolor

( Growing Locations A & B )

An unthorned member the rose family, this fast growing multi-stemmed shrub/small tree is recognizable by its cascading cream-colored flower clusters that can reach a foot long, blooming June-August and provide nectar for butterflies. It’s smallish, dark green crinkled leaf develops reddish tones in fall before they are dropped. It likes full sun to partial shade, tolerates drought & dry soil and it will not tolerate saturated soils. It grows in a dense habit up to 8’ tall in open areas and 12’ tall in shady locations, providing habitat for many small mammals and birds. Its seed provides food for birds & deer will eat its foliage if unable to find other browse.

~ Mockorange ~

Philadelphus lewissii

( Growing Locations A, B, C )

This multi-stemmed fast growing native is from the hydrangea family and sets clusters of wonderfully fragrant white flowers with beautiful golden stamens in early summer that provide a good nectar source for butterflies & bees. It has lovely green elliptical leaves that form in April creating lush foliage throughout the summer. It is drought tolerant, though usually found along water courses & can take full sun & partial shade. It grows to a height of 6’-12’ & equal width & likes a sandy soil. It’s seeds are eaten by birds and deer & elk love to browse its leaves, which are lost in the Fall.

~ Pacific Ninebark ~

Physocarpus capitatus

( Growing Locations B & C )

This fast-growing native shrub reaches 6-12’ tall with many arching branches covered with unusual looking multiple layers (nine) of loose paperlike bark that peel off. It is found growing along stream banks and moist woods, and occasionally on drier shrubby sites. It likes sun to partial shade and moderate to moist soil. It sets little starlike white flowers in dense pompom clusters in May-June that are attractive to bees and butterflies & a reddish seed capsule that provides food for birds in Fall. It’s glossy veined leaves are palmate, similar to small maple leaves with serrate edges and have great fall color.

~ Cascara ~

Rhamnus purshiana

( Growing Locations A & B )

This native can be a shrub or small tree, growing to 12’ tall. It’s leaves appear in early March as naked brownish beaked growths at the ends of the stems, growing into very attractive glossy green, ridged leaves that are lost in Fall. It has a smooth brown bark and sets berries that are dark blue ripening to a blue-brown reminiscent of coffee beans, giving it the nickname of “coffee-berry” tree. Birds love the berries. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil and grows well if given a good amount of water with the soil allowed to dry out a bit between waterings.

~ Red-flowering Currant ~

Ribes sanguineum

( Growing Location A )

This native shrub is from the gooseberry family. It’s attractive maple-like leaves have rounded edges with a distinctive, but not unpleasant scent. It grows from 3’ to 8’ tall and sets eye-catching pink pendulous flower clusters in March-April that last until June, providing an excellent nectar source for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Its berries ripen over time providing a long-term food supply for birds, squirrels, foxes and raccoons. Found in semi-moist or dry woods, it can take sun or partial shade but is sensitive to over watering.

~ Wood's Rose~

Rosa woodsii

( Growing Locations A & B )

This native rose is a fast growing and drought tolerant shrub found in wooded areas. It’s growing habit is normally three feet or so in height, but it can reach five feet tall. It likes full sun and prefers dry areas, but can take partial shade. It sets very small delicate pink flowers with five petals around a dense cluster of yellow stamens & pistils in showy clusters and red seed “hips” that persist through the winter as food for wildlife. It reproduces by underground suckers and can form thickets that are homes for wildlife.

~ Douglas Spirea ~

Spiraea douglasii

( Growing Locations B, C & D )

This native shrub is a member of the rose family and sets beautiful spires of pink flowers in June-July which provide a good nectar source for butterflies. It loves full sun or partial shade and moist or marshy humous-rich soil, but will tolerate seasonally dry soils. It is a fast grower and reaches 3’ to 6’ in height. It’s stems are woody & branch freely, growing in a dense habit which provides cover for birds and small mammals. Its leaves are ovoid and dark green with notched edges on the upper half.

~ Snowberry ~

Symphoricarpos albus

( Growing Locations A & B )

A member of the honeysuckle family, this attractive native shrub grows from 1-1/2’ to 5’ tall and has irregularly oval or narrowly oval soft green leaves. It sets clusters of small pinkish blossoms in mid-may and sets white berrylike drupes in fall which is used by wildlife in fall and winter. This fruit is poisonous to humans. Its foliage is fragrant when wet and is deer resistant. Though delicate in appearance, it is hardy and can take full sun, partial shade or full shade. It propagates by underground shoots and likes to grow in thickets that provide homes and shelter for wildlife.