The best native plants of Central Oregon consist of flowers that thrive in the region’s varied soil types, such as Western Columbines, deer-resistant trees like the western larch, and erosion-preventing shrubs like Lewis’ mock orange.
The floras on this list are ideal for the High Desert. They have adapted to Central Oregon’s natural precipitation of only 3 to 6 inches during the growing season, meaning the plants require less additional watering than non-native plants.
Oregon native flowers
Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
Western Columbine has adapted to the Central Oregon soil and grows well in multiple soil types. This flower needs a moist environment and partial shade to full sun to thrive in the High Desert. One way to ensure Columbine receives enough water is to use an efficient irrigation system and locate it next to plants with similar water needs.
The red and yellow flowers bloom from spring to summer. This perennial attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun or partial shade (preferably)
- Water needs: Low, moderate
- Soil: Chalky, clay, loamy, or sandy soil that’s nutrient-rich; prefers moist soil
- Mature height: 1 to 3 feet
Blue flax (Linum lewisii)
The key to plant survival in central Oregon is growing them in the right conditions. Blue flax grows well in multiple soils, and the sunshine and dry environment are ideal for this perennial; it prefers full sun and arid to moderate soil.
Lovely baby-blue flowers bloom atop stems that form the shape of a vase at the bottom.
Blue flax attracts colorful butterflies.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full to partial sun
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Soil: Chalk, loam, sandy; moist but well-drained
- Mature Height: 18 to 24 inches
Pacific bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa)
This central Oregon wildflower adapts well to urban environments, so it is a great plant for metro area landscapes. If you have buildings blocking sunlight to your yard, this perennial will be right at home; it prefers shade. Plant it in moist soil, and watch it grow up to two feet tall as its beautiful pink flowers emerge from mid-spring to mid-summer.
The Pacific bleeding heart is a great pollinator plant, bringing butterflies and hummingbirds to landscapes. This wildflower may irritate the skin. Use gloves when planting it if necessary.
Brighten a pollinator garden with these bleeding hearts, or display it as a container plant.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Partial sun
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Soil: Clay, loam, or chalk. Acidic or neutral pH; well-drained but moist soil
- Mature Height: 1 to 2 feet
Oregon native trees
Western larch (Larix occidentalis)
Central Oregon homeowners need to consider that deer are one of the major destroyers of home gardens. That’s why we’ve included the western larch flower in this list. It’s deer-resistant and also wind-tolerant.
Western larch’s bark is a cinnamon color and the green needles smell like grapefruit. The needles become a stunning yellow in the fall.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 4 to 8
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun
- Water needs: Low
- Soil: Calcium- and magnesium-rich soils
- Mature height: 100 to 180 feet
Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Douglas fir tolerates multiple soil types. It thrives in the sunny climate of Central Oregon. This tree grows up to 80 feet and provides good shade in the hot and dry summers. As the tree matures, it grows into a conical shape and the bark turns reddish brown. Add this evergreen to your landscape and the tree’s pine smell.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 7
- Duration: Evergreen
- Sun: Full to partial sun
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Soil: Moist but well-drained acidic or neutral soil with a clay, loamy, or sandy composition
- Mature Height: 40 to 80 feet
Western red cedar (Thuja plicata)
Western red cedar grows to a towering height of up to 200 feet. Be sure to plant it in an area clear of power lines.
This perennial has a reddish bark and year-round green foliage. Flowers bloom in April. Western red cedar is a host plant for caterpillars and a food source for larvae. The tree is naturally found in flat lands and slopes, so this flora grows well on uneven landscapes.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 5 to 8
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade
- Water needs: Moderate
- Soil: Prefers moist, slightly acidic soils
- Mature height: Up to 200 feet
Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides)
Choosing fire-resistant trees in an area as hot and dry as the High Desert can mean your home has a better chance of surviving a wildfire. According to Cynthia Orlando, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Agency Affairs Specialist, “Quaking aspen stands often act as natural fuel breaks during wildfires, and fires sometimes bypass them.” The trembling aspen, also called quaking aspen, is a Central Oregon favorite for this reason.
The aspen is also popular because of the sound its leaves make in the wind, the tree’s quick growth habit, its white trunk, and its golden fall leaves.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 1 to 6
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
- Water needs: Medium
- Soil: Dry to mid-range, organic-rich, well-drained soil moist
- Mature height: 20 to 60 feet
Bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata)
Bitter cherry adjusts to multiple environments. Although it grows best in sandy loam, moist, or loamy soil, it will also grow in arid conditions. The white flowers emerge from April to July. Wildlife eat the red fruit. This plant is grown as a small tree or shrub.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 5 to 9
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun to shade
- Water needs: Moderate
- Soil: Prefers moist soils with good drainage
- Mature height: Up to 50 feet
Oregon native shrubs
Juniper, western or sierra (Juniperus occidentalis)
Western juniper is crazy about the dry and hot summers of central Oregon. This plant thrives in sunny and arid environments.
