Native Plants of Northwestern Ontario

NATIVE PLANTS OF NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO

March 2021

It is important to plant a variety of native plants, blooming from springtime to fall to provide food and habitat to pollinators and wildlife throughout the entire season. Below are native plants suitable to Northwestern Ontario, organized by bloom time, light requirements, and moisture requirements to help you plan a garden well-suited to your backyard. WHY CHOOSE NATIVE PLANTS? Leaf Create habitat for butterflies, insects, birds and mammals Leaf Native plants compete with and crowd out invasive species Leaf They are low-maintenance, hardier and more adaptable as they have lived in this climate for hundreds of years Leaf Leaf Most species are perennials or biennials, meaning less work for you each spring

WILDFLOWERS

SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENTS MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS BLOOM FULL GROWN SPECIES NAME Full Partial Inter- NOTES Shade Wet Moist Dry TIME HEIGHT Sun Shade mediate American cornmint Attracts a wide variety of native Summer 10- 30 cm (Mentha canadensis)     bees. Anise hyssop Summer 30 - 90 cm Attracts bees, birds, and butterflies. (Agastache foeniculum)     Black-eyed susan An easy-to-grow self-seeding Summer 30 - 90 cm (Rudbeckia hirta)      biennial. Blue flag iris Nectar for hummingbirds and deer Spring 30 - 80 cm (Iris versicolour)    resistant. SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENTS MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS BLOOM FULL GROWN SPECIES NAME Full Partial Inter- NOTES Shade Wet Moist Dry TIME HEIGHT Sun Shade mediate Blue vervain Deer resistant, fast growing, long Summer 10 - 30 cm (Verbena hastata)      blooming. A member of the Iris family; birds Blue-eyed grass Spring 10 - 30 cm (Sisyrinchium montanum)    love the seeds! Common boneset A good addition to pollinator and Summer 120 - 180 cm (Eupatorium perfoliatum)     rain gardens. Common yarrow Popular with pollinators and care- Summer 30 - 90 cm (Achillea millefolium)    free. Evening primrose Lemon scented, yellow flowers. Summer 30 - 90 cm (Oenothera parviflora)      Attracts moths. False solomon’s seal Spring 50 - 90 cm Birds and insects love the berries. (Maianthemum racemosa)     Fireweed Late 1 - 1.5 m Bumblebees love it. Spreads readily. (Chamerion angustifolium)    Summer Bog goldenrod Fall 60 - 150 cm Water-loving, late summer bloomer. (Solidago uliginosa)     Canada goldenrod An important source of late season Fall 60 - 150 cm (Solidago canadensis)      nectar for bees. Early goldenrod An early blooming goldenrod that Summer 50 - 120 cm (Solidago juncea)     attracts butterflies. Field goldenrod Does well in dry, even poor, rocky Fall 30 - 60 cm (Solidago nemoralis)   soil. Hairy goldenrod Fall 50 - 90 cm Prefers sandy or rocky soils. (Solidago hispida)     White flat-topped goldenrod Late Attracts butterflies and provides late 30 - 50 cm (Solidago ptarmicoides)     Summer season nectar. Harebell Delicate and abundant flowers loved Summer 20 - 50 cm (Campanula rotundifolia)      by bees. Spotted Joe-Pye weed Late Large bloom and easy to grow. Deer 1 - 2 m (Eutrochium maculatum)    Summer resistant. Kalm’s lobelia Summer 0.5 - 1 m Easy to grow, moisture-loving plant. (Lobelia kalmii)      Nodding beggartick Daisy-like flower; foliage is an Summer 30 - 60 cm (Bidens cernua)      attractive ground-cover. Large-leaved aster Large, heart-shaped leaves provide Fall 30 cm (Eurybia macrophylla)     ground cover. Marsh marigold Attracts butterflies and humming- Spring 20 - 60 cm (Caltha palustris)    birds. Common milkweed Monarchs lay their eggs exclusively Summer 90 - 120 cm (Asclepias syriaca)    on milkweed. Swamp milkweed Monarch lay their eggs exclusively on Summer 90 - 120 cm (Asclepias incarnata)    milkweed. New England aster Important fall food source for Fall 75 - 120 cm (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)     pollinators. Northern bedstraw Forms dense patches and is a good Spring 30 - 90 cm (Galium boreale)     ground cover. Northern bog violet Re-seeds easy and is a great ground Spring 10 -20 cm (Viola nephrophylla)      cover for shady spots. SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENTS MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS BLOOM FULL GROWN SPECIES NAME Full Partial Inter- NOTES Shade Wet Moist Dry TIME HEIGHT Sun Shade mediate Red columbine Spring 30 - 80 cm Loved by hummingbirds. (Aquilegia canadensis)    Smooth blue aster Brilliant blue-violet flowers for a pop Fall 60 - 90 cm (Symphyotrichum laeve)    of colour late summer. Easy-to-grow groundcover. Attracts Spotted jewelweed Summer 0.5 - 1.5 m bumblebees, butterflies and hum- (Impatiens capensis)     mingbirds. Stiff sunflower A sunflower native to Northwestern Summer 60 - 180 cm (Helianthus pauciflorus)    Ontario. Sweet-scented bedstraw A perfect trailing ground cover and Spring 15 cm (Galium trifolium)      good caterpillar food source. Tall meadow rue Early 1 - 1.5 m Bees and beetles love this plant. (Thalictrum dasycarpum)     Summer Tall thimbleweed Prefers soils with plenty of organic Late Spring 60 - 90 cm (Anemone virginiana)     matter. White turtlehead Pair with other moisture loving Summer 60 - 120 cm (Chelone glabra)   species like Swamp Milkweed. Wild ginger Offers a dense ground cover when Spring 10 - 20 cm (Asarum canadense)   allowed to spread. Wild strawberry Great groundcover for sunny gar- Late Spring 10 - 20 cm (Fragaria virginiana)      dens. Spreads readily. Wood lily Beautiful, fragrant flowers, loved by Summer 30 - 90 cm (Lilium philadelphicum)      hummingbirds.

