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Native range

Native plants of Ontario

46 wild species and 18 plant groups in the BloomsEye library grow wild somewhere in Ontario, read from Kew's World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS. The 103 garden forms of them are listed apart below, each naming its wild parent.

Showing 1 to 60 of 64 plants

How this list is made

Derived from each plant's native-range record, checked against Kew's World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS with every decision on a ledger; Ontario is read off the record's own range, and the order is how many of the record's areas each plant reaches, then by name, as stored in the BloomsEye library, which was written with AI assistance. Of these 64 plants, 50 have been checked against outside sources (1 fully verified); the rest have not been checked yet, and each plant's own page says which. The cards are AI-generated illustrations.

Range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 4.0, adapted) and USDA PLANTS. How the native range is credited.

American Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Full sunZones 3–98.5 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Anise Hyssop
Agastache
Full sunZones 5–93 ftLow
Appalachian Sedge
Carex appalachica
Part shadeZones 3–88 inLow
Foliage
Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis
Full sunZones 3–820 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Black Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa
Full sunZones 3–85 ftModerate
Bunchberry
Cornus canadensis
Part shadeZones 2–68 inModerate
Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
Full sunZones 3–92 ftLow
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Full sunZones 5–98.5 ftModerate
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Part sunZones 3–93.5 ftHigh
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Carolina Rose
Rosa carolina
Full sunZones 4–93.5 ftModerate
Celandine Poppy
Chelidonium diphyllum
Part shadeZones 4–91.5 ftModerate
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Full sunZones 4–812 inModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Foliage
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Full shadeZones 3–91.5 ftModerate
Foliage
Cinnamon Fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Part shadeZones 3–93.5 ftHigh
Creeping Phlox
Phlox subulata
Full sunZones 3–96 inLow
Foliage
Eastern Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
Part shadeZones 3–749 ftModerate
Eastern Red Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Part shadeZones 3–82 ftModerate
Foliage
Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus
Full sunZones 3–859 ftModerate
False Sunflower
Heliopsis
Full sunZones 3–94 ftModerate
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
Part shadeZones 5–923 ftModerate
Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
Full sunZones 3–94.5 ftLow
Hardy Hibiscus
Hibiscus moscheutos
Full sunZones 5–94 ftHigh
Kalm's St. John's Wort
Hypericum kalmianum
Full sunZones 4–72.5 ftModerate
Foliage
Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Part shadeZones 4–82.5 ftModerate
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Full sunZones 3–93.5 ftLow
Foliage
Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum
Full shadeZones 3–81.5 ftHigh
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Full sunZones 3–84 ftModerate
Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Full sunZones 3–76.5 ftModerate
Northern Blue Flag Iris
Iris versicolor
Full sunZones 3–92.5 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Foliage
Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Part shadeZones 3–74 ftHigh
Palm Sedge
Carex muskingumensis
Part sunZones 4–92.5 ftModerate
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Part shadeZones 3–88 inLow
Pink Dogwood
Cornus florida var. rubra
Part shadeZones 5–920 ftModerate
Potentilla
Potentilla fruticosa
Full sunZones 2–73 ftLow
Prairie Smoke
Geum triflorum
Full sunZones 3–71.5 ftLow
Foliage
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
Full sunZones 3–949 ftModerate
Foliage
Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis
Part shadeZones 3–94 ftHigh
Sea Thrift
Armeria maritima
Full sunZones 4–88 inLow
Shrubby St. John's Wort
Hypericum prolificum
Full sunZones 4–83 ftModerate
Staghorn Sumac
Rhus typhina
Full sunZones 4–820 ftLow
Foliage
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Full sunZones 3–859 ftModerate
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Full sunZones 4–95 ftLow
Tulip Tree
Liriodendron tulipifera
Full sunZones 4–966 ftModerate
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
Part shadeZones 3–81.5 ftModerate
Foliage
Wild Ginger
Asarum
Full shadeZones 4–86 inModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Winterberry
Ilex verticillata
Full sunZones 3–96.5 ftHigh
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Goldenrod
Solidago
Full sunZones 3–93 ftLow
Aster
Symphyotrichum
Full sunZones 3–83 ftModerate
Perennial Sunflower
Helianthus
Full sunZones 4–95 ftModerate
Serviceberry
Amelanchier
Part sunZones 4–820 ftModerate
Trillium
Trillium
Full shadeZones 4–812 inModerate
Bee Balm
Monarda
Full sunZones 3–93 ftModerate
Blazing Star
Liatris
Full sunZones 3–93 ftLow
Penstemon
Penstemon
Full sunZones 3–82.5 ftLow
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia
Full sunZones 3–92.5 ftLow
Coreopsis
Coreopsis
Full sunZones 4–92 ftLow
Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium
Full sunZones 4–96 ftHigh
False Indigo
Baptisia
Full sunZones 3–93.5 ftLow
Listed as toxic to cats
Foam Flower
Tiarella
Part shadeZones 3–812 inModerate
Ironweed
Vernonia
Full sunZones 4–95 ftModerate

Garden forms of Ontario natives

103 garden forms, each a named selection of a species that grows wild in Ontario and each naming its wild parent. A garden form is not the wild plant, so it is listed here and never counted above.

