General Public, Homeowners, and Landscapers

Use Native Plants for Landscaping

When deciding on plants, use native species whenever you can.  These plants are suited to Oregon weather conditions and are more likely to survive than plants from other regions.  Healthy native plants require less water and provide valuable habitat for wildlife.  Check out native plant resources with watershed councils, OSU Extension or agencies like the Polk Soil and Water Conservation District.  There are also a number of nurseries in the Willamette Basin that specialize in native plants. 
 

Choose shrubs, trees, and ground covers in place of lawn whenever possible.  Lawn grass has a shallow root system, and don’t do a good job of removing pollutants from runoff.  In addition, they require a lot of maintenance, and chemicals to remain looking good.
 

Polk Soil and Water Conservation District:  www.polkswcd.com 

OSU Extension  http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening

Native Plant Society of Oregon:  NPSO - Home page (npsoregon.org)