GRASSES

SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENTS MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS BLOOM FULL GROWN SPECIES NAME Full Partial Inter- NOTES Shade Wet Moist Dry TIME HEIGHT Sun Shade mediate Bebb’s sedge A durable perennial in wet condi- Summer 90 cm (Carex bebbii)      tions. Plant in fall. Big bur-reed Summer 60 - 180 cm An emergent aquatic species. (Sparganium eurycarpum)    Bottlebrush sedge Thrives in wet conditions; pond, pool, Summer 60 - 100 cm (Carex hystericina)    and river edges. Valuable forage for birds and wild- Canadian bluejoint Summer Up to 2 m life. Excellent option for strengthen- (Calamagrostis canadensis)     ing stream banks. Excellent for growing around ponds, Fox sedge Summer 90 cm streams or marshy areas. Spreads (Carex vulpinoidea)      quickly. Foxtail barley Salt tolerant but does not compete Summer 50 cm (Hordeum jubatum)      well with taller vegetation. Hairy woodrush Often used as groundcover of path- Late Spring 20 - 40 cm (Luzula acuminata)     way edging. Heath woodrush Late Spring 20 - 40 cm Provides food and shelter for insects. (Luzula multiflora)   SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENTS MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS BLOOM FULL GROWN SPECIES NAME Full Partial Inter- NOTES Shade Wet Moist Dry TIME HEIGHT Sun Shade mediate Lake sedge A host plant for many Lepidopteran Late Spring 50 - 100 cm (Carex lacustris)      species (butterflies) Northern sweetgrass Provides habitat for small wildlife Summer 20 - 60 cm (Anthoxanthum hirtum)    and insects. Path rush Can tolerate moderate foot traffic Spring 30 cm (Juncus tenuis)      and is very adaptable. Small-flower woodrush Drooping, branched flower clusters Summer 30 - 90 cm (Luzula parviflora)    attractive to birds. Switch grass A low maintenance grass and good Summer 120 cm (Panicum virgatum)    source of food for birds.

FERNS

SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENTS MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS BLOOM FULL GROWN SPECIES NAME Full Partial Inter- NOTES Shade Wet Moist Dry TIME HEIGHT Sun Shade mediate Fragrant wood fern Often found on limestone, cliffs, and Spring 10 - 30 cm (Dryopteris fragrans)    talus slopes. Intermediate wood fern Native to rocky woods, ravines, and Summer 40 - 100 cm (Dryopteris intermedia)    edges of swamps. Lady fern Amend soil with organic material for Spring 30 - 90 cm (Athyrium filix-femina)    best growth. Ostrich fern Ideal solution for filling damp, shady Spring 1 - 2 m (Matteuccia struthiopteris)   spots in your garden. Sensitive fern Provides shelter and shade within Spring 30 - 90 cm (Onoclea sensibilis)    your garden.

