Native Plants: Why They Belong in Your Lower Mainland Garden
In recent years, the Lower Mainland has seen a growing trend towards environmentally conscious gardening, and native plants are at the forefront of the revolution. Regardless of whether you live in Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Langley, Surrey, or Mission, incorporating native plants into your landscape design is one of the most excellent decisions you can make.
From reduced water use and upkeep to increased biodiversity and natural aesthetics, native plants offer a staggering variety of benefits. If you're willing to create a yard that's low-maintenance, valuable to local wildlife, and naturally adapted to BC's unique climate, native planting is the way to go.
Let's dive into the reasons why.
What Are Native Plants?
Native plants are species that have evolved in our region over thousands of years, adapting to local climate, soil, and ecological conditions. These are the plants you’d naturally find in BC’s forests, wetlands, meadows, and mountains. Because they’ve developed alongside local birds, bees, butterflies, and fungi, they support the natural web of life more effectively than exotic or ornamental imports.
Examples of native plants in the Lower Mainland include:
Trees: Douglas fir, Western Red cedar, Bigleaf maple
Shrubs: Red-flowering currant, Oceanspray, Nootka rose, Salmonberry
Perennials & Groundcovers: Sword fern, Kinnikinnick, Douglas aster, Yarrow
Grasses & Sedges: Slough sedge, Blue wild rye, Tufted hairgrass
Most of these plants are incredibly versatile, beautiful, and surprisingly simple to maintain.
Perfectly Adapted to the Lower Mainland Climate
The Lower Mainland’s coastal climate is famous for its wet winters, high rainfall, and summer droughts, conditions that are difficult for traditional ornamental plants. Native plants, on the other hand, have evolved to thrive in just this kind of environment.
Advantages are:
Minimum or no need for pesticides or fertilizers
Greater resistance to disease and pests
Excellent performance in wet or dry soil
Reduced need for irrigation once established
With watering bans more common in dry summers in areas like Delta, Surrey, and Burnaby, native plant gardens offer a sustainable and smart option that builds long-term resilience
Benefiting Bees, Birds, and Biodiversity
Native plants offer nectar, berries, nesting materials, and habitat for BC's native wildlife.
By planting native species, you:
Give migratory birds seasonal berries and seeds to feed on
Provide cover and food for small mammals and amphibians
Restore the balance of nature by reducing the pressure of invasive species
This can be especially important in suburban and urban areas, where natural habitats are disappearing. Even a small native garden can become a biodiversity hotspot.
Minimum Maintenance = Maximum enjoyment
One of the biggest reasons homeowners love native plants is because they're easy, unlike exotic ornamentals that might have to be fertilized, pruned, sprayed, and pampered,
Native plants:
Are naturally pest-resistant
Don't require synthetic fertilizers
Thrive on seasonal pruning or no pruning at all
This translates to less effort and more time to enjoy your space. It's a perfect option for families, retirees, busy professionals, or anyone looking for a lush garden without the upkeep.
Year-Round Stunning Beauty
Native does not equal dull. BC's native plant species provide a dramatic palette of seasonal colour, texture, and blooms that compete with any cultivated garden.
Here's what a seasonal native garden might look like:
Spring: Red flowering currant, trillium, fawn lily
Summer: Douglas aster, yarrow, Nootka rose
Fall: Vine maple (fiery red foliage), snowberry (white berries)
Winter: Evergreen sword ferns, cedar and salal for structure and colour
FAQ: Native Plants in BC Landscaping
Q: Can I mix native plants with ornamental ones?
A: Definitely! Most residents mix native and non-native species. Just give your native options the right light, soil, and space. Avoid invasive species that crowd them out.
Q: Are native gardens messy or wild-looking?
A: Not always. With design consideration, native landscapes can be formal, tidy, modern, or natural. It's up to your style. Native planting is not letting your yard go wild; it's just being smart about what you plant.
Q: How long do natives take to establish?
A: Most native perennials are established within 1–2 seasons. Trees and shrubs take a little longer but give decades of beauty and benefit.
Q: Where do I buy native plants in the Lower Mainland?
A: We source native species from local reputable nurseries that specialize in native species. Avoid big box stores unless you verify species are truly native and pesticide-free.
Make Your Landscape Wildly Local!
At Oak Landscaping, we specialize in eco-friendly landscape design and installation. Starting from the ground up, replacing a lawn, or adding a pollinator patch, we work with you to create an area that's:
Beautiful
Resilient
Purposeful
Low maintenance
We'll help you select the right mix of native species, and meticulously install it all. We work across the entire Lower Mainland, from West Vancouver to White Rock, and at Oak Landscaping we are your partners in building better backyards.