get growing

grow native

many of the garden plants popular today are imported. So why are native plants making a comeback? There are several reasons why native plants are a better choice:

• Native plants require less maintenance. Plants native to the region are adapted to the local environment and therefore require less care in the form of fertilizer and irrigation.
• Native plants are less susceptible to disease and pests. They have evolved with local insects and plants, developing defenses that allow them to coexist. As plants are domesticated, they become more susceptible to disease, insect pests and weeds, and are therefore more dependant on the use of pesticides and other chemicals in order to survive.
• Native plants are better suited to meet the needs of local wildlife. They provide valuable food sources and shelter for wildlife. Many domestic flowers have been bred for showiness and may have lost much of their nectar and pollen characteristics. Flowers which have been cultivated to have tightly bunched, frilly flowers also make it more difficult for insects to access their nectar.
• Some wildlife species are entirely dependant on the availability of certain native plants. Local wildlife evolved, not in isolation, but with the native vegetation. This wildlife has adapted to survive in dependance on the existing plant life. While some wildlife are flexible in their choice of food plants, others are dependant on the availability of a specific plant for their survival. The Karner Blue butterfly, for example, is endangered because of the disappearance of its larval host plant, wild lupine. By choosing plants native to your region you support local wildlife.

choosing native plants | obtaining native plants | naturalized plants

choosing native plants
When selecting plants for your garden, it is important to choose those plants whose natural environment can be duplicated in your backyard. A plant which is native to your area but put in the wrong location will not prosper. Consider where the plant would grow in the wild, focusing on such factors as soil, available moisture, sunlight, and wind. Then choose a location in your yard that would provide the same conditions.

Study the existing vegetation on your land and in wild areas around your neighbourhood for clues as to what types of plants might do well in your yard.

obtaining native plants
Once you have decided to add some native plants to your yard, the question becomes where do you find them. The following are some suggestions for obtaining native plants for your garden:

• The best source for native plants is a good local nursery. Find one with knowledgeable staff who can help you in obtaining regionally-native nursery-propagated plants. See our suppliers list for some suggestions.
• Choose plants that are native to your region. Just because a plant is promoted as "native" or as a "wildflower" does not mean it is native to your region. Ask questions and ensure that the plant is regionally native.
• Ensure the plants you buy are nursery-propagated. This means that they are grown by the nursery and not collected from the wild. Mass collections from the wild put native plant populations under threat of extinction. The already tenuous existence of endangered plants, such as the small whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides) in southern Ontario, and the small white lady's slipper (Cypripedium candidum) in southern Manitoba and Ontario, is jeopardized when pressure is intensified through collection.
• Do not dig plants from the wild. Many of our native plants are becoming threatened through loss of habitat, habitat destruction, and collection. Don't put further pressure on native populations by collecting plants from the wild.
• The one exception to this rule is on lots which have been slated for development and where the existing vegetation will be destroyed. Be sure to get permission from the landowner before you dig up any plants.
• When buying wildflower seeds, ensure the seeds are from a local source and that the wildflowers are regional. Some seed mixes contain non-native flowers from other regions which could be considered noxious in your area. Regional seeds are more likely to be adapted to the local climate. Seeds that originated in the southern United States may not thrive in the cold climate of Canada.
• Check the gardening or community events sections of your local newspaper for plant exchanges.
• Check our Native Plant Suppliers List for nurseries in your region.

naturalized plants
While not native to Canada, there are some plants which, introduced in the late 1800's or early 1900's, have been able to adapt to the growing conditions of Canada. Many of these plants are able to thrive without the use of harmful pesticides or herbicides, and provide food sources for Canadian wildlife. When sources of regionally native plants are limited or difficult to find, these plants provide alternative choices for use in creating a diverse, wildlife-friendly garden. The combination of native and naturalized plants in your garden can allow you to create a beautiful landscape pleasing to both the eyes and to local wildlife. (See our feature article.)

Naturalized plants, such as those of the chrysanthemum family (e.g., Shasta daisy), can provide a valuable source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Early blooming flowers, such as coral bells, attract pollinators in early spring when nectar sources are limited.

You can maximize the availability of early spring nectar by adding some flowering bulbs of daffodils and grape hyacinth (muscari spp.). These can be planted in full sun or in wooded areas, as the lack of leaves in early spring prevents them from being shaded. After their blooms have faded, leave the leaves as they are, allowing food for the bulb so it can bloom again the following year.

In using naturalized plants, be sure to consider whether the species is considered invasive. Some introduced species, such as purple loosestrife, have adapted so well to conditions here that they are able to out-compete our native species. If a plant is considered invasive, do not introduce it to your backyard as it can easily spread to neighbouring wilderness areas.