INTRODUCTION TO The ECOREGION

The Pacific Northwest has a wide range of climate and weather conditions from high desert, mountains, forests and coastal ecosystems. We can have hot summers and cold winters with rain or snow. Many locations enjoy forests with large trees and some intact ecosystems. Where possible, identify a plant palette that replicates the plant palette for the specific site (evergreen forest, oak habitat, open plain, riparian corridor, wetland, and so on) This list is generic, therefore double check them for your specific eco-region. Also, make sure the plants are compatible for shade, sun, and soil preference, as well as water and specific nutrient requirements, and other needs. 

Many of the plants listed here support curriculum goals by providing key native habitat (ecosystems & animals in their habitat, environmental science, wildlife biology, etc.), different shape leaves/flowers, colors and more. Try to diversify plantings where possible to add visual interest, different plants for students to explore and attraction for a wide range of desired wildlife (including birds, butterflies and beneficial insects). They can also provide much needed shade, colors and beautiful relaxing settings. Remember, the goals for planting: “The right plant for the right space reduces maintenance.”

*This list is in progress and represents the Western lowlands areas — Puget Trough / Willamette Valley - 2 / 3 ecoregions) as well as the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6-9.

If you have had success with other plants in the Pacific Northwest region that are not listed here, please let us know by sending an email so we can include them in this list.

There are a number of plants that are great additions to school campuses and should be readily available from a local nursery source. Here is a short list of favorites.

• Little Bunny Dwarf Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)

• David Viburnum (Viburnum davidii)

• Dwarf Red-Twig Dogwood - (Cornus serecia 'Kelseyi’)

• Kinnikinnick  (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi )

• Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)

• Karl Foerster's (Feather Reed Grass)

• Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum)

• Various thyme species (Thymus spp., such as lemon, woolly, or common)

• Mondo grass species (Ophiopogon spp.)

• Tickseed / Cosmos (Coreopsis spp.)

• St. John’s Wort (Hypericum calycinum)

• Daisy (Leucantheumum spp.): Because kids love daisies!

These trees are climate-appropriate for the region and easy to find in nurseries.  

• Vine maple (Acer circinatum): This tree is great near the playground as kids tend to use these as forts when planted in clusters.

• Red maple (Acer rubrum ‘Red Rocket’)

• Big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum): This tree is a native with lots of shade, fun seeds and large leaves to play with. Grounds crew are not always a fan given the size of the leaf, so plant towards the edge of spaces.

• Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia)

• Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wildfire’)

• Zelkova (Zelkova serrata ‘Green Vase’)

There are a lot of native evergreens, too! Confirm with grounds crews as these will drop cones (although the kids love to play with the cones!).

Low (6”-3’)

• Bee balm (Monarda spp.): There are a lot of colors and varieties available.

• Slough Sedge (Carex obnupta) 

• Coneflower, purple (Echinacea purpurea) 

• Lavender (Lavandula spp.): These may attract a lot of bees.

• Sage (Salvia spp., such as hot lips, red, and so on): Be careful that species selected are not weedy.

• Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa)

• Milkweeds (Ascelpias spp., such as butterfly, common, or western)

• Penstemons (Penstemon spp.)

• Western Yarrow (Achillea millifolia var. occidentalis): Be careful as there are many weedy cultivars of yarrow.

• Slough Sedge (Carex obnupta)

• Cascade Oregon grape (Mahonia nervosa)

Medium (3’-8’)

• Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea, warf version is ‘Kelseyi’)

• Douglas’ spirea (Spiraea douglasii) 

• Sticky Cinquefoil (Potentilla glandulosa)

• Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nutallii)

• Common Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) 

• Wild lilac (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus): Several species are available based on desired height.

Growing from Seeds or Roots

These plants are beneficial for school projects, including harvesting, seed packet making, famer’s market, community garden, floral bouquets, and much more.

Flowers. Consider milkweed, Joe-pye weed, Black-eyed Susan, allium, coreopsis, sunflowers, marigolds, sunflowers, nasturtium, zinnia, dahlia tubers, and snapdragons.

Veggies. Great options include beans (with support), squash (pumpkin, yellow, gourds, and more), corn, snap peas, carrots, cucumbers, and potatoes.

Fruit. Consider orchard trees, berry bushes, or strawberries.*

*Strawberries are an everbearing groundcover that is a great introduction to learning about where food comes from, parts of plants, and stages of the berry, from flower to little green to larger white and then red berry). Put in raised boxes if there are concerns about the runners.

Harvesting Seeds

This is such a key activity especially for younger students! This list include many from the one above. Large seeds are great and easy for small hands to handle, but smaller seeds can be fun to try.

For perennials, consider milkweeds, Joe-pye weed, Black-eyed Susans, allium, and coreopsis.

For annuals, consider sunflowers (different varieties produce seeds of different sizes), marigolds, beans, peas, cucumbers, and squash.

Butterfly Garden

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

• Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.)

• Thyme (Thymus spp.)

• Verbenas (Verbena spp.)

• Gayfeather (Liatris spp.)

• Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.)  

Cut flower garden

Grow these for use in science, horticulture, and floriculture projects.

• Red-twig dogwood (Cornus sericea)

• Yellow twig dogwood (Cornus alba)

• Birch (Betula)

• Summersweet (Clethra spp.)

• Annuals such as zinnia, sunflowers, and bulbs (tulips, daffodils, and so on).

Art garden

These are great for pressing, making dyes, and other art projects.

• Ferns, such as western sword, deer, maidenhair, and others.

• Tree leaves with a variety of shapes, such as vine maple, big leaf maple, gingko, and oaks.

• Plants that can be used to make dyes including acorns, indigo, mints, onions, or elderberry.

Plant structures

Use plants to make structures or forts such as willows and dogwoods!

Shade projects

Add more shade to the campus for retreat from the heat and glare as well as add more diversity to the campus. Trees add lots of great curriculum benefits including changes of the seasons, and diversity of textures, leaf shapes, seeds, and nuts for students to explore.

Native Habitat gardens

Use layers of habitat from tall trees such as western red cedar and fir trees, to understory trees such as ninebark, alder, vine maple and Indian plum, to shrubs (listed above) and perennials. Use local natives where possible and pair with habitat and ecosystem curriculum.

Stormwater or rain water gardens

If your site has detention or retention areas or can connect from down spouts, there are variety of sedges, rushes, red-twig dogwoods and perennials that tolerate wet toes, will do great. Common Camas (Camassia quamash) grows well in stormwater gardens and has wonderful curriculum ties.

Garden bowl projects

Plant pots or raised beds with favorite salad components such as a variety of lettuce, spinach, cherry tomatoes, carrots, and more. This can be done in one gallon pots. Check with local nurseries or high school green houses for pots and soils.

Herb gardens

Use a variety of herbs to encourage the exploration of smells and textures. Keep invasive plants like mint, in containers, or else they will take over via runners (rhizomes).

Healing garden — or happy garden!

Gardens that are planted with different colors and textures with small seating areas are fantastic spaces for people to wander or seat to de-escalate or calm down. Add plants that billow in the breeze, perhaps some wind chimes or a small water feature.

Theme gardens

There are lots of different themes that can be represented with special selection of plants. Ideas include cultural celebrations, specific animal habitat, or seasonal celebrations.

Make Sure to Contact

Before any planting commences please check with district leadership and your principal for approval. When picking up plants, discuss your project with the nursery. They are often very knowledgeable about regionally appropriate plants. Contact local garden designers, Master Gardeners or landscape architects for plants that work for your specific site, including soil type, sun/shade requirements, water requirements, and so on.