Selection
Choosing and planting native plants by region
Criteria for selecting native species by climate zone, soil type, and sun exposure — with examples specific to Canadian regions.
Ecological gardening · Canada
Native plant landscaping
Reference on choosing, planting, and maintaining native plants suited to Canadian regions and soils.
Articles
Practical guides on native plants
Three guides covering species selection by region, maintenance techniques, and the role of native plants in supporting Canadian pollinators.
Maintenance
Maintaining a native plant garden
Pruning, watering, mulching, and managing invasive species — maintenance practices suited to native plant gardens in the Canadian climate.
Biodiversity
Native plants and support for pollinators
Native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators — which native plant species support local biodiversity in Canadian gardens.
Canadian context
Why choose native plants
Native plants have adapted to local climate conditions over millennia. In Canadian residential gardens, they offer several practical advantages.
Natural climate adaptation
Native species have developed tolerance to Canadian conditions — harsh winters, spring freeze-thaw cycles, and summer drought in some regions — without requiring special interventions once established.
Support for local insects
Many native pollinators — bees, butterflies, and bumblebees — evolved in relationship with specific plants. Introducing these species into urban or peri-urban gardens helps maintain populations of beneficial insects.
Reduced maintenance after establishment
Once established, native plants generally require less supplemental watering, fertilizer, or treatments than exotic cultivars, because their needs match resources naturally available in their region of origin.
Official resources
Information sources in Canada
Canadian Native Plant Society
The CNPS provides resources on Canadian native plants, with regional lists and planting guides. nativeplantssociety.ca
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Publishes data on ecological zones, threatened species, and natural habitat restoration efforts. canada.ca
Provincial botanical gardens
The Montreal Botanical Garden, Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, and VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver maintain native plant collections and educational programs.