hi, everyone. I'll be moving to Washington soon (Olympia area) in July. I'm sad to leave my garden here in Maryland, but looking forward to the possibilities there. I enjoy attracting the pollinators--host plants as well as good nectar plants for the butterflies and native bees, plus some herbs to attract the beneficials.
What are some really great natives for this area for the pollinators? What do you think no pollinator garden should be without? What are some important native butterflies to attract and what are their hosts and favorite nectar plants? Would love to hear people's thoughts about this.

And what are some native flowering trees and shrubs that are likely to be garden staples? Here in MD dogwood and azaleas are bedrock garden plants and I've loved having them here. what would be something comparable in the PNW?

thanks,
Robin

I love the native Ribes.
I'm going to call Deb she knows much about our natives.
@Bonehead

I'm more into hybrids and sempervivum.

Warm welcome to the PNW Robin. Here is a web site I have found helpful. It is from King County but I find it works for most of the western slope of the PNW. https://green2.kingcounty.gov/... You might also do a search for native nurseries in your area and/or nurseries that have a native section. Favorites for me:

Indian plum for early bloom, will naturalize and provides a good summer screen


Ribes for bright pop of spring color


Vine maple for gorgeous fall color


Ferns of all types - sword, deer, parsley, whatever I find out in my back woods I will move up to the yard. Sword ferns are a bit aggressive and need some room, but make a nice statement if you have room for them.

I also let my native groundcovers colonize as they like - little purple bleeding heart, false lily of the valley, both are spring bloomers, usually melt away by mid summer.

My nemesis is creeping buttercup - it wants to take over my world. On the other hand, it does have jolly yellow flowers and often non-gardeners think I have planted them intentionally.

A fun near-native (I think more common a bit further south into Oregon) is Darmera - very dramatic both in bloom and the huge green leaves.


I encourage everyone to embrace natives - good for the wildlife, pollinators, easy care, and just a nice look.

To the PNW Robin!!
So great to have you in the forum!

I really like Debbie's suggestions.

thanks, for the great suggestions, Debbie, and thanks to both you and Kim for the warm welcome!
Robin

In the PNW, you probably have so many choices!!

We are in the sand plains of Minnesota so our options are small but even in our harsh area, I can not say enough about anise hyssop, elderberry, and st johns wort for pollinators.

Well, we are finally settled now in the Pacific Northwest--in Centralia WA about half an hour from Olympia. My new yard needs a lot of work!! But now that we are done unpacking, I can finally turn my attention to it. I have found a nursery that looks good and am planning to contact them today. I think the place to start is with (a) clearing the overgrown grass and weeds including a ton of bindweed Yikes Blinking and then amending the soil in the garden bed areas, which form a small perimeter around the house. well, wish me luck!

Welcome to Washington. Watson's is a fun nursery.

Catmint20906 said:Well, we are finally settled now in the Pacific Northwest--in Centralia WA about half an hour from Olympia. My new yard needs a lot of work!! But now that we are done unpacking, I can finally turn my attention to it. I have found a nursery that looks good and am planning to contact them today. I think the place to start is with (a) clearing the overgrown grass and weeds including a ton of bindweed Yikes Blinking and then amending the soil in the garden bed areas, which form a small perimeter around the house. well, wish me luck!

That's great! Good luck!!