Keep your garden Canadian, eh?
Blue flag iris (Photo by Mike Dembeck)
Many of the plants we have in our yards are not native to Canada. In some cases, these non-native plants are invasive and can intrude into nearby natural areas or affect the growth and spread of native species. In most cases, native plants provide better habitat for birds and pollinators than non-native plants. Honey bees depend on native plants in order to produce honey and survive while doing their part to spread these native species.
You can do your part to help species such as bees and birds by creating or expanding your own mini nature reserve. When we make a place for nature, we can have a big impact on the diversity of plants and wildlife that share our spaces.
Here’s how to get started:
1. Do an audit of invasive plants in your backyard. By removing these species you can help prevent them from encroaching into natural areas, and make way for native plants.
2. Learn to identify 10 trees and shrubs native to your area. Plant one of them this year.
3. Naturalize part of your yard with native species. Try to recreate the habitats that once occurred where you live.
Consider replacing your garden’s non-native plants with native ones. Below is a list of non-native plants typically planted in gardens, with suggestions on which native plants to replace them with.
Non-native plant: Scots pine (aka scotch pine)
Native plant alternative: White pine (Pinus stobus)
A white pine tree grows to become a large evergreen. It is the provincial tree of Ontario and is preferable over invasive conifers such as Scots pine.
Columbine (Photo by NCC)
Non-native plant: Dorothy rose, goldfinch, robin
Native plant alternative: Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
This spring-flowering woodland plant is highly attractive to hummingbirds when in bloom. It is a preferable choice over many exotic hybrid species of garden columbines.
Non-native plant: Siberian iris
Native plant alternative: Iris (Iris versicolor)
This relatively small iris may bloom for only a short time, but it is a great native plant for moist areas.
Foam flower (Photo from Dreamstime)
Non-native plant: Coral bells (Huchera species)
Native plant alternative: Foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia)
This plant features bright green, leafy colonies with white flowers in late spring. With time, it can act as ground cover in shady areas.
Non-native plant: Eurasian Solomon's seal (Polygonatum multiflorum)
Solomon's seal (Photo from Dreamstime)
Native plant alternative: Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum)
A good replacement for some of the non-native Solomon’s seal species that can be invasive and aggressive.
Non-native plant: Periwinkle
Native plant alternative: Wild woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Wild woodland strawberry (Photo from Dreamstime)
If ground cover is needed in shady or semi-shady areas, consider this plant over periwinkle. It flowers and produces tasty little strawberries.
Non-native plant: Tatarian dogwood (Cornus alba)
Native plant alternative: Red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera)
This shrub produces bright red twigs that make great accents in a winter garden. It is a great replacement for shrubby dogwoods, some of which are also grown for their brightly coloured twigs.
Red-osier dogwood (Photo by NCC)
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) protects our country’s important natural areas for the diversity of species that live in them. Some NCC properties are conserved by replanting native species and removing invasive plants. By visiting an NCC property near your home, or participating in a volunteer event, you can learn about the habitats and species in your area and find inspiration for your own mini nature reserve.
About the Author
Raechel Wastesicoot is the manager, internal communications and culture at the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
