What to Plant This Spring

Spring planting is a game of patience and timing. Your last frost date varies by region — mid-May for southern Ontario, late May for the Prairies, earlier on the BC coast — but soil temperatures, microclimates, and species hardiness all play a role in when you can safely get native plants in the ground.

Know Your Frost Dates

Canada spans hardiness zones 0a to 9a. Coastal BC is the mildest (zones 8-9), followed by southern Ontario and the Niagara region (zones 6-7), while the Prairies and northern regions are cooler (zones 2-4). This means your planting window can differ by several weeks depending on where you live.

For most native perennials, soil temperature matters more than air temperature. Wait until the ground is consistently above 10°C before planting — usually late April for established native species, mid-May for tender seedlings.

Early Spring Bloomers (March - April)

These species are adapted to bloom before the tree canopy leafs out, taking advantage of early spring sunlight:

• Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) — One of the first native wildflowers to bloom. White flowers appear in March-April before leaves fully unfurl. Plant in rich, moist woodland soil.
• Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica) — Bell-shaped blue flowers in April. Goes dormant by summer, so pair with ferns or other shade plants that fill in later.

Mid-Spring Planting (April - May)

As the soil warms, you can start planting hardier native perennials:

• Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) — Plant in April once soil is workable. Red and yellow flowers attract the first hummingbirds returning from migration.
• Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) — Excellent shade groundcover. Plant in moist, humus-rich soil. Heart-shaped leaves form a dense carpet by summer.

Soil Preparation Tips

Native plants are adapted to local soil conditions, so you usually don't need to amend heavily. However, a few basics help:

• Remove competing turf grass from the planting area — native seedlings can't compete with established lawn
• Add a thin layer (2-3 cm) of leaf mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
• Avoid fertilizer — most native plants prefer lean soil and too much nitrogen favours weeds
• Water deeply after planting, then let rain do the work once established

Track Your Progress

Log your spring plantings on Hortus as you go. Your bloom calendar will update automatically, showing when each species is expected to flower. Over time, you'll see how your garden fills seasonal gaps and supports pollinators from early spring through late fall.