CVHS member and Vancouver Island Master Gardener intern Whitney Peek has compiled this comprehensive and wonderful list of native plant resources to help you on your journey to start a native plant garden or incorporate more native plants into your space. I highly recommend bookmarking these websites for easy access. Thank you Whitney!
Resources for Growing Native Plants
NURSERIES & SEED SOURCES
Streamside Native Plants: Our local native plant nursery in Bowser, with very helpful staff, and native plants for every site type. Their website has plant lists and lists of what’s in stock. https://www.streamsidenativeplants.com/
Satinflower Nursery: Nursery in Victoria area specializing in seeds (they will mail them), with extensive plant information and lists on their website. Occasional in-person training events on meadows, native grasses and more. https://satinflower.ca/
NALT: Nanaimo Area Land Trust Nursery: A volunteer-run nursery with seeds and plants: Native Plant Nursery - NALT
Seed Libraries
Many seed libraries have native plant seeds. In Comox, a fantastic source is Gone to Seed Little Library on Robb Rd. Also hosts occasional workshops about growing your own native plants from seed and other fun related events. Join the group on Facebook to find out more:
PLANT LISTS
Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team: Their guide, The Garry Oak Gardener’s Handbook: Nurturing Native Plant Habitat in Garry Oak Communities is free to download on their website. Contains plant lists and sample garden designs for a variety of site types. Native Plant Gardening
Habitat Acquisition Trust: A variety of guides available to download for free on naturescaping, creating habitat, and invasives removal Gardening With Nature — Habitat Acquisition Trust
Pollinator Partnership Canada: Our native pollinators have evolved to have special relationships with our native plants. PPC’s native plant selection guide for the East Vancouver Island Ecoregion can help make your garden the most beneficial for our most essential garden insects. https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/E.Vancouver.Isl.2017.pdf
INVASIVE PLANTS
Removal of invasive plants from your property is essential to get native plants established and keep them thriving. Here are some resources for identification and eradication.
Invasive Species Council of BC: Their website can help you identify invasives and even has suggestions on what to plant instead. https://bcinvasives.ca/
Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver: Has management guides for many common invasives in BC. https://iscmv.ca/
MARS Wildlife Rescue: They have an invasive species removal tool lending library and restored habitat plantings on site you can visit to get ideas. https://marswildliferescue.com/tool-library/
REFERENCE BOOKS, WEBSITES & ORGANIZATIONS
One of the best ways to learn about native plants is to observe them in their habitat. Observe the site conditions (soil type, water and light needs) and notice which plants are commonly found together. These resources can help you identify native plants and their needs and growing habits.
Plants of Coastal British Columbia by Jim Pojar and Andy Mackinnon, Revised Edition: The essential reference for native plants. Organized by plant type and by family.
Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest by Arthur Kruckenberg and Linda Chalker-Scott, Third Edition: A very enjoyable read about what natives do well in our gardens, but also a great reference.
Native Plants of British Columbia’s Coastal Dry Belt by Hans Roemer and Mary Sanseverino: This book is unique in that the plants are grouped by ecosystem and site conditions.
E-flora of BC : maps, photos and loads of identifying information for BC’s local flora: https://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/eflora/index.html
Joining a local naturalists club can be a great resource for learning about native plants and our local ecosystems. For example, Comox Valley Nature hosts fun and informative Botany walks 1-2 times a month throughout the year: https://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/