Southern Oregon native plants are stunningly beautiful, such as the Nootka rose shrub with its oval-shaped leaves, the pleasantly fragrant red flowering currant, and the functional Kinnikinnick, a shrub that helps control erosion.
The plants in this guide will thrive in southern Oregon’s microclimates. However, be mindful of each plant’s zones, as some only thrive in warmer zones.
Southern Oregon native flowers
Bicknell’s cranesbill (Geranium bicknellii)
Bicknell’s cranesbill has tiny lavender flowers, fuzzy green leaves, and hairy reddish-colored stems. It needs minimal watering and requires full sun. Interestingly, its natural habitat is forests recently damaged by fire. The plant’s seeds are dormant until exposed to fire.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 6 to 9
- Duration: Annual
- Sun: Full sun
- Water needs: Low
- Soil: Sandy, loamy, clay; mildly acid soil
- Mature height: Up to 39 inches
Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
Western columbine has red and yellow flowers. It is easily grown but may only survive for two to three years. Homeowners love that this flower grows well in partial shade and full sun and is deer-resistant.
This perennial has been used medicinally but some species have a toxin that can cause sickness. If you have small children, be sure to purchase a nontoxic variety, or plant your columbines in a location that is not easily accessible.
Western columbine prefers moist areas and soil that does not dry out, so plant it in a rain garden. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Use it in borders and flower beds.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun or partial shade (preferably)
- Water needs: Average
- Soil: Chalky, clay, loamy, or sandy soil that’s well-drained and nutrient-rich
- Mature height: 1 to 3 feet
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
This native flower is easy to grow in Southern Oregon’s mild climate and snowfall of less than 3 inches annually. The California poppy flower has a bold yellow color. You may have seen it growing along the road or in empty lots. Homeowners love that it is deer-resistant and only needs extra water if the growing season is arid.
In cold winter climates the flower is an annual. It acts as a perennial in areas with mild winters and reappears every fall.
California poppy attracts butterflies, bees, and birds. It also draws small animals like rabbits.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 8 to 10
- Life cycle: Annual or perennial
- Sun: Full sun
- Water needs: Low
- Soil: Infertile, well-drained, sandy soils
- Mature height: 0.15 to 2 feet
Oregon sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum)
No irrigation? No problem. This drought-tolerant perennial requires no summer watering. Oregon sunshine is also called the common wooly sunflower. It has bright petals so yellow it looks like the color will run off onto your hands.
Sunny, dry, well-drained areas are a good home for this wildflower. The flowers bloom from May to August. Bees and moths are attracted to this burst of sunshine. Be warned. You may see butterflies intimately acquainted with one another sitting together on your Oregon sunshines. Mating pairs of certain butterfly species have been spotted doing that very thing.
Plant these bright wildflowers in a pollinator garden or other areas where it’s hard to grow most plants.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 5 to 8
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full to partial sun
- Water Needs: Low
- Soil: Loam or sand; well-drained but moist soil
- Mature Height: 1 to 2 feet
Common camas (Camassia quamash)
This purple-blue flower requires plenty of water in the winter and spring. But plant it in the fall and watch it sprout striking petals in April and May. This pollinator plant is easy to grow. It loves to soak up the sun. For the bulbs to cure, this spicy perennial needs the summer droughts.
Common camas, also called great camas (Camassia leichtlinii), attract moths, bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Plant this wildflower in borders, beds, or as an underplanting for shrubs.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 3 to 8
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun, very little shade
- Water needs: Average /(Natively found in moist, spring meadows that dry by late spring)
- Soil: High organic matter with good drainage; tolerates seasonally moist soil
- Mature height: Up to 30 inches
Southern Oregon native trees
Vine maple (Acer circinatum)
Vine maple is a great addition to many Southern Oregon homes because it grows in multiple soil types, including sand and clay. This tree spreads 15 to 20 feet wide. It adds color to landscapes with its green leaves that turn yellow-red in the fall. White and red flowers appear in the spring. The bark is a red to greenish color.
Vine maple needs shade from the mid-day sun and regular water, but other than this, it is an easy tree to grow.
