Surface Water Management Division
Native Plant Information
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Native Plants have been adapting to their environment and local plant communities for thousands of years. These plants have evolved to serve many essential roles in maintaining healthy ecosystem functions.
Non-native Plants are those that have been introduced to the region since European settlement. They include many agricultural, landscaping, and garden plants.
Invasive Plants are non-native plants that thrive in our local climate. Although in some cases they out-compete native vegetation, most are not equipped to serve the important environmental roles of the native plants they displace.
Knowing what defines a native plant doesn't tell you if what you are looking at is native to our region. The University of Washington Herbarium (WTU, external link) has an online photo herbarium (plant collection) that can help with identification.
If you have a small patch of invasive weeds, hand removal is often the best treatment as long as you know what you're dealing with. Some plants can be harmful to human or other animals' health and it is recommended to have your plant properly identified by an expert before proceeding with a management strategy.
The best management practices (BMP) for invasive plants depend very much on what type of plant you are dealing with, the extent and location of the infestation, and even the season.
If you want to report an infestation or need identification help, you can contact the Snohomish County Noxious Weed Control Board for guidance. King County also provides a great online resource for advice on invasive plants at their BMP webpage (external link).
Not all invasive plants are listed as noxious weeds. A noxious weed is a legal definition classifying plants that once established are highly destructive, competitive, or difficult to control using cultural or chemical (herbicide) practices.
The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board (external link) provides an online resource to help identify noxious weeds and provides management guidance.
In short, yes. The functional interactions within communities of plants and the ecosystems that they support are different in every region.
Riparian (streamside) vegetation communities are especially prone to disturbance.
Over thousands of years recurring natural disturbances have selected for plants able to tolerate the flooding, slope failures, windstorms, fires, and outbreaks of disease and pests while remaining in balance with the rest of their ecosystem.
Our Pacific Northwest native plants have evolved to thrive in our unique climate and landscape and also to live and function in balance with the other local plants and animals.
Native plant communities help prevent flooding and erosion, they also create habitat for fish and other wildlife, improve our air and water quality, and serve critical roles in the healthy function of streams.
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The multi-level vertical structure of native vegetation can include towering conifers, broad leaved deciduous trees, dense shrubs and sprawling groundcovers. A canopy of native plants reduces soil disturbance starting sometimes hundreds of feet above the ground by intercepting the energy and volume of falling water.
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Healthy soil built by healthy vegetation reduces flooding and erosion by holding water like a sponge. This water is available for uptake by plants as it moves through the soil to streams, wetlands, lakes, and rivers.
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Fish depend on riparian vegetation for cooling shade, stream bank stability, a source of insects for food, and for wood to fall into the stream channel which enhances habitat complexity and value.
Local nurseries
There are many retail and wholesale nurseries in Snohomish County that offer a selection of native plants. To help make sure your plant is adapted to local conditions, when shopping at nurseries be sure to ask if their plants are purchased locally.
Salvage from development sites
Salvage is intended to save plants from development sites by relocating them to places where they will be useful. Only salvage from sites where you have been granted permission from the property owner.
Do not salvage from intact ecosystems not slated for development. Invasive weeds can more easily colonize a space that is disturbed than a space within a healthy vegetation community.
How to salvage
- Bring a shovel and various sizes of plant pots.
- Salvage in the winter when plants are dormant. Choose a manageable plant that is not too big. In general, smaller plants salvage better and recover more quickly.
- Dig straight down just beyond the outermost branches all the way around your plant.
- Place some native soil into the plant pot. Dig the plant the rest of the way out and carefully lift it into the pot, retaining as much dirt and roots as possible. Fill in empty spaces around the roots with native soil.
- Transport plants to their holding location and water, if necessary. Hold plants for one year before replanting in a permanent location. Transplanting is stressful to plants and this time allows roots to re-establish, increasing plant survival.
Planting is something people of all ages and experience levels can do. Use the following tips to greatly increase your plant's chance of survival!
- The right location is different for every plant. Make sure the soil type, moisture level and sunlight exposure are right for your plant's needs. This will make sure your plant will be able to grow to its full potential.
- Dig the hole twice as wide and just as deep as your plant's root ball. Set this soil aside for step 4. Scrape up the walls of the hole so they are not smooth - this will help the roots grow outward. Double check the depth and width of the hole.
- Lay the pot on its side and roll it with enough pressure to allow the plant to be easily removed, never pull a plant out by the tugging on its stem! Near the hole you dug, gently "massage" the roots to free them from the potting mix. Don't worry if you hear some roots breaking; this can actually help stimulate additional root growth.
- Gently set the plant in the hole and spread the roots outward to encourage growth into the surrounding soil. Use the soil you set aside from digging the hole to fill in around the roots. Remember to keep the depth of the plant the same as it was in the pot. Planting too deep can suffocate the plant. Planting too shallow exposes roots and can also kill the plant.
- 'Top dress' your planting by spreading the loose potting mix over the soil covering the roots, leaving some space around the stem. Using mulch around your trees and shrubs in the same way can help to retain water, prevent weeds from growing, and provide some nutrition. Mulch should be applied in a donut shape away from the stem of the plant.
Native plants have been adapting to this region for thousands of years and have evolved to be ideal for beautiful and low-maintenance landscapes.
Plants take approximately three years to establish. During this time clear weeds that may come up around the plant to prevent them from competing with your plant for nutrient, water, and light competition.
Water deeply during dry periods in the summer to help establish a healthy root system.
If planted in a location with the appropriate light, moisture and soil conditions, your native plants should need very little to no care after establishment.