Deer Resistance

Family:  Araceae
Zone:  3 - 9
Natural Range:  Alaska south into Northern California
Soil:  Moist, wet
Light:  sun, part sun, shade
Height:  2' - 6'
Bloom Time:  February to May
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Bright yellow flowers late winter into spring.  Huge fleshy green leaves that add a tropical look to the garden.
Notes: Works well with Primula, Rodgersia, Petasites.  In the garden we have them planted in heavy soil that is seasonally saturated.  Cooler climates can get away with growing them in full sun but they look the best with some shade in summer.
 
Pot size:  Deep 2" Pot

Family:  Araceae
Zone:  5 - 9
Natural Range:  Northeastern Asia
Soil:  Moist, wet
Light:  sun, part sun, shade
Height:  2' - 3'
Bloom Time:  February to May
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Bright white spathe, green-yellow spadix.  Huge fleshy green leaves that add a tropical look to the garden.
Notes: Works well with Primula, Rodgersia, Petasites.  In the garden we have them planted in heavy soil that is seasonally saturated.  Cooler climates can get away with growing them in full sun but they look the best with some shade in summer.
 
Pot size: 4" Pot

Family: Berberidaceae

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 4'
Bloom Time:  April to May
Attracts:  Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Serrated foliage with yellow flowers.
Notes: Found as a rogue seedling in a batch of Mahonia aquifolium seedlings at Miethke Nursery in the 50's.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Part shade
Height: 4' - 6'
Bloom Time:  May to June, September to November
Attracts:  Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, glossy, dark green leaves.  Orange-red new growth.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes: A shorter growing, multi-branched Mahonia.  Unlike most Mahonia this hybrid has both flowers and fruit at the same time.  Hybrid named after Ozzie Johnson.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average, humus rich
Light: Part sun, shade
Height: 8'
Attracts:  Hummingbirds
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Bloom Time: February to April
Attributes: Evergreen.  Creamy yellow flowers on short spikes.
Notes: Leaf ranges from large to smaller with numerous sharp points.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 8 - 10
Natural Range: Hybrid
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 8'
Bloom Time: December to March
Attributes: Evergreen.  Yellow to orange flowers.  Mat like texture with sharp lobes.
Notes: An exciting hybrid bred by Andy Navage director of horticulture at the Bloedel reserve.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 8'
Bloom Time: December to March
Attributes: Evergreen.  Yellow flowers on short spikes.  Dazzling new growth is bright silvery, maturing to a deep green with a silver sheen.
Notes: One of the best Mahonia species for foliage.  These are open pollinated, seed grown plants with a bit of variation in foliage.  M. confusa

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade
Height: 4'
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
Attracts:  Hummingbirds, birds
Pest Resistance:  Deer and Rabbit
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Spinney leaves.  Reddish orange new growth.  Creamy yellow flowers.
Notes: Smaller growing Mahonia.

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 4' - 6'
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Evergreen.  Yellow flowers.  Compound leaves with fern-like appearance.
Notes: Cistus Nursery introduction. Bronze new growth.  Gives the garden a tropical texture.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: China
Soil: Average, humus rich
Light: Part sun
Height: 4' - 6'
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Evergreen.  Yellow flowers.  Compound leaves with fern-like appearance.
Notes: Bronze new growth.  Gives the garden a tropical texture.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot

Family: Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 8
Natural Range: Hybrid;  Mahonia gracilipes x nitens
Soil:  Average, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade
Height: 4' - 6'
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
Attracts:  Hummingbirds, birds
Pest Resistance:  Deer and Rabbit
Attributes:  Evergreen, Red and yellow blooms are formed on racemes. Blue fruit in the late fall.  Leaves can vary in size and often have bright white underside of leaf. 
Notes:  These are seedlings of Mahonia gracilipes x nitens.  Like other Mahonia species these are very drought tolerant once established.

Pot Size: Small Band Pot

Family: Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade
Height: 4'
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
Attracts:  Hummingbirds, birds
Pest Resistance:  Deer and Rabbit
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Spinney leaves.  Yellow flowers
Notes: Smaller growing Mahonia.

