Native Plants for Washington - What to Plant, and When
Washington spans 3 ecoregions:Marine West Coast ForestNorth American DesertsNorthwestern Forested Mountains
161 plants on this site are native to Washington, 34 of them keystone species that feed the most caterpillars and bees. Washington spans 3 ecoregions (Marine West Coast Forest, North American Deserts, Northwestern Forested Mountains), and the plants here are the ones that evolved in them. Hardiness zones in the state run 4a to 9a, which is why the list sorts by zone rather than by state.
Start with the keystones (an oak or native cherry if you have room, then goldenrods, asters and milkweeds), and plant in early fall or early spring, at least six weeks before a frost. Pick your zone above and each plant shows its own sowing and bloom window for where you garden.

Arrowleaf Ragwort
Senecio triangularis
Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Arroyo Willow
Salix lasiolepis
Zones 6a–10b · native to 9 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Aspen Fleabane
Erigeron speciosus
Zones 3a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 8b

Bigleaf Maple
Acer macrophyllum
Zones 6a–9a · native to 4 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Bog Blueberry
Vaccinium uliginosum
Zones 2a–6b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Broom Snakeweed
Gutierrezia sarothrae
Zones 4a–9b · native to 21 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
Zones 2a–7b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Coastal Gumweed
Grindelia stricta
Zones 7a–10b · native to 4 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Curlycup Gumweed
Grindelia squarrosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Douglas Aster
Symphyotrichum subspicatum
Zones 5a–9b · native to 10 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Zones 4a–7b · native to 15 states and provinces

Douglas Spirea
Spiraea douglasii
Zones 5a–8b · native to 8 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Edible Thistle
Cirsium edule
Zones 5a–8b · native to 5 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 8b

Evergreen Huckleberry
Vaccinium ovatum
Zones 7a–9b · native to 4 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Geyer Willow
Salix geyeriana
Zones 3a–7b · native to 11 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Nov in zone 8b

Gray Alder
Alnus incana
Zones 3a–6b · native to 44 states and provinces

Lodgepole Pine
Pinus contorta
Zones 4a–7b · native to 14 states and provinces

Oregon White Oak
Quercus garryana
Zones 6a–9b · native to 4 states and provinces

Pacific Crabapple
Malus fusca
Zones 5a–9b · native to 5 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera
Zones 2a–7a · native to 32 states and provinces

Pin Cherry
Prunus pensylvanica
Zones 2a–6b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 8b

Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosa
Zones 3b–7b · native to 17 states and provinces

Quaking Aspen
Populus tremuloides
Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces

Red Alder
Alnus rubra
Zones 6a–9b · native to 7 states and provinces

Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 8b

Sandbar Willow
Salix interior
Zones 2a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Sitka Spruce
Picea sitchensis
Zones 6a–8b · native to 5 states and provinces

Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Zones 2a–11b · native to 22 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Vine Maple
Acer circinatum
Zones 5a–9b · native to 4 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Water Birch
Betula occidentalis
Zones 3a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces

Western Hemlock
Tsuga heterophylla
Zones 6a–8b · native to 8 states and provinces

White Spruce
Picea glauca
Zones 2a–6b · native to 27 states and provinces

Yellow Rabbitbrush
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Alkali Sacaton
Sporobolus airoides
Zones 4a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

American Cranberrybush
Viburnum opulus var. americanum
Zones 2a–7b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

American Vetch
Vicia americana
Zones 3a–9b · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

American White Water Lily
Nymphaea odorata
Zones 3a–11b · native to 56 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 8b

Antelope Bitterbrush
Purshia tridentata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 8b

Beach Strawberry
Fragaria chiloensis
Zones 5a–9b · native to 6 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Beaujolais Fringed Loosestrife
Lysimachia ciliata 'Beaujolais'
Zones 3a–8b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Big Sagebrush
Artemisia tridentata
Zones 4a–9b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 8b

Bitterroot
Lewisia rediviva
Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 8b

Black Crowberry
Empetrum nigrum
Zones 2a–6b · native to 22 states and provinces

Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms May – Nov in zone 8b

Blanketflower
Gaillardia aristata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Dec in zone 8b

Blue Elderberry
Sambucus mexicana
Zones 6a–10b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Blue Flax
Linum lewisii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Nov in zone 8b

Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
Zones 3a–10b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Blue Vervain
Verbena hastata
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Bluebunch Wheatgrass
Pseudoroegneria spicata
Zones 3a–8b · native to 17 states and provinces

Bluejoint
Calamagrostis canadensis
Zones 2a–7b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Broadleaf Arrowhead
Sagittaria latifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 8b

Broadleaf Cattail
Typha latifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 60 states and provinces

Broadleaf Lupine
Lupinus latifolius
Zones 5a–9a · native to 10 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Bunchberry
Cornus canadensis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

