Native plants can be used around homes and in gardens to create sustainable landscapes. Plants native to the Pacific Northwest are some of the most attractive plants for gardens found anywhere in the world. They include plants of all statures, from towering trees to creeping groundcovers. Many of the flowering shrubs are excellent choices for garden borders and wildlife gardens. Floral abundance is one of the strongest ways to promote bee and butterfly diversity and charm birds into our yards. Research shows that using native plants is the best way to create a haven for pollinators like native bees and butterflies, and even to attract beneficial insects that will help the rest of your garden. Why? Over millennia, native insects and native plants have co-evolved and reached an intricate balance. Many insects can only eat the plants they co-evolved with. Native shrubs and woody perennials have a wide range of colored foliage, fragrant scents and most persistent flowers of all the plant groups. Native shrubs and woody perennials live longer and require half as much maintenance as non-native plants. Conventional landscapes featuring large lawns and showy non-native flowers are often maintained with high levels of fertilizers, pesticides, and supplemental water. By using native plants in conditions where they naturally compete well, you can create low input landscapes.
As with any landscape project it is important to identify your site characteristics, such as wet or dry, sun or shade. Even native plants require certain growing conditions to be successful. Consider the light and the moisture requirements of plants when including them in your plan. Plant moisture-loving plants in low-lying areas and position shade-loving plants under trees or in other shaded areas of your yard. Native plants have definite flowering periods which vary considerably in timing and duration. The objective of a native plant landscape is to use a palette of species that will bloom throughout the growing season. Use at least three different species from each of the following bloom times: early season, mid-season and late season. This will provide a variety of pollen and nectar sources for a wide range of pollinators.
But which kinds of plants should you choose? Here are a few suggestions that are all native our area.

Early season:

Pacific rhododendron: This Pacific Northwest native is a larval host for brown elfin and gray hairstreak butterflies. Hummingbirds, bees and Western tiger swallowtails collect the nectar of this evergreen shrub. It is an early flowering shrub.

Mock orange: This is a beautiful deciduous shrub with large, showy and fragrant flowers that will attract bees and the Monarch butterfly.

Mountain lilac or deer brush: This relative of the lilac is a larval host for pale swallowtail, California tortoiseshell and echo blue butterflies. Bumblebees, carpenter bees, honey bees, digger bees and a variety of small native bees collect the nectar of this hardy shrub.

Red-flowering current: This deciduous shrub is an important nectar source for early-season butterflies. Nectar also attracts hummingbirds.

Oregon grape: The state flower of Oregon, this undemanding evergreen shrub with shiny, holly-like leaves is a versatile addition to a pollinator garden. Dark blue berries follow, golden yellow flowers in the spring. Oregon grape is a favorite nectar source for bees early in the season.

Mid-season:
Ocean spray: This hardy deciduous shrub is a larval host for many butterflies. Bumblebees and a variety of small native bees collect the nectar of this lovely shrub. 

Serviceberry: This deciduous shrub is a friend to hummingbirds, bees and butterflies It is the larval host for Weiddemeyer's admiral butterflies. 

Salal: This attractive perennial groundcover is a larval host for spring azure butterflies. Bees collect the nectar on this evergreen.

Coyote mint or mountain monardella: The wonderful minty fragrance of monardella makes it a welcome addition to rock gardens, as it prefers drier sites with good drainage. Monardella is a butterfly magnet, attracting a wide variety of pollinators.

Late season:
Milkweed: Monarch butterflies collect nectar and pollen and lay their eggs on this perennial wildflower. Nectar also attracts hummingbirds. 

Kinnikinnik: This perennial, also known as bearberry, is a favorite among all the northwest native plants for groundcover. Its evergreen, leathery leaves cover the trailing branches. Often in winter the leaves become a regal burgundy color. The white to pink, urn-shaped flowers are followed by vibrant red berries which birds love. 

Goldenrods: Golden rods are common native plants that provide excellent pollen and nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinator insects in the late summer and fall. Both native and honey bees use pollen from goldenrods to provision their nests, and monarch butterflies use goldenrod nectar to build up their body fats for their long migrations and overwintering. 

Douglas aster: This easy to grow aster of late summer provides an important source of nectar for all types of pollinators.

The well-planned native garden can make a positive by impact by lowering water usage, creating habitat for pollinators, and saving you time and money.