Xeriscaping

ampersat · 02-25-2007, 06:21 AM

Rather than going to a nursery to purchase a tree/shrub/whatever which likely won't thrive here without special care, I'm planning to go to the ranger station and getting a native plants permit, then collecting my own plants to put into my yard.

Anyone else do this? I've been doing some research and think I know a few plants that I want but have no idea where to find them. Any tips and info would be greatly appreciated.

Snug 2 · 02-25-2007, 06:32 AM

We have dug and replanted a lot of ferns, salal, and Oregon grape. We got it off my parents ground on the Olympic Pen. So I don't know about the permit system, but I do know all of our plants did well. Each year we try to get more and more of them to fill in.

huntercgr · 02-25-2007, 06:36 AM

One thing to keep in mind is to get plants that will adapt to the "zone" you live in. For ex:, in wouldn't do me any good to get plants from the coast and bring them to EO.

Also be aware of where you plant them. Some might not like a southern exposure.

garyk · 02-25-2007, 05:26 PM

It's fun just to try stuff to see if it takes. I've got aspens from near Sisters (they put out runners and suckers, so it's not like you're digging up a tree); currant bushes from the Deschutes, white birch from a sucker I took from a parking lot in North Portland, ferns and Oregon grape from different places and so on. If you can find a newly sprouted sucker, it will probably take and grow.

There's a place, I think it might be called 'Re-cycled Gardens' that salvages plants from places that are being bulldozed for development.

wilsonriverfisher · 02-25-2007, 06:00 PM

What are you looking for? Im an excellent plant man thats what I do for a living, if you give me a list I could find the areas to locate them or give it my best at doing it.

STGRule · 02-25-2007, 06:47 PM

Going out to the woods to dig things up is a tradition here. We stop at the ranger station on the way out and do it on Father's Day. We have gotten lots of cool stuff that grows well and is water tolerant. Some stuff doesn't work, but most does.

Chrome Bumper · 02-26-2007, 08:33 AM

Look in the ditches before the road crew goes out to spray and mow, lots of orphans there.