Don’t be alarmed if the juniper remains a shrub for a while. It grows slowly and can take 15 to 25 years before it grows into a tree. While it is getting there, it is a great addition to any high desert home. You’ll love that this perennial is deer-resistant.
We think you may also enjoy the edible cones that are high in Vitamin C. The berry-like treats have been used to make tea.
Plant this shrub where you can smell the foliage. The leaves smell like apples or lemons when crushed.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 4
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full to partial sun
- Water needs: Low
- Soil: Dry, rocky soil; Medium to fine textured soil
- Mature height: 30 feet tall
Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
Serviceberry performs optimally when grown in yards with loamy or sandy soil. Landscapes with full sun exposure or partial shade are good environments for serviceberry. This shrub is drought-tolerant and excellent for attracting pollinators. Serviceberry also provides nourishment for birds, as they feast on the berries.
Homeowners love that the fruit is edible, and many gardeners make jams and jellies. Planting serviceberry in full sun encourages the shrub to produce berries abundantly.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 4 to 9
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun or partial shade
- Water needs: Low
- Soil: Loamy or sandy; well-drained
- Mature height: 3 to 16 feet
Lewis’ mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii)
Lewis’ mock orange’s natural habitat is rocky slopes. This shrub’s root system prevents erosion, so it is a great addition to homes with sloped landscapes.
If it’s not the sight of the creamy white flowers that wins your heart, the petal’s sweet, orange blossom smell will surely win you over. Homeowners like that this perennial has no major disease or pest problems.
Mock orange attracts butterflies. Be aware that it also draws wildlife like deer and rabbits. And people with sensitive skin may be irritated by mock orange. Handle with gloves if you’re one of them.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 5 to 8
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun or partial shade
- Water needs: Drought tolerant; watering produces more flowers
- Soil: Rocky, nutrient-rich, and well-drained
- Mature height: 4.5 to 9 feet
Vine maple (Acer circinatum)
Vine maple’s colorful seasonal changes make it a Central Oregon favorite. Greenish-white flowers develop in the spring. The fall sunshine causes the leaves to turn orange, red, and yellow. The fruit becomes a radiant red.
Vine maple is considered a small tree or shrub. It is multi-trunked and attracts several pollinators. Use it as a specimen tree. It makes a wonderful flowering border when it is smaller.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 5 to 9
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun to partial shade
- Water needs: Medium
- Soil: Loam, sand, clay, moist, well-drained
- Mature height: 15 to 30 feet, sometimes reaching up to 40 feet
Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor)
Oceanspray adapts to several soil types. Gardeners love this perennial’s low maintenance features – it is drought-tolerant and pest- and disease-resistant. The shrub thrives on partially shady properties.
Oceanspray can grow from a sweet, sugary-smelling shrub into a tree up to 20 feet tall. The green leaves are hairy on one side, and the little white flowers develop from late spring to late summer.
This shrub is great for a home that wants to help sustain the local ecosystem. Oceanspray attracts hummingbirds and bees. Enjoy this flowering shrub in a coastal or cottage garden.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 6 to 9
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun to partial sun
- Water needs: Low to Medium
- Soil: Loam, chalk, clay, sand, well-drained, dry to moist
- Mature height: 3 to 10 feet tall, but can reach heights up to 20 feet
If you want to learn about plants native to the entire state, read our guide Oregon Native Plants for Landscaping.
FAQ
Where can I purchase native plants?
Amazon and Home Depot have many native plant seeds you can order for your Central Oregon landscape. You can also purchase plants at your local nursery or use the website provided by The Oregon Association of Nurseries, Nurseryguide.com.
What is Central Oregon’s USDA hardiness zone?
Most of Central Oregon is in gardening zone 6, meaning the average lowest temperatures range between -10 and 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Find out more in our guide, Growing Zones of Central Oregon.
Need help with your Central Oregon landscaping?
Native plants have adapted to the local soil and climate, so you can more easily manage them than non-native plants. However, if you want to create a sustainable and water-efficient environment, calling in the pros is best.
Whether you’re in Bend, Redmond, or another Central Oregon location, Lawn Love can connect you with landscaping and lawn care pros today.
Main Image Credit: Danny Steven S. | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0
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