Planting Native Species: Part II

By Melanie Mathieson
Gardening Guru

As proven by our recent weather occurrences, humans have no control over Mother Nature and what weather she wants to deliver. So as gardeners we have to take measures to help ensure our successes each season. As I said in a previous column planting naïve species helps to push the odds of success in the direction of the gardener. This column will provide some suggestions for perennials, to try, that are considered native species.
Alum root – the origin of the (Heuchera) coralbell varieties. Alum root is a small woodland species that grows in partial to full shade. Although small it is nice to add to the rock or woodland garden if you can find it in your local nursery.
Anemone – many hybridized species to choose from but woodland anemone most like the wild anemone growing in the forest in the Rainy River District. Woodland anemone excellent for shade and woodland gardens.
Aster – many hybridized species to choose from. Great for sun or partial shade. The species are available in different colours, bloom times and heights.
Beard-tongue – related to foxglove. A tall perennial, great for the back of the garden. Likes sun to partial shade but well drained soils. Available in red, white and pink varieties.
Bellflower – quite a few species to choose from. Great for sun or partial shade. The species are available in different colours, bloom times and heights.
Black-eyed Susan – from the Rudbekia family, along with other cone flower varieties. The traditional hybridized species could be considered more characteristic of the native species’ genetics but that shouldn’t stop you from trying some of the exciting and recently released varieties. Not to be confused with the Echinacea family of cone flowers that are native further south.
Bunchberry – abundant in the woods in our area, often called the false trillium because it has four leaves. Now hybridized to maintain its flowering period longer and available in nurseries. Great in the shade, rock and woodland gardens. I have it growing in both my shade and woodland gardens with great success.
Buttercup family – although most species are alien and not native to the area, including the common buttercup, the globeflower and marsh marigold are native. Hybridized species of both are available. I recommend the hybridized varieties as their flowering period has been prolonged in order to enjoy their bright- yellow, cheerful flowers.
Carrion Flower - can often be found in Rainy River watershed close to the Rainy River, Do not recommend for the garden as the flowers smell like rotting flesh. Dark purple berries develop after the flowers have finished.
Clematis – yes a wild clematis does grow in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Forest and can often be found in Rainy River watershed close to the Rainy River. Although the native species is less showy than the varieties sold in the nurseries, the native species is still nice to have in the garden, if you have room for more than one variety.
Common Hops – hops grows usually near waterways throughout the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Forest. Another choice for a native vine variety.
Coreopsis (tickweed) – is native and growing in the woods of the Rainy River district but he hybridized species are much more showy for the garden than the native variety.
Cranesbill – also known as perennial geranium. This a versatile pant for the perennial bed. Adaptable to most light and soil conditions. Many hybridized species now available.
Ferns – many varieties that are native to the area. Match up native species by using a plant guide with what is available in your local nursery to ensure winter survival. Ostrich fern, lady fern and oak (braken) fern and sensitive fern are some of the successful native species for the garden.
Gentian – many native species and many hybridized species available from the nursery. Likes moist soils and sun to partial shade. Great for the rock or woodland garden.
Goldenrod – grows everywhere and is related to ragweed so many people have an allergic reaction to this plant. Likes full sun and very adaptable to most soil conditions.
Honeysuckle – four native species grows throughout the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Forest. Two are vines and two are shrubs.
Horsetail – native but now hybridized for the garden. I recommend the hybridized variety as it has been genetically altered to grow in clumps instead of lone stalks, giving a much more substantial plant.
Hosta – are from the plantain family and there are about 6 native species of plantain growing in the Rainy River District. The native plantain is not anywhere as showy as the hosta varieties available in the nurseries, but is a good indicator that the hybridized Hosta will do well in our area.
Iris – only the blue-flag iris is native to our area. Can sometimes find this variety in the local nurseries. Yellow flag is native south of the Rainy River district starting around Minneapolis area and south from there. I have had success with both varieties in my gardens in both Fort Frances and Thunder Bay. They will tolerate and prefer wet soils.
Joe-Pye Weed – very common and butterflies love it. Likes full sun and wetter conditions. A great plant for the rear backdrop of the perennial bed.
Lupin – more common around the Thunder Bay area but are native to the region. Many varieties and colours now available in the hybridized varieties. Hard to start from seed but you can often buy seeds inexpensively so give it a try.
Maltese cross (Lychnis)– the red-orange variety is the native species. Likes full sun and can withstand drier conditions. There are other Lychnis varieties available that are more showy and in other colours.
Saxifrage – a few species native to the area. Hard to find in the local nurseries but a great plant for the full to partial sun garden, especially rock gardens. This is one of my favourites and makes a great ground cover. I buy and plant whenever I find it. I have had some winter kill some years but this plant with its pink or white delicate spring flowers is worth it.
Solomon’s seal – a tall leafy plant grown for its foliage, but does flower in the early spring. Small, delicate white flowers line its arching stems. Excellent plant for the shade and woodland garden. I have both the native species and the variegated leaf variety.
Trillium – there are a few trilliums native to the area but not the white trillium. It is native to the hardwood forests south of us around Bemidji, Minnesota, but it will grow here along with the nodding and red trilliums. Like shade or under tree cover. If you can find them I encourage you to plant as they are the highlight of my shade garden each year.
As this is a partial list of what is native to our area, it will provide enough information to get you started in planning and obtaining some native species for your own garden. I encourage you to do some more research on native species either through reference books such as plant guides and the internet. Once you learn the Latin names of the plants and their families it is then easy to match up native species with hybridized versions in the nursery.