Photo: Steve Large Photography

Gardening with Native Plants on Bowen Island

Your guide to creating a backyard that supports nature. Included in this article are ways to:

Attract Birds, Butterflies & Bees
Create Wildlife Habitat
Choose Top Shrubs, Trees & Flowers
Design a Thriving Native Garden

How to Use the Guide

At the end of the guide is a helpful table including key characteristics for each species, preferred growing conditions, and information on how each tree or plant fits into the local ecosystem and supports wildlife and insects.

You can click on any of the plant or tree photos in this guide and you’ll be taken to the entry in the table with more detailed information.

Prefer reading offline? Check out our Native Plants guide in the print edition of the 2021 Bowen Book or download the PDF Native Plants Guide.

Why Garden with Native Plants?

By gardening with plants native to our region, you can have a garden that is not only beautiful and low-maintenance, but also provides habitat for local wildlife.

Native plants can attract birds, bees, butterflies, and more. This guide will direct you in creating a gorgeous and thriving native plant garden. It provides steps to get started, native plant recommendations, design and maintenance tips, and ways to add beneficial natural features.

Attract local wildlife!

The area from Vancouver to Chilliwack is known as the Fraser Lowland. This region, influenced by the mighty Fraser River, was historically covered in forests, wetlands, estuaries, lakes, and streams. Because of this variety of habitats, it is a hotspot for biodiversity, with over 50 species at risk. However, these natural features are disappearing due to human-related threats such as development, water drainage and diking, and invasive species.

Since much of this island is privately owned, landowners like yourself can make a real difference. By enhancing your property to include natural features, such as native plants, you are providing valuable places for wildlife to find food, water, and shelter.

Help our species at risk!

There are many species at risk that may live close to you or even in your backyard. At-risk species are those that are in danger of disappearing from BC and Canada. The Northern Red-legged Frog and Western Toad live in forests until they emerge early in the year to mate and lay eggs in nearby wetlands or ponds. The Barn Owl commonly builds nests in human-made structures and hunts at night in fields and meadows. The Great Blue Heron can be spotted hunting in ditches, shorelines and ponds, or tending to their nests in large, mature trees. Stinging nettle patches and bigleaf maple trees provide habitat for the Oregon Forestsnail.

Northern Red-legged Frog, a longtime Bowen Islander

Save time and money!

In addition to helping local wildlife and adding natural beauty, you will discover other benefits to planting native vegetation.
Since they are adapted to the region, native plants:

require little maintenance when planted in suitable spots
can grow pesticide free
contribute to reduced water use
can reduce erosion along streambanks and wetlands

The numbers next to each photo refer to the Plant Information table below.

Taking it Step by Step

Step 1 – Garden Design

Before creating wildlife habitat using native plants, get to know your property’s features and set some gardening goals. Sketch out a garden map to visualize your ideas.

Questions to consider:

What is your property’s unique conditions during the four seasons? Consider sun exposure, shade, wind, water availability, soil types, and existing vegetation. Knowing these conditions for different parts of your property will help inform your design and allow you to pick the most suitable plants.
What are you looking to achieve? Creating a backyard that supports nature can take many forms. Think about what nature means to you. Depending on where you live on the island and the natural landscape, wildlife you can attract may include birds, bees, butterflies, frogs, and salamanders. Consider what you are striving for visually. Native plants come in a diversity of sizes, and colours for different seasons.

Nature Knows Best!

Natural inspiration is all around you, especially here on Bowen Island! Visit nearby natural areas to experience the environment and see what grows well. Use a plant identification app to discover native plants that appeal to you. Ask your local nurseries which native plants they offer. Browse books and websites on gardening with native plants.

Aim to create an ecosystem

Providing habitat rather than individual plantings is more beneficial for wildlife. Take an ecosystem approach when enhancing areas by choosing a selection of plants to create specific habitats.

Creating forested habitat

Envision a forest canopy with shade tolerant shrubs and plants growing on the forest floor below:

For a dry site Douglas-fir and shore pine do well, along with oceanspray, salal, evergreen huckleberry, and Oregon-grape.
With average moisture try Douglas-fir, western hemlock aand western redcedar. Shrubs can include red-flowering currant, vine maple, common snowberry, Indian-plum, bitter cherry, salal and Oregon-grape.
Wetter sites are best for western redcedar, western hemlock, bigleaf maple, salmonberry, red elderberry, Pacific ninebark, and red-osier dogwood.

