Native Plant Care

We get a lot of questions on plant care so here are some steps to follow to help manage your native pollinator plants. If you’re not sure that a plant is native to Vancouver, make sure and check out the Portland Plant List and Metro’s Native Plants for Willamette Valley Yards. If you want additional resources for natives check out OSU Extension’s Gardening with Oregon Native Plants West of the Cascades and Native Plant Picks for Bees. If you are looking to purchase native pollinator plants from a local native nursery, check out Nature’s Haven native plant nursery in Camas. Fall is the absolute best time to plant all native plants including trees, shrubs and wildflowers from seed; however, you can plant almost anytime but you will have to consider things like watering and protection from hot summer days. If you have the choice, plant in the fall as it will set your plants up for long-term success. if you have any care questions feel free to reach out to us and we’ll try and answer them. Here are a few tips for planting natives in the ground and in containers.

For In-Ground Native Pollinator Plants

1. Always Choose Native Species: Select plants that are native to the Portland/Vancouver region. Native plants are adapted to the local climate, soil conditions, and wildlife, making them more resilient and attractive to native pollinators. If you’re not sure if something is native to our area, check out Metro’s Portland Plant list for reference.

2. Sunlight Requirements: Determine the sunlight requirements of your selected plants. Most native pollinator plants in the Pacific Northwest thrive in full sun to partial shade. Place them in an area where they will receive adequate sunlight for optimal growth and flowering.

3. Soil Preparation: Prepare the soil by ensuring it is well-draining and rich in organic matter. Amend the soil with compost or organic mulch to improve fertility and moisture retention. Native plants generally prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil pH levels.

4. Watering: Water newly planted native pollinator plants regularly to establish their root systems. Once established, most native species are drought-tolerant and require minimal watering. However, during dry periods, provide supplemental irrigation to ensure adequate moisture.

5. Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of native pollinator plants to suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, and regulate soil temperature. Use mulch materials such as wood chips, shredded bark, or compost, and avoid piling mulch against the plant stems.

6. Pruning and Maintenance: Native pollinator plants generally require minimal pruning and maintenance. Remove dead or diseased foliage, spent flowers, and any invasive weeds that may compete with the plants for resources. Prune as needed to maintain the desired shape and size of the plants.

7. Fertilization: Native plants in the Pacific Northwest typically do not require heavy fertilization. Instead, rely on organic amendments such as compost or aged manure to provide nutrients gradually over time. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive vegetative growth and reduce the plants' attractiveness to pollinators.

8. Pest and Disease Management: Monitor native pollinator plants for signs of pests or diseases, and take appropriate action if necessary. In many cases, native plants have built-in resistance to local pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical interventions. Use integrated pest management (IPM) techniques such as hand-picking pests, promoting natural predators, and practicing good garden hygiene.

9. Support Structures: Some native pollinator plants may benefit from support structures such as stakes or cages to prevent them from flopping over or becoming damaged by strong winds. Install these structures as needed to provide support without causing damage to the plants.

By following these plant care instructions, you can help native pollinator plants thrive in your garden while providing valuable habitat and food sources for local pollinators.

For Container and Vertical Native Gardens

In 2024, Vancouver Bee Project is starting a pilot program partnering with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Habitat at Home program that provides educational programing focused on creating native pollinator plant container gardens. Native pollinator habitats can come in many places and sizes, and this program shows folks how to plant native seeds and native plant starts in containers and existing spaces to create container and vertical gardens. Container gardens can be scaled to a size that makes sense for a space and container gardens need slightly different care. For more inspiration on native container gardens check out Homegrown National Park’s Container Gardening with Keystones site. Here are some care instructions for growing native plants in containers:

1. Select Appropriate Plants: Choose native plant species that are well-suited for container gardening. Look for plants that have compact growth habits and do not require extensive root space. Additionally, consider the mature size of the plants to ensure they can thrive in the confines of a container. Vancouver Bee Project has found that many wildflowers like gumweed, yarrow, goldenrod, meadowfoam, meadow checkermallow, farewell-to-spring, gilia globe, self-heal, Douglas aster, and showy fleabane all do well in containers. Additionally, shrubs like evergreen huckleberry, Oregon grape, and kinnikinnick also can thrive in pots.

2. Choose Suitable Containers: Select containers that are large enough to accommodate the root systems of your chosen native plants. Ensure the containers have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. Use lightweight containers made of materials such as plastic, fiberglass, or lightweight ceramics for easier handling.

3. Potting Mix: Use a high-quality potting mix specifically formulated for container gardening. Native plants generally prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil. You can enhance the potting mix with organic matter such as compost or peat moss to improve moisture retention and nutrient levels.

4. Sunlight Requirements: Determine the sunlight requirements of your native plants and place the containers accordingly. Most native plants prefer full sun to partial shade. Position the containers in a location where they will receive adequate sunlight for optimal growth and flowering.

5. Watering: Monitor the moisture levels of the potting mix and water your container native plants as needed. Container plants may require more frequent watering than those planted in the ground, especially during hot and dry periods. Water the plants thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain out of the bottom of the containers.

6. Fertilization: Native plants grown in containers may benefit from occasional fertilization to replenish nutrients depleted from the potting mix. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for container plants, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for application rates. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to nutrient imbalances and plant stress.

7. Pruning and Maintenance: Regularly inspect your container native plants for dead or diseased foliage, spent flowers, and signs of pests or diseases. Prune as needed to maintain the desired shape and size of the plants. Remove any invasive weeds that may emerge in the containers.

8. Protection from Extreme Conditions: During periods of extreme weather, such as frost or heatwaves, consider moving the containers to a protected location or providing additional insulation or shading as needed to protect the plants from stress or damage.

9. Overwintering: Depending on the hardiness of the native plants and your local climate and/or elevation, you may need to take precautions to protect container plants from winter cold. Consider wrapping containers with insulating materials, moving them to a sheltered location, or bringing them indoors during freezing temperatures especially if you live at higher elevations in Clark County.

Habitat can be created anywhere. By following these care instructions, you can successfully grow native plants in containers, providing habitat and food sources for local wildlife while enhancing the beauty of your outdoor space.