• A wide variety of plants thrive in the Northwest, especially ferns.ferns image by TMLP from Fotolia.com
  
  A wide variety of plants grow in the Northwest, an area bound by the Pacific Ocean to the west. Also known as the Pacific Northwest, the area includes the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and part of British Columbia. The region's varying climate includes a wet, rain forest-like climate to the west of the Cascade Mountains and an arid zone with pronounced seasons, including snow in the winter, to the east of this mountain range. Check USDA Hardiness Zone maps to determine which zone your garden lies in before planting.
  
  

Lily-of-the-Nile

• The beautiful deep-blue flowers of the Lily-of-the-Nile, known as Agapanthus 'Storm Cloud', add color and interest in mid- to late-summer gardens and landscapes. The flowers resemble miniature trumpets with long, green stems. The blossoms appear on stalks up to 4 feet in length that stand far above low-lying, green clumps of the plant's strap-shaped leaves. Once the flowers fade, a beautiful seed head appears that lingers into fall. These flowers work best in borders. You can also plant them in containers to give areas of your garden an eye-catching, exotic feel. Plant Lily-of-the-Nile in well-drained soil with full sun in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10.
  
  

Hart's-Tongue Fern

• No garden in the temperate part of the Northwest feels complete without ferns. Hart's-Tongue fern, known as Asplenium scolopendrium, is a unique-looking plant with curling fronds that unroll into long, narrow blades. The bright-green ferns provide nice contrast when surrounded by typical fine-textured ferns. In late summer, Hart's-Tongue features rusty-brown colored spores that give the plant--and gardens--even more visual interest. Hart's-Tongue looks great planted in masses or in shaded rockeries. While the plant can handle some sun, it prefers as much shade as possible. The plants grow from 12 to 18 inches in height, producing more plants on its own each year. Cut the fronds down in late February or early March to keep the garden looking tidy. New greenery will start appearing a few weeks later. The plant grows in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 8.
  
  

Daffodils

• Daffodils offer much-needed early spring color to any garden or landscape. In the Northwest, the flowers appear as early as late February or early March. Consider planting the Golden Trumpet Daffodil, known as Narcissus 'Saint Keverne.' The plant features bright-yellow flowers appearing on the top of sturdy 18 to 20-inch stems. Plant the bulbs in the fall in masses or add them to rockeries for great effect. Since daffodils die back in late spring, plant them near other types of plants that grow all summer long, such as hostas or ornamental grasses. Saint Keverne grows best in full to partial sun in well-drained soil. Cut back the dead foliage once it yellows in June. Daffodils grow well in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8.