All of the plants in the Garden are native to Canada and have been chosen for their significance to Canadians throughout history. <br><br>Native flora has played a major role in our evolution as a country. Plants have been important sources of food and medicine, native trees are still the basis for much industry — especially in the Gatineau-Ottawa region — and many plants and flowers have acquired symbolic importance for Canadians. <br><br>The Canada Garden features each of the provincial and territorial flowers. It includes other key species such as Labrador tea, the Arctic poppy, the pin cherry, the Christmas fern, lily of the valley, the large-leaved aster, the jack pine, trembling aspen and the sugar maple, as well as a variety of herbaceous shrubs. The Garden’s 1,858 square metres of raised beds hold approximately 34 different plant species, for a total of nearly 4,000 plants, and more are added as the Garden flourishes each year. <br><br>The Canada Garden will allow for lush and hardy four-season vegetation from year to year that will eventually create interesting microclimates and provide shade on the Plaza. Some space will remain for annual plantings to accompany special CMC exhibitions.