Part Of The American Meadows Meadowscaping Learning Center
Oregon Native Plants, State Flowers & State Bird
Native plants are adaptable, low-maintenance, and beautiful. They are the best choice for habitat-friendly gardens and thriving ecosystems. Find top picks for native plants in your state - and learn about your state bird and state flowers!
Follow Along With More Of Our Guides
Hello native plant enthusiasts! In the list below, you will find popular native plants and wildflower seeds, available from American Meadows, that have a native distribution in your state. You’ll also find information about your state bird, state flower, and state wildflower!
About Our Native Plant Lists For Each State
- The links will take you to a single plant or seed selection for the plant listed -- but in many cases, we offer multiple cultivars for each plant, and we may offer both seeds and potted plants to grow the plant on your list. This list is a work in progress as we expand our native plant educational resources.
- The list for your state is a great place for getting started with native plants - but it is by no means a comprehensive listing of the hundreds of native plants growing in each state.
Oregon Native Plants
Oregon is split in American Meadows regions. Grow our Pacific Northwest Wildflower Seed Mix in Western/Coastal Oregon, and our Native West Wildflower Seed Mix in Eastern Oregon.
Black Eyed Susan or Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia hirta)
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella)
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)
Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)
Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia cespitosa)
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Oregon State Bird, State Flower & State Wildflower
Western Meadowlark ~ Sturnella neglecta
The Western Meadowlark unleashes a bubbling medley of rich, flutelike phrases that is well-known from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Ocean. In 1844, Audubon observed that although the species was known to members of the Lewis and Clark expedition, no one had taken the least notice of these birds since. Consequently, Audubon named the Western Meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta. Today the tag no longer fits, as six states have picked Meadowlarks as their state birds.
Oregon Grape ~ Mahonia aquifolium
The Lewis and Clark Expedition into the Northwest Territory is credited with bringing the Oregon Grape to the East, where it has been grown and appreciated as an ornamental flower ever since. The Oregon Grape’s lustrous dark green leathery leaves, pyramidal spikes of bright yellow flowers, and light blue grapelike fruits in early summer, make it effective for use in many garden situations. The Oregon Grape (or holly grape as it is also called) was used by Native Americans for food, medicine, and drink.
From The Wildflowers of the 50 States U.S. stamps issued July 24, 1992:
About Native Plants
- Native plants are essential for healthy ecosystems and habitat. They have evolved over time with local wildlife and climate conditions. Many pollinators have special relationships with native plants that they rely on for survival. For instance, some bees are specialists and require nectar and pollen from specific native plants to survive; and butterflies and moths often have specific host plants needed to nourish their caterpillars. For example, Asclepias (Milkweed or Butterfly Weed) is the host plant required for Monarch caterpillars to survive and grow into Monarch Butterflies!
- It’s OK to grow native plants in your yard that may not be native to your state or region. Remember – just because a plant is not native, does not necessarily mean that it is invasive or harmful. In fact, growing well-behaved introduced plants that are suited to your growing conditions can still provide many benefits to your yard (especially when compared to a traditional turf lawn).
- Know before you grow – It's always a good idea to learn what plants are native, well-behaved, and invasive or aggressive in your region before digging in.
- Learn More: All About Native Plants
Explore our full selection of native plants and seeds
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