Gardening with Native Plants in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley
Your guide to creating a backyard that supports nature
Key Benefits:
- Attract Birds, Butterflies & Bees
- Choose Top Shrubs, Trees & Flowers
- Create Wildlife Habitat
- Design a Thriving Native Garden
Why Garden with Native Plants?
Gardening with plants native to our region offers a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape while providing essential habitat for local wildlife. Native plants attract birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, creating a vibrant ecosystem right in your backyard.
This guide will help you:
- Get started with native gardening
- Select the best native plants for your space
- Learn design and maintenance tips
- Incorporate natural features to support wildlife
Attract Local Wildlife!
The Fraser Lowland, spanning from Vancouver to Chilliwack, is a biodiversity hotspot shaped by the Fraser River. Historically rich in forests, wetlands, estuaries, and lakes, this region is home to over 50 at-risk species. However, habitat loss due to development, water diversion, and invasive species threatens this delicate balance.
As much of this land is privately owned, your property can play a vital role in conservation. By incorporating native plants and natural features, you provide wildlife with food, water, and shelter—making a tangible difference in preserving our local ecosystem.
Enhance Your Property to Support Local Wildlife in the Fraser Lowland
The Fraser Lowland, stretching from Vancouver to Chilliwack, is a biodiversity hotspot shaped by the Fraser River. Historically rich in forests, wetlands, and streams, this region is home to over 50 species at risk. However, human activities like development and invasive species threaten these habitats. As a landowner, you can make a difference by incorporating native plants into your property, providing food, water, and shelter for wildlife.
Species at Risk in Your Backyard
Many at-risk species may live near you, including:
- Northern Red-legged Frog & Western Toad: Breed in wetlands and forests.
- Barn Owl: Nests in human-made structures and hunts in fields.
- Great Blue Heron: Feeds in ditches and shorelines, nests in mature trees.
- Oregon Forestsnail: Thrives in stinging nettle patches and bigleaf maple trees.
Benefits of Native Plants
Planting native vegetation not only supports wildlife but also offers practical advantages:
- Low maintenance and pesticide-free.
- Reduces water usage and prevents erosion.
- Adds natural beauty to your property.
Getting Started: Garden Design
1. Assess Your Property: Note sun exposure, soil type, and seasonal changes.
2. Set Goals: Decide what wildlife you want to attract (birds, frogs, pollinators) and visualize your design.
3. Take Inspiration from Nature: Visit local natural areas or consult nurseries for native plant options.
4. Create an Ecosystem: Combine plants to mimic natural habitats, like forest canopies or dry-site shrubs (e.g., Douglas-fir, oceanspray).
Join the Effort
For more tips, join the Nature Stewards Program and help preserve the Fraser Lowland’s biodiversity—one garden at a time!
By taking these steps, you’ll create a thriving habitat while enjoying a sustainable, vibrant landscape. 🌿🐸🦉
| Ref # | Common Name | Botanical Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western redcedar | Thuja plicata |
| 2 | Douglas-fir | Pseudotsuga menziesii |
| 3 | Western hemlock | Tsuga heterophylla |
| 4 | Bigleaf maple | Acer macrophyllum |
| 5 | Grand fir | Abies grandis |
| 6 | Shore pine | Pinus contorta var. contorta |
| 7 | Salmonberry | Rubus spectabilis |
| 8 | Vine maple | Acer circinatum |
| 9 | Bitter cherry | Prunus emarginata |
| 10 | Sitka mountain ash | Sorbus sitchensis |
| 11 | Common snowberry | Symphoricarpos albus |
| 12 | Indian-plum | Oemleria cerasiformis |
| 13 | Red-flowering currant | Ribes sanguineum |
| 14 | Nootka rose | Rosa nutkana |
| 15 | Oceanspray | Holodiscus discolor |
| 16 | Red elderberry (coastal) | Sambucus racemosa var. arborescens |
| 17 | Mock-orange | Philadelphus lewisii |
| 18 | Red-osier dogwood | Cornus sericea |
| 19 | Thimbleberry | Rubus parviflorus |
| 20 | Pacific ninebark | Physocarpus capitatus |
| 21 | Evergreen huckleberry | Vaccinium ovatum |
| 22 | Salal | Gaultheria shallon |
| 23 | Tall Oregon-grape | Mahonia aquifolium |
| 24 | Sword fern | Polystichum munitum |
| 25 | Cooley's hedge-nettle | Stachys chamissonis var. cooleyae |
| 26 | Wild ginger | Asarum caudatum |
| 27 | Goatsbeard | Aruncus dioicus var. acuminatus |
| 28 | Douglas' aster | Aster subspicatus |
| 29 | Nodding onion | Allium cernuum |
| 30 | Deer fern | Blechnum spicant |
| 31 | Coastal strawberry | Fragaria chiloensis |
| 32 | Kinnikinnick | Arctostaphylos uva-ursi |
| 33 | Bunchberry | Cornus canadensis |
| 34 | Broad-leaved stonecrop | Sedum spathulifolium |
| 35 | Fringecup | Tellima grandiflora |
| 36 | Red columbine | Aquilegia formosa |
| 37 | False Solomon's-seal | Maianthemum racemosum |
| 38 | Pacific bleeding heart | Dicentra formosa |
| 39 | Wood sorrel | Oxalis oregana |
| 40 | False lily-of-the-valley | Maianthemum dilatatum |
Native Garden Maintenance: Tips for a Thriving Ecosystem
Creating a native garden is a rewarding endeavor, but it requires patience and care to reach its full potential. Here’s how to maintain your garden and support local wildlife over time.
