What is a native plant?
A native plant thrives naturally in a region, ecosystem or habitat without human introduction. Native plants are vital components of healthy and resilient ecosystems. They make a great addition to any garden, requiring little maintenance and little to no watering once established. Choose native plants to promote biodiversity and healthy ecosystems in the region by creating habitat for local wildlife including migrating birds and pollinators.
Tips for gardening with native plants
- Plant native species in the fall so roots are more established by the following spring.
- When buying plants, consider the sun exposure and soil conditions of your garden.
- Group plants with similar water needs to save time and water. Adding drought tolerant native plants will reduce watering and maintenance time.
- Choose drought tolerant native plants for the border between your lawn and sidewalk or driveway as well as slopes. The native plants can use runoff coming off your lawn and stop it from running to the storm drain. Look for drought tolerant native plants with fuzzy, waxy or silver, aromatic or finely divided foliage or plants that are dormant in the heat of the summer.
- Do not take native plants from the wild as it can harm natural habitats.
Native Plant ideas
The plants below are recommended by local landscape design consultants the Colwood Parks team works with to shape boulevard planting plans.
- Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium parviflorum)
Interesting factgs about Huckleberry: The Black Huckleberry plant has been a valuable source of nourishment for many First Nations peoples of the North West coast. It was so valuable that the plant was often transplanted if the community moved. The plant contains vitamins that are beneficial for optimal health. A drying technique was used to preserve the large amount of berries they gained in a season. First Nations cultures were spiritually connected to the plant and held great respect for it. It was included in the important “first fruit ceremonies”. SOURCE: Camosun College
- Flowering Red Currant (Ribes sanguineum)
- Snowberry (Symphoricarpus alba)
Interesting facts about Snowberry: The snowberry has many medicinal uses such as relieving muscle and stomach pain (however the isoquinoline alkaloid chelidonine found in the berries induces vomiting, diarrhoea and dizziness if ingested in large quantities). Depending on how it was prepared, the snowberry was used to remove warts, soothe eyesores, heal cuts and burns and treat tuberculosis. The roots and stems were used as a cure for urinary infections and venereal diseases. The saponin in the berries makes them useful as a soap to wash ones hair. Various southern Vancouver Island elders indicate that the plant can be used to brush off after being near a grave yard by putting the leaves or the berries into water and washing your face in it. SOURCE: Camosun College
- Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor)
- Elderberry (Sambucus racemose)
Interesting facts about Elderberry: This plant is very rich in Vitamin C. Although any part of this plant can be eaten, it is recommended to cook the berries first before ingestion and to use caution, since all parts of this plant (including uncooked berries) contain poisonous glycosides that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. When prepared and administered properly, the bark and leaves can be used to treat many different illnesses like: toothaches, colds, sore throat, fever, cuts, sores, sprains, bruises, and arthritis. The blossoms are known to be used for treatment of measles, and are also edible. The fruit, stems and bark can all be processed to make a dye. SOURCE: Camosun College
- Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)
Interesting facts about Sword Fern: The fronds and the rhizomes of Sword Fern have been used for a wide variety of purposes. Both can be cooked or steamed, peeled and eaten, although the rhizomes were considered a starvation food because of their undesirable taste. The fronds are used to line earth ovens, as bedding, and as mats on house floors. Medicinally, the Nuu-chah-nulth people used the fern to cure diarrhea. Lummi women used it to hasten childbirth. Various groups used it to ease a sore throat and tonsillitis. The Sword Fern also has recreational uses. Some coastal peoples such as the Squamish and Ditidaht used the fern to play a game called “Pala Pala”. This game was played by pulling off the leaflets of the fern one by one while saying “Pala” meaning “One” while holding their breath. This game could be played by children but was also used to as a training tool for young men so they could dive down in the ocean to harvest bull kelp. SOURCE: Camosun College
- Deer Fern (Blechnum spicant)
- Tall Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
- Dwarf Oregon Grape (Mahonia nervosa)
