Best Native Plants for Victoria Gardens: A Local Guide

Transform your garden into a thriving, low-maintenance landscape with these carefully selected native plants. Each plant in this guide has been chosen for its beauty, adaptability, and success rate in Victoria's unique climate.

Top Native Flowering Plants

Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana)

Beautiful pink flowers in spring
Natural hedge or barrier plant
Height: 1-3 meters
Attracts pollinators and birds
Fragrant blooms
Excellent for natural barriers
Red rose hips in fall
Deer resistant

Red-Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum)

Stunning pink-red flower clusters
Early spring blooming
Height: 1-3 meters
Hummingbird magnet
Drought tolerant once established
Easy to grow
Good for partial shade areas
Natural screening plant

Common Camas (Camassia quamash)

Striking blue-purple flowers
Spring blooming bulb
Height: 30-60 cm
Historical significance
Perfect for meadow gardens
Naturalizes well
Low maintenance
Excellent in groups

Best Ground Covers

Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Excellent evergreen coverage
Red berries in fall
Height: 15-20 cm
Perfect for slopes
Drought tolerant
Year-round interest
Erosion control
Low maintenance

Coastal Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis)

White flowers in spring
Edible berries
Height: 10-15 cm
Fast spreading
Excellent soil stabilizer
Wildlife friendly
Sun to partial shade
Good for difficult areas

Outstanding Shrubs

Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)

Glossy evergreen leaves
Edible berries
Height: 1-2 meters
Year-round interest
Shade tolerant
Wildlife friendly
Natural hedge option
Low maintenance

Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)

Yellow flowers in early spring
Blue edible berries
Height: 1-2 meters
Evergreen foliage
Drought tolerant
Wildlife friendly
Deer resistant
Good for shade

Best Native Trees

Garry Oak (Quercus garryana)

Victoria's signature tree
Excellent shade tree
Height: 15-25 meters
Drought tolerant
Wildlife friendly
Historical significance
Long-lived
Low water needs

Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii)

Large white flowers
Fall color
Height: 6-20 meters
Spring and fall interest
Bird friendly
Understory tree
Natural beauty
BC's provincial flower

Perfect Plants for Problem Areas

Dry, Sunny Sites

Woolly Sunflower (Eriophyllum lanatum)
- Yellow flowers
- Drought tolerant
- Height: 30-60 cm
- Long blooming period
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- White flower clusters
- Drought resistant
- Height: 60-90 cm
- Spreads easily

Shady Areas

Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)
- Evergreen foliage
- Easy care
- Height: 60-150 cm
- Year-round interest
False Lily of the Valley (Maianthemum dilatatum)
- White flowers
- Ground cover
- Height: 15-30 cm
- Spreads well in shade

Plants for Specific Garden Goals

Privacy Screening

Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor)
- White flower cascades
- Fast growing
- Height: 2-4 meters
- Natural hedge
Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)
- White flowers
- Red berries
- Height: 2-4 meters
- Quick growing

Wildlife Gardens

Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
- White berries
- Bird friendly
- Height: 1-2 meters
- Year-round interest
Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata)
- Yellow flowers
- Black berries
- Height: 1-3 meters
- Hummingbird favorite

Planting and Care Tips

Establishment Guidelines

Plant in fall or spring
Water regularly first year
Use proper spacing
Maintain natural form
Add organic mulch

Long-term Success

Reduce water once established
Minimal pruning needed
Remove competing weeds
Monitor for health
Allow natural growth

Professional Support

Ascent Yard Care offers expert guidance for native plant gardens:

Site assessment
Plant selection
Professional installation
Maintenance plans
Ongoing care

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Custom design plans
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Local knowledge
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