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot

Family: Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Tibet, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, India
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade
Height: 6' - 12'
Bloom Time: Spring  to Summer
Attracts:  Hummingbirds, birds
Pest Resistance:  Deer and Rabbit
Attributes:  Evergreen, yellow flowers formed long racemes. Blue fruit in the late fall.  Thick, dark green pinnate leaves.
Notes:  Proven to be nice and hardy in the PNW.

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Pacific Northwest
Soil: Average
Light: Sun, Part Sun, Shade
Height: 3'
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Evergreen.  Suckering shrub forming a loose groundcover.  Dark green leaves with yellow flowers and blue fruit.
Notes:  This selection has orange-red flower buds and tends to grow a bit taller.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Great Plant Picks

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Pacific Northwest
Soil: Average
Light: Sun, Part Sun, Shade
Height: 3'
Bloom Time: Spring
Attributes: Evergreen.  Suckering shrub forming a loose ground-cover.  Dark green leaves with yellow flowers and blue fruit.
Notes:  This is the standard low selection with purplish winter foliage.  One of the best evergreen shrubs for the temperate garden.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Great Plant Picks

Family: Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade
Height: 4'
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
Attracts:  Hummingbirds, birds
Pest Resistance:  Deer and Rabbit
Attributes:  Evergreen, Red with yellow flowers formed on short racemes. Blue fruit in the late fall.  Thick, dark green pinnate leaves.
Notes:  Similar to Mahonia gracilipes but with a more upright and uniform growth, lacks the characteristic waxy white under the leaf.
 

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot

Family: Berberidaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade
Height: 4'
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
Attracts:  Hummingbirds, birds
Pest Resistance:  Deer and Rabbit
Attributes:  Evergreen, Numerous small yellow flowers followed by blue fruit.
Notes:  This selection has smaller narrower leaves.  Seems to grow wider than tall.

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: Channel Islands
Soil: Average
Light: Part sun
Height: 6' - 10'
Bloom Time: March to April
Attributes: Evergreen.  Upright, rounded shrub with smooth, glossy pinnate leaves.  Yellow flowers with blue fruit.
Notes:  A unique spineless species native to southern Oregon to Southern California but this particular cultivar is only found on the Channel Islands of California.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range: Oregon, California
Soil:  Average-dry, humus rich, Well drained
Light: part shade, sun
Height: 6" - 12"
Attributes: Evergreen suckering shrub.  Brilliant purple, red, blue green foliage when planted in at least half a days worth of sun.  Yellow flowers early summer, blue fruit in fall.
Notes:  I can't say enough about this small Mahonia species.  The color is better than any other of the native Mahonia species and each leaf is ringed with a light colored line.  Forms a loose low clump of foliage.  It often grows in association with Arctostaphylos species.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Band Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range: Oregon, California
Soil:  Average-dry, humus rich, Well drained
Light: part shade, sun
Height: 6" - 12"
Attributes: Evergreen suckering shrub.  Brilliant purple, red, blue green foliage when planted in at least half a days worth of sun.  Yellow flowers early summer, blue fruit in fall.
Notes:  I can't say enough about this small Mahonia species.  The color is better than any other of the native Mahonia species and each leaf is ringed with a light colored line.  Rarely taller than 6" and forms a loose low clump of foliage.  It often grows in association with Arctostaphylos species.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family:  Berberidaceae
Zone: 5 - 10
Natural Range: Western and Central North America
Soil: Average, dry
Light: Part sun, sun
Height: 1' - 2'
Bloom Time:  April to May
Attributes: Evergreen, spreading, stoloniferous shrub.  Upright shrub with pinnate, glossy green leaves.  Yellow flowers with blue fruit.
Notes:  A sturdy low growing species.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 4' - 8'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, glossy, dark green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes: Anna's hummingbirds stick close for nectar when in flower.  Each of the media cultivars flower at slightly different times so it is beneficial to have some of each to keep the birds fed during the winter months.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Berberidaceae

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Sun, part shade
Height:4' - 6'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Hummingbirds
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, thick, green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes: 'Charity' has longer and wider leaves than 'Winter Sun' and also start flowering later.  Anna's hummingbirds stick close for nectar when in flower.  Each of the media cultivars flower at slightly different times so it is beneficial to have some of each to keep the birds fed during the winter months.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Great Plant Picks

