Many gardeners wonder if native plants are the answer to a low-maintenance landscape. Or maybe I should say they hope that native plants will solve their landscaping problems. The answer is — sometimes, in some places.

Natives have a great many virtues, including sturdy good looks. Because natives have evolved along with the fauna of our region, they nurture birds, bees and butterflies. But planting natives isn't a surefire route to easy gardening. Only if you pay careful attention to the "right plant, right place" mantra will you be successful with natives.

Here's the challenge: While it's certainly true that native plants evolved without help from the human hand, they did so only in very specific ecological niches.

Most of us no longer live in a Douglas fir forest, so many native plants won't do well in our urban or suburban gardens. For example, alpines need dry, gritty soil and perfect drainage. Many of the pretty little woodlanders only thrive in shade, and plants like the newly popular skunk cabbage only do well in saturated soil along creek margins or in bogs.

If your garden has some of these specific environments, then it's possible to plant natives that suit those situations.

Properly sited, natives will need less water, fertilizer and attention than ornamentals. But if you are unable to provide the soil, sun or moisture level that they need, natives will require lots of care and still they'll struggle.

Some native plants are more adaptable, thriving in most garden situations. For anyone just starting out with natives, try planting evergreen huckleberries (Vaccinium ovatum), Oregon grape (Mahonia nervosa), for their handsome foliage and berries, and the red-flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) for early bloom. All are easy-care plants, beloved by hummingbirds and butterflies.

To find more information on Northwest native plants, to see them growing, or to purchase natives, check out the following:

Books

• "Gardening With Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest," Arthur R. Kruckeberg, second edition, University of Washington Press, 1996.

• "Native Plants in the Coastal Garden," by April Pettinger with Brenda Costanzo, revised and updated, Timber Press, 1996.

Visit

• The Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, 20312 15th Ave. N.W. Shoreline, with four acres of nature native plants; by tour only, dates and times listed on the Web page at www.kruckeberg.org.

• The Washington Park Arboretum; pick up maps and information at the Graham Visitors Center, 2300 Arboretum Drive E., 206-325-4510.

Native plant nurseries

• Colvos Creek Nursery on Vashon Island, mail-order and retail; 206-749-9508.

• Cloud Mountain Farm, Everson. Weekends and by appointment; 360-966-5859, www.cloudmountainfarm.com.

• Tadpole Haven Native Plants, Woodinville, by appointment; 425-788-6100; www.tadpolehaven.com.

Valerie Easton also writes about Plant Life in Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine. Write to her at P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111 or e-mail planttalk@seattletimes.com with your questions. Sorry, no personal replies.