Beautiful native gardens enrich your surroundings while supporting local biodiversity – including pollinators and bird species.

Native plants are adapted to our local soils and climate conditions. If native species are planted in the right spots, they will be very low maintenance and require less water and fertilizers.

So, if you are thinking about starting a native garden, let’s jump in to learn more about the benefits of native plants, and how you can include native species on your property!

The Many Benefits of Native Species

There are a number of benefits to having native species in your garden. Generally:

• Many species are pest-resistant
  • Since native plants have evolved along side the local fauna they have deterrent features or can withstand occasional browsing by deer for example.
• They attract native pollinators
  • Because native plants are adapted to local conditions, their features are perfect for attracting and feeding local pollinators like swallow-tail butterflies, bumble bees, sweat bees, and more! These native pollinators are attracted to certain flower colours and shapes of native plant species. Some non-invasive exotic plants may support pollinators, but be sure to choose local species of plants to better suit the needs of local pollinators.
• They’re water-smart!
  • Many native plants are more deeply-rooted than non-native species. This helps to stabilize the soil and help rain water percolate into the ground. Native species are adapted to our climate of wet winters, dry summers and coastal influences. Many are drought-tolerant, and some coastal plants are even salt-tolerant! Not only are these hardy plants more likely to survive some tough conditions like winter storms and summer heat waves, they will also help you conserve water by not having to irrigate your garden. 
• They require less inputs like fertilizers
  • Again, since these species are suited to local conditions, they grow well naturally in our coastal soils. While tropical species or common ornamental garden species require inputs of fertilizers to remain healthy, their native counterparts thrive with the natural levels of soil nutrients. 
• They are of ecological importance
  • Having native species in your garden supports the local ecosystem. It provides habitat connectivity and cross-pollination opportunities.
• They are of cultural importance
  • Since native plants are endemic, they are interwoven into our cultures and history. Plants like the Camas lily and Salal are both culturally significant plants as staple foods for many Coastal First Nations for millennia. While the fruit from native Bitter Cherry trees is not edible, the bark has traditionally been used to make baskets and the tough branches of Hardhack were used to make hooks for catching, drying and smoking fish. Nootka rose hips were traditionally used as perfume.
  • Native plant species also help support our coastal food web including iconic species like the black bear, bald eagle, and species of Pacific salmon – all of which are culturally significant.

Getting Started

Before planting native species in your garden, you may want to take an inventory of the species that are already there. You may find that you already have some native species that you would like to conserve, or you may have some exotic plants or even invasives that would be beneficial to remove so that your native garden can flourish.

Removing invasive species 

Species with invasive tendencies can out-compete native species that are more beneficial to local organisms, deplete soils of nutrients, and can reduce the biodiversity of the ecosystem overall.

Step 1: Identify

It important to correctly identify the species first so that we can choose the most appropriate method for removal. There are a number of resources you can access to help you name that plant:

• Seek information about which plants are invasive through the Invasive Species Council of BC at: Identify Invasive Species. If you are unsure, contact a specialist to help with identification and help you choose the most appropriate method of removal.  
• Another method that might be helpful is using the iNaturalist app. Simply snap a photo or two of the plant in question and upload it. Often, the app will suggest species that look similar and you can scroll through to see which plant it is likely to be, and whether that species is endemic to your area.
• E-flora BC is also a great resource to check if you are uncertain of the origins of a plant.

Here are some common invasive species you may find in your garden:

You might be surprised to know that even some of the most common garden flowers are not native, and have invasive tendencies. Butterfly bush, for instance, is not an ideal garden flower since it produces a large amount of seeds, which helps it spread to open areas like roadsides and forest edges.

Instead, opt for California lilac (pictured on the left) or a Red-flowering currant. Not only are these species beautiful and fragrant, they are also suited to local conditions and will attract native pollinators. Fortunately, there are many native plants that serve the same function (e.g. attracting pollinators, stabilizing slopes) and have a similar aesthetic as common exotic species. Check out this Grow Me Instead resource the BC Invasive Species Council to find alternatives to common invasive plants, tailored to BC gardens!

Even if a particular non-native plant is not actively taking over your garden, they can outcompete native varieties and cause havoc in systems outside of your property. Yellow flag Iris, for one, has become an extremely problematic species in the estuaries of BC. These brilliant yellow flowers were originally brought over from Europe and western Asia as a beautiful garden variety. However, their resilient seed pods have been carried down streams and into our estuaries where they have made a stamp in the marsh ecosystems. It is important to consider the impacts of the plants we choose in our garden, because often those impacts are much further-reaching than we would expect.

Step 2: Remove

• Be careful when removing invasive species! Many have protective mechanisms or features like thorns or sap that could cause injury.
• Be especially wary of your pets near certain species. Cheatgrass or speargrass, for example, is a very common invasive grass species that has sharp barbs on the seedhead which can injure animals by cutting into their paws or skin.

Removing invasive species is hard work, but by doing so you are helping reduce the spread, and offering a sanctuary where diverse native plants can grow.

Plant Lists and Guides

Now, for the fun stuff! Selecting suitable species and planning your beautiful garden!

