Builder Architectural Review Committee
Recommended Plant List
Plant Materials
Denotes Recommended Deletions or Avoidance (weather/performance) 2014
The following plant materials illustrate the type and performance desired at Issaquah Highlands. Other plant materials
may be considered that have these characteristics and similar maintenance requirements. Additional species and
varieties may be selected if authorized by the Issaquah Highlands Architectural Review Committee.
Deciduous Trees:
Small
 Acer circinatum – Vine Maple
 *Acer ginnala – Amur Maple
 Acer griseum – Paperbark Maple
 Acer palmatum – Japanese Maple
 Amelanchier var. – Serviceberry varieties
 Cornus florida, kousa, etc.
 Styrax japonicus – Japanese Snowbell
Medium
 Acer palmatum – Japanese Maple
 Acer rufinerve – Redvein Maple
 *Acer pseudoplatanus – Sycamore Maple
 Japanese Hornbeam
 *Carpinus betulus – European Hornbeam
 Cercidiphyllum japonica – Katsura
Large




*Aesculus hippocastanum – Common Horse
Chestnut
*Fagus syvatica – European Beech
Liquidambar styraciflua – Sweet Gum
Acer rubrum – many varieties
Columnar Narrow
 *Carpinus betulus pyramidalis – Pyramidal
Hornbeam
 *Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ – Pyramidal Beech
 *Prunus sargenti columnaris – Columnar
Sargent Cherry
Conifers:
 **Abies- Concolor - Concolor Fir
 **Abies Nordmanniana – Nordmann Fir
 Calocedrus decurrens – Incense Cedar
 * Chamaecyparis obtusa - Hinoki False Cypress


Oxydendrum arboreum - Sourwood
Styrax japonicus – Japanese Snowbell





*Parrotia persica – Persian Parrotia
Prunus sp – Flowering Cherry
*Tilia cordata – Little Leaf Linden
Tilia euchlora – Crimean Linden
*Zelkova serrata – Sawleaf Zelkova




*Quercus rubra – Red Oak
Acer rubrum varieties
Acer truncatum hybrids
Ulmus parvifola – Chinese Elm


*Quercus robur fastigiata – Upright English Oak
*Tilia cordata (corzan) – Corinthian Linden




Tsuga mertensiana – Mountain Hemlock
**Juniperus scopulorum (var.) –Juniper
Taxus baccata – Irish yew
Thuja plicata “Green Sport” – Green Sport
Cedar
*Thuja plicata excelsa – Excelsa Cedar
Pinus species, various: contorta, Tanyosho, etc.


Shrubs:
Small
 *Berberis (var.) – Dwarf Barberry varieties
 *Gaultheria shallon – Salal
 Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’ – Helleri Holly
 Ilex crenata ‘Green Island’ – Green Island Holly
 *Mahonia aquifolium, nervosa, repens
 Nandina domestica varieties
 *Pinus mugo (var.) – Mugo Pine (dwarf
varieties)
Medium/Large
 *Arbutus unedo (compacta) – Strawberry Tree
 *Berberis (var.) – Barberry varieties
 Choisya – Mexican orange
 *Euonymus alata
 Euonymus fortune
 *Mahonia aquifolium – Oregon grape
 Nandina domestica varieties







*Potentilla (var.) – Potentilla varieties
Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’ – Otto
Luyken Laurel
Spirea (var.) – Spirea varieties
Vaccinium – blueberry and huckleberry varieties
Viburnum davidii – David Viburnum
Viburnum species – Viburnum varieties (numerous)





*Osmanthus heterophyllus – Holly Leaf
Osmanthus
*Osmarea burkwoodi – Burkwood Osmarea
Prunus lusitanica – Portugese Laurel
Rhododendron (var.) – Rhododendron
Vaccinium – blueberry and huckleberry varieties
Viburnum species – Viburnum varieties (numerous)





Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’ Otto Luyken
*Prunus lusitanica – Portugese Laurel
Taxus sp. – Yew species
Thuja occidentalis – Emerald Green arborvitae
Viburnum species – Viburnum varieties (numerous)
Groundcover:
 *Arctostaphylos uva-ursi – Kinnikinnick varieties
 Cotoneaster varieties
 Cornus mas
 *Fragaria vars. – Strawberry varieties
 *Hypericum calycinum – St. Johnswort
 Parthenocissus tric. - Boston Ivy