Providing shrubby habitat

A mix of shrubs of varying heights, with different flowering and fruiting times, can be important places for birds to find food and protection from predators.

For a dry site try oceanspray, Nootka rose, Oregon-grape, mock-orange, thimbleberry and Indian-plum.
With average moisture pick vine maple, Oregon-grape, Sitka mountain-ash, mock-orange, common snowberry, thimbleberry and Indian-plum.
Wetter sites suit salmonberry, vine maple, red-osier dogwood, red elderberry, and Pacific ninebark.

Step 2 – Ready to Plant

Once you have a plan in place, follow these steps to establish your native plant garden.

Sourcing native plants. Seek out nurseries that sell locally grown native plants or seed. Never take plants from the wild as they often do not survive transplantation and their removal can negatively affect the ecosystem they came from.
Best time to plant: the rainy seasons, fall or early spring, are the ideal times to plant, as water helps with root development. Extra watering will be needed during the summer months and any dry spells during the first year or two after planting.
Go slowly and try not to over-plant. Consider adding only a few plants as a test to see how they do. Remember to leave shrubs and trees room to grow, as you can choose to fill in gaps later.
Protect the young plants. If deer (or beaver!) have access to your area, fence off newly planted areas or encircle the base of planted trees or shrubs with wire mesh. Plastic guards around the stems will prevent damage from other rodents.

Step 3 – Maintenance

It can take two to five years for your garden to mature. Follow these steps to keep your garden thriving.

Watering and weeding. Once established, the plants will require less maintenance. However, for the first year or so until the plants have filled in, ensure the weeds are removed, and the plants are watered during the dry summer months. If you add fertilizer, ensure it is organic.
Remove the alien invaders. Invasive plants can quickly overrun a native plant garden and undo your efforts. Identify them and keep them out. Some of the most common troublemakers are listed below.
Be patient. Achieving your goals, including attracting wildlife, may take time. As your plants mature, learn from what succeeds and what fails to thrive. Adjust along the way and seek additional advice.
Spread the word. The more native gardens there are in your community, the greater the benefit for nature.

Watch out for Aliens!

Some introduced plants escape from gardens or their seeds are transported by birds, mammals and people. They can become established in natural areas where they may overwhelm the native vegetation. Steer clear of known invaders and use similar, yet non-invasive, alternatives instead. See the ‘Grow Me Instead’ program at www.bcinvasives.ca for more ideas. Beware of store bought ‘wildflower mixes’ as they often contain invasive weeds. You can contact the Fraser Valley Conservancy to purchase verified local native seed mixes.

Garden Tips for the Nature Lover

Remember these three essential needs for wildlife: food, shelter, and water.

Incorporate food-producing shrubs. Berry and fruit-producing shrubs are a good food source for birds in particular. Shrubs also provide excellent shelter from predators. Aim to provide a variety of food sources through the seasons by including species with different flowering and fruiting times, and leaving seed heads on plants.
Flowers for bees and other pollinators. Pollinators are vital in helping most flowering plants to reproduce and are crucial for much of our food production. Choose a flowering plants in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. Pick some with early spring bloom times when there is little else available for emerging insects. Create flowering patches of at least one square metre and consider adding insect nest sites, such as bee ‘condos’.
Dead trees can be full of life. Leave dead and dying tree trunks to attract woodpeckers feeding on insects. Cavities provide both homes and shelter for many bird species. If safety is a concern, cut the tree down to a safe height but leave as much of the trunk as possible.
Leave logs to rot in place. Logs can provide shelter for different types of critters, such as salamanders and small mammals. Insects in rotting logs provide food for many species.
Pile it up. Create brush piles that give shelter to birds and small mammals. Rock piles can provide habitat for snakes (none are poisonous here) and other reptiles.
Just add water. Put in a water bath (keeping cats away from it) or a small pond feature to provide a water source for birds, mammals, salamanders and frogs.

Bonus tips for butterflies.

In addition to the flowers listed in the plant table, you can further your efforts to attract butterflies by including plants needed during the caterpillar (larval) life stage. Creating a mud puddle in the spring and summer months may also attract adult butterflies to perform the interesting behaviour of ‘puddling’, where a number will gather for water and important minerals found in the soil. The minerals can enhance the males’ colouring, making them more attractive to females!

Leave the leaves.

Leaf litter (dead or fallen leaves) protects the soil from erosion, maintains moisture, and provides nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. Leaf litter also attracts ground- feeding birds hunting for insects, and some overwintering butterflies. If you do need to rake some leaves, place them around the plants, instead of removing them as green waste. This can also deter weeds.

