Native Plants for Nova Scotia - What to Plant, and When

Black Cherry

Prunus serotina

Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Bog Blueberry

Vaccinium uliginosum

Zones 2a–6b · native to 26 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Calico Aster

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Zones 2a–7b · native to 55 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Eastern White Pine

Pinus strobus

Zones 3a–8b · native to 32 states and provinces

Giant Sunflower

Helianthus giganteus

Zones 3a–8b · native to 32 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 57 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Gray Alder

Alnus incana

Zones 3a–6b · native to 44 states and provinces

Gray Birch

Betula populifolia

Zones 3a–6b · native to 19 states and provinces

Highbush Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum

Zones 4a–7b · native to 34 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Jack Pine

Pinus banksiana

Zones 2a–6a · native to 25 states and provinces

New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Nodding Bur Marigold

Bidens cernua

Zones 3a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Northern Red Oak

Quercus rubra

Zones 3b–8a · native to 38 states and provinces

Paper Birch

Betula papyrifera

Zones 2a–7a · native to 32 states and provinces

Pin Cherry

Prunus pensylvanica

Zones 2a–6b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Pink Tickseed

Coreopsis rosea

Zones 4a–9b · native to 13 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Prairie Willow

Salix humilis

Zones 2a–8b · native to 45 states and provinces

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 6b

Quaking Aspen

Populus tremuloides

Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Zones 3a–9b · native to 40 states and provinces

Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 6b

Red Pine

Pinus resinosa

Zones 2b–6b · native to 21 states and provinces

Seaside Goldenrod

Solidago sempervirens

Zones 4a–10b · native to 23 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Sugar Maple

Acer saccharum

Zones 3a–8a · native to 42 states and provinces

Wild Aster

Symphyotrichum pilosum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 40 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6b

Allegheny Serviceberry

Amelanchier laevis

Zones 4a–8a · native to 31 states and provinces

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 6b

American Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis

Zones 2a–7b · native to 25 states and provinces

American Beech

Fagus grandifolia

Zones 3b–9a · native to 37 states and provinces

American Cranberrybush

Viburnum opulus var. americanum

Zones 2a–7b · native to 35 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

American Elm

Ulmus americana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces

American Spurred Gentian

Halenia deflexa

Zones 2a–7b · native to 23 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

American White Water Lily

Nymphaea odorata

Zones 3a–11b · native to 56 states and provinces

Blooms May – Aug in zone 6b

American Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces

Blooms Sep – Dec in zone 6b

Arrowwood Viburnum

Viburnum dentatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

Balsam Fir

Abies balsamea

Zones 3a–6a · native to 22 states and provinces

Bartram's Serviceberry

Amelanchier bartramiana

Zones 3a–6b · native to 20 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Beaujolais Fringed Loosestrife

Lysimachia ciliata 'Beaujolais'

Zones 3a–8b · native to 53 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Black Ash

Fraxinus nigra

Zones 2b–6b · native to 24 states and provinces

Black Chokeberry

Aronia melanocarpa

Zones 3a–8b · native to 31 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Black Crowberry

Empetrum nigrum

Zones 2a–6b · native to 22 states and provinces

Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Blue Cohosh

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Zones 3a–8a · native to 39 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Blue Elderberry

Sambucus mexicana

Zones 6a–10b · native to 14 states and provinces

Blooms May – Aug in zone 6b

Blue Vervain

Verbena hastata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Bluebead Lily

Clintonia borealis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 28 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

Bluejoint

Calamagrostis canadensis

Zones 2a–7b · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Broadleaf Arrowhead

Sagittaria latifolia

Zones 3a–10b · native to 50 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Broadleaf Cattail

Typha latifolia

Zones 3a–10b · native to 60 states and provinces

Bulblet Bladder Fern

Cystopteris bulbifera

Zones 3a–8a · native to 34 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6b

Bunchberry

Cornus canadensis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 40 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Zones 5a–9b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Canada Lily

Lilium canadense

Zones 3a–8b · native to 23 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Canada Wild Rye

Elymus canadensis

Zones 3a–9b · native to 46 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Canadian Burnet

Sanguisorba canadensis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 29 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Dec in zone 6b

Canadian Hemlock

Tsuga canadensis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 30 states and provinces

Carolina Rose

Rosa carolina

Zones 4a–9b · native to 42 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces

Blooms Feb – Oct in zone 6b

Cloudberry

Rubus chamaemorus

Zones 2a–6a · native to 17 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

Common Bladderwort

Utricularia macrorhiza

Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Common Butterwort

Pinguicula vulgaris

Zones 2a–7b · native to 24 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Common Evening Primrose

Oenothera biennis

Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces

Blooms May – Oct in zone 6b

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Creeping Juniper

Juniperus horizontalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 28 states and provinces

Deceitful Pussytoes

Antennaria parlinii ssp. fallax

Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Doll's Eyes

Actaea pachypoda

Zones 3a–8a · native to 31 states and provinces

Blooms May – May in zone 6b

Downy Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea

Zones 4a–9a · native to 40 states and provinces

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 6b

Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

False Solomon's Seal

Maianthemum racemosum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Fireweed

