Thurston Conservation District

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa)

This delicate looking perennial grows up to 18" in height and 24" in diameter. The fern-like leaves are numerous and long stocked. The pinkish-purple heart-shaped bell-like flowers appear in mid spring to early summer. It self-seeds vigorously and produces seeds throughout it's long bloom period.
Planting Considerations: Prefers humus rich soils that are well drained. Does well in both sunny and shady locations and makes a great ground cover. Deer proof! Plant 3-5 inches apart and expect some mortality. As with any new planting, it should be watered during the dry season the first 2-3 years, until it become established.
Planting Problems: This species transplants fairly easily, but it is important to keep in watered in sunny locations.

Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)

This low, perennial grows only 2-8" in height. Flowers are similar to the Pacific dogwood flower, on a smaller scale. They are born in tiny white clusters, surrounded by for large white bracts, giving the appears of a single blossom. Each flower has highly elastic petals that flip backward, releasing springy filaments that are cocked underneath the petals. The fruit is a a coral red drupe, that is edible with a mild flavor, similar to an apple. Fruit matures in late summer.
Planting Considerations: Grows in a wide variety of soils. Does best under trees and other understory. Spreads through the rhizome root system. Needs some shade and moist, well-drained sits. Wildlife such as birds and deer eat the fruit. As with any new planting, plants should be watered during the dry season the first 2-3 years, until it become established. Plant 2-4 inches apart and expect some mortality.
Planting Problems: None noted.

Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria lanceolata)

This tall (typically 12 to 24 inches) herbaceous perennial growing from white bulblets consisting of a few fleshy scales and many rice-grain-like offsets. The stems are 20-50 cm tall, sturdy and unbranched, bearing 1-3 whorls of 5-11 lance-shaped leaves. Chocolate lily has bowl-shaped, distinctly nodding flowers with six tepals which are brown-mottled with green or yellow. The capsules are broadly winged.
Planting Considerations: Grows on open flats and slopes covered with grass or brush and open woods. It requires well-drained soil and moderate summer watering but is intolerant of frequent watering (such as a lawn might receive). This plant tolerates shade, but prefers sun. As with any new planting, plants should be very moderately watered during the dry season the first 2-3 years, until it become established. Plant 2-4 inches apart and expect some mortality.
Planting Problems: It may be difficult to get established.

Coastal Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis)

This herbaceous perennial plant spreads by seed and also by short rhizomes and leafless stolons. The toothed leaves are leathery, basal with a petiole generally 2-20 cm. They appear in leaflets of 3 and are glabrous (not hairy) above. The flowers have 5 white petals that are 10-18 mm. The five bractlets are unlobed. It produces tiny red fleshy fruit.

Planting Considerations: Grow best in full sun in a light, loose soil, about 10 inches apart (they will produce runners and spread). To control, dig up plantlets or runners (these can be transplanted easily).
Planting Problems: None noted.

Common Camas (Camassia quamash)

This stout perennial herb grows from an edible bulb and reaches reaches about 12 inches in height. The leaves are long and narrow, grass-like, and emerge from the base. Common camas flowers are light to deep blue; more than 3 flowers in an inflorescence may be open at one time. Common Camas blooms from April through June. The fruits are barrel-shaped to three-angled capsules, splitting into three parts to release many black, angled seeds. It is commonly found on prarie soils.
Planting Considerations: Camas will tolerate both moist to dry soils and enjoys full sun to partial shade. Plants should be placed 4-6 inches deep. As with any new planting, plants should be very moderately watered during the dry season the first 2-3 years, until it become established. Plant 2-4 inches apart and expect some mortality.
Planting Problems: None noted.

Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

This plant grows to a length of 12 feet but rarely gets more than 6-8 inches above the ground. It has small evergreen leaves that are thick and waxy. The plant produces small drooping bell-shaped flowers that are light pink in color. The fruits are small red berries that remain on the plant into the winter.
Planting Considerations: This plant tolerates nearly every soil type and condition. It will grow in sun or shade, but does best in party sunny areas. It makes a a great landscaping and bank stabilization plant. Plant 4-6 inches apart and expect some mortality. As with any new planting, it should be watered during the dry season the first 2-3 years, until it become established.
Planting Problems: None noted.

Trailing Blackberry (Rubus ursinus)

This climbing or trailing evergreen shrub has round, slender branches that commonly reach 10 to 20 feet in length, but no more than 2-3 inches in height (when not climbing). Young stems are erect, but arch as they lengthen, rapidly touching the ground and rooting at the nodes. Its white flowers may be distinguished from those of other blackberries by their narrow petals. The edible sweet, edible fruits are dark purple to black and up to 2 centimeters in length.
Planting Considerations: This plant is very easy to grow and does well in a variety of conditions. It's a great understory plant and prefers sunny to party sunny locations. Attracts bees, birds and butterflies. The berries make nice pies. Plant 4-6 inches apart and expect some mortality. As with any new planting, it should be watered during the dry season the first 2-3 years, until it become established.
Planting Problems: None noted.

Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum)

This perennial that is considered evergreen in most of its range. Wild ginger produces slender, elongate, shallow rhizomes that allow for a spreading to highly-matted growth form. The heart- or kidney-shaped leaves occur 2 per node and measure 1.5 to 4 inches long by up to 6 inches wide. A ginger odor is released through rubbing or crushing the leaves. Fruits are capsules containing several seeds.
Planting Considerations: This plant does best in shady well-drained sites but will grow in a variety of soils, including clay. Great for under other trees and shrubs. The blooms hide under the leaves. Plant 4-6 inches apart and expect some mortality. As with any new planting, it should be watered during the dry season the first 2-3 years, until it become established.
Planting Problems: None noted.

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