Meet and greet the members of our nursery! Our WSC Restoration Associate has assembled a handy guide to native plants that you will encounter at our nursery.

Conifers

Common Name	Species Name	Picture	Information
Douglas Fir	Pseudotsuga menziesii		Temperance: ·Full to partial sun ·Dry-semi-moist ·Doesn’t tolerate flooding Ethnobotanical uses: Historically, this wood was used for spear handles, harpoon shafts, spoons, and much more.
Grand Fir	Abies grandis		Temperance: ·Partial sun ·Somewhat moist Ethnobotanical uses: The Hesquiat used branches as incense and to decorate clothing for wolf dancers
Shore Pine	Pinus contorta		Temperance: ·Highly adaptable Ethnobotanical uses: The pitch was used by Sechelt to waterproof canoes and baskets
Sitka Spruce	Picea sitchensis		Temperance: ·Tolerates river and stream flooding ·Does well in wet areas Fun Fact: The sharp needles of spruce were believed to give it special powers of protection against evil thoughts.
Western Hemlock	Tsuga heterophylla		Temperance: ·Partial to full shade ·Somewhat moist Fun Fact: Washington State Tree
Western Red Cedar	Thuja plicata		Temperance: ·Partial-full shade ·Moist ·Flood tolerant Fun Fact: Can live up to 1,000 years

Deciduous Trees

Common Name	Species Name	Picture	Information
Big leaf maple	Acer macrophyllum		Temperance: ·Good for streambanks and slopes due to massive root system ·Full sun to partial shade ·Mostly dry Fun Fact: This species carries more moss and other plants than any other tree species in the region
Black cottonwood	Populus balsamifera		Temperance: ·Tolerates stream or river flooding ·Full sun to partial shade ·Moist ·Good for streambanks and steep slopes due to root system Ethnobotanical Uses: The aromatic gum of spring buds is used to waterproof baskets and boxes
Oregon ash	Fraxinus latifolia		Temperance: ·Moist to wet soils Fun Fact: Believed to be protective against snakes. Legend says rattlesnakes won’t crawl over sticks of the tree.  The areas where Oregon ash grow are also free of poisonous snakes
Pacific crabapple	Malus fusca		Temperance: ·Prefer wet areas Fun Fact: The fruit does not require preservation due to its acidity.  It naturally becomes softer and sweeter over time
Red alder	Alnus rubra		Temperance: ·Grows in nutrient-poor soils ·Sun to partial shade ·Somewhat dry ·Excellent for streambanks and steep slopes due to good root system Fun Fact: Has the ability to gather nitrogen from the air and convert it into a usable nutrient due to a symbiotic relationship with Frankia, bacteria that attaches to the alders’ roots.
Red osier dogwood	Cornus sericea		Temperance: ·Full sun to partial shade ·Moist Fun Fact: Important winter browse for moose, deer, and elk
Vine maple	Acer circinatum		Temperance: ·Good for stream banks and steep slopes due to its root system ·Sun to full shade ·Dry to somewhat moist soils Ethnobotanical Uses: Wood is often used for snowshoe frames, drum hoops and small implements due to its flexibility

Shrubs

Common Name	Species Name	Picture	Information
Black Twinberry	Lonicera involucrata		Temperance: ·Partial shade ·Moist Ethnobotanical Uses: Haida rubbed the berries on the scalp to prevent hair from turning grey
Douglas hawthorne	Crataegus douglasii		Temperance: ·Moist ·Open places Ethnobotanical Uses: Thorns on black hawthorn were used as prongs on rakes for catching herring
Osoberry	Oemleria cerasiformis		Temperance: ·Somewhat dry to moist ·Open areas ·Shade Fun Fact: Even though it is a part of the rose family, it has no thorns
Mock Orange	Philadelphus lewisii		Temperance: ·Adaptable ·Full to partial sun Fun Fact: When prepared properly, the wood never cracks or warps
Nootka Rose	Rosa nutkana		Temperance: ·Full sun to partial shade ·Somewhat dry Fun Fact: Rose hips contain a higher amount of vitamin C than oranges
Oceanspray	Holodiscus discolor		Temperance: ·Dry to moist ·Open sites Ethnobotanical Uses: Before nails existed, oceanspray pegs were used in construction
Pacific ninebark	Physocarpus capitatus		Temperance: ·Sun to partial shade ·Prefers moist Ethnobotanical Uses: The Cowichan made knitting needles out of them
Pacific Willow	Salix Lucida		Temperance: ·Full sun to partial sun ·Somewhat moist to moist Fun Fact: Tallest of the willows
Quaking Aspen	Populus tremuloides		Temperance: ·Moist ·Full sun Fun Fact: Aggressive pioneer species, it readily colonizes burned areas and persists through frequent fires
Red flowering currant	Ribes sanguineum		Temperance: ·Full sun to partial shade ·Dry to somewhat moist Fun Fact: This plant was introduced into European horticulture
Salmonberry	Rubus spectabilis		Temperance: ·Full sun to partial shade ·Moist Fun Fact: Salmonberry patches were harvested exclusively by their owner until enough boxes were collected to hold a feast.  After that, patch was open for all to harvest in Nuu-chah-nulth
Serviceberry	Amelanchier alnifolia		Temperance: ·Full sun ·Well-drained soil Fun Fact: Berries were highly prized by indigenous peoples and early settlers
Sitka Willow	Salix sitchensis		Temperance: ·Full sun to somewhat shade ·Somewhat moist to moist ·Tolerates river or stream flooding Ethnobotanical Uses: Strait Salish used the bark to make a grey dye for mountain goat wool
Snowberry	Symphoricarpos albus		Temperance: ·Full sun to somewhat shade ·Dry to somewhat moist ·Tolerates some flooding Fun Fact: Other common names for the white berries of the plant are ‘corpse berry' or ‘snakes berry’
Spirea	Spiraea douglasii		Temperance: ·Partial to full sun ·Moist areas Ethnobotanical Uses: Nuu-chah-nulth used branch twigs to collect tubular marine dentalia shells