Chamerion angustifolium

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Florida Sundew

Drosera filiformis var. floridana

Zones 8a–10b · native to 2 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Ghost Pipe

Monotropa uniflora

Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6b

Golden Alexander

Zizia aurea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Golden Ragwort

Packera aurea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Green Ash

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Zones 3a–9a · native to 47 states and provinces

Groundsel Tree

Baccharis halimifolia

Zones 5a–9b · native to 20 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6b

Hairy Sweet Cicely

Osmorhiza claytonii

Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Harebell

Campanula rotundifolia

Zones 2a–7b · native to 49 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Hay-scented Fern

Dennstaedtia punctilobula

Zones 3a–8a · native to 32 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6b

Horsetail

Equisetum hyemale

Zones 3a–11b · native to 61 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Apr in zone 6b

Inkberry

Ilex glabra

Zones 4a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces

Intermediate Serviceberry

Amelanchier intermedia

Zones 3a–7a · native to 19 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Juniper Bush

Juniperus communis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 49 states and provinces

Kinnikinnick

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Zones 2a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum pedatum

Zones 3a–8a · native to 35 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6b

Marsh Marigold

Caltha palustris

Zones 3a–7b · native to 41 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Mayapple

Podophyllum peltatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Moss Campion

Silene acaulis

Zones 1a–6b · native to 24 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Nantucket Serviceberry

Amelanchier nantucketensis

Zones 4a–7b · native to 12 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius

Zones 2b–7b · native to 38 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Northern Bayberry

Morella pensylvanica

Zones 3a–7b · native to 20 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Northern Bush Honeysuckle

Diervilla lonicera

Zones 3a–7b · native to 32 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Pagoda Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia

Zones 3a–7b · native to 37 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Pearly Everlasting

Anaphalis margaritacea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 45 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Pickerelweed

Pontederia cordata

Zones 3a–10b · native to 38 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 6b

Purple Mountain Saxifrage

Saxifraga oppositifolia

Zones 1a–6b · native to 21 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Purple Pitcher Plant

Sarracenia purpurea

Zones 3a–9b · native to 39 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Red Elderberry

Sambucus racemosa

Zones 3a–7b · native to 44 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Red Fescue

Festuca rubra

Zones 2a–8b · native to 26 states and provinces

Red-twig Dogwood

Cornus sericea

Zones 2a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Round-leaved Dogwood

Cornus rugosa

Zones 3a–7b · native to 25 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Round-lobed Hepatica

Hepatica americana

Zones 3a–8a · native to 34 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Running Serviceberry

Amelanchier spicata

Zones 2a–6b · native to 19 states and provinces

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 6b

Seersucker Sedge

Carex plantaginea

Zones 3a–8a · native to 29 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Serviceberry

Amelanchier canadensis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 6b

Sherry Sue Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia 'Sherry Sue'

Zones 3a–9a · native to 23 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Shrubby Cinquefoil

Dasiphora fruticosa

Zones 2a–7b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms May – Aug in zone 6b

Soft Rush

Juncus effusus

Zones 4a–9b · native to 55 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Spotted Joe Pye Weed

Eutrochium maculatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 46 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia

Zones 3a–9a · native to 23 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Sundrops

Oenothera fruticosa

Zones 4a–8b · native to 30 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

Zones 3a–9a · native to 45 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Sweet Everlasting

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium

Zones 3a–9b · native to 41 states and provinces

Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 6b

Sweet Fern

Comptonia peregrina

Zones 2a–6b · native to 30 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Sweet Flag

Acorus americanus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 41 states and provinces

Switchgrass 'Cheyenne Sky'

Panicum virgatum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'

Panicum virgatum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Switchgrass 'Smoking Gun'

Panicum virgatum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Tall Thimbleweed

Anemone virginiana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 46 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Tamarack

Larix laricina

Zones 2a–5b · native to 28 states and provinces

Trillium

Trillium grandiflorum

Zones 3a–7b · native to 34 states and provinces

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Tufted Hairgrass

Deschampsia cespitosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 43 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Turtlehead

Chelone glabra

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Twinflower

Linnaea borealis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 35 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Virgin's Bower Clematis

Clematis virginiana

Zones 3a–9b · native to 40 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Virginia Strawberry

Fragaria virginiana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Western Dog Violet

Viola adunca

Zones 2a–8b · native to 35 states and provinces

Blooms Feb – May in zone 6b

White Ash

Fraxinus americana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states and provinces

White Fireweed

Chamaenerion angustifolium 'Album'

Zones 2a–7b · native to 31 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

White Snakeroot

Ageratina altissima

Zones 3a–8b · native to 30 states and provinces

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6b

White Spruce

Picea glauca

Zones 2a–6b · native to 27 states and provinces

Wild Leek

Allium tricoccum

Zones 3a–7b · native to 32 states and provinces

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Wild Raisin

Viburnum cassinoides

Zones 3a–8a · native to 30 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

Wild Strawberry

Fragaria vesca

Zones 3b–9a · native to 50 states and provinces

Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 6b

Direct-sow ~10 wks after your last spring frost

Winterberry

Ilex verticillata

Zones 3a–9a · native to 35 states and provinces

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b