Discover plant species native to your province or territory

If you live in Canada, chances are you’re familiar with regularly grown species like tulips, peonies, hostas and common lilacs. But while lovely to look at, did you know none of those are native to our soils?

Now consider how many of the plant species that you know by name are actually indigenous to your area. Well, there are plenty to get acquainted with! This country is home to more than 5,300 species of native plants and trees that are critical to wildlife for the food and shelter they provide.

And they are useful to us, too, as sources of edible fruits, building materials, firewood, medicines, windbreaks, erosion control, cooling shade and much more. Many have cultural significance for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people living here. Some are so regionally significant that they become provincial and territorial emblems. These native plants are fascinating to know and beneficial to grow, if your yard has suitable conditions.

Have we got you curious about Canada’s native flora? Click the links on this coast-to-coast-to-coast tour of notable native plants from each province and territory to learn more.

Yukon: Fireweed, soapberry and alpine fir

Northwest Territories: White mountain avens, bearberry and tamarack

Nunavut: Purple saxifrage, blueberry and Arctic willow

B.C.: Salmonberry, Pacific dogwood and western red cedar

Alberta: Prickly rose, mountain rough fescue and lodgepole pine

Saskatchewan: Wood lily, Saskatoon berry and white birch

Manitoba: Prairie crocus, big bluestem and white spruce

Ontario: Large white trillium, red columbine and eastern white pine

Québec: Blue flag iris, northern maidenhair fern and yellow birch

New Brunswick: Marsh blue violet, common elderberry and balsam fir

Nova Scotia: Trailing arbutus, northern bayberry and red spruce

P.E.I.: Pink lady’s-slipper, American beachgrass and northern red oak

Newfoundland and Labrador: Purple pitcher plant, Labrador tea and black spruce