California Gray Rush
Juncus patens
Zones 7a–10b · native to 3 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

California Meadow Sedge
Carex pansa
Zones 8a–10b · native to 4 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
Zones 6a–10b · native to 7 states
Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 8b

Campfire Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'
Zones 3a–7b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms May – Nov in zone 8b

Canada Wild Rye
Elymus canadensis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Canadian Burnet
Sanguisorba canadensis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 29 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Nov in zone 8b

Carolina Geranium
Geranium carolinianum
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Jul in zone 8b

Cascade Oregon Grape
Berberis nervosa
Zones 5a–9b · native to 5 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Checkerbloom
Sidalcea malviflora
Zones 5a–9b · native to 3 states
Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 8b

Clustered Field Sedge
Carex praegracilis
Zones 4a–9b · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Common Bladderwort
Utricularia macrorhiza
Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 8b

Common Butterwort
Pinguicula vulgaris
Zones 2a–7b · native to 24 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Common Camas
Camassia quamash
Zones 4a–9b · native to 10 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Common Evening Primrose
Oenothera biennis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms May – Nov in zone 8b

Common Sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale
Zones 3a–8b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Common Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Coyote Brush
Baccharis pilularis
Zones 7a–10b · native to 3 states
Blooms Oct – Feb in zone 8b

Creeping Oregon Grape
Berberis aquifolium var. repens
Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – May in zone 8b

Cusick's Serviceberry
Amelanchier cusickii
Zones 4a–8a · native to 4 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Mar in zone 8b

Desert Purple Sage
Salvia dorrii
Zones 5a–9b · native to 7 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Explorer's Gentian
Gentiana calycosa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

False Solomon's Seal
Maianthemum racemosum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Farewell-to-Spring
Clarkia amoena
Zones 2a–11b · native to 4 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Fireweed
Chamerion angustifolium
Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Foothill Sedge
Carex tumulicola
Zones 7a–9b · native to 4 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Fourwing Saltbush
Atriplex canescens
Zones 4a–10a · native to 18 states and provinces

Ghost Pipe
Monotropa uniflora
Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Goat's Beard
Aruncus dioicus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 8b

Great Camas
Camassia leichtlinii
Zones 4a–9b · native to 4 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Great Jacob's Ladder
Polemonium carneum
Zones 5a–8b · native to 3 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Harebell
Campanula rotundifolia
Zones 2a–7b · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Horsetail
Equisetum hyemale
Zones 3a–11b · native to 61 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Mar in zone 8b

Idaho Fescue
Festuca idahoensis
Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

Indian Ricegrass
Achnatherum hymenoides
Zones 4a–9b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Inside Out Flower
Vancouveria hexandra
Zones 6a–9a · native to 3 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

Juniper Bush
Juniperus communis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces

Kinnikinnick
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Zones 2a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Zones 4a–8b · native to 46 states
Blooms Mar – Nov in zone 8b

Lupin
Lupinus polyphyllus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 7 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b
Direct-sow ~4 wks before your last spring frost

Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum pedatum
Zones 3a–8a · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Nov in zone 8b

Marsh Marigold
Caltha palustris
Zones 3a–7b · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 8b

Mat Rock Spiraea
Petrophytum caespitosum
Zones 4a–7b · native to 11 states
Blooms May – Jun in zone 8b

Miner's Lettuce
Claytonia perfoliata
Zones 6a–10b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Mock Orange
Philadelphus lewisii
Zones 4a–9b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Moss Campion
Silene acaulis
Zones 1a–6b · native to 24 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Mountain Avens
Dryas octopetala
Zones 2a–6b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Mountain Coyote Mint
Monardella odoratissima
Zones 4a–8b · native to 10 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Mountain Snowberry
Symphoricarpos oreophilus
Zones 3a–8b · native to 11 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Narrow-leaf Milkweed
Asclepias fascicularis
Zones 6a–10b · native to 10 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 8b

Nodding Bur Marigold
Bidens cernua
Zones 3a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Nodding Onion
Allium cernuum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Nootka Lupine
Lupinus nootkatensis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 4 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Nootka Rose
Rosa nutkana
Zones 4a–9b · native to 12 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 8b

Oceanspray
Holodiscus discolor
Zones 4a–9b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Orange Honeysuckle
Lonicera ciliosa
Zones 5a–9b · native to 8 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 8b

Oregon Ash
Fraxinus latifolia
Zones 6a–9a · native to 4 states and provinces

Oregon Grape
Mahonia aquifolium
Zones 5a–9b · native to 8 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Oregon Iris
Iris tenax
Zones 7a–9b · native to 3 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Oregon Sunshine
Eriophyllum lanatum
Zones 5a–10b · native to 11 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 8b

Pacific Bleeding Heart
Dicentra formosa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 6 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 8b

