similar to an interior design. There is an upper level, the pictures on the walls; a midlevel, the chairs and tables; a lower level, the stools and coffee tables; and a ground level, the flooring and carpets. We use this same principle in the garden to enhance our outdoor living spaces. Tall trees make up the upper level, medium shrubs and small trees make up the mid-level, small shrubs and flowers make up the lower level and ground covers make up the ground level. All these plants give definition and harmony to the garden. Upper level plants can be colorful. Ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa, would be a good plant to consider. Growing 70 to 100 feet tall, this stately evergreen has greygreen needles and red-orange bark. It makes a statement as a specimen tree or as a barrier. Quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides, a 40- to 60-foot deciduous tree, would be a good choice to compliment the pine. The wonderful white bark and yellow fall
color show up well against the evergreen. Willows also make good choices for the upper level. Pacific willow, Salix lasiandra, fast-growing to 40 feet, is a favorite of songbirds. Scouler’s willow, Salix scouleriana, growing to 20 feet, will tolerate dryer sites than other willows. Mid-level plants are very exciting. Blue elderberry, Sambucus cerulea is one of the showiest. Growing to 12 feet, it has brilliant blue berries which are great wildlife food. Red-osier dogwood, Cornus sericea, is a close second with superb fall color and brilliant red stems in winter. Chokecherry, Prunus virginiana, is a good small deciduous tree for the mid-level. It grows 10 to 15 feet tall with creamy white flower spikes in spring followed by red berries that are an important wildlife food. Mountain ash, Sorbus scopulina at 12 to 20 feet tall with bright orange berries, is a great food source for birds and provides fantastic fall color.
Big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata, with aromatic, silver grey foliage is a good contrast to other plants. And what would a garden be without the beautiful, fragrant white blossoms of mock orange, Philadelphus lewisii, growing 8 to 12 feet. Golden currant, Ribes aureum, with loads of yellow flowers followed by tasty black berries, is a gem. Wax currant, Ribes cereum, with fragrant white blossoms in spring and sporting red ber-
ries, is a favorite of many bird species. Both are good choices growing 3 to 7 feet tall. Lower level plants include countless wildflowers that start blooming early in the spring. Beautiful grasses add splendor throughout the summer months. Ground level plants include the very attractive ground cover kinnikinick, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. This prostrate groundcover has small, leathery evergreen leaves, and pink flowers
in spring, followed by red berries that persist into the winter. These are only a few of the many native plants available to those who wish to share in the joy and satisfaction of creating a native landscape tailored to their needs. By taking an active stewardship role, the unique landscape of the Methow Valley will be preserved and homeowners can enjoy fantastic gardens planted with beautiful native plants. B
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