Native Plants |
This page contains native plant information, which will grow as we learn!
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By Cathy Meagher;
Any of the following has been learned thru trial & error, and by no means makes me any kind of an expert.
#1 Do your research !! Native planting has become very popular, but not all plants are native to Ontario. I would recommend 2 books to take the time to look through.
1. The Gardeners Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region by Rick Gray & Shaun Booth
2. 100 Easy to Grow Native Plants for Canadian Gardens by Lorraine Johnson
Hopefully they are available at your local library or can be purchased at various outlets.
#2 Take note of the height of the plants. Many of the natives can be quite tall. For example with all the heat & humidity this year I have a Joe Pye Weed plant that is close to 8' tall. Thankfully it is planted next to a wall & has a bit of protection. The bees just have to fly a little higher to get to it! But there are also other varieties that are shorter.
#3 Buy good quality, well started plants from native plant people. The big box stores & garden centres have all jumped on the band wagon with over-inflated prices in my humble opinion. Read your labels !! Most of those all come from the same supplier. I know it's a bit of a drive but I can recommend;
GOLDEN ALEXANDERS native plants near Sarnia
THEDFORD NATIVE PLANTS near Thedford
both can be found online. Both have promptly answered any of my enquiries online.
#4 There is an excellent source of info online if you are on Facebook. Huron County Backyard Ecosystem Group. Most of the members are from the Clinton, Goderich area. Lots of good info being posted. They also hold zoom chats once a month. You don't have to be a member to join in.
Any of the following has been learned thru trial & error, and by no means makes me any kind of an expert.
#1 Do your research !! Native planting has become very popular, but not all plants are native to Ontario. I would recommend 2 books to take the time to look through.
1. The Gardeners Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region by Rick Gray & Shaun Booth
2. 100 Easy to Grow Native Plants for Canadian Gardens by Lorraine Johnson
Hopefully they are available at your local library or can be purchased at various outlets.
#2 Take note of the height of the plants. Many of the natives can be quite tall. For example with all the heat & humidity this year I have a Joe Pye Weed plant that is close to 8' tall. Thankfully it is planted next to a wall & has a bit of protection. The bees just have to fly a little higher to get to it! But there are also other varieties that are shorter.
#3 Buy good quality, well started plants from native plant people. The big box stores & garden centres have all jumped on the band wagon with over-inflated prices in my humble opinion. Read your labels !! Most of those all come from the same supplier. I know it's a bit of a drive but I can recommend;
GOLDEN ALEXANDERS native plants near Sarnia
THEDFORD NATIVE PLANTS near Thedford
both can be found online. Both have promptly answered any of my enquiries online.
#4 There is an excellent source of info online if you are on Facebook. Huron County Backyard Ecosystem Group. Most of the members are from the Clinton, Goderich area. Lots of good info being posted. They also hold zoom chats once a month. You don't have to be a member to join in.