• Take a virtual tour of Satinflower Nursery and Coastal Native Plants and be introduced to some wonderful native plants by an expert.
• The CanPlant app is a great place to get started! This inventory of Canadian native plants allows you to search by province of native origin, by plant family, soil type, and other factors!
• Check out the Stewardship Centre’s Green Shores Native Plant Lists for lake and marine shoreline properties.
• Browse through the Washington Native Plan Society’s Native Plant Directory to find the species that will suit your space! Since Washington is in the Pacific Northwest region, these plants listed are also appropriate for BC gardens.
• Local native plant nursery, Satinflower Nurseries has some incredible resources to get you started! Check out this plant list for help with choosing native species to plant based on factors like soil type, ecosystem benefit, and planting requirements.
• Need more of a step-by-step guide? Try these Satinflower ‘how-to’ guides that guide you through specific projects like designing and planting a hedgerow.
• Join the Pollinator Partnership, and check out their ecoregional planting guides to help you select flowering plants that support pollinators in your local environment.
• By working with a landscape architect to develop a riparian planting plan, native plants can be installed according to the location they are best suited for. You can search through the British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects to find a practitioner in your area! Be sure to let them know you are interested in planting a garden rich in native species.

Be(e) Pollinator Friendly

Tips for building your native plant garden with pollinators, such as beautiful native swallowtail butterflies, bees and even birds in mind:

• In terms of flowering plants, select a variety of colours, shapes and types of flowers to attract a broad range of pollinators.

• Plant in clumps by flower type. You want variety in your garden, but be sure to plant all your roses in one area so that it is easier for the pollinators to see this cluster of forage habitat from the air. This also makes cross-pollination much easier if marigold pollen isn’t accidentally being deposited on a rose flower next door!
• Take it one step further, and create nesting habitat for native bees! Use natural (untreated) cardboard and wood to create a mason bee house, and make sure to create an overhanging slanted roof to protect the pollinators from rain.

• To help support native pollinators, and reduce your water consumption, opt for a lawn that is made up of native meadow species. A meadow lawn is beautiful, and turns golf green lawns into species rich habitats. Not to mention, by using native species, you will eliminate the need for inputs like fertilizers, herbicides and excess irrigation. Contact Satinflower Nurseries today for a consultation about meadowscaping your yard.

Some Native Shrubs and Trees to Consider for your garden

Big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum)

This deciduous tree has so much to offer! Nesting habitat, shade, plus it supports the growth of other smaller species upon it (these are called epiphytes) such as club moss (Selaginella oregano), and lichens (Cladonia, Nephroma, and Crocynia spp.). Not to mention, when the leaves fall in the autumn, you can use them as mulch in your garden beds.

Arbutus or Pacific Madrone (Arbutus menziesii)

If you are looking to have lovely green foliage all year, Arbutus in the only native broad leaf evergreen tree in Canada! It thrives in dry coastal areas around the Strait of Georgia.

Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttalii)

Known for their spring show of flowers (which are actually modified leaves), Dogwood is the floral emblem of BC and a protected species. The trees are wonderful showy garden additions.

Salal (Gaultheria shallon)

Salal makes a great riparian buffer. It loves growing near the coast, is salt-tolerant, and provides berries that are a historically important staple food in the diet of many Coastal First Nations. Other native berries you could consider adding to your garden are huckleberry, Oregon grape and salmon berry.

Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana)

Everyone loves roses, why not grow our beautiful wild roses!

Native ferns

Ferns, which are typically under story plants, make excellent additions to the shady parts of a garden. Native species, such as the pictured Deer fern (Blechnum spicant) or Sword fern (Ploystichum munitum) are green all year.

Hardhack/ steeplebush / rose spirea (Spiraea douglasii)

Perfect for your native plant rain garden, as it loves swamps and moist soils! Its beautiful pink/purple clustered blossoms will bring a nice fragrance to your yard in the spring.

Broad-leaved stonecrop (Sedum spathulifolium)

Need a hardy little ground cover for a sunny rocky spot? Try a native succulent such as the Broad-leaved stonecrop which produces stocks of yellow flowers in early summer and their leaves form cute fleshy rosettes.

Okay, I’ve chosen my native plant species! Now, where do I buy them?

There are many places to learn about planting a native garden, including nurseries that specialize in supplying plants that are native to BC. Native plants are often available at other nurseries, but native plant nurseries will have a focus on providing not only native species, but plants that were grown locally.

Click on the map to be linked to an interactive version to find a local plant nursery that specializes in natives species. Visit these nurseries to source your plants. Do not harvest native plants from parks or other areas so as not to disturb natural areas. Do you own a local native plant nursery business? Get in touch so we can add you to this map! Email ksheehan@psf.ca with your business info.

Why stop at native plants?

There are lots of things you can do to make your garden greener! Consider adding a rain garden to your yard, creating your own compost, and learn about what pesticides are particularly harmful. Also check out our Green Gardening Tool Kit article for other ways to support biodiverity and conserve water.

Photo credit: Maria Catanzaro, Nicole Christiansen, Ando Shev on Unsplash, Madison Inouye on Pexels, Lum3n on Pexels, Kyla Sheehan, Crystal Jo on Unsplash, Noah Boyer on Unsplash