A western tiger swallowtail on Pacific ninebark. (Photo: Andrew Reding via Flickr)
Gardening with plants native to your area is a great way to support local biodiversity. They provide seeds and berries for birds and energy-rich nectar and protein-filled pollen for insects, like bees and butterflies. Native plants are also adapted to local climate and soils, so generally require less care and watering.
Here’s a list of some of the best native plants for gardens in the Lower Mainland and Victoria and throughout Western Canada.
Butterfly species native to Western Canada:
- Western tiger swallowtail
- Mourning cloak
- Red admiral
- Painted lady
- Monarch
- Cabbage white
- Milbert’s tortoiseshell
- Lorquin’s admiral
- Sara orangetip
- Woodland skipper
- Cedar hairstreak
Pollinator-friendly plants native to Western Canada:
Nectar plants:
- Canada goldenrod Solidago lepida
- Douglas aster Symphyotrichum subspicatum
- Woodland strawberry Fragaria vesca
- Kinnikinnick Arctostaphylus uva-ursi
- Pearly everlasting Anaphalis margaritacea
- Western yarrow Achillea millefolium
- Wooly sunflower Eriophyllum lanatum
- Low Oregon grape Mahonia nervosa
- Common camas Camassia quamash
- Spring gold Lomatium utriculatum
- Sea blush Plectritis congesta
- Red columbine Aquilegia formosa
- Gumweed Grindelia stricta
- Broadleaf stonecrop Sedum spathulifolium
- Mock orange Philadelphus lewisii
Host plants:
- Pacific bleeding heart Dicentra Formosa
- Oceanspray Holodiscus discolor
- Pacific willow Salix lucida (Pacifica)
- Chokecherry Prunus virginiana
- Pacific ninebark Physocarpus capitatus
- Cottonwood Populus trichocarpa
- Stinging nettle (native) Urtica dioica ssp gracilis
- Saskatoon serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia
- Hardhack (rose spirea) Spiraea douglasii
- Showy milkweed Asclepias speciosa
Herbs for bees and butterflies:
- Dill
- Fennel
- Parsley
- Oregano
- Chives
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Sage
- Thyme
- Lemon Balm
The best native plants for gardens in the Lower Mainland and Victoria:
Pollinators LOVE city life! With the wide range of flowers they offer, home and community gardens are among bees’ and butterflies’ favourite places to hang out. City folk just need to plant what pollinators need for food and shelter. Check out this illustrated guide of butterflies and plants to support them:
The Butterflyway Project
The Butterflyway Project is a citizen-led movement growing highways of habitat for bees and butterflies across Canada, one butterfly-friendly planting at a time.
Volunteer Butterflyway Rangers have connected with local schools, city agencies and homeowners to plant thousands of wildflowers in hundreds of pollinator patches, establishing Butterflyways in nine neighbourhoods and cities!