  • Abbotswood

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Abbotswood' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Adams Elderberry

    Sambucus canadensis 'Adams' · Garden form of American Elderberry

  • Alba Gayfeather

    Liatris spicata 'Alba' · Garden form of Liatris spicata

  • Alma Pötschke

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Alma Pötschke' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • Alpine Carpet Juniper

    Juniperus communis 'Mondap' · Garden form of Juniperus communis

  • Amazing Grace

    Phlox subulata 'Amazing Grace' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Amber Jubilee

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Jefam' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Aquavita Juniper

    Juniperus virginiana 'FARROWJVBF' · Garden form of Juniperus virginiana

  • Arctic Fire Red Twig Dogwood

    Cornus sericea 'Farrow' · Garden form of Cornus sericea

  • Arctic Fire Yellow Dogwood

    Cornus sericea 'SMNCSBD' · Garden form of Cornus sericea

  • Athena Gold False Sunflower

    Heliopsis helianthoides 'Inhelsogia' · Garden form of False Sunflower

  • Autumn Colors

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Autumn Colors' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Baby Joe Dwarf Joe Pye Weed

    Eutrochium purpureum 'Baby Joe' · Garden form of Eutrochium purpureum

  • Bailey Compact American Cranberrybush

    Viburnum opulus var. americanum 'Bailey Compact' · Garden form of Viburnum trilobum

  • Balmy Purple

    Monarda didyma 'Balbalmurp' · Garden form of Monarda didyma

  • Bar Harbor Juniper

    Juniperus horizontalis 'Bar Harbor' · Garden form of Juniperus horizontalis

  • Berry Heavy

    Ilex verticillata 'Spravy' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Berry Poppins

    Ilex verticillata 'FarrowBPop' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Berry Scape Aronia

    Aronia arbutifolia 'UCONNAA001' · Garden form of Aronia arbutifolia

  • Black Hills Spruce

    Picea glauca 'Densata' · Garden form of Picea laxa

  • Blackhawks Big Bluestem

    Andropogon gerardi 'Blackhawks' · Garden form of Andropogon gerardi

  • Blaze

    Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blaze' · Garden form of Little Bluestem

  • Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass

    Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' · Garden form of Bouteloua gracilis

  • Blue Chip Juniper

    Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip' · Garden form of Juniperus horizontalis

  • Blue Moon Woodland Phlox

    Phlox divaricata 'Blue Moon' · Garden form of Phlox divaricata

  • Blue Rug Juniper

    Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii' · Garden form of Juniperus horizontalis

  • Bobee Northern Bayberry

    Myrica pensylvanica 'Bobzam' · Garden form of Myrica pensylvanica

  • Candy Stripe

    Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Cheer Drops Arborvitae

    Thuja occidentalis 'Smntdgt' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Cherokee Brave

    Cornus florida 'Cherokee Brave' · Garden form of Flowering Dogwood

  • Cherokee Chief

    Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief' · Garden form of Flowering Dogwood

  • Cherokee Princess

    Cornus florida 'Cherokee Princess' · Garden form of Flowering Dogwood

  • Cherry Berries Wintergreen

    Gaultheria procumbens 'Gaulsidh5' · Garden form of Gaultheria procumbens

  • Cherry Brandy

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Claire Grace

    Monarda fistulosa 'Claire Grace' · Garden form of Monarda fistulosa

  • Cloud Nine

    Cornus florida 'Cloud Nine' · Garden form of Flowering Dogwood

  • Cobalt-n-Gold Hypericum

    Hypericum kalmianum 'Piihyp-I' · Garden form of Kalm's St. John's Wort

  • Columnar White Pine

    Pinus strobus 'Fastigiata' · Garden form of Eastern White Pine

  • Coppertina

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Mindia' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Danica

    Thuja occidentalis 'Danica' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • DeGroot's Spire

    Thuja occidentalis 'DeGroot's Spire' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Denver Daisy

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Denver Daisy' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Diabolo

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Drummond's Pink

    Phlox subulata 'Drummond's Pink' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Dwarf Alberta Spruce

    Picea glauca 'Conica' · Garden form of Picea laxa

  • Dwarf White Pine

    Pinus strobus 'Nana' · Garden form of Eastern White Pine

  • Emerald Blue

    Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Emerald Green

    Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Emerald Pink

    Phlox subulata 'Emerald Pink' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Fire Chief

