Oregon Climate Snapshot
Understanding your local climate is key to creating a thriving, low-maintenance garden
Hardiness Zones
4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Annual Rainfall
8-90 inches (wet west, dry east)
Frost Window
April-October (west), May-September (east)
Water Notes
Wet winters, dry summers in west; irrigation essential in east
Popular Landscaping Styles
Discover design styles perfectly suited to Oregon's unique climate and landscape
Lush, layered design with roses and perennials
Key Features:
- •David Austin roses
- •Japanese maples
- •Clematis and honeysuckle
- •Cottage garden perennials
Low-maintenance meadow with native wildflowers
Key Features:
- •Oregon iris and camas
- •Native grasses
- •Pollinator plants
- •Minimal irrigation
Inspired by famous Portland gardens with Asian aesthetic
Key Features:
- •Japanese maples
- •Stone lanterns and paths
- •Bamboo and ferns
- •Water features
Adapted to eastern Oregon arid climate
Key Features:
- •Sagebrush and bitterbrush
- •Drought-tolerant perennials
- •Rock mulch
- •Native grasses
Recommended Plant Palettes
Native and adapted plants that thrive in Oregon's climate
Oregon Grape
Mahonia aquifolium
State flower with yellow blooms and blue berries
Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
State tree; iconic conifer
Oregon Iris
Iris tenax
Native iris with purple-blue flowers
Red-Flowering Currant
Ribes sanguineum
Pink flower clusters attract hummingbirds
Vine Maple
Acer circinatum
Multi-stemmed native with brilliant fall color
Western Bleeding Heart
Dicentra formosa
Native with pink heart-shaped flowers
Inside-Out Flower
Vancouveria hexandra
Delicate groundcover for shade
Trillium
Trillium ovatum
Spring ephemeral with white three-petaled flowers
Lavender
Lavandula × intermedia
Thrives in dry summer climate
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Evergreen herb; hardy in mild areas
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
Self-seeding annual with orange flowers
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Drought-tolerant with flat-topped flower clusters
Seasonal Garden Checklist
Your year-round guide to maintaining a beautiful Oregon garden
Plant spring bulbs and divide perennials
Mulch tender plants and clean up leaves
Prune dormant trees and shrubs
Start seeds indoors
Plant warm-season vegetables
Harvest berries and summer vegetables
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about landscaping in Oregon
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