*Juniperus (var.) – Juniper varieties
Lawn Grass (Puget Sound Turf Grass varieties – sod or seed)
*Mahonia nervosa – Longleaf Mahonia
Ornamental grasses (avoid Carex species)
*Vinca minor – Periwinkle
Accent Plantings:
 Annuals
 Bulbs


Ornamental Grasses
Perennials
Hedges:
 Osmanthus burkwoodii
 Osmanthus delavayi
 Paxistima myrtifolia – Oregon Boxwood
 Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’ – Helleri Holly
 Ilex crenata ‘Green Island’ – Green Island Holly
 *Mahonia aquifolium – Oregon grape
 *Osmanthus heterophyllus – Hollyleaf
Osmanthus
*=Drought tolerant plant
**=Requires well-drained soil
Recommended Plants for Alleys
Alleys are good places for old-fashioned flowering shrubs and small trees. Plantings do not need to be formal with a
repetitive theme, except in the Traditional Townscape neighborhood. An informal, more organic layout is encouraged.
Light and sun are encouraged in these spaces adjacent to backyards, where people may have vegetable gardens and play
spaces. Note: All previously listed shrubs and groundcovers are also suitable for alley installations
Suitable Plant Species:
 Acer circinatum – Vine Maple
 Acer ginnala var. – Amur Maple
 Acer griseum – Paperback Maple
 Arborvitae
 Chaenomeles laginaria v. – Flowering Quince
 Forsythia sp.
 Kerria japonica – Kerria
 Mahonia aquifolium – Oregon grape
 Nandina domestica varieties







Osmanthus sp. – Osmanthus
Philadelphus sp. – Mockorange
Ribes sanguineum – Red Flowering Currant
Styrax japonicus – Japanese Snowbell
Syringa vulgaris v. – Lilac (need suitable variety)
Viburnum species – Viburnum varieties (numerous)
Weigela
Residential Architectural Review Committee
Recommended Plant List
Plant Materials
The following plant materials are intended to guide tree and shrub ADDITIONS to residential landscapes at Issaquah
Highlands. Lot sizes, shade, wind and other factors place size and growth constraints on plants, especially trees, which
are suitable for addition to existing landscapes. Other plant materials may be considered that have these characteristics
and similar maintenance requirements. Additional species and varieties may be selected if authorized by the Issaquah
Highlands Architectural Review Committee.
Deciduous Trees:
Small
 Acer circinatum – Vine Maple
 *Acer ginnala – Amur Maple
 Acer griseum – Paperbark Maple
 Acer palmation – Japanese Maple
 Amelanchier var. – Serviceberry varieties
 Cornus species, esp. kousa
Medium
 Acer palmatum – Japanese maple
 Acer rufinerve – Redvein Maple
 *Acer pseudoplatanus – Sycamore Maple
 *Carpinus betulus – European Hornbeam
 *Parrotia persica – Persian Parrotia
Columnar Narrow
 *Carpinus betulus – European Hornbeam
 *Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ – Pyramidal Beech
 *Prunus sargenti columnaris – Columnar
Sargent Cherry
Conifers:
 **Abies- Concolor - Concolor Fir
 **Abies Nordmanniana – Nordmann Fir
 Calocedrus decurrens – Incense Cedar
 * Chamaecyparis obtusa - Hinoki False Cypress
 **Juniperus scopulorum (var.) –Juniper
Shrubs:
Small
 *Berberis (var.) – Dwarf Barberry varieties
 *Gaultheria shallon – Salal
 Paxistima myrtifolia – Oregon Boxwood
 Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’ – Helleri Holly
 Ilex crenata ‘Green Island’ – Green Island Holly





Oxydendrum arboreum - Sourwood
*Prunus cerasifera var. – Purple Leaf Plum
varieties
Styrax japonicus – Japanese Snowbell
*Zelkova serrata “Schmidtlow” – Wireless
Zelkova




*Pyrus calleryana var. – Flowering Pear
Varieties
Prunus sp – Flowering Cherry
*Tilia cordata – Little Leaf Linden
Tilia euchlora – Crimean Linden
*Zelkova serrata – Sawleaf Zelkova


*Quercus robur fastigiata – Upright English Oak
*Tilia cordata (corzan) – Corinthian Linden




Taxus baccata – Irish yew
Thuja plicata “Green Sport” – Green Sport
Cedar
*Thuja plicata excelsa – Excelsa Cedar
Tsuga mertensiana – Mountain Hemlock




Osmanthus
*Pinus mugo (var.) – Mugo Pine (dwarf varieties)
*Potentilla (var.) – Potentilla varieties
Viburnum davidii – David Viburnum



