Most of the area in this picture was lawn. The hills in the foreground and center, and the island in the simulated glacier river were built up from soil excavated for the gravel paths. The picture was taken in 1999.

By native, we mean native to Washington and Oregon west of the Cascade Mountains. We will not try to assemble a massive collection, but rather use a few native plants that represent the region and are aesthetically compatible. You can find more comprehensive information from the many native plant societies.

Most of the garden is yet to be planted. Kinnikinnick covers part of the island, while sala and huckleberry grow in a rotted log in front of the bench. Oregon grape and vine maple grow through the openings at each end of the bench. A skinny garry oak will hopefully fill out in the center. On the left is a stand of rhododendron occidentale, the native azalea of the Oregon Coast. Beyond them is a mass of evergreen huckleberry. On the far right and out of the picture are specimens of douglas fir, western red cedar, western hemlock, shore pine, grand fir, and Pacific dogwood. Plants to be added soon include Pacific yew, madrone, ferns, flowers, and rhododendron macrophyllum.

The simulated glacier river will be filled with river rock and have a snag or two. Another bench will probably sit atop the hill in the lower portion of the picture, providing a view of the native garden in the foreground and a backdrop of Mount Rainier and its glaciers, which produce our local rivers.