Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

A native mat-forming groundcover with glossy-green leaves. Pinkish-white flowers in spring are followed by red berries in the fall. Reddish fall color.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Native species and cultivars available

Height: 4–8 inches

Spread: 10–15 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 2–6

Flowers: pinkish-white

Bloom time: June–September

Berberis aquifolium (syn. Mahonia)

An upright evergreen with shiny, dark-green leaves in summer, changing to purplish-red in fall. Fragrant, yellow flowers in the spring followed by bluish-black berries. Does best in morning sun to full shade. Plant two or more to improve berry production. Native and Oregon state flower.

• Low water use
• Full sun to part shade
• Attractive to butterflies and birds
• Deer-resistant
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 5–6 feet

Spread: 5–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 5–9

Flowers: yellow

Bloom time: April–May

Berberis repens (syn. Mahonia)

Similar to Oregon grape but smaller in size. Spreading green leaves turn purplish-red in fall. Fragrant, yellow flowers followed by bluish-black berries. Does best in morning sun to full shade.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Deer-resistant
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 12–18 inches

Spread: 30–36 inches

USDA hardiness zones: 4–8

Flowers: yellow

Bloom time: April–May

Ceanothus gloriosus

Small, wide-spreading shrub with dark-green, leathery foliage and fragrant, blue-purple flowers in spring. Useful on steep coastal banks. Needs protection from wind and afternoon sun. Short-lived plant (five to 10 years). Varieties available.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Deer-resistant

Height: 12–36 inches

Spread: 5–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 7–9

Flowers: blue-purple

Bloom time: April

Cistus purpureus

An evergreen with a compact growth habit, green-gray leaves and showy, reddish-purple flowers. Tolerates wind and salt spray. One of the more hardy species of rockrose.

• Low water use
• Full sun
• Attractive to bees and other pollinators

Height: 3–4 feet

Spread: 3–4 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 7–10

Flowers: reddish-purple

Bloom time: May–August

Cotoneaster apiculatus

This species is not invasive in the Pacific Northwest. A broadleaf semi-evergreen. Dark, shiny, green leaves change to burgundy in fall. Interesting mounding habit. Produces tiny pink flowers followed by a red cranberrylike fruit that persists into winter. Eastern exposure is best. May need to clean out debris that collects under branches. Avoid planting potentially invasive species C. lacteus (Parney’s cotoneaster), C. franchetti (gray cotoneaster), C. horizontalis (rockspray cotoneaster).

• Moderate water use
• Full sun to part shade
• Attractive to birds, bees and other pollinators
• Deer-resistant

Height: 12–36 inches

Spread: 3–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 4–7

Flowers: pink

Bloom time: May–June

Daphne x burkwoodii var. ‘Carol Mackie’

An attractive, semi-evergreen shrub with variegated leaves and fragrant, pinkish flowers in spring. Provides winter interest. One of the more cold-hardy daphne varieties. Prefers morning light and afternoon shade and protection from high winds.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attracts hummingbirds

Height: 2–4 feet

Spread: 2–4 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 4–8

Flowers: pink

Bloom time: May

Gaultheria shallon

A low-growing, broadleaf evergreen with attractive white to pink flowers, followed by edible black fruit. Shrub grows larger in shady conditions and stays small in full-sun conditions. Fruit is a food source for wildlife. Attracts hummingbirds.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attracts butterflies and birds

Height: 1–10 feet

Spread: 3–12 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 6–8

Flowers: white, pink

Bloom time: April–July

Hesperaloe parviflora

An interesting succulent with arching, swordlike blue-green leaves. Showy red flower stalks bloom for an extended period of time in mid- to late summer. Cold-tolerant. Grows well in dry, sandy, well-draining soils. A favorite of hummingbirds.

• Low water use
• Full sun
• Attractive to birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Deer-resistant

Height: 30–36 inches

Spread: 4–6 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 5–10

Flowers: Red to pink

Bloom time: May–July

Paxistima myrtifolia

A low-growing shrub with leathery, light-green leaves. Stays more compact in full-sun areas.

• Low water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to butterflies
• Native species or cultivars available

Height: 1–4 feet

Spread: 1–4 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 5–8

Flowers: red

Bloom time: June–August

Rhododendron macrophyllum

A Pacific Northwest native rhododendron with pale pink to purplish flowers in spring and dark-green leaves. Prefers acidic soils. Not adaptable in colder, drier regions such as Eastern Washington and Central and Eastern Oregon. Washington state flower.

• Moderate water use
• Full sun to partial shade
• Attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators
• Deer-resistant
• Native species and cultivars available

Height: 6–12 feet

Spread: 10–12 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 6–9

Flowers: pink to purple

Bloom time: April–May

Yucca species

Recognized by swordlike leaves in various shade of green, gray-green, or variegated green and yellow. Produces stalks of white flowers during the growing season. Several varieties available.

• Low water use
• Full sun
• Attracts butterflies
• Deer-resistant

Height: 2–4 feet

Spread: 2–4 feet

USDA hardiness zones: 4–10

Flowers: white

Bloom time: June–July