The Log House Museum Northwest Native Plant Gardens
More info
Centennial: 100 Facts, Photos and Fabulous Finds of the Birthplace
More info
West By Water: Maritime History of West Seattle
More info
West Seattle High School: "Rich Traditions" 2004
More info
"Even in the Darkest Night"
More info
The Log House Museum Northwest Native Plant Gardens
The plants in the Log House Museum garden are indigenous to the Pacific Northwest and are well-adapted to the moist, cool climate of our region. This is a point of contact garden, representing some of the plants that would have been growing here in 1851, and were being used by the Native people of the area before the arrival of the Alki Party. Over 150 years ago many of these plants were used as food, medicine and to make tools, though many of the uses are discouraged today. Here is a selection of some of the plants that can be found in our garden!
Western Hemlock
Tsuga heterophylla
The Western Hemlock is the Washington state tree. These trees can live to be over 1000 years old. The needles can be chewed or brewed into tea and are a good source of vitamin C.
False Solomon’s
Seal Maianthemum racemosa
The young shoots of this plant are edible. Its leaves can be used as a laxative, to soothe a sunburn and as a cough suppressant. False Solomon’s Seal blooms small white flowers in April to June and then bears small red berries, which attract birds.
Tall Oregon Grape
Berberis aquifolium
The Oregon Grape is the second most common shrub in the Pacific Northwest. Its berries ripen in August, attract birds and can be harvested to make preserves. The roots were also used by Native Americans to make dye.
Western Trillium
Trillium ovatum
The Trillium plant is a protected species. Once the flower is picked it can take up to seven years for it to bloom again! This is one of the reasons why this native plant is becoming harder to find in the wild. The leaves are edible and are great in salad. Ants and mice spread trillium seeds, which is unusual since most flowers are pollinated by bees. Both white and pink Trillium flowers are present in this garden.
Sword Fern
Polystichum munitum
The distinctive, long fronds of the Sword Fern were of great use to Native people in the area. The stem of the plant is edible and the leaves were used as paper towels are today—to cover cooked food, line pans and for cleaning.
Vine Maple
Acer circinatum
The Vine Maple is one of the most widely used trees by Pacific Northwest tribes. Branches and bark were used to make everything from baskets, to snowshoes, to love potions! The leaves were used to line baskets and wrap foods for cooking. It was also used to treat polio and stomach problems.
Hardstem Bulrush
Scirpus acutus
This is a common wetlands plant. Bulrush stems, also known as tules, can be woven to make baskets, mats, bowls, chair thatching and clothing. New shoots are tender and edible.
Oregon Iris
Iris tenax
This flower blooms in mid-to-late spring. The leaves can be used to induce vomiting and help with depression. Native people used to weave the leaves together to make rope. This flower grows well in shaded areas.
Selected references:
Briggs, Josie. Creating Small Habitats for Wildlife in Your Garden.Guild of Master Craftsman: East Sussex, 2000.
Prinzing, Debra. Pacific Northwest Garden Survival Guide. Fulcrum Publishing: Golden, 2004.
Jacobson, Arthur Lee. Wild Plants of Seattle. Arthur Lee Jacobson, 2008.
http://gardening.wsu.edu
www.wnps.org
www.pfaf.org
www.pnwflowers.com
http://plants.usda.gov
http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/pi/go-native/
| Next >