2024 Native Plant Sale

The 2024 Native Plant Sale starts 8am January 27!
​
We are pleased to bring back some favorites from 2023, as well as some new products. Our plants are sold in bundles of five bare root plants or plugs. You can pick up your orders on Saturday March 16, 2024 at locations on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan islands.

The deadline for ordering is March 9, 2024, or while supplies last.
Shop the Native Plant Sale
Questions?  Please contact Caitie Blethen at (360) 370-7663 or [email protected].

Bare root plants*
​Sold in bundles of 5
For information about planting and caring for bare root plants, see Planting Tips.
​* except where noted

American Cranberry (Viburnum opulus v. americanum (trilobum)): Native across Canada and the northern tier of the United States in moist to swampy habitats. Shrubby growth to 8-12 feet tall and wide with white lace cap flowers in late spring, and drooping clusters of cranberry-like fruits and bright red leaves in the fall. Plants attract birds and butterflies.
Black Cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa): Large, triangular leaves, straight trunks which are greenish and smooth when young, but deeply furrowed and dark gray at maturity. In early spring, pollen and seed tassels festoon the leafless branches. Leaf buds emit a balsamic aroma. Sexes are on separate trees. Great nurse tree for quick suppression of weedy undergrowth for establishment of native understory species. Likes deep moist soils and full sun. Fast growing to 120 feet.
Buffaloberry/Soopalallie (Shepherdia candensis): This attractive shrub is used medicinally by many North American tribes, and the bitter berries can be whipped up to make “Indian ice-cream”. Birds relish the berries, too. Plants are either male or female (berry-producing) – sorry, we can’t predict which is which. Plant in sunny conditions and average soil. Shrub height about 10 feet.
Douglas spiraea, hardhack (Spiraea douglasii): is an erect, medium-sized shrub 3-7 feet tall. Plant in open, sunny places, including alongside streams and rocky slopes. Spiraea is easy to grow, and can tolerate extended periods of flooding as well as drought. Tolerates salt spray in shoreline plantings. Withstands competition from wetland grasses, including reed canarygrass. In June through August, stems are tipped with bright pink plumes of small flowers in a bottlebrush shape. Spiraea can be attractive to deer and livestock. It brings in pollinators.
Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): is a persistent, prostrate groundcover that thrives on sandy, well-drained soils and full sun, but tolerates light shade. It is related to Madrones and has peeling bark and oval leaves. Small pinkish urn-shaped flowers appear in terminal clusters between March and June, developing into bright red berries from July into February. Benefits wildlife with cover and food. Useful for controlling erosion on hillsides and slopes.
 * Sold as plugs 
Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii): This deciduous shrub is known for its beautiful, fragrant flowers. Can grow up to 10 feet tall. White flowers bloom in late spring to mid-summer. Plant in full sun to part shade, in moist to dry, well-drained soil. Good in a hedgerow or butterfly garden or near a deck or patio where the fragrant flowers can be enjoyed. 
Oxalis (Woodland Sorrel, Oxalis oregana): This species forms a lush, solid, inviting carpet in a woodland garden. A low plant 2 to 6 inches, with 3 heart-shaped leaflets on each leaf and 1 funnel-shaped, white or rose-pink flower at end of each stalk; leaf and flower stalks both about the same length and attached to the plant at ground level. Flowers bring in pollinators.
Pacific rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum): is a medium to large evergreen shrub growing up to 20 feet tall. The leaves are oblong and leathery. Flowers vary from light pink to rose purple, blooming from late spring to mid-summer. Plant in part shade or dappled sunlight in moist to somewhat dry soil. Tolerates deep shade but will produce more flowers along the forest edge or in part sun. Excellent under big trees in a woodland garden or as part of a hedgerow. Somewhat deer resistant. This species is the state flower of Washington.
* Sold as plugs
Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera). Common in Northwest Washington, the paper birch has white papery bark and small, soft-textured leaves. A popular landscaping tree, grown as a single specimen or in clumps of trees. In autumn, the leaves turn shades of yellow, orange and red. A great addition to a native woodland garden. Grows 50-75 feet.
Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanquineum): A plant sale favorite, this lovely, thornless, deciduous shrub grows up to 10 feet tall.  Tubular flowers appear in early spring and vary in color from pink to deep magenta.  Very popular with hummingbirds, it blooms around the same time the hummingbirds are migrating back to the islands. Plant in sun to part shade in moist to fairly dry, well-drained soil. 
Silk Tassel (Garrya elliptica): This large evergreen shrub can grow up to 20 feet tall and almost as wide. Prefers full sun or part shade, and moist soil. The beautiful gray-green foliage makes it a good choice for a hedgerow, screening or specimen plant. Provides food and evergreen cover for wildlife.
Blooms in mid-to late winter, its pendant catkins elongate and open into long creamy-yellow floral chains. Its choice foliage and tinsel-like blooms make unusual and striking floral arrangements.
Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum): is a large evergreen fern with erect leaves forming a crown. It is typically found in coniferous woodlands understory, and can grow from full shade to full sun. Its fronds can be up to 6 feet long. Benefits wildlife with cover.
* Sold as plugs
Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata): The largest of our shrubby native honeysuckles: 6-14 feet tall with double pale yellow tubular flowers April through August, and purplish-black fruits. Provides excellent erosion control. Grows easily in both moist sites that are open to partially-shaded sites. Pretty flowers bring in pollinators, and shiny fruits bring in birds. Tolerates salt spray.