Looking for a hardy flax? Here's another choice
Several weeks ago on this page, I wrote that Phormium tenax was the hardiest of the flaxes. I've had a politely worded correction from Roger Pierce at Olympic Coast Garden in Sequim, advising that he has grown clumps of P. tenax and its similar looking relative P. cookianum side by side for 10 years, and that the latter holds up better in cold weather, and has even bloomed for the past three years. He says that while both are native to New Zealand, P. tenax's natural range is coastal, while P. cookianum grows in the mountains, so is especially hardy.
Q: What native plant nurseries can I visit in this area?
A: Native plants are more widely available than just a few years ago, and many of the larger nurseries carry a good selection. This is in part because of the Central Puget Sound Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society, an active group with knowledgeable members. Check their Web site (www.wnps.org) for information on meetings and classes and their annual plant sale.
Several Northwest nurseries specialize in native plants, and although none are close to where you live, they're worth seeking out.
Cloud Mountain Farm in Everson (360-966-5859; or e-mail at info@cloudmountainfarm.com) offers native perennials, groundcovers, and shrubs; Collector's Nursery in Battle Ground (360-574-3832 or www.collectorsnursery.com) has a good stock of natives, as does Nothing But Northwest Natives, also in Battle Ground (360-666-3023).
Colvos Creek Farm on Vashon Island (206-749-9508) specializes in native and drought-tolerant plants. If you travel to Vashon, consider enrolling in what should be a great class at DIG Nursery (19028 Vashon Highway S.W.), taught by proprietor Sylvia Matlock on April 23 at 11 a.m. Matlock will discuss trilliums, mahonia, ferns and other Western Washington natives, and suggest companion plantings. The class is free, pre-registration suggested by calling DIG at 206-463-5096.
Native plants can be hard to locate in nurseries, because they usually aren't arranged all together. Most often they're integrated in with shrubs, trees or perennials, or arranged by what conditions they prefer (trees for shade, grasses for sun, etc.). While this helps get them planted in the right place, it doesn't help you find them to begin with.
To determine which plants you're looking for before you begin shopping, you'll find expert help in "Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest" by Art Kruckeberg (University of Washington Press, rev. ed. 1996) and "Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest" by Russell Link, (University of Washington Press, 1999).
Valerie Easton also writes about Plant Life in Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine. Call 206-464-8470 or e-mail planttalk@seattletimes.com with your questions. Sorry, no personal replies.