Viburnum davidii – David Viburnum
Viburnum species – Viburnum varieties (numerous)
*Mahonia aquifolium, M. repens, M. nervosa
o Compact Oregon grape
Medium/Large
 *Arbutus unedo (compacta) – Strawberry Tree
 *Berberis (var.) – Barberry varieties
 *Euonymus (var.) – Winged Euonymus varieties
 Ilex crenata “Convexa” – Convexleaf Holly
 *Mahonia aquifolium – Oregon grape
 Viburnum species – Viburnum varieties (numerous)
Hedges:
 Paxistima myrtifolia – Oregon Boxwood
 Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’ – Helleri Holly
 Ilex crenata ‘Green Island’ – Green Island Holly
 *Mahonia aquifolium – Oregon grape
 Taxus sp. – Yew species
 Thuja occidentalis– Emerald Green








Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’ – Otto
Luyken Laurel
Rhododendrons, azaleas
*Osmanthus heterophyllus – Holly Leaf
Osmanthus
*Osmarea burkwoodi – Burkwood Osmarea
Prunus lusitanica – Portugese Laurel
Rhododendron (var.) – Rhododendron
Vaccinium – blueberry and huckleberry varieties



*Osmanthus heterophyllus – Hollyleaf
Osmanthus
Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’ Otto Luyken
*Prunus lusitanica – Portugese Laurel
Viburnum species – Viburnum varieties (numerous)
Groundcover:
 *Arctostaphylos uva-ursi – Kinnikinnick varieties
 Cotoneaster vars. – Cotoneaster varieties
 Cornus mas
 *Fragaria vars. – Strawberry varieties
 *Hypericum calycinum – St. Johnswort





*Juniperus (var.) – Juniper varieties
Lawn Grass (Puget Sound Turf Grass varieties – sod or seed)
*Mahonia nervosa – Longleaf Mahonia
Ornamental grasses
*Vinca minor – Periwinkle
Accent Plantings:
 Annuals
 Bulbs


Ornamental Grasses
Perennials
*=Drought-tolerant plant
**=Requires well-drained soil
Recommended Plants for Alleys
Alleys are good places for old-fashioned flowering shrubs and small trees. Plantings do not need to be formal with a
repetitive theme, except in the Traditional Townscape neighborhood. An informal, more organic layout is encouraged.
Light and sun are encouraged in these spaces adjacent to backyards, where people may have vegetable gardens and play
spaces.
Suitable Plant Species:
 Acer circinatum – Vine Maple
 Acer ginnala var. – Amur Maple
 Acer griseum – Paperbark Maple
 Arborvitae
 Chaenomeles laginaria v. – Flowering Quince
 Forsythia sp.
 Cornus kousa, florida (smaller varieties)
 Kerria japonica – Kerria
 Mahonia aquifolium – Oregon grape









Cupressus – Italian cypress
Cupressus – Italian cypress
Philadelphus sp. – Mock orange
Ribes sanguineum – Red Flowering Currant
Styrax japonicus – Japanese Snowbell
Syringa vulgaris v. – Lilac (need suitable variety)
Nandina domestica varieties
Viburnum species – Viburnum varieties (numerous)
Weigela
Residential Architectural Review Committee
Discouraged or Prohibited Plant List
Plants listed here have earned this distinction due to invasive characteristics, uncontrollable growth or because they
have been found to be unsuitable for Issaquah Highlands microclimates.





Buddleia – Butterfly Bush – Invasive Species
Ilex aquifolium v. – English Holly – Invasive
New Zealand Flax – winter kill
Escallonia var. – winter kill
Buxus – Winter damage



Any and all plants which are banned or otherwise
subject to control by King County or the state.
Hedera helix – English Ivy – BANNED in
Development Agreement
Wisteria hybrids and species – too vigorous to
control, spreads too quickly
Lythrum species and hybrids – Purple
Loosestrife is under state quarantine and may
not be sold or planted.
Unsuitable tree species (due to rapid, weak growth and/or extreme ultimate height, and/or winter hardiness and/or
pest issues):






Acer rubrum – Red Maple
Acer saccharum – Sugar Maple
Metasequoia - Sequoia
Pseudotsuga menziesii – Douglas fir
Liriodendron tulipfera – Tulip tree
Magnolia grandiflora – Evergreen Magnolia





Tsuga – Hemlock
Populus – Poplar varieties
Alnus rubra – Red alder
Cupressus leylandi - Leyland Cypress
Pyrus calleryana – Flowering pear