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Sun, part shade
Height:4' - 6'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, thick, green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes:  Anna's hummingbirds stick close for nectar when in flower.  Each of the media cultivars flower at slightly different times so it is beneficial to have some of each to keep the birds fed during the winter months.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family: Berberidaceae

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid; 
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Sun, part shade
Height:4' - 6'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Hummingbirds
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, thick, green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes:  Anna's hummingbirds stick close for nectar when in flower.  Each of the media cultivars flower at slightly different times so it is beneficial to have some of each to keep the birds fed during the winter months.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Hybrid
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 4' - 6'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, glossy, dark green leaves.  Yellow flowers.  Blue fruit.
Notes: Anna's hummingbirds stick close for nectar when in flower.  Each of the media cultivars flower at slightly different times so it is beneficial to have some of each to keep the birds fed during the winter months.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Francoaceae
Zone:  7 - 11
Natural Range:  South Africa
Soil:  Average, well drained
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  6' - 10'
Bloom Time:  June to August
Attracts:  Bees
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Semi-evergreen.  Powdery blue leaves with reddish stems and flower bracts.
Notes:  A hardy clone that is reported to grow in Zone 7 and above.  Does best when pruned once it flowers and mulch crown in winter. 
 
Pot size:  Quart Size Pot

Family:  Phrymaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: PNW
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light:  Sun, part shade
Bloom Time:  June to October
Attracts:  Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Deciduous, 12” - 24" tall.  Summer blooming. Orange to scarlet red tubular flowers. Thick, fleshy tuber like root.
Notes:  This is a perennial Mimulus that hummingbirds go crazy for.  The foliage emerges early in the spring and slowly starts to put up a flowering stem.  By early summer it is in full flower.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Musaceae
Zone:  7 - 10
Natural Range:  Bhutan, India
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  14'.
Bloom Time:  Summer
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Tall trunks with large foliage that can be spotted with red-purple
Notes:  In cooler climates best when mulched in winter.  Native to high forest of the Himalayas.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family: Boraginaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Turkey
Soil:  Average
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 8"
Bloom Time:  April to June
Attracts:  Hummingbirds
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Deciduous. Clumping.  Mounds of deep green leaves with airy sprays of deep blue flowers
Notes:  The photos were taken during a sunset in mid April giving a glowing purple-pink cast.  Charming perennial combining well with ferns, Epimedium and other woodlanders.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:Asparagaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Himalayas
Soil:Average, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 8"
Pest Resistance: Deer
Bloom Time: July to September
Attributes:Evergreen, clumps of strap-like arching, glossy, dark green leaves.  Pinkish-white flowers above the foliage with blue fruit.
Notes:Native to moderately high elevations in dense, moist woodlands.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Araliaceae
Zone:  3 - 9
Natural Range: PNW
Soil:  Moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 10'
Attributes:  Deciduous, White - green blooms early summer.  Red fruit in fall.  Very large palmate alternately arranged leaves to more than one foot across.
Notes: A bold foliage plant with a dramatic presence in the garden.  Combines well with other tropical looking plants.  In the wild it grows in moist woodlands along stream-banks.  Related to Ginseng, Aralia, Fatsia, Schefflera.  In warmer climates does best in full shade with even moisture. 

This batch of Devil's club is seed grown and are still on the small side.  Surprisingly seedlings need to be protected from slugs.

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot 

Family:  Paeoniaceae
Zone: 4 - 8
Natural Range: Japan
Soil: moist, well drained
Light: part shade
Attributes: Deciduous.  Spring blooming. 2' tall.  Red - pink new growth, pure white flowers with yellow stamen.  Bright red seed case with blue seeds.
Notes:  An easy species that is underutilized in gardens.  Plant in an area sheltered from the hot sun, but not deep shade.
Companion plants: Trillium,  Cypripedium, Cardamine, Erythronium, Epimedium, Paris, Smilacina.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Zone:  4 - 9
Natural Range: Hybrid
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  2’ - 6'
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Cross between yellow flowering P. ludlowii and white flowering ostii.  So far foliage looks similar to P. ludlowii
Notes:  Seedlings from hand pollinated cross

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family:  Paeoniaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: Western China
Soil: Moist, well drained
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 7'
Bloom Time:  May
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous.  Shrub-like.  Spring blooming. Attractive ferny foliage. Deep yellow flowers with gold anthers. Larger petals and more cup shaped than P. delaveyi.  Large black seeds late summer-fall.
Notes:  Requires little maintenance one established and can be quite drought tolerant.

