A question often asked of a Master Gardener (MG) is, “What are the best native, or perennial, or summer blooming, or ‘you get the idea’ types of plants?” As you might guess, if you ask several MGs, you will get several different lists.

Furthermore, if you are familiar with MGs, you know that you will never get one list or a quick answer, but rather a long explanation of all the considerations that go into choosing a plant.

But today is your lucky day! The Clallam County MGs are so busy preparing for the Spring Plant Sale, there is no time for long explanations. A group of MGs were asked their favorite native, spring blooming, summer blooming and shrub-type plants, and here is their list. (Since there won’t be a long-winded explanation, the MGs were also asked, “What is your favorite gardening resource?” That’s a clever reminder that it is always important to research the cultural needs and different varieties before choosing a plant.)

Natives

• Red flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum), hands down, is on the top of most lists. It’s a beautiful large bush with drooping, bright pink-to-red flowers in early spring and has a long blooming period.

• Vine maple (Acer circinatum), a small tree, made the list for its gorgeous fall foliage.

• Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) has year-round evergreen foliage and striking early spring yellow flowers.

• Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a wonderful border plant, especially in wet areas and has a beautiful display of red stems in the winter.

• Evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) is another lovely evergreen shrub with small edible berries in late summer.

Spring bloomers

• Snow drops (Galanthus nivalis) is one of the first flowers of spring with its adorable droopy, but sturdy, white flower on a deep green stem.

• Leopard’s-bane (Doronicum orientale) has a cheerful daisy-like yellow flower that blooms early, even in a little shade.

• White fawn lily (Erythronium oregonum) is a native perennial bulb reaching 12- to 18-inches tall with showy white blooms in early spring.

• Rock cress (Aubrieta deltoidea) will thrill with a profusion of long-lasting blooms and the plant will survive the dry summer with little care.

• Daffodil (Narcissus) is common but so hardy and cheerful and it comes in many varieties from the iconic yellow ‘King Alfred’ to the tiny ‘Tete-a-Tete.’

Summer/fall bloomers

• Liatris, on the top of most lists, is a flower spike loved by gardeners as well as hummingbirds and is perfect in a cottage or cutting garden.

• Blanket flower (Gaillardia) comes in bright color combinations (a lot of orange) and is a treat for pollinators from summer into fall.

• Chrysanthemum is the standard bearer of fall, but like daffodils it comes in so many varieties; it’s hard not to love.

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) has to be one of the easiest, longest blooming and toughest daisy-like flowers to make a statement in your garden.

• Fall blooming crocus (colchicum) is a fascinating, but not well known, fall blooming bulb with large cup-shaped flowers borne six inches off the ground.

Shrubs

• Rhododendron genus counts the official state flower amongst its varieties (Pacific Rhododendron, R. macrophyllum) and has to be on any “best” list.

• Hydrangea is another very common but favorite shrub that has many varieties that can be used in a wooded border or planted in a container.

• Sweet box (Sarcococca) has evergreen foliage and is a shrub that likes shade. It produces a tiny flower with a lovely fragrance in late winter.

• Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica) is not for everyone but is a shade loving, large-leaved shrub that will lend a tropical feel to a garden.

• Ninebark (Physocarpus) is a beautiful low maintenance shrub that has many varieties (including a native) with different foliage color and size to select from.

Resources

• “Sunset Western Garden Guide,” 2012, published by TI, Inc. Books

• “Maritime Northwest Garden Guide,” published by the Seattle Tilth

• “Vegetable Gardening in the Pacific Northwest” by Lorene E. Forkner, 2013, Timber Press

• WSU Extension Hortsense: hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu

• Clallam County MG Plant Clinics: extension.wsu.edu/clallam/mg/plant clinics

Many of these great plants and many other favorites will be available at the Master Gardener Spring Plant Sale on May 7, starting at 9 a.m. at the Woodcock Demonstration Garden. Come by and tell us your favorites.

Susan Kalmar is a WSU Clallam County Master Gardener.

Green Thumbs presentation spotlights the iris

Make sure to join us for the upcoming Green Thumb presentation “Types of Iris, and Their Propagation” presented by Ross “Rusty” BeVier from noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, May 12. As a Master Judge in the American Iris Society and iris hybridist, BeVier has been growing iris for nearly 50 years. He and his wife owned and operated “My Wild Iris Rows,” a commercial iris garden and has given talks to schools, garden clubs and iris clubs for nearly 25 years. He holds a teaching degree for industrial arts and a minor for teaching Botany. Presentations cover basic gardening topics relevant to most home gardeners. Seminars are free, but donations to help support the WSU Clallam County Extension Master Gardener program or Master Gardener Foundation of Clallam County are appreciated. Join online at extension.wsu.edu/clallam/master-gardener-calendar, or by phone at 253-215-8782 (meeting ID 920 0799 1742, passcode 709395).

Annual plant sale set

The free annual Master Gardener Plant Sale is set for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Woodcock Demonstration Garden, 2711 Woodcock Road. Check out Rhodies, natives, vegetables and more. The half-price sale starts at 1 p.m.

Snow drops make the list of spring bloomer favorites for local Master Gardeners. Photo by Sandy Cortez

Photos by Sandy Cortez Liatris flowers are a favorite summer/fall bloomer of local Master Gardeners.