Viewing comments posted by Bonehead

Native to the Pacific Northwest, SE Canada to southern California. Found in riparian habitats where deer and elk browse the leaves; squirrels and birds eat the seeds. The root system is moderately shallow but very fibrous and spreading, which allows it to withstand heavy winds. The wood is used as fuel and for tool handles. Flowers on a male tree are yellow, and on a female tree green. The leaves have diuretic properties, and the bark was used to treat malaria. Urban legend claims that rattlesnakes will not crawl over an Oregon ash stick.

Despite the common name of motherwort, this herb should not be consumed by pregnant women. It originated in Asia where it was cultivated by monasteries and botanical gardens in the Middle Ages, used to calm the heart and reduce thrombosis. It escaped from cultivation and became widely naturalized, but is now less commonly found in the wild due to competition from stinging nettles (a stronger plant). When my neighbor tried free-range rabbits (for a very short time, duh), they completely devoured this plant when it first emerged in spring.

Sweet violets are a jolly little plant that will self-sow and/or send runners out wherever the conditions are right. One of the earliest spring blooms, I let them colonize where they want, occasionally pulling them after bloom if they are crowding other plants. Mine limit themselves to my north and east yards, usually at the front edge of a bed. A pairing I am particularly fond of is violets at the foot of Stella daylilly - by the time Stella has covered the violets, they have finished blooming and don't seem to mind being in her shade for the rest of the season. Violets are also a host plant for spider mites, so keep your eye out.

Dark green, short, stiff needles. Interesting cones produced in winter.

There seems to be some question whether this is a native or invasive plant in the PNW. I do know I have a lot of it in my damp lower field, and my local Conservation folks would like to discourage its spread. Since it is growing along a fish-bearing stream, their suggestion is to simply plant larger natives where the canary grass is growing, cut the grass back, and eventually the shade from the natives will overpower the grass. I don't mind the canary grass, it looks really pretty in the wind, and I assume the deer snack on it (I know my dog does).

http://www.fs.fed.us/database/...

This is an invasive plant in Washington. It has escaped cultivation and has established itself in our parks and forests, where it literally strangles mature shrubs and trees. It can, however, be used judiciously if care is taken to prevent unwanted spread. It makes a beautiful accent to outdoor events, woven through trellises and as table decor.

Native to the American Neotropics, this plant has become highly invasive in other tropical regions and is listed in the top 100 of the world's worst by the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group. Koster inadvertently introduced this to the Hawaiian Islands in the 1880s. It smothers and competes with native vegetation. The black berries contain many seeds and are edible to humans, birds, and feral pigs (which helps spread the plant). Sheep won't eat the berries, and they are toxic to goats. It is also known as soapbush, although I have not found what part of the plant that refers to.

Very nice focal grass, tall and graceful, great wind action. It is also quite forgiving - the early grass stalks look very similar to my common clumping orchard grass and I diligently pulled them all out one spring. By the time I got to my final clump, I realized my mistake and left that one alone. Mid-summer, I really couldn't tell any difference between the clumps I had massacred and the one I left alone. I have not yet tried to divide this, but plan to this spring when it breaks dormancy.

Nice heath, although misnamed in my opinion. It does bloom from December until late April, but I would not call the bloom anywhere near red. It is clearly a fuchsia pink, nice bright spot of color in the drab winter months. Spreads out nicely as well.

Native in the Pacific Northwest, found in moist to wet shaded areas. The berries, mottled green to begin with and then bright red, are edible but not particularly palatable. Naturalizes readily in areas it likes, then goes dormant about mid-summer. Used medicinally by various native peoples. I find it a good companion for bulbs.

This is a fairly fast growing tree, up to about 30'. Interesting twisty branching, but as with all willows, it's messy (drops leaves and twigs) so give some thought to the siting. As it matures, you can prune out branches for many uses. I've used cuttings for chicken roosts, birdhouse posts, and garden edgings. Easy to propagate, just snip off some whips and set them in water until they root. Or jam them directly into a swampy area. Be cautious about planting too close to your septic system as it is a water hog.

Parasitic native in the Pacific Northwest. When the seeds germinate, they produce slender stems without leaves. Unless the slowly rotating stem encounters a host plant within a short time, the dodder seedling withers and dies. If the stem comes into contact with a susceptible plant, the dodder twines around it and develops suckers, which penetrate the tissue of the host. Food is received through the suckers and the dodder loses all contact with the soil. After a period of growth, clusters of small flowers appear and large amounts of seed are produced. (Frankton and Mulligan 1987)

An introduced invasive from Eurasia, now widely distributed throughout North America. Found on roadsides, fields, and dry open waste places. In Washington, these are found more easily on the drier east side of the Cascades. The large softly felted leaves can be used as insoles for sore hikers.

Columbines are my favorite early spring flower, but are short lived for me. I might get two good seasons from a plant, then they lose vigor and either come back very small with few flowers, or reseed themselves as 'granny bonnets' - plain-jane short spurred light purple. My solution is to simply add several healthy new plants every year and enjoy the rotating show.

Introduced from Europe as a meadow grass, now widely distributed in the Pacific Northwest. Found in open fields and pastures, particularly in damp areas. Forms a tall clump of grass with soft purplish inflorescences that later open to straw colored feathery tips. Really a nice looking grass. When we had livestock, this was part of our pasture mix, and I assume it is now forage for the deer and other grass eaters out there. I like the impact around our farm pond, as part of the border that stays out of the reach of our occasional mowing.

Native in the Pacific NW, found along roadsides, fields, and forest clearings. May be used in dry bouquets, retains color and shape well. Plant may be rubbed on hands for softening.

This is the common foxglove found growing along roadways and at the edges of forests. Introduced from Europe, but now widely naturalized. Contains cardiac glycosides from which digitalis is derived - highly toxic so be cautious when handling. Old folklore claims that bad fairies gave the blooms to foxes to slip over their feet to muffle their footsteps around the chicken coop.

Introduced from Europe, now found naturalized in much of the U.S. in fields, lawns, and roadsides. Important food source for many caterpillars. May be used as a green manure or cover crop. All parts are edible. An infusion of leaves may be helpful for colds or coughs.

Juvenile growth is used as foliage in cut flower arrangements. This is a good container plant to bring indoors during winter. It is marginally hardy for me and I've not had any luck giving it winter protection outside. Prune heavily to keep growth in check, note that its mature height can be up to 50'.

Native in the Pacific Northwest from British Columbia to Oregon, east to Idaho and Montana. Grows best in moist, well drained soil in open woodlands, but is drought tolerant once established. Trailing stems root freely forming large mats. The leaves have a very pleasant sharp ginger smell. The roots can be eaten fresh or dried, and may be ground as a ginger substitute. Both the leaves and roots have been used as medicinal teas and poultices.