Pot Size: Medium Band Pot

Family: Paeoniaceae
Zone:  4 - 9
Natural Range: Mediterranean
Soil:  Average, moist humus rich
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  2’
Bloom Time:  April to May
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Pink new growth.  Intense purple-pink flowers.
Notes:  Rarely offered species that is the first to bloom in our Pacific Northwest Garden.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Paeoniaceae
Zone:4 - 9
Natural Range: China, Russia, Korea, Japan
Soil:  Average to moist, humus rich
Light: Part shade
Height: 24"
Bloom Time:  April to June
Pest Resistance: Deer, Rabbit
Attributes: Deciduous. Clumping.  Spring blooming.  Red - pink new growth, Pink flowers with yellow stamen.  Bright red seed case with blue seeds.
Notes:  Plant in an area sheltered from the hot sun, but not deep shade.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family:  Paeoniaceae
Zone: 4 - 9
Natural Range:  China;  Hubei, Shaanxi
Soil:  Average to moist, humus rich
Light:  Part sun
Height:  24"
Bloom Time:  April to May
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Spring blooming.  Red - pink new growth.  Deep red underside of leaves.  Large white flowers with yellow stamen.  Large, bright red seed case with blue seeds.
Notes:  An easy species that is not often found in cultivation. Plant in an area sheltered from the hot sun, but not deep shade.  A favorite of mine in the garden for both foliage and flower.  Blooms later than P. japonica but earlier than P. obovata.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Ericaceae
Zone:  3 - 8
Natural Range:  AZ, AK, WA, OR, CA, MT, ID, WY; AB, BC, MB, SK
Soil:  Humus rich
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  6" - 12"
Bloom Time:  June to July
Attracts:  Bees
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Slow growing mounding shrub with dark green, needle-like foliage.  Pink to rose flowers.
Notes:Does best in cool soils that are damp, humus rich and sharp/gritty.  Our collection is from Washing Cascade Range.
 
Pot size:  Small Band Pot

Family:  Pinaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade-sun
Height: 30' - 75', Smaller in cultivation
Attributes:  Evergreen, medium sized, blue green needles.
Notes: Growing at elevations of 1600-3800 m.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Pinaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade-sun
Height: 30' - 75', Smaller in cultivation
Attributes:  Evergreen, medium sized, blue green needles.  Pendulous branchlets.
Notes: Usually grows in pure stands but is occasionally found mixed with Abies sibirica.  Growing at elevations of 1200-3500 m.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Pinaceae
Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range: Western Himalaya, India to Nepal
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade-sun
Height: 30' - 70', Smaller in cultivation
Attributes:  Evergreen, Gracefully weeping, long gray - green leaves.  In the wild grows usually on N. and W. slopes between 2100 - 3600 m.  Pyramidal growth, shiny brown -  purple female cones that are pendulous.
Notes:  One of the most distinct Picea species with incredibly long pendulous branches.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot 8" - 12"

Family: Pineaceae
Zone:5 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average
Light: Sun
Height: 50'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Evergreen.  Gray, irregularly flaking bark.  Upward facing, short needles.  Yellow-brown seed cones to 3" long. 
Notes: Mixed mountain forests from elevations between 1400m to 2800m.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Pinaceae
Zone: 8 - 10
Natural Range: California
Soil:  Average, well drained, drought tolerant
Light: sun
Height: 30'
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Large seed cones similar to Pinus sabiniana.
Notes:  Native to elevations of 300-2,100m, usually found on dry rocky slopes and ridges among oaks.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family: Pinaceae
Zone: 8 - 10
Natural Range: Guatemala, Mexico
Soil:  Moist to dry, humus rich, well drained, drought tolerant
Light: sun, part sun
Height: 60', smaller in cultivation.
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes: Evergreen.  Long green needles.  Drooping
Notes: In the wild is often associated with Gaultheria, Liquidambar, Quercus.  Native to the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala from 1000 m - 1500 m above sea level.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot