Native Plants for Shade: A Toronto Master Gardeners Guide

Use of Native plants in the garden has become more important to gardeners as we consider climate change and a need for more biodiversity.

Plants are Native or Indigenous to a region if they have originated and are naturally occurring in the same region.  Wild Plants that might be thought of as “native” have been introduced from European settlers and may have become invasive over time.  English Ivy (Hedera helix) and Periwinkle (Vinca minor) are two such plants.

Native plants have adapted to our climate and soil and the insects and animals that rely on them for food and shelter.  Native plants help attract songbirds and pollinators.

They grow naturally in a particular region’s ecosystem which improves growth, provides resistance to insect and disease problems as well as protection against the effects of heat and winter stress.

In choosing native plants for your garden, climate and soil influence the types of plants that will grow naturally in your region.

Cultural Considerations

When considering purchasing native plants it is important to choose ones that have been grown locally.

Location

Consider the following light requirements in your garden when considering which plants to choose:

• Deep shade: refers to the absence of sunlight, even during the daylight periods.
• Partial Shade: is filtered light found beneath trees with high limbs. Partial shade usually offers some protection from the direct afternoon sun.
• Full Sun: refers to six to eight hours of direct sun per day.

Soil

Whether you want to plant in containers or directly in your garden you will need to consider individual soil requirements for the plants you chose to grow.  Soil types can include sand, loam, or clay or a combination.

Soil preparation is extremely important.  Add organic matter such as well-rotted manure or compost by topdressing the area to be planted. This improves moisture retention and adds nutrients without disturbing the soil structure.

Further information about improving your soil can be found in another of our Gardening Guides:

Soil Fertility: A Toronto Master Gardeners Guide

How & Where to obtain native plants

Best bets for obtaining native plants in your area include shopping at local reputable garden nurseries,  plant or seed sales at local botanical gardens and plant swaps through your local garden or native plant societies. Always ask about the source of their plants and where they have been grown.

Credit Valley Conservation (CVC.ca) lists natives by preferred habitat and provides an up-to-date list of Native Plant Nurseries in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

The following chart provides some examples of native plants for shade that can be grown in the GTA..  There are many more options available which can be found by referring to the sources listed at the bottom of this guide.

Common Name	Botanical Name	Light Requirements	Soil Requirements	Description	Comments
Bunchberry	Cornus canadensis	Part shade	Rich, acid soil or peat moss	Groundcover; white tiny flowers in summer, followed by red berries	Woodland gardens
Canada Anemone	Anemone canadensis	Part Shade-Shade	Moist sandy soil	White buttercup flowers in late spring	Spreader via underground rhizomes
Purple Coneflower	Echinacea purpurea	Sun – Part Shade	Well-drained, organically moist	Violet flowers in summer	Grows 23-35 inches; Pollinator friendly
Starry False Solomon’s Seal	Maianthemum stellaltum	Part shade-shade	Average Moisture	Star-shaped white flower in spring	Wild lily-of-the-valley
Wild Columbine	Aquilegia canadensis	Sun – Part Shade	Average soil	Yellow, red flowers in early summer	Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and bees
Wild Geranium	Geranium maculatum	Part shade	Dry to Moderate, sand or clay soil	Pink or magenta blooms,  late spring/early summer	Groundcover for shady woodland garden; attracts hummingbirds
Woodland Sunflower	Helianthus divaricatus	Part shade	Dry soil	Yellow flowers in summer	Grows 35-99 inches tall
Aster (Large-leaved)	Eurybia macrophylla	Shade	Dry soil	Large white or blue/violet flowers in summer/flall	Grows 12-24 inches tall
Buttonbush	Cephalanthus occidentalis	Shade	Moist soil	white one-inch globe-like  flowers.	Shrub Nectar source for Humming- bird moth
Highbush Cranberry	Viburnum trilobum	Shade	Moist, well-drained	clusters of whitish flowers in spring followed by red berries.	Provides shelter for birds

 

 

Resources and References:

Cullen, Mark. (with Marette Sharp) The New Canadian Garden, (2016). Dundurn, Toronto

Credit Valley Conservation 2021.  cvc.ca/resource-library

Ontario Native Plant Council (2017): Grow Me Instead.  Beautiful Non-Invasive Plants for your Garden

Ontario Wildflowers: Ontariowildflowers.com 

Urban Forestry:  How to Select and Buy Native Plants https://cvc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Fact_2_How_to_Select_and_Buy_Native_Plants.pdf

Toronto Master Gardeners’ Gardening Guide to Soil Fertility: https://www.torontomastergardeners.ca/gardeningguides/soil-fertility-a-toronto-master-gardeners-guide/

Date Prepared: February 2022