Let go of the lawn.

Of all your landscape options, lawns consume the most effort, chemicals, and water while providing the least benefit to wildlife. Reduce your time and resources spent in pursuit of the perfect lawn and consider:

Lawn conversion. Transform a lawn to garden space by covering it with three layers of cardboard under 10 cm (4 in) of mulch (leaf litter, wood chips, etc.). Plant through holes in the the cardboard. This method works for weed patches too! Never use non-biodegradable plastic cloth as a barrier under mulch.
Other options for open areas. Let the grass grow and become fallow to produce a meadow environment. Owls and raptors can hunt in the meadow for rodents. Adding native wildflower seeds can add beauty and food for bees.

No.	Common Name	Botanical Name	Height	Soil	Light	Bloom Period	Characteristics	Comments
1	Western Red Cedar	Thuja plicata	to 60m	Moist, Wetter	Sun, Partial, Shade	n/a	Year-round food source for wildlife	BC’s provincial tree! Important for wildlife, providing cover for many species, denning for small mammals, and nesting cavities for birds.
2	Douglas Fir	Pseudotsuga menziesii	to 70m	Dry, Moist	Sun	n/a	Year-round food source for wildlife	Because of the seeds produced by the male cones, this tree is an important food source for several species of birds, including crossbills.
3	Western Hemlock	Tsuga herterophylla	to 60m	Moist	Sun, Partial, Shade	n/a	Year-round food source for wildlife	A favourite nesting tree for many birds. Pine Siskins, crossbills and chickadees eat the seeds. Douglas Squirrels even eat the bark!
4	Bigleaf maple	Acer macrophyllum	to 35m	Dry, Moist	Sun, Partial	Mar-Apr	Year-round food source for wildlife	Fabulous tree for wildlife! Provides food and shelter for many species of birds and small mammals. Fast growing. Fall colour.
5	Grand fir	Abies grandis	to 80m	Dry, Moist	Sun, Partial	n/a	Year-round food source for wildlife	Provides cover and nesting sites for many animals. Birds and native squirrels eat the seeds.
6	Shore pine	Pinus contorta var. contorta	to 15m	Dry, Moist & Wetter	Sun, Partial	n/a	Attracts hummers and pollinators	The nutritious, oily seeds are favoured by many bird species including grosbeaks and woodpeckers. Tolerant of nutrient-poor soils.
7	Salmonberry	Rubus spectabilis	2-4m	Moist, Wetter	Sun, Partial	Mar-May	Food source for wildlife, attracts hummingbirds and pollinators	A top pick for wildlife! An early food source for Rufous Hummingbirds and a berry feast for a myriad of bird and mammal species.
8	Vine Maple	Acer circinatum	3-7m	Dry, Moist	Sun, Partial, Shade	Apr	Food source for wildlife, attracts hummingbirds and pollinators	Red flowers in spring that butterflies and bees love; birds eat the seeds. Gorgeous fall colour. Also try the similar Douglas maple.
9	Bitter Cherry	Prunus emarginata	2-15m	Dry, Moist	Sun, Partial	Apr-May	Attracts pollinators	Provides food, shelter and nesting sites for a variety of wildlife. Host plant for larval stage of several butterfly species.
10	Sitka Mountain Ash	Sorbus sitchensis	1-4m	Moist	Sun, Partial	Jun	Attracts hummingbirds and pollinators	White flower clusters that turn into showy red fruit – an important late season food source for birds and mammals.
11	Common snowberry	Symphoricarpos albus	0.5 – 2m	Dry, Moist	Partial, S	Jun	Attracts hummingbirds and pollinators	Attractive white berries add interest to the garden in winter. Grosbeaks, thrushes and bears love the berries.
12	Indian-plum	Oemleria cerasiformis	1.5-5m	Dry, Moist	Partial, Shade	Mar	Draws hummingbirds, butterflies, pollinators	Very early flowering, with colourful mini plums in May. Important early flower source for native bees. Fall colour.
13	Red-flowering currant	Ribes sanguineum	1-3m	Dry, Moist	Sun, Partial	Apr-Jun	Attracts hummingbirds and pollinators; fall colour	A beautiful shrub! Hummingbirds rely on its early blooms. Songbirds and small mammals eat its berries. Foliage is eaten by butterfly larvae.
14	Nootka rose	Rosa nutkana	0.5-3m	Moist, Wetter	Sun, Partial	May-Jul	Attracts butterflies and other pollinators; fall colour	Large, fragrant, pink flowers. Edible rose hips are reddish-orange and eaten by many mammals. Great cover and nesting habitat for birds.
