Rain Gardens on the BC Sunshine Coast  Home  |  Rain Gardens  |  Native Plants  |  Rainwater Harvesting  |  Resources Rain Gardens – Native Plant List – Part 2 This native plant species page covers sample Groundcovers and Ferns of coastal south-western British Columbia. All of the Ferns and most of the Groundcovers listed require partial sunlight or shade. Only the colourful Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) can be exposed to direct sunlight. Native Plants – Coastal BC Groundcovers and Ferns Groundcovers – Perennials and Semi-Evergreens Duck's Foot (Vancouveria hexandra): Zones 2 & 3 V. hexandra: Partial sun/shade; blooms in the Spring - Dainty white flowers; slug & snail-resistant foliage - 20-30 cm (8-12") high, 30-90 cm (12-36") wide - Partially evergreen; foliage can persist over Winter  Aka 'Inside-Out Flower' (for distinct flower shape) Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): Zones 2 & 3 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi: Partial sun/shade - Blooms in April-May; easy-care and low-growing - 10-15 cm (4-6") high, 90 cm (36") wide; spreading - Pink buds;  small white flowers;  bright red berries  A mat-forming perennial shrub; aka 'the Bearberry' Western Columbine (A. formosa): Zones 2 and 3 Aquilegia formosa: Sun/partial sun; blooms in Spring - 30-90 cm (12-36") high, 30-90 cm (12-36") wide - Beautiful red-and-yellow flowers; plant will re-seed - Perennial groundcover, tolerant of seasonal flooding  A. formosa will attract hummingbirds and butterflies Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum): Zones 2 and 3 A. caudatum: Partial sun/shade; blooms April-to-June - 10-15 cm (4-6") high, 90 cm (36") wide; spreading - Large heart-shaped leaves; small reddish flowers - Perennial; the leaves smell like ginger when crushed   Blooms range from dark purple to reddish-brown Native Coastal BC Ferns Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina): Zones 1, 2 & 3 Athyrium filix-femina: Partial sun/shade, spreading - Can handle full sun when wet but prefer the shade - 0.9-1.5 m (36-60") high, 45-60 cm (18-24") wide - A. filix-femina have broad, finely-textured fronds  A deciduous fern; quite tolerant of shallow flooding Deer Fern (Blechnum spicant): Zones 1, 2 and 3 B. spicant: Partial sun/shade (avoid direct sunlight) - Blooms April-to-May; fertile fronds stand upright - 30-90 cm (12-36") high, 60 cm (24") wide - Long, narrow, glossy fronds with crinkled edges  Deer Ferns are quite tolerant of shallow flooding Deer Ferns are deer-resistant. They have both sterile and fertile fronds. Cut back dead fronds in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Western Sword Fern (P. munitum): Zone 2 and 3 Polystichum munitum: Partial sun, but prefers shade - 0.9-1.2 m (36-48") high, 0.90-1.5 m (36-60") wide - A large, stately native fern; grows well in shady areas - Avoid direct exposure to uninterrupted sunlight  Note: Non-native 'Sword Ferns' often sold in stores Sechelt Rain Gardens – A Native Plant List for Coastal BC – Part 3  Home  |  Rain Gardens  |  Native Plants  |  Rainwater Harvesting  |  Resources