LOW-GROWING SHRUBS

SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENTS MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS BLOOM FULL GROWN SPECIES NAME Full Partial Inter- NOTES Shade Wet Moist Dry TIME HEIGHT Sun Shade mediate An excellent evergreen for ground Bearberry Spring 15 - 20 cm cover. Very hardy and drought (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)      tolerant. Common juniper Small shrubs with erect, needled Spring 60 - 150 cm (Juniperus communis)   branches. Creeping juniper Spreading ground cover, sending out Spring 15 - 25 cm (Juniperus horizontalis)    low-lying branches. Ninebark Drought tolerant with white flowers. Summer Up to 2.5 m (Physocarpus opulifolius)       Bright fall foliage. Northern bush honeysuckle Summer 30 - 100 cm Yellow/red/orange flowers. Spreads. (Diervilla lonicera)      Northern redcurrant Red berries are enjoyed by many Summer 1 - 1.5 m (Ribes triste)    animals. Low growing bush with fragrant Prickly wild rose Summer 1 m pink blooms. Tolerant to seasonal (Rosa palustris)     flooding. SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENTS MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS BLOOM FULL GROWN SPECIES NAME Full Partial Inter- NOTES Shade Wet Moist Dry TIME HEIGHT Sun Shade mediate Red baneberry Provides shade and habitat to the Summer 20 - 50 cm (Actaea rubra)     understory. Smooth rose Rose hips provide important winter Summer 1 - 2 m (Rosa blanda)     forage for birds. Snowberry Prefer sandy and rocky soils. Great Late Spring 1 m (Symphoricarpos alba)    groundcover. Spreading dogbane Summer 30 - 90 cm Attracts butterflies. May spread. (Apocynum androsaemifolium)    Sweet gale Low growing. Leaves have pleasant Summer 0.5 - 1.5 m (Myrica gale)     odor when crushed. Thimbleberry Spring 1 - 2 m A good choice for a rain garden. (Rubus parviflorus)   Virgin’s bower Easy to care for and will vine up trees Summer Up to 6 m (Clematis virginiana)    in harmony. Virginia creeper Summer 5 - 15 m May spread aggressively. (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)    White meadowsweet A deciduous shrub with white Summer 60 - 180 cm (Spirea alba)     flowers blooming in July. Wild raspberry Flowers and berries for pollinators, Summer 1.5 m (Rubus idaeus)     wildlife, and you! Wild sarsaparilla A flowering plant with green-red Spring 60 cm (Aralia nudicaulis)   leaves and spring blooms.

TALL SHRUBS & SMALL TREES

SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENTS MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS BLOOM FULL GROWN SPECIES NAME Full Partial Inter- NOTES Shade Wet Moist Dry TIME HEIGHT Sun Shade mediate Beaked hazelnut Summer 1 - 2.5 m Edible nuts provide food for wildlife. (Corylus cornuta)      Bebb willow Attracts pollinators and is an import- Spring 2 - 6 m (Salix bebbiana)     ant early-season food source. Chokecherry Red berries an important food source Spring 4 - 9 m (Prunus virginiana)      for migratory birds. Common elderberry Early Lightly scented flowers and import- 1.5 - 4.5 m (Sambucus canadensis)     Summer ant berry food source for birds. Found naturally in wetlands, this Heart-leaved willow Spring 2 - 5 m willow thrives in sun or part shade (Salix eriocephala)     and clay soils. White flowers and attractive red Highbush cranberry Summer 2 - 4 m berries are an important food source (Viburnum trilobum)       for birds. Meadow willow Found most commonly in open Spring 2 - 6 m (Salix petiolaris)    marsh habitat. Pussy willow An all-around willow and important Spring 2 - 6 m (Salix discolour)    source of pollen. Red-berried elder Provide berries and shelter for wild- Spring 1 - 6 m (Sambucus racemosa)     life; adaptable to different soil types. SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENTS MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS BLOOM FULL GROWN SPECIES NAME Full Partial Inter- NOTES Shade Wet Moist Dry TIME HEIGHT Sun Shade mediate Spreads by underground stems Red osier dogwood Summer 1.5 - 3 m which helps to stabilize wet slopes. (Cornus sericea)      Attracts pollinators. Prefers thin canopies with dappled Round-leaved dogwood Summer 1.5 - 3 m sunlight and garden edges. This is a (Cornus rugosa)     host species for two butterflies. Saskatoon serviceberry Attractive white flowers and edible Summer 4 - 9 m (Amelanchier alnifolia)      berries. Showy mountain ash Fragrant, attracting pollinators and Summer 4 - 9 m (Sorbus decora)   providing berries to birds. Smooth serviceberry Provide shelter to understory and Summer 4 - 7 m (Amelanchier laevis)     berries attract birds. Speckled alder Great shoreline stabilizer. Low Summer 3 - 6 m (Alnus incarna)    maintenance.

