Mid-Boreal Lowland and Interlake Plain is an ecoregion characterized by a mosaic of farmlands and forests, a climate of warm summers and cold winters, and associations with large lakes like Lake Winnipeg, extending from just north of Winnipeg to areas around Cumberland House in Saskatchewan.
Zone
Prairie
Common Name
Mid-Boreal Lowland and Interlake Plains
CEC Level III Code
5.4.3
CEC Level II Code
5.4 Boreal Plain
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Mid-Boreal Lowland and Interlake Plains, CEC 5.4.3, Mid-Boreal Lowland & Interlake Plains, Mid-Boreal Lowland/Interlake Plains, “Mid-Boreal Lowland”, “Interlake Plains” |
| Geographic Range | This ecoregion extends northwestwards from the area just north of Winnipeg, Manitoba, to areas around Cumberland House in Saskatchewan. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Mid-Boreal Lowland and Interlake Plain features a climate with warm summers and cold winters, an approximate mean annual temperature of 1°C, and mean annual precipitation ranging from 425 mm to 575 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The area consists of rolling to flat lowlands mantled by glacial moraine and lacustrine deposits. |
| Vegetation Cover | The region features a mosaic of farmlands and forests, with native vegetation dominated by tall to low trembling aspen stands, some balsam poplar, and white spruce and balsam fir as climax species. |
| Wildlife Habitat | This region supports habitat for mammals like white-tailed deer, black bear, and moose, as well as various waterfowl and colonial water birds, including cormorant, gull, and American white pelican. |
Eco snapshot
The region features a mosaic of farmlands and forests, with native vegetation dominated by tall to low trembling aspen stands, some balsam poplar, and white spruce and balsam fir as climax species.
This region supports habitat for mammals like white-tailed deer, black bear, and moose, as well as various waterfowl and colonial water birds, including cormorant, gull, and American white pelican.
Seasonal timing
Yearly needs
What pollinators need throughout the year, and what to do about it.
| Season | What pollinators need most | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter / early spring | Early nectar/pollen; safe places to emerge | Leave some leaf litter and standing stems; plan for early-blooming natives; avoid “spring cleanup” too early |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting materials and sites | Plant early and mid-season natives; provide bare/patchy soil in a small area; add a shallow water dish with stones |
| Summer | Continuous nectar/pollen; shade/water during heat | Add mid-summer bloomers; water new plantings; keep blooms coming in clumps; avoid any pesticide use |
| Late summer / fall | High-energy nectar; late pollen; shelter prep | Plant/maintain late bloomers; let some plants go to seed; reduce mowing and keep some stems standing |
| Winter | Overwintering shelter (in stems, leaf litter, soil) | Leave stems/leaves in place; avoid disturbing garden beds; plan next year’s bloom sequence |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers (and early-flowering shrubs where space allows) to support emerging insects.
Summer bridge: mid-season flowers that keep nectar/pollen steady during peak activity.
Fall finisher: asters and goldenrods (and other late bloomers) to help pollinators fuel up before winter.
What You Can Do
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Native plants
Alders are fast-growing trees in the genus Alnus that are especially useful in damp spots and along edges where you want quick cover and early-season pollen for insects.
Asters are late-season wildflowers that bring a burst of daisy-like blooms when many gardens are winding down, making them a reliable choice for pollinator-friendly planting.
Birches are graceful trees in the genus Betula, known for their often light-colored bark and early-season pollen and catkins that support springtime insects.
Blueberries and huckleberries (genus Vaccinium) are berry-producing shrubs with spring flowers that can support pollinators and later feed people and wildlife—great for gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
Clovers are small, easygoing plants in the genus Trifolium that can add nectar and pollen to gardens, lawns, and pots while helping cover bare soil.
Fireweed is a tough, fast-growing wildflower in the genus Chamerion that brings bright pink blooms and lots of pollinator activity to sunny, open spaces.
Fleabanes (genus Erigeron) are easygoing wildflowers with daisy-like blooms that can brighten gardens, schoolyards, and balcony pots while offering steady nectar and pollen for many small pollinators.
Goldenrods are tough, sunny wildflowers in the genus Solidago that light up late-season gardens with golden blooms and provide reliable nectar and pollen when many other flowers are fading.
Kinnikinnick is a tough, low-growing evergreen groundcover in the genus Arctostaphylos (often called bearberry) that forms a tidy mat and offers small spring flowers followed by red berries.
Manzanitas are tough, beautiful western shrubs with urn-shaped flowers that can feed early-season pollinators and evergreen leaves that keep gardens looking good year-round.
Poplars, aspens, and cottonwoods (genus Populus) are fast-growing trees best known for their fluttering leaves and soft “cottony” seeds. They can support early-season pollinators with spring catkins, but they’re also big, thirsty, and often short-lived in small yards—so they’re best chosen with space and roots in mind.
Rushes are tough, grass-like wetland plants (genus Juncus) that thrive in damp soil and help create calm, sheltered habitat at the edges of ponds, rain gardens, and low spots.
Sedges (genus Carex) are grass-like plants that form tidy clumps and thrive in many garden conditions, especially where soil stays a bit damp. They add texture, cover bare ground, and can support small wildlife by providing shelter and nesting material.
Willowherbs (genus Epilobium) are easygoing wildflowers that pop up in sunny, open spots and offer simple, nectar-rich blooms that many small pollinators can use.
Willows are fast-growing trees and shrubs in the genus Salix that offer some of the earliest pollen and nectar of the year, making them a strong choice for pollinator-friendly yards, parks, and school grounds.
Yarrow is a tough, easygoing wildflower that brings long-lasting blooms and steady pollinator visits to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Many visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while also playing important roles in local food webs.
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
Adults can help move pollen as they nectar at flowers, and their caterpillars are an important part of local food webs.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
Many adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while feeding.
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
