PLANTS FOR MONARCH AWARD GARDENS

Native Plants

Native plants are plants that have evolved and adapted to a specific area’s local climate, soil, and weather conditions. This process took thousands of years without human introduction. They have co-evolved relationships with native animals, insects, and other plants.

Visit: Ontario Nature.org
Visit: Ontario Nature.org
Visit: Ontario Nature.org
Visit: Ontario Nature.org

Keystone Plants

Keystone native plants play a critical role in their ecosystems, acting as essential support systems for biodiversity. These plants provide food, shelter, and habitat for a vast range of insects, birds, and animals, ensuring healthy populations and balanced ecosystems. Losing keystone plants can trigger a ripple effect, leading to declining insect numbers, fewer pollinators, and reduced food sources for wildlife, ultimately disrupting the food web.

The following lists are from the National Wildlife Federation – Garden for Wildlife. These lists represent the Keystone Native Plants for Eastern Temperate Forests – Ecoregion 8.

Host Plants

Host plants are native plants that butterflies and moths rely on to lay their eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the caterpillars feed on these plants to grow and develop. Each butterfly or moth species often has specific host plants it needs. For example, monarch butterflies only lay their eggs on milkweed (Asclepias) plants because their caterpillars can only eat milkweed leaves. Without the right host plants, these insects can’t complete their life cycle. Planting native host plants in your garden helps support butterflies, moths, and other wildlife. It also benefits birds, as many feed their young with caterpillars. By choosing the right plants, you can create a garden that supports the entire life cycle of these important insects.

Video: Garden Facelift: Do the Renew (Host Plants)

Native Plants for Site Conditions in Our Region

Native Plant List – Healthy Landscapes – City of Guelph

Planning a Wildlife Garden – In the Zone

Four Seasons of Wildlife Gardening – In the Zone

Carolinian Zone – In The Zone

The Hamilton and Halton areas are located within the Lake Erie Lowlands Ecozone – (David Suzuki Foundation .attached below). These plants are great choices for Monarch Award gardens!

Native Plants in First Season

Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the plants from the little seedlings emerging in their first season or in early spring. These photos are a great resource and they were compiled by Bev Wagar, former Hamilton resident, Crown Point Garden Club, Master Gardener and founder of the the Monarch Awards.