Native plants for Jefferson County, Washington
607 native plants recorded in Jefferson County, Washington
The USDA plant database has 939 plants recorded growing wild in Jefferson County. 607 of them are native to the lower 48, and 95 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 364 wildflowers and herbs, 106 grasses and sedges, 42 shrubs, 52 low woody plants, 34 trees, 9 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 200 of them (33%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), Bride's feathers (Aruncus dioicus) and 10 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Jefferson County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 197 | 0 | 410 |
| Half shade | 131 | 66 | 410 |
| Under trees | 60 | 137 | 410 |
| Heavy clay | 112 | 88 | 407 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 119 | 81 | 407 |
| Never watered | 65 | 134 | 408 |
| Stays soggy | 86 | 113 | 408 |
Sun all day in Jefferson County: 197 rated natives
73 wildflowers and herbs, 57 grasses and sedges, 28 trees, 19 shrubs, 15 low woody plants, 5 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American alpine speedwell (Veronica wormskjoldii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Clasping arnica (Arnica amplexicaulis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Jefferson County: 131 rated natives
45 wildflowers and herbs, 40 grasses and sedges, 20 trees, 12 shrubs, 10 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - 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 - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Orange agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Pale agoseris (Agoseris glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Slender cinquefoil (Potentilla gracilis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Jefferson County: 60 rated natives
20 wildflowers and herbs, 19 grasses and sedges, 8 trees, 7 shrubs, 5 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Orange agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Pale agoseris (Agoseris glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Slender cinquefoil (Potentilla gracilis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Jefferson County: 112 rated natives
45 wildflowers and herbs, 37 grasses and sedges, 14 trees, 9 shrubs, 4 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 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 - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate 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 - Longstalk clover (Trifolium longipes) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Orange agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Jefferson County: 119 rated natives
39 wildflowers and herbs, 32 grasses and sedges, 21 trees, 14 shrubs, 10 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Clasping arnica (Arnica amplexicaulis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Cliff dwarf-primrose (Douglasia laevigata) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.2 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 - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Jefferson County: 65 rated natives
20 grasses and sedges, 15 wildflowers and herbs, 10 shrubs, 9 trees, 8 low woody plants, 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 · high drought tolerance - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - White hawkweed (Hieracium albiflorum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Russet buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Yellow bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Jefferson County: 86 rated natives
39 wildflowers and herbs, 33 grasses and sedges, 5 trees, 4 shrubs, 3 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Arctic pearlwort (Sagina saginoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Broadleaf arnica (Arnica latifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Clasping arnica (Arnica amplexicaulis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Fringed grass of Parnassus (Parnassia fimbriata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Marsh grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Sea milkwort (Glaux maritima) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Arrowleaf ragwort (Senecio triangularis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Rose spirea (Spiraea douglasii) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Jefferson County has that most of Washington does not
7 natives here are on file in no more than 2 of Washington's 39 counties. A few of them:
- Saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens): only here
- Olympic saxifrage (Saxifraga tischii): only here
- Flett's fleabane (Erigeron flettii): 2 counties
- Mountain owl's-clover (Orthocarpus imbricatus): 2 counties
- Small blacktip ragwort (Senecio lugens): 2 counties
- Olympic Mountain ragwort (Senecio neowebsteri): 2 counties
- Featherleaf kittentails (Synthyris pinnatifida): 2 counties
Where to start in Jefferson County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Jefferson County gives you the most rated choice (197 plants), and Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 60 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 410 unrated natives too.