I have some suggestions for planting and otherwise screening your property from the busy street adjacent to your house. I've started with an article from the Washington Post (linked below) that provides good food for thought about this problem. After providing some related information that you may not have considered (#1), I've given you a list of plants, most of which are native (#2). Since you have a relatively small area, you will have to plan carefully.

Here is the link to the article from the Washington Post.

1. My research indicates that a fence or other solid barrier--massive and thick, such as a brick wall or a berm--provides a more effective barrier to sound than a planting screen.

The use of other sounds to block out street noise is a good suggestion, and several of the sources I consulted noted that if the source of sound can be seen, it is not blocked. Here is an online discussion with some interesting information, including the suggestion that dual pane windows can help solve the problem.

And here is a link to information about windows, with lots of additional links included. This isn't a local site, but it is helpful.

2. In addition to music, chimes, and the sound of water in a fountain, you might consider trees that rustle in the wind. You mentioned bamboo--given your small space, I would recommend a clumping rather than a running bamboo. Here is a link to info about choosing and growing bamboo.

Unfortunately, the clumping types mentioned prefer sheltered spots and/or shade. You might consider planting some evergreen trees or shrubs on the edge of the property to shade the bamboo, which could be planted closer to the house (and the rustling sound would be closer to the windows). Or you could plant a running type of bamboo--some can take full sun--in a container or using a barrier.

Here is a link to information about bamboo maintenance from Bamboo Gardens in Redmond. A visit to the nursery will give you even more information.

Evergreen trees and shrubs will provide the most effective barrier. Trees such as members of the Thuja genus in combination with a fence may be a place to start, but for more interesting ideas, try visiting the Great Plant Picks website. You can search with the word 'hedge' and come up with a good list of plants that will do well in the Pacific Northwest.

Finally, here are some native plants you might consider.

Groundcovers

Shrubs (these are all deciduous)

Check these links for further information about native plants, including sources:

WSU Extension.

Sound Native Plants

Wallace W Hansen's Northwest Native Plants

Season All Season
Date 2006-11-07
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Most Northwest native plants I can think of are not ideal for growing indoors. However, I asked my colleague who used to garden for the Seattle Public Library, and she says that the library is growing native species of ferns indoors. She notes that they are especially prone to pests (whitefly) and diseases (scale), and must be watered every day.

Below is the list of plants being grown in the main (Central) library branch:

• Acorus
• Blechnum spicant
• Adiantum pedatum
• Carex elata 'Bowles Golden'(tall)
• other fern (Rumohra adiantiformis?)

I hope this helps. If you wish to reconsider using natives in favor of more traditional choices for indoor plants, there are many more choices available. Below are a few links that may be use to you:

Low Light Houseplants from University of Vermont Extension

Growing Indoor Plants with Success from University of Georgia Cooperative Extension

Interior Plants: Selection and Care from University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

Season All Season
Date 2007-06-08
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