LARGE TREES

SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENTS MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS BLOOM FULL GROWN SPECIES NAME Full Partial Inter- NOTES Shade Wet Moist Dry TIME HEIGHT Sun Shade mediate Baslsam fir Food source over winter. Can offer Summer 15 - 30 m (Abies balsamea)    windbreak and shelter. Black ash Susceptible to disease; source locally. Summer 15 - 20 m (Fraxinus nigra)    Dry fruit important food source. Black spruce Versatile tree offering shelter and Summer 15 - 30 m (Picea mariana)    food to wildlife. Eastern white cedar Offers low lying, sweet-scented Summer 15 - 30 m (Thuja occidentalis)      branches for habitat. Offers shade. Susceptible to pests Green ash Summer 10 - 20 m and disease. Seeds are valuable to (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)   waterfowl. Northern red oak Medium sized tree with acorns Summer 15 - 25 m (Quercus rubra)    attracting small wildlife. Red maple Thick, strong roots. Be sure to plant Summer 15 - 25 m (Acer rubrum)     well away from infrastructure. Red pine Summer 15 - 35 m Very tolerant to cold and poor soil. (Pinus resinosa)   Sugar maple Roots are deep and spreading. Summer 20 - 35 m (Acer saccharum)     Brilliant fall foliage. Plant in open areas as they do not Tamarack Spring 15 - 25 m tolerate shade. Fast growing and (Larix laricina)   low maintenance. Trembling aspen Grow quickly and are hardy. Can Summer 20 - 25 m (Populus tremuloides)     spread easily. White birch Easy to grow and deer resistant. Summer 15 - 25 m (Betula papyrifera)    Beautiful fall foliage. White pine Prefer rich, moist, well-drained soil Summer 20 - 40 m (Pinus strobus)     that is slightly acidic. SUNLIGHT REQUIREMENTS MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS BLOOM FULL GROWN SPECIES NAME Full Partial Inter- NOTES Shade Wet Moist Dry TIME HEIGHT Sun Shade mediate White spruce Adaptable evergreens, easy to grow Summer 20 - 30 m (Picea glauca)       and very forgiving. Yellow birch Summer 20 -35 m Prefers rich and well-drained soil. (Betula alleghaniensis)   

PLANTING TIPS

This list is not exhaustive but offers a lot of different native plants to play with in your backyard. When sourcing native plants, it is important to consider where they are coming from. Plants can be a serious concern in one area of the province, and present very little risk in another area. Supporting local nurseries and identifying plants by their scientific (Latin) names will help ensure you are using plants that won’t pose a threat to the surrounding environment. Native plants are well adapted to local climate and soil conditions, are more resistant to local diseases and pests, and require less effort, time, and money to maintain. Here are some tips to help you get started: • Survey your backyard and make note of what’s already growing there. Check in with LRCA’s Invasive Species Guide and pull any invasive species. • From the plants already growing in your backyard, or by taking a close look at your garden, make note of the types of soil, water, and light conditions present. Select new plants for your garden based on these observations. • Call before you dig. Check with Ontario One Call before you dig (www.on1call.com or 1-800-400-2255). If your project involves the importation or removal of fill and/or site grading and/or the building of any structure, a permit under Ontario Regulation 180/06 from the LRCA may be required. • Start small and grow. A fully, self-sustaining native plant garden will take time to establish. Consider starting with a small area and slowly expanding each year. Consider grouping the same type of plants together, rather than scattering individual plants. Follow all care instructions that come with your new plants to ensure successful establishment their first year of growth. • Lastly, HAVE FUN! Growing native plants can help you learn more about Thunder Bay’s natural landscapes and connect with nature. Enjoy the process and track your new bee, butterfly, and bird visitors using the citizen science platform iNaturalist.

130 Conservation Road | P.O. Box 10427 | Thunder Bay ON P7B 6T8 @lakeheadregion P: (807) 344-5857 | F: (807) 345-9156 | [email protected] www.lakeheadca.com