• Oregon's Willamette Valley has a variety of native plants.oregon image by Dawngo from Fotolia.com
  
  Northwestern Oregon's Willamette Valley, a major agricultural region with a mild climate, brings forth bounty from its rich earth each spring and summer. Along with production agriculture, wineries also dot the landscape. Restaurants serving local fare abound, including the abundant truffles and hazelnuts. The region grows many of the nation's Christmas trees. Even with all this farming, native plants still take root in the valley, including beautiful wildflowers. Hike the region's many trails and gaze upon nature's handiwork.
  
  

Larkspur

• Menzies' larkspur (Delphinium menziesii) is the region's most common upland native larkspur, and is also called coastal larkspur. Flowering in early spring, it boasts 10 to 12 spurred, blue flowers and matures at 1 to 2 feet high. Another native larkspur, Delphinium trollifolium, prefers the woodland and displays deep blue flowers in the forest. This plant grows up to 5 feet tall.
  
  

Licorice Fern

• Licorice fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza) is an evergreen native to the Northwest. Found in the deep woods, it often grows on forest alders or maples, and prefers moss-laden tree trunks. Only about 1 foot in height, licorice fern stabilizes the forest floor.
  
  

Iris tenax

• Oregon iris (Iris tenax) boasts large blue or purple flowers each spring. Growing to 18 inches tall, this native plant thrives in light shade or open areas. Cold-tolerant, plant stalks usually bear one flower each, although occasionally two bloom.
  
  

Star-Flowered Solomon's Seal

• Star-flowered Solomon's seal (Maianthemum stellatum) is named for the star-like appearance of its white flowers. This Northwestern native grows on woodland floors, reaches a height of 3 feet and is very hardy. Star-flowered Solomon's seal blooms in May and June with dark red, almost black berries, appearing in early autumn.
  
  

Buttercups

• Both buttercups (Ranunculus occidentalis and R.orthorhyncus) are native Willamette Valley buttercups with bright yellow flowers. The latter variety prefers wetter areas, and the backs of older flowers eventually turn red. Both types grow between 1 and 2 feet tall at maturity.