Native Cultivars

Are you Species Specific? Cultivar Confused? The named varieties of native plants found in our NW Natives area are cultivars – variations found occurring naturally in the wild, selected and propagated to maintain their individual qualities and usually named by the individual who discovered them.

These plants are selected for a variety of reasons: Garrya eliptica ‘James Roof’ has particularly long and showy catkins. Acer circinatum ‘Monroe’ is shorter in stature and has more finely cut leaf structure. The native Kinnickinnick cultivar ‘Vancouver Jade’ was found to be more tolerant of our wetter soils and demonstrates more vigorous growth in the west Cascades lowlands than the straight species.

A variety is a consistent variation of the original species, and is able to be propagated by seed. Cultivars, while most often naturally-occurring variations, are more random or sporadic; they must be propagated vegetatively from divisions, cuttings, etc. in order to maintain their individual characteristics. Subsequent plants are clones, rather than offspring. Therefore, there is some debate over whether or not cultivars can truly be considered “native.”

Each gardener interested in using native plants has to decide for themselves where to draw these lines. There are solid arguments on both sides of the debate. A couple of advantages of cultivars are that the selection has often been made because of increased vigor and disease resistance, both of which can be important features to the home gardener. Also the straight species of a native plant is sometimes in relatively limited or sporadic supply – Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a prime example -- and the presence of cultivars allows us to be able to make at least versions of these plants more readily available.

At Portland Nursery, not all the native cultivars we stock are kept in the native plant area. Space is given first and foremost to the original species, as is available. When that availability is lacking, or if a cultivar has a particular trait that might make it especially useful for the home gardener, we’ll include it. We also post signs explaining about cultivars and what they mean. Most of all we want our customers to be able to make informed choices for their gardens and landscapes.

In the Pacific Northwest, we are fortunate to be home to a wide variety of plant species, rich in both color and texture. Whether you decide to go "all native" to help create a bird and wildlife sanctuary in your yard, or want to incorporate some natives into an existing landscape, Portland Nursery carries a wide selection of native flora.

Most of our native plants originate from the Willamette Valley, and often specifically from the Portland area. Occasionally we have plants from east of the Cascades or southern Oregon that are prime candidates for a container or rock garden, bringing their own distinct personality to your garden.