Five Easy Native Plants That Actually Thrive in Grants Pass Yards

You don’t need to fight nature to have a beautiful yard here — you just need to plant what already loves Southern Oregon’s mix of hot summers and wet winters. Over the years, Zehe Scapes has tested dozens of native options, and these five always impress:

1. Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) – Evergreen leaves, yellow blooms in spring, and purple berries that birds adore.

2. Lavender – Once it’s rooted, it barely needs water and smells incredible near walkways.

3. Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) – A hardy groundcover that keeps slopes from eroding.

4. Red Flowering Currant – Bright pink blooms that pull in hummingbirds every March.

5. Western Sword Fern – Loves shade and stays green year-round under pine trees.

The best part? These plants already know our soil, so you’ll spend less on watering and fertilizers. We always tell clients: “If it grows wild on the hill behind your house, it’ll thrive in your garden too.”

Whether you want a low-maintenance backyard or a full native-plant redesign, Zehe

Scapes can help you pick the right mix for your exact microclimate.