    Thuja occidentalis 'Fire Chief' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Gentsch White

    Tsuga canadensis 'Gentsch White' · Garden form of Eastern Hemlock

  • Golden Globe

    Thuja occidentalis 'Golden Globe' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Goldfinger

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Goldilocks

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Grand Marshall

    Monarda didyma 'Grand Marshall' · Garden form of Monarda didyma

  • Gro-Low Fragrant Sumac

    Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' · Garden form of Fragrant Sumac

  • Happy Face Yellow

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Happy Face Yellow' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Heavy Metal

    Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' · Garden form of Switchgrass

  • Holmstrup

    Thuja occidentalis 'Holmstrup' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Indian Summer

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Jeddeloh Hemlock

    Tsuga canadensis 'Jeddeloh' · Garden form of Eastern Hemlock

  • Lemony Lace Elderberry

    Sambucus racemosa 'SMNSRD4' · Garden form of Sambucus racemosa

  • Little Devil

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Luna Pink Swirl

    Hibiscus moscheutos 'Luna Pink Swirl' · Garden form of Hardy Hibiscus

  • Luna White

    Hibiscus moscheutos 'Luna White' · Garden form of Hardy Hibiscus

  • Mango Tango

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Mango Tango' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • McKay's White

    Potentilla fruticosa 'McKay's White' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • New England Aster 'Barr's Pink'

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Barr's Pink' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • New England Aster 'Harrington's Pink'

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Harrington's Pink' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • Northwind

    Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' · Garden form of Switchgrass

  • Nugget

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Nugget' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Orange Whisper

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Orange Whisper' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Pardon My Purple

    Monarda didyma 'Pardon My Purple' · Garden form of Monarda didyma

  • Pink Beauty

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Beauty' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Pink Whisper

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Whisper' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Prairie Sun

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Prairie Sun' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Purple Beauty

    Phlox subulata 'Purple Beauty' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Purple Dome

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • Purple Rooster

    Monarda 'Purple Rooster' · Garden form of Monarda didyma

  • Red Ace

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Red Ace' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Red Sprite

    Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Red Wings

    Phlox subulata 'Red Wings' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Regent Serviceberry

    Amelanchier alnifolia 'Regent' · Garden form of Amelanchier alnifolia

  • Rheingold

    Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Royal White Redbud

    Cercis canadensis f. alba 'Royal White' · Garden form of Cercis canadensis subsp. canadensis

  • Scarlet Flame

    Phlox subulata 'Scarlet Flame' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Shenandoah

    Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' · Garden form of Switchgrass

  • Snow Flurry

    Symphyotrichum ericoides 'Snow Flurry' · Garden form of Symphyotrichum ericoides

  • Sugar Buzz Cherry Pops

    Monarda didyma 'Cherry Pops' · Garden form of Monarda didyma

  • Sugar Shack Buttonbush

    Cephalanthus occidentalis 'SMCOSS' · Garden form of Buttonbush

  • Summer Wine

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Sunny Boulevard St. John's Wort

    Hypericum kalmianum 'Deppe' · Garden form of Kalm's St. John's Wort

  • Tangerine

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Tangerine' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Techny

    Thuja occidentalis 'Techny' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Tiger Eyes Sumac

    Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger' · Garden form of Staghorn Sumac

  • Tiny Wine

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'SMNPOTW' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Toto Gold

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Toto Gold' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Twilight Zone

    Schizachyrium scoparium 'Twilight Zone' · Garden form of Little Bluestem

  • Weeping Hemlock

    Tsuga canadensis 'Sargentii' · Garden form of Eastern Hemlock

  • Weeping White Pine

    Pinus strobus 'Pendula' · Garden form of Eastern White Pine

  • White Delight

    Phlox subulata 'White Delight' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Winter Gold

    Ilex verticillata 'Winter Gold' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Winter Red

    Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red' · Garden form of Winterberry

Plant groups native to Ontario

18 plant groups sold under one name whose wild species grow in Ontario; the count beside each is how many of its wild species the record finds in the province.

Keep exploring

Every state and provinceNative to North AmericaAll plants

Growing natives in Ontario

This list is the library's cut of Ontario's flora, not a planting guide. For sources, plant sales and local advice, Ontario has its own native plant society, the North American Native Plant Society (based in Toronto), and its Master Gardeners, Master Gardeners of Ontario; both are linked below and neither is connected to BloomsEye.

Native to your own county

This page is the whole province. In the free garden planner, Garden Check lists these same plants for your location and places any of them in your plan; its Browse tab answers for any of the 65 states, provinces and territories with no account.

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