Explore our comprehensive database of plant profiles, curated to help you identify and understand various plant species. Each profile provides detailed information about growth characteristics, habitat, and ecological significance, landscape uses, and more.
To search for a plant by name, start typing it in the search field at the top of the catalogue. The Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library uses VASCAN to determine the correct names of species. We only accept species native to Ontario, as determined by VASCAN. As a result, the catalogue only includes plants that are determined by VASCAN as native to Ontario.
Use the filters and search options to find specific plants or browse through our categories to discover new species. Note the filters stack, meaning that if filters for Full Sun and Full Shade are selected, only plants that do well in both Full Sun and Full Shade conditions will appear; plants that only do well in one or the other will not. To remove all the filters, click on the “Reset Filters” button. To see the full inventory, click on the “Show all plants” button.
From the catalogue, click on any plant profile to view detailed information, images, and ecological data.
If you'd like a summary of your filtered search, click on the “Export to CSV” button at the top of the Catalogue to download a summary of the currently filtered plants.
If you have any questions, suggestions or found an error, please reach us at catalogue@wildflowerseedlibrary.ca. We also welcome any high resolution pictures you might have of the species in the catalogue. Thanks for your help!
Full Sun:
More than 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
Part Shade:
Between 3 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
Full Shade:
Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight daily
Dry:
Water runs through after rainfall
Medium:
Water is retained but not soggy
Wet:
Stays damp all year
Beginner Friendly:
Suitable for novice gardeners
Does not Spread:
Plants will remain at the same place in the garden
Easy to Germinate:
Indicates if the plant is easy to germinate from seeds
Self-Seeding:
Plants that will produce seeds abundantly resulting in new plants
Starter Packs provide ideas for plants that go well together in the specified conditions (e.g. Shade, Sun Dry, Sun Wet)
This section includes information on the expected growth, life span and soil tolerances.
While exact heights and widths will vary, this section gives the typically observed maximums for the plant.
Max Height (feet)
Max Width (feet)
While exact bloom times will vary, this section gives the months blooms are typically observed for the plant.
Provides the dominant bloom colour of a plant.
Conifer Tree
Deciduous Tree
Flowering Plant
Grass
Shrub
Vine
Acidic Soil Tolerant:
Can thrive in acidic soil conditions
Limestone Tolerant:
Can thrive in limestone soil conditions
Sand Tolerant:
Can thrive in sandy soil conditions
While exact harvest times will vary, this section gives the months the plants can usually be harvested.
Indicates the minimum amount of Cold Moist Stratification required, as well as the corresponding month in Ottawa. See Winter Sowing Requirements for more information about winter sowing.
This section confirms if the seeds are accepted by the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library for donation, as well as if the seeds are available to be requested.
Show seeds accepted for donations - if you are looking to donate seeds and do not see the species when this filter is applied, we have reached sufficient inventory of these seeds.
This section indicates if the plants will be suitable to the conditions present in the specified garden type
Boulevard Garden:
Can thrive in salted, dry, sunny gardens
Container Garden:
Can be grown and left in containers all year round
Rain Garden:
Can thrive in wet and dry conditions
Right of Way (ROW) Garden:
Can thrive near roadways, tolerates salt and is below 2 feet
tall
Rock Garden:
Can thrive in rocky soil
School Garden:
Short plants that can thrive in dry and sunny conditions
Shoreline Rehabilitation:
Can help stabilize soil
Wetland Garden:
Can thrive in soil in water
Woodland Garden:
Can thrive in shade or part shade
Groundcover/Lawn Replacement:
Can be used as ground cover
Hedge:
Can be used as a hedge
Transplants Well:
Can tolerate transplantation
Bird Friendly:
Attracts birds
Deer Tolerant:
Can withstand deer browsing
Hummingbird Friendly:
Attracts hummingbirds
Pollinator Garden:
Attracts pollinators
Rabbit Tolerant:
Can withstand rabbit browsing
Can withstand foot traffic
Drought Tolerant:
Can survive with minimal water
Juglone Tolerant:
Can tolerate juglone, a compound found in black walnut trees
Salt Tolerant:
Can withstand salt exposure
Specialized Bee Host:
Supports specialized bees
Butterfly Host:
Supports butterflies
Keystone Species:
Plays a critical role in the ecosystem
Nitrogen Fixer:
Improves soil fertility
Endangered:
Species that live in the wild in Ontario but is facing imminent extinction or extirpation (Nature Serve for more information)
GRASP Program Member:
Member of the Gathering Rare and Special Plants (GRASP) in Ottawa Program
Causes Rash:
May cause skin rashes or irritation
Does Not Cause Rash:
Does not cause skin rashes or irritation
Has Burs or Needles:
May have burs or needles that can cause discomfort
Septic Tank Safe:
Safe to plant near or over septic tank systems
Toxic:
May be toxic if ingested or handled improperly as indicated on the plant profile that bears this warning.
Wear Gloves:
Handling may require gloves for safety
This section allows to filter by different location options, including by geographic location or by terrestrial ecozones and ecoprovinces, as defined by Statistics Canada.
Note: Distribution for this section is according to VASCAN.
Terrestrial ecozones and ecoprovinces of Canada as defined by Statistics Canada. For more information on Ecozones, visit: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/subjects/standard/environment/elc/2017-map
Native to Ottawa Region.