What is a native plant?
A “native plant” is a tree, shrub, or perennial that has originated and occurred naturally within a landscape, before human settlement and land development. Winnipeg, Manitoba contains many native plants. These can be seen in different ecosystems mixed in with non-native species. They are a part of our prairie heritage; a reminder of the untouched wilderness that existed for millennia.
The term “non-native species” refers to plants that were imported from another region and/or zone, intentionally or otherwise. (Refer to ‘Know Your Zone‘ to learn more about Manitoba’s Hardiness Zones)
The following is a list of plants that are native to Manitoba that are commonly used in our landscaping projects:
Wild Flowers
BEAUTIFUL SUNFLOWER
BLACK EYED SUSAN
DOTTED BLAZINGSTAR
DWARF MILKWEED
GIANT HYSSOP
INDIAN PAINTBRUSH
PURPLE BONESET
MEADOW BLAZINGSTAR
NARROW LEAVED SUNFLOWER
NEW ENGLAND ASTER
Prairie Grasses
AWNED WHEATGRASS
BIG BLUESTEM
BUFFALO GRASS
CANADA WILD RYE
GREEN NEEDLE GRASS
INDIAN GRASS
JUNE GRASS
LITTLE BLUESTEM
PRAIRIE DROPSEED
SHEEP FESCUE
SWEETGRASS
SWITCH GRASS
TUFTED HAIRGRASS
Shrubs
BUFFALO BERRYBUSH
HONEYSUCKLE
DWARF FALSE INDIGO
GREY DOGWOOD
HAWTHORN
HAZELNUT
HIGHBUSH CRANBERRY
INDIGO BUSH
MOUNTAIN MAPLE
NANNYBERRY
PAGODA DOGWOOD
RED OSIER DOGWOOD
SASKATOON
SHOWY MOUNTAIN ASH
SILVERBERRY
SMOOTH SUMAC
WHITE CEDAR
WILD BLACK CURRANT
WILD PLUM
WILD RASPBERRY
For a complete list of native plants, please visit the links below.
You can purchase these and more at your local nurseries such as Jensen’s Nursery, Shelmerdine, Aubin Nurseries, Prairie Originals, and Prairie Habitats.
Staff
Sources:
http://www.prairieoriginals.com/
http://www.prairieflora.com/store/c15/Native_Prairie_Plants.html
http://www.naturenorth.com/spring/flora/nativeplt/Fnative.html