The Basics on Plant Types

Native plants come in various forms or types, which are frequently referenced on this website and in other materials. Knowing and understanding the basic concepts behind these plant types can help you plan a garden or maximize existing space with complementary choices.

Plant Types

Trees

Trees are generally considered to be woody perennial plants that grow to a height of 3.5 to 4.5 m (~12 to 15 feet). They typically have a single stem but some may be multi-stemmed. There’s no scientific consensus on what defines a tree, but this is a general description from Trees in Canada (2017) that I’ve added to.

Trees provide numerous ecological services and benefits, from providing shade and wind protection to habitat and food sources for innumerous species. In fact, planting a single oak tree can support hundreds of different species of insects, birds, and mammals.

In the landscape, trees provide height and distant views; they can provide winter interest, year round colour, and brilliant seasonal shifts.

Shrubs

Shrubs are best described as woody perennials that aren’t trees; they’re multi-stemmed woody perennial plants that grow less than 4.5 meters (~15 feet).

Shrubs provide habitat and food sources to wildlife, erosion control, are frequently used as hedges, and with varying heights, forms, and colours, they can play a big role in balancing a garden.

Perennials

A perennial is a plant that goes dormant through winter and re-emerges in spring; they may be self-seeding, meaning the plant itself does not survive winter but replaces itself through its typical lifecycle. Perennials may be herbaceous or woody. Many native flowering plants are perennials.

Perennials are a great staple that can provide food source for wildlife and birds, pollen and habitat to insects, and provide seasonal colour and texture for your garden.

Annuals

An annual is a plant that does not survive the winter season. They are often used decoratively in baskets or in garden edges. They are not included as a plant type in the database but are frequently referenced by gardening websites and books.

Grasses and Sedges

These typically tall, textured plants are common in drought-tolerant gardens and used for soil restoration or erosion control, thanks to their deep roots. In a native garden, grasses and sedges provide texture, movement, and winter interest.

Seed heads from grasses are important food sources for wildlife, birds and insects. The height of grasses provide habitat and cover for many species. It also helps add mid-to-high height points in a landscape design.

Vines

Woody or herbaceous perennials that use unique root and leaf structure to cling to objects, vines are great plants to add vertical interest and often succeed in containers or small spaces. The berries and flowers of native plants are of importance to wildlife, birds, and pollinators, and offer various leaf and flower structures for a great aesthetic.

Be careful – some vines can damage infrastructure with their aggressive growth habits.

Ferns and Groundcovers

Often excelling in landscapes with lots of shade, ferns are an important ecological species that provide food sources and habitat to numerous wildlife, bird and insect species. Their interesting textures provide great interest to native gardens and have varying heights from low to medium.

Groundcovers are generally plants that have a low-lying growth habit and spread outwards, effectively covering the ground.