Meet and greet the members of our nursery! Our WSC Restoration Associate has assembled a handy guide to native plants that you will encounter at our nursery.

 

Conifers

Common NameSpecies NamePictureInformation
Douglas FirPseudotsuga menziesiiTemperance:

·Full to partial sun
·Dry-semi-moist
·Doesn’t tolerate flooding

Ethnobotanical uses: Historically, this wood was used for spear handles, harpoon shafts, spoons, and much more.
Grand FirAbies grandisTemperance:

·Partial sun
·Somewhat moist

Ethnobotanical uses: The Hesquiat used branches as incense and to decorate clothing for wolf dancers
Shore PinePinus contortaTemperance:

·Highly adaptable

Ethnobotanical uses: The pitch was used by Sechelt to waterproof canoes and baskets
Sitka SprucePicea sitchensisTemperance:

·Tolerates river and stream flooding
·Does well in wet areas

Fun Fact: The sharp needles of spruce were believed to give it special powers of protection against evil thoughts.
Western HemlockTsuga heterophyllaTemperance:

·Partial to full shade
·Somewhat moist

Fun Fact: Washington State Tree
Western Red CedarThuja plicataTemperance:

·Partial-full shade
·Moist
·Flood tolerant

Fun Fact: Can live up to 1,000 years

Deciduous Trees

Common NameSpecies NamePictureInformation
Big leaf mapleAcer macrophyllumTemperance:

·Good for streambanks and slopes due to massive root system
·Full sun to partial shade
·Mostly dry

Fun Fact: This species carries more moss and other plants than any other tree species in the region
Black cottonwoodPopulus balsamiferaTemperance:

·Tolerates stream or river flooding
·Full sun to partial shade
·Moist
·Good for streambanks and steep slopes due to root system

Ethnobotanical Uses: The aromatic gum of spring buds is used to waterproof baskets and boxes
Oregon ashFraxinus latifoliaTemperance:

·Moist to wet soils

Fun Fact: Believed to be protective against snakes. Legend says rattlesnakes won’t crawl over sticks of the tree.  The areas where Oregon ash grow are also free of poisonous snakes
Pacific crabappleMalus fuscaTemperance:

·Prefer wet areas

Fun Fact: The fruit does not require preservation due to its acidity.  It naturally becomes softer and sweeter over time
Red alderAlnus rubraTemperance:

·Grows in nutrient-poor soils
·Sun to partial shade
·Somewhat dry
·Excellent for streambanks and steep slopes due to good root system

Fun Fact: Has the ability to gather nitrogen from the air and convert it into a usable nutrient due to a symbiotic relationship with Frankia, bacteria that attaches to the alders’ roots.
Red osier dogwoodCornus sericeaTemperance:

·Full sun to partial shade
·Moist

Fun Fact: Important winter browse for moose, deer, and elk
Vine mapleAcer circinatumTemperance:

·Good for stream banks and steep slopes due to its root system
·Sun to full shade
·Dry to somewhat moist soils

Ethnobotanical Uses: Wood is often used for snowshoe frames, drum hoops and small implements due to its flexibility

Shrubs

Common NameSpecies NamePictureInformation
Black Twinberry
Lonicera involucrataTemperance:

·Partial shade
·Moist

Ethnobotanical Uses: Haida rubbed the berries on the scalp to prevent hair from turning grey
Douglas hawthorneCrataegus douglasiiTemperance:

·Moist
·Open places

Ethnobotanical Uses: Thorns on black hawthorn were used as prongs on rakes for catching herring
OsoberryOemleria cerasiformisTemperance:

·Somewhat dry to moist
·Open areas
·Shade

Fun Fact: Even though it is a part of the rose family, it has no thorns
Mock OrangePhiladelphus lewisiiTemperance:

·Adaptable
·Full to partial sun

Fun Fact: When prepared properly, the wood never cracks or warps
Nootka RoseRosa nutkanaTemperance:

·Full sun to partial shade
·Somewhat dry

Fun Fact: Rose hips contain a higher amount of vitamin C than oranges
OceansprayHolodiscus discolorTemperance:

·Dry to moist
·Open sites

Ethnobotanical Uses: Before nails existed, oceanspray pegs were used in construction
Pacific ninebarkPhysocarpus capitatusTemperance:

·Sun to partial shade
·Prefers moist

Ethnobotanical Uses: The Cowichan made knitting needles out of them
Pacific WillowSalix LucidaTemperance:

·Full sun to partial sun
·Somewhat moist to moist

Fun Fact: Tallest of the willows
Quaking AspenPopulus tremuloidesTemperance:

·Moist
·Full sun

Fun Fact: Aggressive pioneer species, it readily colonizes burned areas and persists through frequent fires
Red flowering currant Ribes sanguineumTemperance:

·Full sun to partial shade
·Dry to somewhat moist

Fun Fact: This plant was introduced into European horticulture
SalmonberryRubus spectabilisTemperance:

·Full sun to partial shade
·Moist

Fun Fact: Salmonberry patches were harvested exclusively by their owner until enough boxes were collected to hold a feast.  After that, patch was open for all to harvest in Nuu-chah-nulth
ServiceberryAmelanchier alnifoliaTemperance:

·Full sun
·Well-drained soil

Fun Fact: Berries were highly prized by indigenous peoples and early settlers
Sitka WillowSalix sitchensisTemperance:

·Full sun to somewhat shade
·Somewhat moist to moist
·Tolerates river or stream flooding

Ethnobotanical Uses: Strait Salish used the bark to make a grey dye for mountain goat wool
SnowberrySymphoricarpos albusTemperance:

·Full sun to somewhat shade
·Dry to somewhat moist
·Tolerates some flooding

Fun Fact: Other common names for the white berries of the plant are ‘corpse berry' or ‘snakes berry’
SpireaSpiraea douglasiiTemperance:

·Partial to full sun
·Moist areas

Ethnobotanical Uses: Nuu-chah-nulth used branch twigs to collect tubular marine dentalia shells