Regional Picks : Water-Wise Plants – Northwest

1. Divided Soft Shield Fern

Name:Polystichum setiferumDivisilobum Group

Usda Hardiness Zones:6 to 9

Size:15 to 18 inches tall and 24 to 30 inches astray

Conditions : Partial to full shade ; rich , well - drain grunge

The graceful arching fronds of this old prissy variety are peculiarly beautiful . The finely cut foliage reminds one of finespun lace and does n’t allude to how rugged and large-minded this fern is once establish . Tolerant of dry shade , the evergreen foliage looks keen class - pear-shaped . Its cushy appearance makes it a perfect associate for bolder leafed plants . take in for tiny circular bulbils along the leaf stem in belated summertime or former fall ; these can be well propagated by pin the frond to the grunge through wintertime . Water on a regular basis until established and remove old fronds in other springiness ( March ) before newfangled growth bulge out .

2. ‘Standishii’ Yew

Name:Taxus baccata‘Standishii’

Zones:5 to 8

Size:5 to 6feet talland12 to 15inches spacious in10years

Conditions : Full sun to partial shade ; abide a all-inclusive kitchen stove of soil conditions as longasitis not excessively moist

‘ Standishii ’ is substantive for a drouth - tolerant formal garden or to just add a stiff erect element to the landscape . This golden yew holds its upright rigid wont , seldom splitting in snow or ice . It react to pruning , making it easy to keep in scale in even the smallest garden . The fresh growth is bright chartreuse - xanthous , deepening to Au by early summer , which contrast well over the one-time dark green foliage . Its boring maturation makes it utile for containers as well as the garden , and the golden color glows in our grey wintertime . You will get the best color in full sun , but the Au tones will languish by summer in fond specter .

3. Nelson’s Bear Grass

Name:Nolina nelsonii

Zones:7 to 10

Size:6 to 7feet magniloquent and 4 to 5feet wide in10years

Conditions : Needs full sun and first-class drainage ; requires little to no water once established

The architectural ravisher of this yucca relative is surpassed only by its low demand for maintenance and water . The long , thin blue - green leaf radiate from the trunk , forming a complete dome , redoubtable in appearance but surprisingly flexible and less potential to quarter stock than its agave and yucca kin . Tolerant of our pixilated wintertime and cool summertime , its foliage resists distinguish and mildewing in inclement weather . It is rare to flower in the Northwest , but the peak steeple can be spectacular , although it will often take decades before the plant life reaches a flowering size of it .

4. ‘Howard McMinn’ Vine Hill Manzanita

Name:Arctostaphylos densiflora‘Howard McMinn’

Usda Hardiness Zones:8 to 10

Size:5 to 6feet tall and 6 to 7feet spacious in10years

weather : Full sunshine ; well - drain soil

The smooth , chestnut reddened bark and sculpturally twisted branching make this manzanita an artwork in the garden . Like most madrono , ‘ Howard McMinn ’ prefers well - enfeeble soil with little to no summertime lacrimation . This selection is able to stomach our excessively soaked winter , along with the occasional summertime watering we tend to give its thirsty neighbour , better than most other manzanitas . I particularly enjoy the small cluster of pink - flush white urn - shaped flowers that bloom during the short days of wintertime , providing a welcome treat to our amplify universe of winter Anna hummingbird .

Photos , except where noted : millettephotomedia.com ; Richie Steffen ; Kerry Ann Moore ; Courtesy of Richie Steffen

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Regional Picks: Water-Wise Plants - Mid-Atlantic

Regional Picks: Water-Wise Plants – Southern Plains

Regional Picks : Water-Wise Plants - Northeast

Regional Picks : Water-Wise Plants - South

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