Every year Clallam Conservation District holds a native plant sale. Plants are conservation grade bare-root seedlings, typically sold in bundles of 10. All plants are pre-ordered and orders are accepted beginning the first week of January. Orders must be a minimum of 30 plants. Plants are available for pick-up the first week of March at a location east of Port Angeles. For more information on our plant sale be sure to join our newsletter mailing list.
For detailed descriptions of the plants typically available through our plant sale be sure to view our Plant Sale List, OR if you have a high-speed internet connection (or patience to wait) look at our Native Plant Pictures and Descriptions which contains colored pictures as well as detailed descriptions.
The plants native to our region have grown alongside the native insects, fungi, plant diseases, wildlife, and other native plants for thousands of years. During this time they have developed the ability to attract native animals that benefit them (such as pollinating and seed-dispersing insects and birds), and repel or survive native organisms that harm them (such as plant viruses and munching insects).
As a result, native plants often attract a wider variety of native animals than do introduced plants. In addition, the plants native to our area are adapted to growing in our region's soils and climate, and so generally require less maintenance (such as watering) than do non-natives.
Native plants can be used in many ways; from helping along mother nature by quickly adding variety to a planting area, to being used in restoration projects such as after home-site clearing or for erosion control. Native plants work well in these situations because of their ability to tolerate the existing conditions and get established quickly.
In general, nothing needs to be added to the soil when planting seedlings. Just water. Since the plants are small, their roots are close to the surface where the soil dries out quickly. Regular watering and perhaps a layer of mulch to help retain moisture is all they need to get started.
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