Essential Maintenance Steps
1. Watering and Weeding
- Newly planted gardens need regular watering during dry spells, especially in the first year.
- Remove weeds early to prevent competition with native plants.
- Use organic fertilizer if needed.
2. Remove Invasive Plants
- Invasive species can quickly overtake your garden. Stay vigilant and remove them promptly.
- Avoid store-bought "wildflower mixes," which may contain invasive seeds. Opt for local native seed mixes instead.
3. Be Patient
- A mature garden takes 2–5 years to establish. Observe what thrives and adjust as needed.
- Wildlife, such as pollinators and birds, will gradually be attracted as the garden grows.
4. Spread the Word
- Encourage neighbors to plant native gardens to create a larger habitat network.
Watch Out for Invasive Species!
Some common invasive plants to avoid:
- Lamium
- Snowberry
- Himalayan Blackberry
- Yellow Flag Iris
- English Ivy
- Periwinkle
- Giant Hogweed
For non-invasive alternatives, check out resources like the Grow Me Instead program at www.beinwatives.ca
Garden Tips for Wildlife
To create a thriving ecosystem, provide these essentials:
Food
- Plant berry and fruit-producing shrubs for birds.
- Include flowers with varying bloom times to support pollinators year-round.
Shelter
- Leave dead trees (or safe stumps) for woodpeckers and nesting birds.
- Rotting logs provide homes for salamanders and insects.
- Brush piles and rock piles offer refuge for small mammals and reptiles.
Water
- Install a birdbath or small pond to attract birds, frogs, and other wildlife.
Bonus Tips for Butterflies
- Include host plants for caterpillars.
- Create a mud puddle in spring for butterflies to gather minerals.
- Leave leaf litter to protect overwintering insects and enrich the soil.
Reduce Lawn Space
- Lawns offer little ecological benefit. Convert sections to native gardens using cardboard layering to suppress grass.
By following these steps, your native garden will flourish, supporting biodiversity while requiring less maintenance over time. Happy gardening!
Want more tips? Explore local conservation programs or connect with native plant societies in your area.
Gardening with Native Plants: Tips for a Wildlife-Friendly Yard
Leave the Leaves
Leaf litter (dead or fallen leaves) protects the soil from erosion, retains moisture, and enriches the soil as it decomposes. It also attracts ground-feeding birds and provides shelter for overwintering butterflies. Instead of removing leaves as green waste, place them around your plants to deter weeds and boost soil health.
Rethink Your Lawn
Lawns demand significant effort, water, and chemicals while offering little value to wildlife. Consider these alternatives:
Lawn Conversion: Transform grass into garden space by layering cardboard under 10 cm (4 in) of mulch (e.g., leaf litter, wood chips). Plant directly through the cardboard—avoid non-biodegradable barriers.
Meadow Magic: Let grass grow naturally to create a meadow. This attracts pollinators and provides hunting grounds for owls and raptors. Enhance it with native wildflowers for added beauty and bee-friendly habitats.
Join the Nature Stewards Program
For landowners with natural areas (e.g., forests, wetlands, meadows), the Nature Stewards Program offers resources to enhance wildlife habitats. Participants receive guidance on species at risk, habitat improvement, and land protection—no minimum property size required.
Contact: 604.625.0066 or outreach@fraservalleyconservancy.ca
About the Fraser Valley Conservancy
A charitable land trust since 1998, the FVC works to conserve ecologically and historically significant areas in the Fraser Valley.
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