15	Oceanspray	Holodiscus discolor	1-4m	Dry, Moist	Sun, Partial	Jul-Aug	Spring food source for wildlife; attracts pollinators	Big, showy flower clusters become puffball seed heads. Good cover for birds and amphibians.
16	Red elderberry (coastal)	Sambucus racemosa var. arborescens	2 – 4m	Moist, Wetter	Partial	Apr-Jun	Draws butterflies, hummingbirds, pollinators; late season food source	Fast growing with showy white flowers and red berry clusters. Provides nesting habitat, cover and food for a number of birds and small mammals.
17	Mock Orange	Philadelphus lewisii	3m	Dry, Moist, Wetter	Sun, Partial	May-Jun	Draws butterflies and early pollinators; fall colour	Early fragrant white flowers will attract lots of pollinators to your garden. Seeds are eaten by squirrels.
18	Red-osier dogwood	Cornus sericea	1-5m	Moist, Wetter	Sun, Partial, Shade	May-Jun	Attracts butter- flies, hummingbirds, pollinators; food source; fall colour	A top pick for wildlife! Fast-growing with white flowers, showy red twigs and gorgeous fall leaves. Foliage and berries used by birds and mammals.
19	Thimbleberry	Rubus parviflorus	1.5-3m	Dry, Moist	Sun, Partial, Shade	Jun-Jul	Attracts butter- flies, hummingbirds, pollinators; spring/ summer food source	Large white flowers produce red berries that are relished by many bird and mammal species. Fabulous for filling in gaps in your garden!
20	Pacific Ninebark	Physocarpus capitatus	3-4m	Moist, Wetter	Sun, Partial, Shade	Jun	Attracts butterflies, pollinators; spring/ summer food source; fall colour	Sometimes called ‘snowball bush’ for its showy white flower clusters. Attracts native bees. Great cover for birds and small mammals.
21	Evergreen huckleberry	Vaccinium ovatum	1-2m	Dry, Moist	Partial, Shade	Apr-May	Year-round food source; attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, pollinators; fall colour	Great evergreen choice: thick, shiny leaves and pink flowers. The purple berries are a favourite of songbirds, mammals and people.
22	Salal	Gaultheria shallon	1-1.5m	Dry, Moist, Wetter	Sun, Partial, Shade	Mar-Jul	Year-round food source; attracts hummingbirds and pollinators	Evergreen shrub grows well in shade. Berries eaten by many birds and native squirrels. Winter foliage browsed by Mountain Beavers.
23	Tall Oregon Grape	Mahonia aquilifolium	0.5-2.5m	Dry, Moist	Sun	Apr-May	Year-round food source; attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, pollinators; fall colour	Evergreen with blue, edible berries that birds enjoy. Hummingbirds and pollinators love this plant with its bright yellow flowers.
24	Sword fern	Polystichum munitum	0.3-1.2m	Dry, Moist	Partial, Shade	n/a	Year-round food source for wildlife	Evergreen fern that can be used to prevent slope erosion. Dead fronds create amphibian habitat. Preferred food of Mountain Beavers.
25	Cooley’s hedge-nettle	Stachys chamissonis var. cooleyae	70-150cm	Moist	Sun, Partial	Jun-Aug	Attracts hummingbirds and pollinators	The reddish purple, tubular flowers are visited by hummingbirds and other pollinators. This member of the mint family does not sting.
26	Wild ginger	Asarum caudatum	5-15cm	Moist	Partial, Shade	Mar-Jul	Attracts pollinators	In shade, this groundcover spreads well by underground rhizomes. It has attractive leaves with exotic flowers underneath.
27	Goatsbeard	Aruncus dioicus var. acuminatus	1-2m	Moist	Partial, Shade	May-Jul	Attracts butterflies and other pollinators	A multitude of insects pollinate this flower. Leave the flower heads to overwinter for birds to eat the seeds.
28	Douglas’ aster	Aster subspicatus	20-80cm	Moist	Sun	Jul-Aug	Attracts butterflies and other pollinators	Bees love the masses of violet blooms with yellow centres. Spreads easily. Great for late summer colour in the garden.
29	Nodding Onion	Allium cernuum	20-40cm	Dry	Sun	Jun-Aug	Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinators	Pollinators’ delight! Bulbs multiply quickly in sandy soil. Great in rockeries. Also try Hooker’s onion and fool’s onion.
