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How to Choose Native Plants for Your PEI Property

Red Earth Restoration resource article

Choose native plants by matching them with the conditions on your property. Sunlight, soil moisture, drainage, wind, salt exposure, available space and the purpose of the planting will narrow the options before a particular species is considered.

What Do You Want the Planting to Do?

Begin with the reason for planting the area. A property owner may want more shade, shelter from wind, support for pollinators, a more attractive garden, help with a wet area or native vegetation suited to part of the property.

One planting may have several goals, but naming the main one makes the first decisions easier. A plant chosen for a dry garden beside a house may need different conditions than one used in a wet area or an exposed coastal site.

The Government of Prince Edward Island's tree and shrub resources organize plant selection around both the site and the intended use. The province identifies uses that include shade, wind buffers, wildlife habitat, soil stabilization and restoration.

How Much Sun Does the Area Receive?

Check the light at different points during the day. A spot that appears shaded in the morning may receive several hours of direct afternoon sun, while an area beside a building may stay shaded much longer than expected.

Record whether the planting area is mostly sunny, partly shaded or mostly shaded. If nearby trees or buildings affect the light, include that information too.

PEI's plant-selection tool separates species by full sun, partial shade and shade. Using the existing light conditions is more useful than choosing a plant first and trying to make the site suit it.

Is the Soil Usually Dry, Moist or Wet?

Soil moisture affects which plants are likely to fit the site. Check the area after rain and again during a dry stretch. Look for water that remains on the surface, soil that stays damp or a spot that dries faster than the rest of the property.

Drainage and moisture are related, but they are not identical. A site may receive plenty of water and still drain quickly, while another area may remain wet because water moves through the soil slowly.

The PEI tree and shrub tool includes preferences and tolerances for moist soil, sandy soil, clay, drought, wet conditions and drainage. A nursery enquiry should describe what the site does through the season rather than relying on one observation.

How Exposed Is the Property to Wind or Salt?

Wind and salt exposure should be identified before plants are selected for an exposed PEI property. The provincial plant-selection tool includes separate filters for plants that tolerate windy conditions and salt conditions.

Notice whether the area is open to prevailing winds, protected by buildings or trees, or close enough to salt water to receive salt spray. Conditions may also vary across the same property. A sheltered area beside the house can be different from an open yard or shoreline.

Coastal properties need a closer site-specific review. A plant being native to PEI does not mean it is suited to every Island shoreline or every level of exposure.

How Much Space Is Available?

Measure the approximate width and length of the planting area before buying plants. Also note nearby buildings, paths, utility lines, existing trees and anything else that limits the space.

Plant references may give the expected height, spread and preferred growing conditions for a species. Those figures help determine whether the plant fits the available area without assuming that every individual plant will grow to exactly the same size.

For a larger planting, a simple sketch can show the dimensions, existing vegetation and main features of the property. It does not need to be a finished plan.

How Can You Confirm That a Plant Is Native to PEI?

Check the scientific name and compare it with a PEI-specific source. Common names can vary, and a plant described as native somewhere in Canada may not be native to Prince Edward Island.

The PEI Invasive Species Council recommends looking for its native plant tag when shopping. It also directs Islanders to the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre, which maintains provincial plant records for PEI.

The Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre's Illustrated Flora of Prince Edward Island can also help identify vascular plants found on the Island. Identification should be confirmed before treating an unknown plant as native, exotic or invasive.

What Information Should You Send With a Nursery Enquiry?

A useful enquiry describes the site before asking for a recommendation. Include:

  • The community or property location
  • Whether the area is sunny, partly shaded or mostly shaded
  • Whether the soil is usually dry, moist or wet
  • Any strong wind or salt exposure
  • The approximate size of the area
  • The main goal for the planting
  • The preferred planting time
  • A photo of the area, if available

You do not need to know the plant's name. Red Earth can review the conditions and what you hope to accomplish before discussing possible plants or next steps. Suitability and availability are confirmed only after the enquiry is reviewed.

Ask Red Earth About Native Plants

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