Water-efficient and native plant lists
Water-efficient Plants
You can use a variety of water-efficient plants to grow beautiful gardens that require little water and:
- Are hardy and beautiful.
- Are low-maintenance.
- Are attractive and colourful.
- Are drought tolerant.
- Provide ground cover in a variety of locations.
- Attract birds and butterflies.
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- Provide shade and privacy.
- Act as a wind break.
Once established, these plants only need rain to thrive.
Water-efficient plant lists
Plant list: Native
Toronto’s native plants
- Encourage biodiversity
- Natural and beautiful
- No need for pesticides
- Low-maintenance
- Drought tolerant
Attracting wildlife
Toronto's native plants provide shelter and food for birds and butterflies. Encourage these guests with some local favourites:
- Bee Balm
- Big Blue Stem
- Black-eyed Susan
- butterfly Milkweed
- Columbine
- False Sunflower
- Lance-leaved Coreopsis
- Purple Coneflower
- Hyssop
- New England Aster
- Wild Bergamont
Let nature work for you
Native wildflowers are perennials or self-seeding, which means you will not have to replace them every year. Native wildflowers are also adapted to our local climate and soils. This means that you will save time, money and effort by not having to rake leaves, water or fertilize your naturalized garden.
Tip
Use Native Plants
Native plants can help preserve our special ecosystems. Ecosystems are communities of plants and animals, including the physical environment they inhabit. You can contribute to your local ecosystem by growing native plants. Toronto’s native plants can help preserve our natural heritage. Plants, insects and wildlife have existed together in Southern Ontario for thousands of years. Toronto’s native plants provide shelter and food for birds and butterflies, without the need for pesticides. Native wildflowers are perennials or self-seeding, which means you will not have to replace them every year. They are also adapted to our climate, which means less time, money and effort on maintenance.
Navtive plant lists
Toronto’s native plants can help preserve our natural heritage. Plants, insects and wildlife have existed together in Southern Ontario for thousands of years.