Native Plant of the Month: Labrador Tea

by | Dec 8, 2018 | Native plants

Labrador Tea – Ledum groenlandicum   Highly valued for its numerous medicinal uses, Labrador tea is an especially bog-loving species. It can tolerate standing water and stresses like low nutrients and acidic soils. Ledum groenlandicumresponds to...

Native Plant of the Month: Sword Fern

by | Nov 11, 2018 | Native plants

Sword Fern – Polystichum munitum   Another classic plant in the Pacific Northwest is the sword fern. These ferns are extremely versatile and resilient. They thrive in moist soil and almost full shade, but can also survive in full shade and low nutrient...

Native Plant of the Month: Scarlet Elderberry

by | Oct 10, 2018 | Native plants

Scarlet Elderberry – Sambucus racemosa To identify a scarlet elderberry, try to find shrubs that have downy green leaves with strong, distinctive odor. They have half-ball mound of small white flowers in conical or pyramidal shaped clusters that appear in March...

Native Plant of the Month: Sitka Spruce

by | Sep 3, 2018 | Native plants

Sitka Spruce – Picea sitchensis If you have ever grabbed a conifer tree and were poked by its particularly spiky needles, those needles likely belonged to a spruce tree. Known for its tough leaves and scaly bark, the Sitka spruce is a classic tree of the Pacific...

Native Plant of the Month: Ghost Pipe

by | Aug 10, 2018 | Native plants

Walking through a coniferous forest in summer is like walking through an art exhibit on the various shades of green. Deep browns serve as the backdrop to an impressive display of deep, emerald tones and bright, lime highlights. But if one pays careful attention, and...

Native Plant of the Month: Rattlesnake Plantain

by | Jul 3, 2018 | Native plants

Rattlesnake Plantain- Goodyera oblongifolia One surprising treasure in Shadow Lake Bog is an orchid: Goodyera oblongifolia or Rattlesnake Plantain. Yes, you can find an wild orchid at your local nature preserve.   The western rattlesnake plantain is similar to...