Native plants for Columbia County, Oregon
192 native plants recorded in Columbia County, Oregon
The USDA plant database has 344 plants recorded growing wild in Columbia County. 192 of them are native to the lower 48, and 73 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 118 wildflowers and herbs, 37 grasses and sedges, 9 shrubs, 6 low woody plants, 18 trees, 4 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 77 of them (40%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and 7 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Columbia County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 77 | 0 | 115 |
| Half shade | 55 | 22 | 115 |
| Under trees | 30 | 47 | 115 |
| Heavy clay | 55 | 22 | 115 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 54 | 23 | 115 |
| Never watered | 29 | 48 | 115 |
| Stays soggy | 42 | 35 | 115 |
Sun all day in Columbia County: 77 rated natives
35 wildflowers and herbs, 24 grasses and sedges, 11 trees, 4 shrubs, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Largeleaf avens (Geum macrophyllum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Miner's lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Seep monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Tapertip onion (Allium acuminatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Toughleaf iris (Iris tenax) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Western pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Half shade in Columbia County: 55 rated natives
24 wildflowers and herbs, 18 grasses and sedges, 7 trees, 3 vines, 3 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Tapertip onion (Allium acuminatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Pacific ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Western pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common cowparsnip (Heracleum maximum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance · toxicity: slight - Leafy pea (Lathyrus polyphyllus) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight
Under trees in Columbia County: 30 rated natives
12 wildflowers and herbs, 12 grasses and sedges, 3 trees, 2 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Tapertip onion (Allium acuminatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Pacific ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common cowparsnip (Heracleum maximum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight - Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 12 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common spikerush (Eleocharis palustris) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Meadow barley (Hordeum brachyantherum) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Columbia County: 55 rated natives
23 wildflowers and herbs, 20 grasses and sedges, 10 trees, 1 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Largeleaf avens (Geum macrophyllum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Seep monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 7.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · toxicity: slight - Common cowparsnip (Heracleum maximum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight - Black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Geyer willow (Salix geyeriana) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Columbia County: 54 rated natives
25 wildflowers and herbs, 13 grasses and sedges, 10 trees, 3 vines, 3 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Largeleaf avens (Geum macrophyllum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Miner's lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Seep monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Tapertip onion (Allium acuminatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Toughleaf iris (Iris tenax) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Never watered in Columbia County: 29 rated natives
12 wildflowers and herbs, 9 grasses and sedges, 5 trees, 2 vines, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Tapertip onion (Allium acuminatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Toughleaf iris (Iris tenax) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Western pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Leafy pea (Lathyrus polyphyllus) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight - American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 7.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · toxicity: slight
Stays soggy in Columbia County: 42 rated natives
21 wildflowers and herbs, 16 grasses and sedges, 3 trees, 1 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Cursed buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Seep monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Toughleaf iris (Iris tenax) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Darkthroat shootingstar (Dodecatheon pulchellum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial · takes saturated soil - Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common cowparsnip (Heracleum maximum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight - Black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 12 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Natives Columbia County has that most of Oregon does not
4 natives here are on file in no more than 2 of Oregon's 36 counties. A few of them:
- Allegheny monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens): only here
- Purple sandgrass (Triplasis purpurea): only here
- Ditch stonecrop (Penthorum sedoides): 2 counties
- Western false dragonhead (Physostegia parviflora): 2 counties
Where to start in Columbia County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Columbia County gives you the most rated choice (77 plants), and American vetch (Vicia americana) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 29 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 115 unrated natives too.