30	Deer fern	Blechnum spicant	20-80cm	Moist, Wetter	Shade	n/a	Year-round food source for wildlife	Valuable food for deer, hence the name! An attractive evergreen fern that provides year-round cover for small mammals, insects and some birds.
31	Coastal strawberry	Fragaria chiloensis	5-20cm	Dry, Moist	Sun, Partial	Apr-May	Attracts butterflies and other pollinators; spring/summer food source; fall colour	Attractive groundcover with white flowers and sweet berries, eaten by birds and small mammals. Try woodland strawberry (F. vesca) in shadier spots.
32	Kinnikinnick	Arctostaphylos uva-ursi	5-20cm	Dry, Moist	Sun	Apr-Jun	Attracts butterflies and other pollinators; year-round food source; fall colour	Prolific evergreen groundcover in well-drained soils that can prevent erosion. Birds eat the bright red berries. Leaves turn wine-colour in the fall.
33	Bunchberry	Cornus canadensis	5-25cm	Moist, Wetter	Sun, Partial, Shade	May-Jul	Attracts pollinators; year-round food source for wildlife; fall colour	Lovely leaves, showy white flowers, and attractive red berries! Many birds eat the fruit; an important food source during fall migration.
34	Broad-leaved stonecrop	Sedum spathulifolium	15cm	Dry, Moist	Sun	Jun-Jul	Attracts butterflies and other pollinators	Showy, bright yellow flowers attract many pollinators including bees and butterflies. Great in rock gardens.
35	Fringecup	Tellima grandiflora	40-80cm	Moist	Partial, Shade	Apr-Jun	Attracts butterflies and other pollinators	Fragrant white flower spires are beneficial to many insects and can attract butterflies. Lovely in a shade garden.
36	Red columbine	Aquilegia formosa	40-80cm	Dry, Moist	Shade	May-Jun	Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators	A favourite of hummingbirds! Seeds are eaten by juncos, sparrows and finches. The architecture of the red flowers is something to behold.
37	False Solomon’s-seal	Maianthemum racemosum	30-100cm	Moist	Partial, Shade	Apr-Jun	Attracts pollinators	Showy white flowers and red berries enjoyed by birds. Ornamental foliage, shade-tolerant, and easy to transplant.
38	Pacific bleeding heart	Dicentra formosa	25-45cm	Moist	Partial, Shade	Feb-Jun	Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators	Rose pink flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds. Butterfly larvae browse on the lacy foliage. Perfect for a shade/partial shade area of the garden.
39	Wood Sorrel	Oxalis oregana	5-20cm	Dry, Moist	Partial, Shade	May-Jul	Attracts butterflies and other pollinators	The native shamrock! Its clover-like leaves form a carpet in the shade, and its white to pink flowers attract butterflies and native bees.
40	False lily-of-the-valley	Maianthemum dilatatum	15-25cm	Moist, Wetter	Partial, Shade	Apr-May	Attracts pollinators; fall colour	Glossy leaves and delicate white flower spires, followed by red berries in the fall. Spreads nicely in shady areas. Attracts pollinators.

This guide was created by the Fraser Valley Conservancy. The FVC, established in 1998, is a charitable land trust that works to promote the conservation and acquisition of areas with ecological and historic value in the Fraser Valley.

Guide Sponsors

Content

Claudia Schaefer of Raincoast Applied Ecology and Tamsin Baker of Tetrad Ecological Consulting, with additional content by Todd Carnahan.

Cover photo

Western Tanager eating a salmonberry: Steve Large Photography

Other photo credits:

ToddCarnahan.com – 6, 9, 14-17, 20-22, 28, 29, 32-36, 38, 39, lamium & periwinkle, bee & butterfly photos. Claudia Schaefer – 7, 12 & 24 ; Virginia Skilton – 25 & 31; Tiffany Knight – 11;
www.nwplants.com/CC-BY-SA-3.0 – 2, 3 & 37; SuperFantastic/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-2.0 – 4; John Rusk/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-2.0 – 8;
Walter Siegmund/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-2.5 – 27 Forest photo: WolfmanSF/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA-3.0

Remaining unlabelled photos: Fraser Valley Conservancy
Original Brochure Design: www.rippledesign.info

Web version: petescott.ca