How much sun does Northwestern Twayblade need?

Northwestern Twayblade grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Northwestern Twayblade bloom?

Northwestern Twayblade blooms in June and July.

Where is Northwestern Twayblade native?

Northwestern Twayblade (Neottia banksiana) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Northwestern Twayblade HOA-friendly?

Northwestern Twayblade takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Northwestern Twayblade

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Neottia banksiana

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Northwestern Twayblade (Neottia banksiana) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

4"–12" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Northwestern Forested Mountains

Northwestern twayblade is a small, inconspicuous native orchid that grows in shaded woodland areas. This delicate perennial produces tiny greenish flowers on slender stems above paired leaves during summer months. It requires consistent moisture and partial shade to thrive in garden settings.

In an HOA neighborhood

Northwestern Twayblade takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely small and easily overlooked appearance
Can disappear underground for years
May appear dead or absent most of the season

Wildlife value

As a native orchid, it supports specialized pollinators including small flies and gnats. The plant provides habitat value for woodland ecosystems but has limited broad pollinator appeal due to its small, inconspicuous flowers.

Common questions

How much sun does Northwestern Twayblade need?: Northwestern Twayblade grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Northwestern Twayblade bloom?: Northwestern Twayblade blooms in June and July.
Where is Northwestern Twayblade native?: Northwestern Twayblade (Neottia banksiana) is native to CA, ID, MT, OR and 1 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Northwestern Twayblade HOA-friendly?: Northwestern Twayblade takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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