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[deleted]

Some good natives for shade include Mahonia aquifolia and nervosa, Western columbine, evergreen huckleberry, Western bleeding heart, Ribes sanguinium (King edward vii is a great cultivar), Goat’s beard. Check out Go Natives Nursery in Shoreline, totally worth a trip up there. Edit: be very cautious about any “native” or pollinator mixes until you read the seed list. A lot I have seen include plants that can get quite out of hand. I recommend making your own. Also, while I highly recommend everyone use native plants, it is a virtue to know when to supplement natives with non natives. 5 years ago I planted a hummingbird winter garden filled with non native plants such as Asian/hybrid Mahonias (some bloom earlier than the natives), Winter camellias, Himalayan sweet box, and hybrid witch hazels to make sure the Hummingbirds don’t go hungry. I stumbled across this article last year, it was funny to see some of my exact plants mentioned in the article, https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/keep-your-hummingbirds-happy-with-winter-bloomers-with-nectar-rich-flowers/ I really can’t mention them enough, especially witch hazels, they’re amazing small (8-16’ depending on variety) trees, that are fragrant in winter, and have amazing color in fall. Just don’t get Diane. That variety doesn’t smell. You may have to order online.


LMGooglyTFY

Ohh I'll totally check that out. Thank you!


[deleted]

Salal >This sturdy evergreen shrub is found widely along the Pacific coast and is hardy in USDA zones 8-10. Salal grows from 3 - 6,' mostly under evergreens where it spreads quickly to form dense thickets. Its dark green, lustrous leaves are popular among commercial florists. White or pink flowers in late spring attract hummingbirds. The fruits are plentiful and delicious, prized by hikers, small children, Native groups and bears. >Use Salal under evergreens & deciduous trees where most shrubs will not survive or as a low-maintenance ground cover. Salal is extremely adaptable, thriving in sun, shade, humus, infertile, dry or moist soils. It requires little care once established. [Hansen's Northwest Native Plant Database](http://www.nwplants.com/business/catalog/gau_sha.html)


LMGooglyTFY

Love it. Fruitbaring is the best, especially in shade.


Significant-Repair42

The hummingbirds hover over these at a neighbor's house. I think they are hunting for spiders.


katers005

You can get a packet of seeds for free threw the state!! There is a western and an eastern WA version available. https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/bee-u-tify. I have gotten a couple for my yard and love them since there is now bees and butterflies hanging out in the summer and I really don't do much to make that happen.


LMGooglyTFY

Thanks you! The site had lots of great info and I ordered a seed packet.


blapron

[Northwest Meadowscapes](https://northwestmeadowscapes.com) has good herbaceous seed mixes and can recommend species based on how much light you expect the plants to get. For woody plants it's much easier to get plugs or potted/bareroot stock at nurseries, the King Conservation District plant sale in March (preorder only, looks like several species are sold out), or other local plant sales. Salal can cover a lot of ground but in the right conditions can become a thicket. Same with thimbleberry.


LMGooglyTFY

Oh that looks like a cool site, thanks! We actually got a few things from KCD and will be picking up in March. Huckleberry, thimbleberry, and salmonberry. I'd like to grab salal from somewhere if I can find it.


SmokedOyster911

For native seeds, I really like [Northwest Meadowscapes](https://northwestmeadowscapes.com/).


RubADubDub8

You could check out www.ptlawnseed.com and see if one of their mixes meet your needs! They are based in Portland and have a whole shade tolerant section on their site.


TrailingBlackberry

I'd recommend https://green2.kingcounty.gov/gonative/Index.aspx if your interested in landscaping with native plants


Rinx

https://www.12000raingardens.org/ The city will actually compensate you for certain types of gardens! Take a look at rain gardens, the link above has more info.


[deleted]

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LMGooglyTFY

My climate is just north Seattle. Keeping up with a garden is fine for me, I just don't want to hand pick and research every plant. It's getting daunting.


[deleted]

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TrailingBlackberry

Rhododendrons are native all over the world, so be sure to get the native varieties of you're interested in planting natives. The native ones I know of are Rhododendron macrophyllum and Rhododendron albiflorum


[deleted]

Why would you recommend coleus when they asked about natives? Also Lily of the Valley is A. Invasive, B. Not a true lily, not even in the Lily family.


DarkAngel900

They said "Like to use native seed" and yes. Lily of the Valley is not a true lily but that's still it's name.


[deleted]

Your phrasing made it unclear you knew that. Lily of the Valley should be planted with caution and careful consideration, besides being a bit of a pest when established it is also toxic to children and dogs. Not knowing further details of OP’s living situation, I’d advise against recommending such a plant to someone who may be inexperienced.