PERENNIALS and SUB-SHRUBS
water-wise
good for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
water-wise
good for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
A perennial is a plant that lives more than 2 years and doesn't have woody stems. Perennials grow and bloom during the spring and summer, then die back to the ground in the fall, when the weather turns cold. All of the plants shown here will thrive in sunny locations and have minimal to moderate water needs. All are low-maintenance - just cut them back to the ground in late fall or early spring, before new growth appears. Since they are perennials, they will come back every year.
Sub-shrubs like lavender and Russian sage don't die back to the ground in winter. The maintenance is a little different. Instead of cutting the entire plant back to the ground each year, just remove the dead flower stalks in late fall.
This list includes a mix of plants are native to our region and plants that aren't. All are well-adapted to Spokane's climate and beneficial to bees, butterflies and other wildlife. If you want to grow native plants, look for varieties that are native to the Inland Northwest. If they are hard to find, look for varieties that are native to the Northern Rocky Mountains or Columbia Plateau. Alternatively, choose plants and seeds that are native to the western US in general.
Sub-shrubs like lavender and Russian sage don't die back to the ground in winter. The maintenance is a little different. Instead of cutting the entire plant back to the ground each year, just remove the dead flower stalks in late fall.
This list includes a mix of plants are native to our region and plants that aren't. All are well-adapted to Spokane's climate and beneficial to bees, butterflies and other wildlife. If you want to grow native plants, look for varieties that are native to the Inland Northwest. If they are hard to find, look for varieties that are native to the Northern Rocky Mountains or Columbia Plateau. Alternatively, choose plants and seeds that are native to the western US in general.
Agastache (Hummingbird Mint) Agastache grows to 3 feet tall, blooms in mid-summer and attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators. It is native to the western US and comes in many different colors, including apricot, mauve and purple. Does well in hot, dry conditions and prefers sandy, gravelly soil. If your soil is rich and dense, mix some sand and gravel in before planting. |
Bee Balm (Monarda) Bee Balm typically grows to 3 or 4' tall and prefers full sun. It attracts bumblebees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The most common colors are red, hot pink and purple. It's native to the western US and much of North America. It's a member of the mint family, so it will spread. Its not particularly drought-tolerant, preferring damp, well-drained soil. |
Buckwheat, Wyeth or Parsnip-Flowered Native to the Intermountain West, this hardy plant blooms in early to mid summer. It attracts bees, butterflies and other insects, and it's the host plant for several butterflies. Grows to about 15″ tall. Does well in full sun and well-drained soil. Great in rock gardens. |
Helenium Helenium is in the sunflower family and is native to the western US and most of North America. Typically grows to about 4 feet tall and tends to flop over, unless it has some support. The shorter variety, called Short & Sassy, does not flop over but is not attractive to bees and other pollinators. |
Lavender Technically, lavender is a sub-shrub rather than a perennial. That means instead of cutting it down to the ground once a year, you'll just remove the dead flower stalks. Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region and is a tough, water-wise plant that needs minimal care. It smells wonderful and is attractive to bees. |
Milkweed, Showy When planting milkweed to support butterflies, it's important to choose a species that is native to your area. Showy Milkweed is native to the Spokane region. If you walk at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge or other natural areas, you'll see it growing along roads and trails. This plant reaches 2 to 3' tall, and blooms June through August. It spreads by rhizomes so it will create a patch if given the opportunity. Milkweed is the host plant for Monarch butterflies. |
Oregon Sunshine Oregon Sunshine is a low-growing sub-shrub native to Washington, Oregon and northern California. It prefers sandy or rocky soil and is drought-tolerant once established. If your soil is rich and dense, mix some sand and gravel in before planting. Oregon Sunshine has lovely grey-green leaves and is an important source of pollen for native bees. Because it's a sub-shrub rather than a perennial, just remove the dead flower stalks instead of cutting it down to the ground every year. |
Penstemon Penstemon is native to the western US. It comes in a wide range of colors: white, pink, coral, red, violet, purple and blue. It prefers dry, rocky soil and needs very little water. If your soil is rich and dense, mix some sand and gravel in before planting. Penstemon attracts hummingbirds and bumblebees. |