Native plants for Skagit County, Washington
621 native plants recorded in Skagit County, Washington
The USDA plant database has 1,117 plants recorded growing wild in Skagit County. 621 of them are native to the lower 48, and 210 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 372 wildflowers and herbs, 95 grasses and sedges, 49 shrubs, 45 low woody plants, 46 trees, 14 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 231 of them (37%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), Bride's feathers (Aruncus dioicus) and 17 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Skagit County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 229 | 0 | 392 |
| Half shade | 159 | 70 | 392 |
| Under trees | 75 | 154 | 392 |
| Heavy clay | 128 | 103 | 390 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 140 | 91 | 390 |
| Never watered | 76 | 155 | 390 |
| Stays soggy | 116 | 114 | 391 |
Sun all day in Skagit County: 229 rated natives
90 wildflowers and herbs, 54 grasses and sedges, 38 trees, 26 shrubs, 15 low woody plants, 6 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 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 - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 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 - Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Half shade in Skagit County: 159 rated natives
62 wildflowers and herbs, 43 grasses and sedges, 26 trees, 14 shrubs, 9 low woody plants, 5 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - Whitebark raspberry (Rubus leucodermis) vines
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
Under trees in Skagit County: 75 rated natives
28 wildflowers and herbs, 21 grasses and sedges, 12 trees, 7 shrubs, 5 low woody plants, 2 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 - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 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 - Thrift seapink (Armeria maritima) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Whitebark raspberry (Rubus leucodermis) vines
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
Heavy clay in Skagit County: 128 rated natives
51 wildflowers and herbs, 38 grasses and sedges, 20 trees, 9 shrubs, 6 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid 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 - Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - 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 - 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 - Small camas (Camassia quamash) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Skagit County: 140 rated natives
44 wildflowers and herbs, 33 grasses and sedges, 29 trees, 20 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 - 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 - California blackberry (Rubus ursinus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid 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 - Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid 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 - Drummond's rockcress (Arabis drummondii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Skagit County: 76 rated natives
18 grasses and sedges, 16 shrubs, 15 wildflowers and herbs, 15 trees, 9 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 - 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 - Hollyleaved barberry (Mahonia aquifolium) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 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 - 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 Skagit County: 116 rated natives
59 wildflowers and herbs, 36 grasses and sedges, 8 trees, 7 shrubs, 4 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Natives Skagit County has that most of Washington does not
9 natives here are on file in no more than 2 of Washington's 39 counties. A few of them:
- Drummond's campion (Silene drummondii): only here
- Sharpleaf valerian (Valeriana acutiloba): only here
- Dwarf St. Johnswort (Hypericum mutilum): 2 counties
- Wild basil (Clinopodium vulgare): 2 counties
- California pitcherplant (Darlingtonia californica): 2 counties
- Alpine azalea (Loiseleuria procumbens): 2 counties
- Fries' pondweed (Potamogeton friesii): 2 counties
- California buttercup (Ranunculus californicus): 2 counties
- Purple pitcherplant (Sarracenia purpurea): 2 counties
Where to start in Skagit County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Skagit County gives you the most rated choice (229 plants), and American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 75 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 392 unrated natives too.