My husband and I often take much-needed breaks from yard projects and go for hikes at Soaring Eagle Regional Park with the dogs, one of Sammamish’s true hidden gems. Just a short drive from my home, this park is a quiet haven of lush forests, winding trails, and thriving native plants. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why we love living in the Pacific Northwest. But as I wandered through the park, I realized it’s more than just a great spot for a walk, it’s an endless source of inspiration for gardening and landscaping.
Nyx and Clio exploring one of Soaring Eagle’s serene trails. The towering trees and dappled sunlight create the perfect backdrop for a peaceful hike with family.
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your yard, unsure how to create a space that feels vibrant and connected to nature, taking cues from our local ecosystems can be a game-changer. Here’s how my hike at Soaring Eagle sparked ideas for my own garden, along with some practical tips for using native plants to bring that natural beauty to your yard.
1. Layering for Texture and Depth
Walking the trails, I was struck by how the layers of greenery create a sense of calm and natural flow. Sword ferns sprawled at ground level, while salal and Oregon grape filled the mid-layer, and tall Vine maple, Douglas firs and western red cedars towered overhead.
Layers of life at Soaring Eagle Regional Park: Sword ferns and vine maples fill the forest floor, while bigleaf maples and Douglas firs tower above, creating a serene canopy. The lush greenery highlights the beauty of Pacific Northwest native plants
How to Incorporate It:
In your yard, replicate this layering by planting ferns or low groundcovers at the base of taller shrubs or small trees. For example, pair evergreen huckleberries with sword ferns in shaded corners to mimic the lush understory of a forest.
You can also literally replicate forest layers in your own garden by creating natural backdrops. For example, in my back patio garden bed (above), I planted a growing garden bed in front of existing Red Cedar and layered the understory with ferns, salal, Oregon grape, and a few other native trees.
Over time, this approach will not only help to hide the fence but also add depth to the space, creating a future mature garden bed that doubles as a natural haven for birds and wildlife. You don’t have to start big, even a small corner of layered native plants can make a difference, bringing the beauty and benefits of a Pacific Northwest forest into your yard.
2. Pops of Color from Unexpected Places
Even in early winter, the forest wasn’t just green, bright red kinnickinnik berries and the deep purples of rose hip stood out against the foliage. These native plants create visual interest year-round, with blooms in spring and berries in fall and winter.
Frost-kissed rose hips with vibrant pink berries and deep purple stems stand out against the winter greenery on a serene Sammamish nature walk.
How to Incorporate It:
Incorporating rose hips into your garden is an excellent way to add winter interest and charm. Choose a variety of wild or shrub roses, like Rosa rugosa, known for their large, colorful hips. Plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil to ensure healthy growth and vibrant fruit production. Prune lightly in late winter to encourage strong growth without sacrificing the hips. These striking plants provide texture and pops of color, making them a standout in any winter garden.
Vibrant rose hips bring bold pops of pink and red to winter gardens, adding color and texture while thriving in sunny spots.
For dramatic bursts of color in your winter garden, pair red twig dogwoods with winter-berrying shrubs like snowberries or winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata). Red twig dogwoods add fiery red stems that stand out against the subdued tones of winter landscapes, while snowberries offer clusters of pale white fruit for added contrast. These shrubs thrive in partial to full sun and are perfect for borders, hedges, or as focal points in mixed plantings. Together, they create a dynamic, eye-catching display that transforms your garden into a winter wonderland.
Fiery red twig dogwood stems add striking contrast against a winter landscape, perfect for adding dynamic color.
Support local wildlife by planting native berry-producing shrubs that provide essential food sources during the winter months. Evergreen huckleberries, salal, and Oregon grape are ideal choices for Pacific Northwest gardens, offering year-round greenery and edible fruit. These hardy plants thrive in shaded or partially shaded areas, making them perfect for woodland gardens or under taller trees. Their berries attract birds like robins and cedar waxwings, creating a lively, biodiverse habitat that enhances your garden’s ecological value while maintaining its natural beauty.
Robins enjoy the bright, native berries of evergreen huckleberries and Oregon grape, bringing life and movement to your winter garden.
Natural Edges and Pathways
One of my favorite parts of walking Soaring Eagle are the endless winding trails, bordered by mossy logs and fallen branches. The edges felt organic and unforced, blending seamlessly into the surroundings.
• How to Incorporate It:
Create natural pathways in your garden using mulch, bark chips, or gravel, and edge them with stones, or low-growing plants like kinnikinnick or creeping thyme. These pathways invite exploration and give your garden a sense of movement.
For those looking to add a natural, Pacific Northwest touch to their garden, consider foraging responsibly on state forest lands. Many state forests allow you to collect moss, small clippings of native plants for propagation, and even whole ferns, provided you have a foraging permit. This is a wonderful way to incorporate native elements into your garden while staying sustainable and budget-friendly. Be sure to research local regulations and obtain the necessary permits before foraging, as guidelines vary by location. By carefully sourcing these materials, you can create a garden that reflects the unique beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
4. Celebrating Decay and Renewal
Soaring Eagle is full of fallen logs and stumps, many covered in moss and fungi. While some see decay as something to clear away, it’s actually a crucial part of the ecosystem, providing shelter for insects and enriching the soil.
• How to Incorporate It:
If you have a stump or fallen log in your yard, consider leaving it as a natural sculpture or planting moss or ferns around it. Logs can also be used as seating, garden borders, or even wildlife habitats. Just be careful to do this close to the home or near build wood structures.
Also consider looking at different styles of gardening, one I recently got into is that of Piet Oudolf who takes full advantage of natural decay in his naturalistic matrix planting approach prioritizes biodiversity, resilience, and year-round beauty. See my recent redesign of a dry South facing slope in this style here.
5. Supporting Local Wildlife
As I walked, I noticed the constant hum of life—birds darting through the trees, bees buzzing around the late-season flowers, and even a squirrel scurrying along a branch. Native plants are essential for supporting this kind of biodiversity.
• How to Incorporate It:
Plant pollinator-friendly natives like goldenrod, red-flowering currant, or lupines. These plants not only attract bees and butterflies but also thrive with minimal maintenance, making them perfect for Eastside gardens.
Why Start with Native Plants?
Native plants like those found at Soaring Eagle are perfectly adapted to our climate and soil, meaning they’re easier to grow and require less water and fertilizer than non-natives. They also provide vital food and shelter for local wildlife, creating a balanced, healthy ecosystem in your yard.
Plan Your Visit to Soaring Eagle Regional Park!
If you’re feeling uninspired or just need a break, I can’t recommend Soaring Eagle enough. Whether you’re hiking, biking, horseback riding or simply strolling, it’s a chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Sammamish, and maybe even find some ideas for your own outdoor space.
Let me know if you’ve been inspired by local parks or trails, and share your favorite native plants in the comments! I’d love to hear how you’ve brought the beauty of the Pacific Northwest into your yard or how Eco Design and Maintenance might help you add your own new garden space!