Native plants

Two Native Wildflowers Illustrated on Canada Post Floral Stamps

Native plants are important sources of food for many animals and insects, including birds, butterflies and bees. This year, Canada Post is presenting two floral stamps featuring wildflowers that are important to the environment: spotted bee balm and butterfly weed. These two flowering perennials provide food and shelter for pollinators, as well as being beautiful in gardens and as cut flowers.

Timbres floraux de Poste Canada
Source: Poste Canada

Spotted Bee Balm and Butterfly Weed

Rich in nectar and pollen, the flamboyant flowers of butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) and spotted bee balm (Monarda punctata) attract insects and pollinating birds looking for food. These pollinators are essential for fertilizing plants such as fruit trees, vegetables and other agricultural crops.

L’asclépiade tubéreuse, une fleur sauvage indigène essentielle pour le monarque.
Butterfly weed. Photo: Derek Ramsey

Did you know that these two perennial herbaceous plants can grow up to 3 feet tall? What’s more, the glossy leaves of butterfly weed, and those of other milkweed varieties, are the sole source of food for monarch butterfly caterpillars. This remarkable pollinator, much loved by gardeners, is affected by deforestation, climate change, pesticide use and the loss of native plants along its migratory corridors.

The Spotted bee balm is distinguished by its unique, complex appearance. On its upper stem alternate whorls of tubular flowers spotted with purple and rings of leaves ranging from white to violet. It blooms from August to October, attracting pollinators and hummingbirds, and is drought-tolerant.

Spotted bee balm. Photo: Getty Images

In Canada, butterfly milkweed and spotted bee balm are native only to certain regions of southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec. In Quebec, they are designated as threatened and protected by law. These stamps are a great way to raise awareness of the importance of these native wildflowers.

Canada Post 2024 Floral Stamps

Designed by Andrew Perro and illustrated by Alain Massicotte, the two stamps feature tuberous milkweed and spotted monarda in full bloom. The stamps were cancelled in Essex, Ontario, an area rich in native milkweeds and an important breeding ground for monarchs before their annual migration to Mexico.

Want to buy some? These floral stamps are on sale on the Canada Post website and at postal outlets across the country.

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Magalie Cadorette works in communications and is curious by nature. Interested in many subjects, including gardening, she shares with you her discoveries and favorites.

2 comments on “Two Native Wildflowers Illustrated on Canada Post Floral Stamps

  1. heathergrammie

    They’re lovely plants and stamps. Thanks for sharing. I’ll buy some!

  2. Christine Lemieux

    Beautiful!

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