Native plants for King County, Washington

815 native plants recorded in King County, Washington

The USDA plant database has 1,552 plants recorded growing wild in King County. 815 of them are native to the lower 48, and 391 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 482 wildflowers and herbs, 143 grasses and sedges, 64 shrubs, 55 low woody plants, 54 trees, 17 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 288 of them (35%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis) and 25 more are also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in King County

Sun all day in King County: 286 rated natives

109 wildflowers and herbs, 75 grasses and sedges, 46 trees, 32 shrubs, 18 low woody plants, 6 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. American alpine speedwell (Veronica wormskjoldii) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
5. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
8. California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial

Half shade in King County: 199 rated natives

78 wildflowers and herbs, 54 grasses and sedges, 31 trees, 18 shrubs, 13 low woody plants, 5 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
5. California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
6. Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
7. Giant mountain aster (Canadanthus modestus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
8. 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

Under trees in King County: 109 rated natives

41 wildflowers and herbs, 32 grasses and sedges, 16 trees, 9 low woody plants, 9 shrubs, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
5. California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
6. Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
7. Giant mountain aster (Canadanthus modestus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Orange agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial

Heavy clay in King County: 173 rated natives

73 wildflowers and herbs, 54 grasses and sedges, 23 trees, 12 shrubs, 7 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
3. Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
4. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
5. Idaho blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium idahoense) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Largeleaf avens (Geum macrophyllum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Longstalk starwort (Stellaria longipes) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. 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 King County: 175 rated natives

56 wildflowers and herbs, 41 grasses and sedges, 35 trees, 25 shrubs, 14 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
5. Clasping arnica (Arnica amplexicaulis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
7. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
8. Davis' knotweed (Polygonum davisiae) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Never watered in King County: 97 rated natives

22 wildflowers and herbs, 21 grasses and sedges, 20 shrubs, 18 trees, 13 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. Hollyleaved barberry (Mahonia aquifolium) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
5. 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
6. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
8. California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial

Stays soggy in King County: 146 rated natives

67 wildflowers and herbs, 52 grasses and sedges, 12 trees, 10 shrubs, 3 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. 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
2. Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. Hooded lady's tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
7. Lesser bladderwort (Utricularia minor) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
8. 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

Natives King County has that most of Washington does not

21 natives here are on file in no more than 2 of Washington's 39 counties. A few of them:

• Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis): only here
• Necklace sedge (Carex projecta): only here
• Fragrant flatsedge (Cyperus odoratus): only here
• Black cherry (Prunus serotina): only here
• Tolmie star-tulip (Calochortus tolmiei): only here
• Clubmoss mountain heather (Cassiope lycopodioides): only here
• American burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius): only here
• Asian forget-me-not (Myosotis asiatica): only here
• Woodland figwort (Scrophularia nodosa): only here
• Meadow checkerbloom (Sidalcea campestris): only here

Where to start in King County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where King County gives you the most rated choice (286 plants), and Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 97 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 527 unrated natives too.