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Plants
Find out more about the over 1,000 different native plants in the Ottawa area.
Plants - Overview
Ottawa is fortunate to have a broad diversity of natural habitats, which support equally diverse communities of plants (and animals). Located in the Mixedwood Plains ecological region of southern and eastern Ontario, near the boundary with the northern Ontario Shield region, the City is home to a variety of species from both regions.
An updated list of vascular plants in the City of Ottawa was published in 2005 as part of the Urban Natural Areas Environmental Evaluation Study. The list includes 1569 types (species, subspecies and hybrids) of trees, shrubs, grasses, ferns and other green leafy plants, of which 1014 are considered native to this area. The others are non-native species which have been introduced, whether accidentally or on purpose. Some are invasive species which could threaten our native biodiversity.
This list does not include non-vascular plants such as mosses and lichens. It also does not include things like mushrooms, which are fungi rather than plants. While not as commonly recognised as the vascular plants, these lesser-known organisms are numerous and widespread, adding substantially to our local biodiversity.
An electronic copy of the list of vascular plants in Ottawa can be obtained by contacting Amy MacPherson at 613-580-2424 ext. 14873.
For more information about plants, please consult the following links:
Native plants are adapted to local climate, soil conditions and diseases. Since they have evolved surviving on rainfall alone, they are good choices for low maintenance, low water consumption gardens. They are also excellent choices for wildlife, providing food and shelter for many local pollinators and other species!
Check with your local nursery or garden supply store for more information on native plants such as the ones suggested below. Local sources of native plants include the Ferguson Tree Nursery in Kemptville and Beaux Arbres Native Plants in Bristol (Québec), as well as the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club’s annual native plant sale at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden (Experimental Farm).
Make sure that the plants you choose are actually native to eastern Ontario, not just to North America in general. The City of Ottawa has a list of all known plant species occurring here, with notations on which ones are not native to our area. There are several organisations that provide great resources as well; for more information on native plants, please refer to the following:
In areas that are not used much, grass can be replaced by one or more groundcovers. Many of the following species will thrive in shady areas, unlike most turf grasses. They are also much better for pollinators than turf!
Bearberry (white-pink flowers in early spring; red berries in summer) – Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Bloodroot (beautiful white flowers in early spring) – Sanguinaria canadensis
Bunchberry (white flowers followed by red berries) – Cornus canadensis
Canada Mayflower (white flowers in spring) – Maianthemum canadense
Foamflower (clusters of white flowers in spring) – Tiarella cordifolia
Partridgeberry (very low-growing, evergreen with red berries) – Mitchella repens
Violets, including Sweet White, Canada, Northern White, Yellow or Common Blue – Viola blanda, V. canadensis, V. macloskeyi, V. pubescens or V. sororia
Wild Ginger (interesting flowers in spring) – Asarum canadense
Wild Strawberry (white flowers in late spring, edible berries in summer) – Fragaria virginiana
Wintergreen (low-growing, aromatic evergreen leaves and red berries) – Gaultheria procumbens
Spring Beauty
Wildflowers
Many commercially prepared wildflower seed mixes contain species that are not native to our area. Some mixes even include invasive species that should not be planted near natural areas! The following species are recommended, especially for pollinator-friendly gardens:
Asters, such as Panicled, Calico, New England or Purple-stemmed – Symphyotrichum (formerly Aster) lanceolatum, S. lateriflorum, S. novae-angliae or S. puniceum
Blue Flag – Iris versicolor
Canada Anemone – Anemone canadensis
Cardinal Flower – Lobelia cardinalis
Goldenrods, including Tall, Canada, Zigzag, Early or Rough – Solidago altissima, S. canadensis, S. flexicaulis, S. juncea or S. rugosa
Milkweeds, such as Common, Swamp, and the increasingly popular Butterfly-weed – Asclepias syriaca, A. incarnata, and A. tuberosa
Mints, such as Wild Bergamot, Wild Mint, or Northern Bugleweed – Monarda fistulosa, Mentha canadensis, Lycopus uniflorus
Spring-beauty – Claytonia caroliniana
Trilliums, including White or Red – Trillium grandiflorum or T. erectum
Wild Columbine – Aquilegia canadensis
Elderberry
Shrubs
The deciduous shrubs listed below have beautiful flowers that attract pollinators, and fruits that are eaten by birds and other wildlife. The evergreens also provide food and shelter for wildlife.
Canada Yew (evergreen) – Taxus canadensis
Chokeberry – Aronia melanocarpa (also known as Photinia melanocarpa)
Common Juniper (evergreen) – Juniperus communis
Dogwood, such as Grey (Panicled) or Red-osier – Cornus racemosa or C. sericea
Elderberry, either Common or Red – Sambucus canadensis or S. pubens (also known as S. racemosa ssp. pubens)
High bush Cranberry, Maple-leaved Viburnum or Nannyberry – Viburnum opulus var. americanum (also known as V. trilobum), V. acerifolium, or V. lentago
Northern Bush-honeysuckle – Diervilla lonicera
Purple-flowered Raspberry (large, showy flowers and leaves) – Rubus odoratus
Winterberry (bright red berries in fall and winter) – Ilex verticillata
Serviceberry
Trees (small)
Many of these trees have flowers that attract pollinators, and fruits that are eaten by birds and other wildlife. White cedar provides food and shelter for wildlife such as birds, squirrels and deer.
Alternate-leaved Dogwood – Cornus alternifolia
Blue-beech – Carpinus caroliniana
Hawthorn – Crataegus chrysocarpa, C. flabellata or C. submollis
Pin Cherry – Prunus pensylvanica
Maple, either Mountain or Striped – Acer spicatum or A. pensylvanicum
Serviceberry – Amelanchier arborea
White Cedar (evergreen) – Thuja occidentalis
Tamarack
Trees (Large)
Large trees provide food and shelter to many species of birds and other wildlife. They also provide us with great benefits such as shade, cleaner air, and higher property values!
American Beech – Fagus grandifolia
Balsam Fir (evergreen) – Abies balsamea
Birch, either White or Yellow – Betula papyrifera or B. alleghaniensis
Bitternut Hickory – Carya cordiformis
Black Cherry – Prunus serotina
Maple, either Red, Silver, United (hybrid) or Sugar – Acer rubrum, A. saccharinum, A. x freemanii or A. saccharum
Oak, either Red or Bur – Quercus rubra or Q. macrocarpa