Interesting facts about Oregon Grape: Direct consumption of the berries and leaves provides digestive benefits. Large quantities of fresh berries have been considered an antidote for shellfish poisoning. A tea, made from the roots, is an effective laxative and blood tonic. The roots can also be dried and processed into dust for external use to treat infections because of its anti-microbial properties. The inner bark, when boiled, is the main ingredient in traditional yellow dye used for basketry and wool. SOURCE: Camosun College
- Great Camas (Camassia leichtlinii)
Interesting facts about Camas: Camas was a traditional food for indigenous groups within its natural range. The starchy bulbs were cooked in earth ovens for many hours to convert the inulin to sugar, and were eaten like potatoes or pounded into a flour to add to other dishes. This carbohydrate was an incredibly important trade item for indigenous groups on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, and the camas fields were owned by families and carefully tended to maximize yield. Although the Lekwungen territory, on which the college sits, was once known for its “blue carpet” of camas meadows that are in bloom in the spring, due to restricted access and modern development only 5% of the camas ecosystem is still intact today. SOURCE: Camosun College
- Fawn Lily (Erythronium oregonum)
- Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii)
- Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera)
- Dwarf Salal (Gaultheria ovatifolia)
Interesting facts about Salal: Salal is a perennial evergreen shrub native to the Pacific Northwest. Salal is full of vitamins and antioxidants that prevent degeneration and promote good health. Traditionally, Indigenous people the length of the Northwest coast ate the berries fresh or dried them in cakes for later consumption. The plant’s leaves can be prepared in a tea or tincture to treat coughs, heartburn, bladder inflammation, stomach or duodenal ulcers, and menstrual cramps. The leaves have astringent properties, making them useful to treat wounds. The Quileute people chewed the leaves and applied them to burns and sores to soothe the skin. SOURCE: Camosun College
Below are other plants considered suitable for our area
Perennials
- African Lily (Agapanthus africanus)
- Yarrow (Alchillea millifolium)
Interesting facts about Yarrow: Yarrow is one of the most widely used medicinal plants, both locally and worldwide. In BC, this plant has been used by many indigenous nations, including the Thompson River Salish, Ulkatcho First Nation, Nuxalk Nation, and the Tsimshian people. It is used to treat many ailments, from colds, venereal diseases, and bladder ailments to infusions for bathing arthritic limbs, and poultices for sciatica, sore muscles, and breast abscesses. Chewed leaves can be applied to burns and boils, and made into a chest rub for bronchial infections. Vancouver Island ingenious peoples reportedly used yarrow to stop bleeding and was often taken on hunting trips for this reason. Yarrow was also used during child birth to help with the birthing of the placenta and any hemorrhaging. Other traditional uses include treating fever, deep cuts, and as a digestive aid. SOURCE: Camosun College - Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
- Day Lily (Hemerocallis sp.)
- Coral bells (Heuchera americana)
- Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica)
- Catmint (Nepeta faasenii)
- Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
- Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
- Stonecrop (Sedum autumnalis)
- Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis ’Purp.’)
- Verbena bonariensis
Broad leaf evergreens
- Japanese Holly (Ilex ‘Sky Pencil’)
- Coast Silk Tassel (Garrya elliptica)
- Royal Grevillea (Grevillea victoriae)
- Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica)
- Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternate)
- Evergreen Honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida)
- Wintercreeper (Euonymous fortune)
- Japanese Euonymous (Euonymous japonicus)
- Hebe (Veronica speciosa)
Groundcovers
- Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
- Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima)
- Kinnickinnik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
- Variegated Sedge (Carex morrowii)
- Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)
- California Poppy (Eschscholtzia california)
- Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
- Blue Lilyturf (Liriope muscari)
- Stonecrop (Sedum album)
- Woolley Thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)
Deciduous shrubs
- Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergia purpurea)
- Rock Rose (Cistus x corbariensis)
- Dwarf Burning Bush (Euyonomous alata)
- English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Shrubby Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa)
- Spirea bumalda ‘Goldflame’
- Spirea ’Anthony Waterer’