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Native Plant Synoptic Garden
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Spirea douglasii- Great plant for wet and boggy sites. Intense pink flower display. The growth
habit is dense and sucker to form large colonies. Best used in wild areas of the landscape. Plant in
the “Wetland Zone”. Ethnobotany: Twigs used to make a tool to collect dentalia shells.
Spirea X pyramidata (S. douglasii x S. betulifolia)- An interesting cross with the Birchleaf
Spirea. Plant in the “Wetland Zone”.
Symphoricarpos albus- A tough shrub for almost any situation. Grows to a height of 2-5’. “A
favorite for restoration” (Kern Ewing). Produces crops of inedible white fruit. A good plant for
wildlife. All cultivars can be planted in the “Forested Ridge”, “Valley Bottom”, and “Wetland
Zone”. Ethnobotany: Very seldom eaten. Considered poisonous.
‘Aureovarigatus’- Cream-yellow variegation of typical plant.
‘Constance Spry’- Produces a good crop of large round berries.
‘Tilden Park’- A bushy selection with bright clean foliage, and a reliably heavy crop of
large berries. Named after the botanical park it was found in.
‘Variegatus’- Variegated form of the species.
(Photo from: Fa. C. Esveld)
Taxus brevifolia- A good shade tolerant conifer species that produces red berry fruits (Klinka,
1989). Ethnobotany: Hard wood was used for making many tools. Fleshy seed was eaten. Needles
used for smoking.
‘Nana’- A dwarf form of the species. Growth requirements the same as species (Dusek,
2004). Can grow in “Alpine Zone” in a shady spot if possible.
Thuja plicata- The Western Red Cedar is a dense growing tree with a pyramidical growth habit.
Branches arch outward with secondary branches sagging downward. Grows well in wet areas and
likes extra moisture (Dirr, 1990). Ethnobotany: One of the most important trees in the region to
local aboriginal people. Bark was peeled and made into cloths, blankets, hats, towels and baskets.
Young roots made into baskets. Branches made into rope and fish traps.
‘Doone Valley’- A slow upright growing conical bush with orange, bronze and green
variegation (Dusek, 2004).
‘Excelsa’ - A columnar form. The branches spread horizontally (Krussman, 1985). Fast
growing type, best used in the “Forested Ridge” zone.
‘Holly Turner’- A nice weeping form of our native red cedar. Produces far spreading
lateral branches that weep downwards. Never forms a leader (Heronswood Nursery,
2004)