YardNatives

Native plants for San Juan County, Washington

633 native plants recorded in San Juan County, Washington

The USDA plant database has 1,253 plants recorded growing wild in San Juan County. 633 of them are native to the lower 48, and 314 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 384 wildflowers and herbs, 125 grasses and sedges, 32 shrubs, 33 low woody plants, 41 trees, 18 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 219 of them (35%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and 16 more are also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in San Juan County

SpotRated to fitRated not toUnrated
Sun all day2190414
Half shade15564414
Under trees82137414
Heavy clay13386414
Sandy, drains fast12891414
Never watered78141414
Stays soggy110109414

Sun all day in San Juan County: 219 rated natives

82 wildflowers and herbs, 65 grasses and sedges, 34 trees, 19 shrubs, 11 low woody plants, 8 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 speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  3. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  8. California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Half shade in San Juan County: 155 rated natives

57 wildflowers and herbs, 48 grasses and sedges, 25 trees, 11 shrubs, 7 vines, 7 low woody plants. 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 shade tolerance
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Thrift seapink (Armeria maritima) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance

Under trees in San Juan County: 82 rated natives

30 wildflowers and herbs, 26 grasses and sedges, 13 trees, 6 shrubs, 5 low woody plants, 2 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
  2. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  4. Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  5. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Slender cinquefoil (Potentilla gracilis) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Tapertip onion (Allium acuminatum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  8. Thrift seapink (Armeria maritima) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Heavy clay in San Juan County: 133 rated natives

54 wildflowers and herbs, 49 grasses and sedges, 17 trees, 5 shrubs, 4 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. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. 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
  7. Largeleaf avens (Geum macrophyllum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Longstalk starwort (Stellaria longipes) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in San Juan County: 128 rated natives

36 wildflowers and herbs, 36 grasses and sedges, 27 trees, 15 shrubs, 8 low woody plants, 6 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
  2. Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 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. Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  6. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  7. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. 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

Never watered in San Juan County: 78 rated natives

21 grasses and sedges, 16 wildflowers and herbs, 16 trees, 12 shrubs, 8 low woody plants, 5 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. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Hollyleaved barberry (Mahonia aquifolium) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  6. Russet buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  7. 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
  8. Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Stays soggy in San Juan County: 110 rated natives

53 wildflowers and herbs, 41 grasses and sedges, 8 trees, 4 shrubs, 3 vines, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Small white violet (Viola macloskeyi) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  6. Tufted loosestrife (Lysimachia thyrsiflora) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  7. Rose spirea (Spiraea douglasii) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  8. Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Natives San Juan County has that most of Washington does not

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

Where to start in San Juan County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where San Juan County gives you the most rated choice (219 plants), and Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 78 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 414 unrated natives too.