Native Plant Identification - Ask Extension
When spring shoots come up in a native plant garden, how can I identify them? Should I leave them, or pull them out? What is a good app to use on my p...
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Native Plant Identification #924052
Asked January 29, 2026, 7:55 PM EST
When spring shoots come up in a native plant garden, how can I identify them? Should I leave them, or pull them out? What is a good app to use on my phone to help with identification?
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Identifying seedlings is tough. I’ve been following discussions online with folks doing backyard habitat certifications, and everyone struggles to some degree. Some folks like Google lens. Some iNaturalist or other apps. You want to try on a few plants you already know, to see what you like. If there aren’t enough leaves for an ID, give it another week or more then try again.
If plants are really tight, some will need to be thinned. Some might be relocated. There isn’t a way around some trial and error experiments the first few years.
I wish you the best with your plantings.
If plants are really tight, some will need to be thinned. Some might be relocated. There isn’t a way around some trial and error experiments the first few years.
I wish you the best with your plantings.
Thank you ever so much for this helpful information.
Cathy
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 2, 2026, at 5:58 PM, Ask Extension wrote:
