Ahh, the mystery of Oregon’s Pacific Wonderland. Being so far north of San Francisco and so far south of Seattle, we consider ourselves our own little berg floating about as we please. I invite you to explore our northwest upper section of Oregon sandwiched between the Coastal Mountain Range and the central Cascade Mountain Range. We love our unique protected valley called Willamette, moderated by the Pacific Ocean’s influences and protected against harsh cold winds from the east by the Cascades. Thus and so as we all know, here we can grow almost anything, pushing the tropical limits as we go.

In considering what actually works here, native plants are always a sure thing. Some Willamette natives make great aquatic ornamentals for ponds and bogs. Check to see which of our favorites grow where you live.

Monkey Flowers (Mimulus guttatus and Mimulus cardinalis) grow quite prolifically here in certain areas. Both flourish along creeks skirting the edges in our higher elevations, but not usually together.

Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) still thrives in limited areas. Between it being sold as an aquatic and having been used way-back-when as a food source by some native Indian tribes, it’s not as prevalent here anymore. 

Slough Sedge (Carex obnupta) grows along the whole Oregon coast. Sometimes it reaches five to six feet (1.5 – 1.8 m) high. Its brown seed clusters sow and sprout quite readily on their own. Birds use them as a nesting and feeding resource.

Our rushes are prolific here to say the least. Two in particular work well in our ponds and bogs. Blue Spreading Rush (Juncus patens) is two to three feet (0.6 – 0.9 meters) tall, steel blue and very hardy. Soft Rush (Juncus effusus) grows three (0.9 meter) to four feet (1.2 meters) tall. Soft Rush features olive-green foliage with nice coffee-brown flowers that persist well into winter. Not all of these grow only in Oregon. I know them as local and reliable; they can’t be beat.

The Mighty Gunnera (Gunnera manicata or G. chiliensis) survives our winters when properly protected. Given constant moisture throughout the summer, we can create some real monsters.

Irises (Iris ensata and I. laevigata) do very well here. The wide range of color and blossom variation make for a beautiful spring show. We have a little trouble with Louisiana Iris (leaf spot) so the previous two are more suited for us.