Go Native

"Why plant natives" you ask? Native plants are a great option for addressing many concerns in the landscape. For the low maintenance gardener, native plants require considerably less attention when planted appropriately for their suggested growing conditions and after they've established healthy root systems. A more serious and all too common concern facing many landowners in the Pacific Northwest is hillside erosion. One way to help ensure long term stabilization is to incorporate native plantings with a variety of root structures to help anchor, hold and protect loose and open soil to further prevent slides. Nothing is more scary then watching the edge of a steep slope creep closer to the foundation of your precious home. And for the wildlife lover, native plants are a great way to provide habitat, food and protection for your furry, feathered and slippery little friends.

Although there's so many fantastic natives to choose from, and I could go on about ferns forever, I've listed just a handful of some of my favorites below:

Ribes sanguineum - Red Flowering Currant

Photo Credit: Tim Hagan 

Vancouveria hexandra

Photo Credit: Greg Rabourn 

Myrica californica - Pacific Wax Myrtle 

Photo Credit: Greg Rabourn 

Viburnum edule - Highbush Cranberry

Photo Credit: Greg Rabourn 

Blechnum spicant - Deer Fern

Photo Credit: Greg Rabourn 

Mahonia nervosa - Low Oregon Grape

Photo credit: Jim Ellingboe 

For more resources on native plants you can link to the Washington Native Plant Society and the King County Native Plant Guide which was put together by Vashon's own Greg Rabourn, Vashon & Maury Island Basin Steward.

There are many native plants sales going on right now and the deadlines for orders will be right around the corner. Don't be left out in the cold having forgotten to place your order to take advantage of the great deals!  Links are provided below for a variety of plant sales in the area. Make sure to check out each sale as all provide their own unique selections offering a variety of interesting natives. Most have online forms available.

Vashon Maury Island Land Trust - Order forms have been mailed out and can also be picked up at the Land Trust building just east of the Vashon Fire Department. You can also link to the online order form by clicking on the picture below. Order deadline is January 15 and pickup will be available February 4th at the Land Trust building.

King Conservation District - Order deadline is January 27th

Pierce Conservation District - Order deadline is January 20th.

Snohomish Conservation District - Order deadline is February 8th.