Maika Mattson

4/22/2025

April is Native Plant Appreciation Month, and there's no better time to embrace the beauty and benefits of native plants in your garden. To celebrate, our Native Plant Buyer, Meagan, has handpicked her top native plant recommendations for your spring garden. Meagan serves on the Board of Directors for the Northwest Horticultural Society and volunteers with Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation through the UW Botanic Gardens. With her extensive knowledge and passion for promoting biodiversity, she’s here to help you create a thriving, sustainable garden.

Meagan’s Top Native Plant Picks for April:

Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
An evergreen shrub with yellow spring flowers and blue-purple berries. Perfect for shady spots and attracting pollinators. The berries are edible, but not necessarily tasty; however many birds, including robins, love them!
Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)
A compact shrub with edible dark berries and glossy evergreen leaves. Great for year-round beauty and flavor.
Pacific Coast Irises (Assorted Varieties)
Native irises with vibrant flowers in assorted colors. Easy to grow and a beautiful addition to any garden.
Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)
A wildlife-friendly shrub with white spring flowers and red berries in summer. Birds love the berries, and they can be cooked for jams and syrups.
Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum 'King Edward VII')
A spring favorite with striking pink-red flowers that attract hummingbirds. Drought-tolerant and easy to grow in sun or partial shade.
Native Rhododendrons (Assorted Varieties)
Evergreen shrubs with stunning blooms in spring. Perfect for shady garden beds and supporting local pollinators.

Why Choose Native Plants?

Native plants are essential for local ecosystems. Habitat loss and fragmentation threaten native biodiversity, and over 50% of wetlands in the U.S. have been destroyed. Native plants are crucial for insects like caterpillars, which feed birds and other wildlife. As Doug Tallamy, author of Nature's Best Hope, says, "The little things that run the world are disappearing," and it all starts with plants.

Native plants also support keystone species, those that play a critical role in an ecosystem by providing food and shelter for many other species.

Visit Us & Get Inspired!

Stop by West Seattle Nursery to explore our selection of native plants and learn more from Meagan and our staff. We’re here to help you create a beautiful, wildlife-friendly garden.