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
Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)
This sun-loving tree has medium-green colored pine needles. Ponderosa pine is ideal for slopes. It thrives in dry and hot environments in southern Oregon and is the most common native pine in that region. Plant it in an open area and watch it mature into a towering spire.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 to 7
- Duration: Evergreen
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water Needs: Moderate
- Soil: Well-drained soil
- Mature Height: 60 to 100 feet
Southern Oregon native shrubs
Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Red osier dogwood is also called redtwig dogwood because of its bright red branches. This large shrub adds color to a home year-round. White flowers bloom in the summer. White berries follow the flowers. The dark green leaves turn reddish-purple in the fall and the twigs retain their red color in the winter.
This shrub attracts butterflies, birds, and bees. Redtwig dogwood adds vibrance to butterfly gardens. The perennial also makes a colorful shrub border.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 3 to 8
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade, shade
- Water needs: Average, high
- Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Mature height: 6 to 9 feet
Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana)
Nootka rose adds color to home landscapes throughout the year. Pretty pink blowers bloom from May until about July. Red rose hips brighten the fall and winter. The shrub’s leaves contribute to the plant’s visual interest. Oval-shaped foliage with serrated edges line the stems.
Birds use this perennial as a food source. Plant nootka rose in a spacious area. Cut it back in late winter if you want to control its size and shape. Removing the suckers will stop nootka rose from spreading.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 4 to 8
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Full to partial sun
- Water needs: Low
- Soil: Sandy, loamy, or clay; well-drained soil
- Mature height: 2 to 9 feet
California fuchsia (Epilobium canum)
The red flowers may not make a sound but they do look like trumpets as they extend from the stems. This plant is, rightfully, also called hummingbird trumpet. And yes. It does attract hummingbirds. They, along with butterflies and bees, come for the nectar. California fuchsia provides nectar when most plants no longer have blooms, making the nectar a special treat.
Hummingbird trumpet thrives in dry places. Use this shrub to add greenery and red trumpets to a rock garden.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zone: 8 to 11
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Sun: Full sun and partial shade
- Water needs: Light watering once a month during summer
- Soil: Clay and sand
- Mature height: 1 to 3 feet
Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium)
Showcase your state spirit by planting the Oregon grape – the state flower – in your yard. You’ll also support the local ecosystem, as butterflies, bees, moths, and hummingbirds visit for Oregon’s nectar. This pleasant smelling plant boasts clusters of sunny yellow flowers from March to May.
When the blueberries follow, they can be plucked and eaten right off of the tree or used to make treats, like jellies. Plant this deer-resistant shrub in a pollinator or shade garden and watch the leathery leaves change colors from spring to summer.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 5 to 8
- Duration: Perennial
- Sun: Partial shade to full shade
- Water needs: Medium
- Soil: Loam, acidic, well-drained
- Mature height: 6 to 8 feet
Southern Oregon native fern
Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum)
Leaves grow opposite each other and line stems 3 to 6 feet tall. The western sword fern stabilizes banks and grows well on shaded landscapes. The perennial is very versatile and adapts to many soil types. Western sword performs optimally in moist conditions. To create the best display of these plentiful glossy leaves, cut away the oldest fronds in the spring.
This deer-resistant perennial works well in a shade garden or as a tall ground cover.
Plant details and ideal growing conditions:
- USDA hardiness zones: 3 to 8
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Sun: Partial shade to full shade
- Water needs: Medium to high
- Soil: Chalk, loam, clay, sand, moist, well-drained
- Mature height: 3 to 6 feet
For more about lawn care and gardening in southern Oregon
Get more lawn care and landscaping tips for Southern Oregon in the following guides:
- The Best Grass Seed for Southern Oregon
- When to Plant Grass Seed in Oregon
- Growing Zones of Southern Oregon
Trust the pros
Whether you’re in Medford, Central Point, Ashland, or anywhere else in Southern Oregon, Lawn Love has landscaping and lawn care experts who can plant floras and grass seed, maintain your garden and lawn, and keep your landscape beautiful and award-winning.
Main Photo Credit: Victorian-style house in Grants Pass, OR. David Berry | Flickr | CC BY 2.0
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