Pacific Dogwood
Cornus nuttallii
Zones 7a–9b · native to 5 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Pacific Madrone
Arbutus menziesii
Zones 7a–9b · native to 4 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Pacific Ninebark
Physocarpus capitatus
Zones 5a–9b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Pearly Everlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea
Zones 3a–8b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Pleated Gentian
Gentiana affinis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 21 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera
Zones 3a–10b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Prairie Junegrass
Koeleria macrantha
Zones 3a–9b · native to 31 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Purple Mountain Saxifrage
Saxifraga oppositifolia
Zones 1a–6b · native to 21 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Purple Three-awn
Aristida purpurea
Zones 5a–10b · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Red Elderberry
Sambucus racemosa
Zones 3a–7b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Red Fescue
Festuca rubra
Zones 2a–8b · native to 26 states and provinces

Red-flowering Currant
Ribes sanguineum
Zones 6a–9b · native to 4 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Red-twig Dogwood
Cornus sericea
Zones 2a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

River Beauty
Epilobium latifolium
Zones 1a–6b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Roemer's Fescue
Festuca roemeri
Zones 6a–9b · native to 4 states and provinces

Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 34 states
Blooms Mar – Nov in zone 8b

Salal
Gaultheria shallon
Zones 6a–9b · native to 6 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Saskatoon Serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia
Zones 2a–7b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Sea Thrift
Armeria maritima
Zones 3a–9b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Jun in zone 8b

Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis
Zones 3a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Showy Jacob's Ladder
Polemonium pulcherrimum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 8b

Showy Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa
Zones 3a–9b · native to 24 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 8b

Shrubby Cinquefoil
Dasiphora fruticosa
Zones 2a–7b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 8b

Silvery Lupine
Lupinus argenteus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 17 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 8b

Sky Pilot
Polemonium viscosum
Zones 3a–7b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Slough Sedge
Carex obnupta
Zones 5a–9b · native to 4 states and provinces

Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Zones 4a–9b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Spotted Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium maculatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Sulphur Buckwheat
Eriogonum umbellatum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 8b

Sweet Flag
Acorus americanus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 41 states and provinces

Tufted Hairgrass
Deschampsia cespitosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Twinberry Honeysuckle
Lonicera involucrata
Zones 3b–9a · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 8b

Twinflower
Linnaea borealis
Zones 2a–6b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Utah Serviceberry
Amelanchier utahensis
Zones 4a–8a · native to 11 states
Blooms Mar – Mar in zone 8b

Virginia Strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Western Columbine
Aquilegia formosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 8b

Western Dog Violet
Viola adunca
Zones 2a–8b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 8b

Western Sword Fern
Polystichum munitum
Zones 5a–9b · native to 7 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Nov in zone 8b

Western Trillium
Trillium ovatum
Zones 5a–8b · native to 9 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

White Fireweed
Chamaenerion angustifolium 'Album'
Zones 2a–7b · native to 31 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 8b

Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Zones 3a–9b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Wild Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
Zones 3b–9a · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Aug in zone 8b
Direct-sow ~10 wks after your last spring frost

Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states
Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 8b
Direct-sow ~8 wks after your last spring frost
Common questions
- What plants are native to Washington?
- Alkali Sacaton, American Cranberrybush, American Vetch, American White Water Lily, Antelope Bitterbrush, Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Arrowleaf Ragwort, Arroyo Willow, and 153 more are native to Washington. Every one links to its own growing page.
- When should I plant natives in Washington?
- Timing depends on your hardiness zone. Each plant on this page shows its sowing and bloom window relative to your zone's last spring and first fall frost, so the dates stay correct wherever in Washington you garden. As a rule, plant perennials and shrubs in early fall, at least six weeks before the first frost, or in spring once the soil drains.
- What hardiness zones does Washington cover?
- Washington runs from zone 4a to 9a. Pick your zone at the top of the page and the list re-sorts for it.
- Which keystone plants should I start with in Washington?
- Arrowleaf Ragwort, Arroyo Willow, Aspen Fleabane, Bigleaf Maple, Bog Blueberry, Broom Snakeweed, among others. Keystone plants host the most caterpillar species in their ecoregion, which is what feeds nesting birds; one oak or native cherry does more than a bed of showy non-natives. Use the Keystones only toggle to see all 34.
How this list is built
Native ranges follow the USDA PLANTS Database; hardiness ranges follow USDA Plant Hardiness Zones; pollinator value draws on the Xerces Society. Where a reference almanac would stop at “confirm with your local authority,” we go one step further - every plant here links to its full growing page with frost-relative tasks for your zone.
Nature timing varies year to year. To calibrate to your own yard, the Garden Digest builds a weekly task list around your plants and frost dates.
The month ahead in your zone, free in your inbox.
What to sow, plant and watch for, timed to your frost dates. Once a month.
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