Who are we? What do we do? Why are we here?• Sourcing Plants • Planting and Growing Worksheet •Wrap-up Produced by Toronto Green Community “Since native-plant gardening is

Produced by Toronto Green Community

Welcome!

Who are we?What do we do?Why are we here?


Go Green in Your Garden

Our program services include:

Green Garden VisitFree fact sheetsDiscounted rain barrels and compostersBulk native plants



Native Plant Gardening

A Simple Approach To Creating Your Own Native

Plant Garden


Introductions

Name

Why you are here/What you hope to get from the workshop


Workshop Outline

Native Plants:DefinitionBenefits

• Native Plant Gardening: 5-Step Approach

• Site Assessment• Garden Planning/Design Worksheet• Plant Selection Worksheet • Sourcing Plants• Planting and Growing Worksheet

• Wrap-up


What Are Native Plants?

Definition: The plants that have originated in and are naturally occurring in a specific area

Adapted and evolved to suit the regional climate, soils and wildlife

More resistant to local pests, diseases and harsh weather


“Native plants are actually programmed, through thousands of years of evolution, to thrive in their home range” (Lorraine Johnson, Grow Wild!)

Photo: Courtesy of Charles Kinsley


Which Plants Are Native?

As a novice, you will need to consult:

A knowledgeable friend

A good guide book

The internet

Garden centers/stores


Environmental Benefits

Reduce pollution

Reduce water consumption

Reduce storm water run-off

Reduce energy use and pollution of lawn mowing

Improve biodiversity


Pesticide By-law

Over 115 municipal pesticide by-laws across Canada

City of London: 2006 by-law to phase-out use of pesticides in lawn and garden care

Fines for residential pesticide use as of September 2008


The Trouble With Invasives

Invasive Species: Introduced by human activity to a region where it did not previously occur naturally

Competes with native speciesThreatens wildlife that depends on native species for food and habitatThreatens global biodiversityThreatens ecosystem health and stability

Go native instead!


Invasives in the Coves

Garlic mustardTatarian honeysuckleBuckthornPeriwinkle GoutweedEurasion milfoilNorway mapleAnd many more…


Additional Benefits

Beautiful and versatileEasy to take care ofCosts lessImproved soil healthSelf-seeders Natural refuge in urban environment Fun to research traditional uses



Did you know…. Goldenrod (aka Solidagocanadensis) has been used traditionally:

For wound healingTo treat TB, diabetes, enlargement of the liver, hemorrhoids, internal bleeding, asthma, inflammation of the mouth and throat and moreToday, it is still commonly found in teas for urinary tract disorders

Other interesting facts:Attracts more varieties of insects than just about any flowerVery rich in nectar: has very high quality, protein rich pollen that often gives bees their last chance for a good feed before winterA good companion plant for gardening (plays host to some beneficial insects and repels some pests)

Photo: Courtesy of Green Gardeners CC


Workshop Outline

Native Plants:Definition Benefits

Native Plant Gardening: 5-Step Approach

Site AssessmentGarden Planning/Design Worksheet

• Plant Selection Worksheet • Sourcing Plants• Planting and Growing Worksheet

• Wrap-up


“Since native-plant gardening is based on mimicking indigenous plant communities, there’s no better place for the native-plant gardener to start than by looking at local native-plant communities in the wild…. After discovering the native habitats in your particular region, after seeing the typical flora and the ways these plants grow, your gardening task is one of translation: adapting the grammar and structure of nature to your garden’s reality” (Lorraine Johnson, Grow Wild!)


A 5-Step Approach

1. Site Assessment2. Garden Planning/Design3. Plant Selection

Plant Selection for Sun vs. ShadeButterfly Gardening

4. Sourcing Plants5. Planting and Growing


Step 1: Site Assessment

“Right plant, right place” concept:In order to thrive, plants need to be well suited to their location

Basic starting place for all gardening: Get to know your site characteristics. For example:

MoistureSoil type and drainage Sunlight


Step 2: Garden Planning/Design

Basic design principles apply:What will you use the garden for?

ReadingBird-watchingAesthetic accent to houseIncreased privacySportsChildren playing

Photo: By Toronto Green Community


Consider Height, Bloom Time and Colour

HeightDo you want tall plants, short plants, a layered look?

Bloom timeChoose plants with different bloom times for continuous blooms throughout the growing season

ColourChoose from your favourite coloursColours that match your house and garden décor Colours that go well together


Get Creative

Think themes:

Colour schemes

Scented garden

Healing/medicinal garden

Butterfly gardens

Bird haven



Worksheet: Steps 1-2

Complete Steps 1 and 2 of Exercise Handout #2: Designing My Native Plant Garden.


Workshop Outline

• Native Plants:• Definition • Benefits


• Site Assessment• Garden Planning/Design Worksheet

Plant Selection Worksheet• Sourcing Plants• Planting and Growing Worksheet

• Wrap-up


Step 3: Plant Selection

Matching plants to your site and design considerations

Research options:BooksInternetGarden CentresFriends/NeighboursEnvironmental Organizations Native Plant Fairs/Events


Examples

Plant Selection for Sun vs. Shade

Plant Selection for a Butterfly Garden

Photo: Courtesy of Ontario Native Plants


Plant Selection For Sun vs. Shade

Gardens receiving 6 or more hours a day of sunlight are well suited to prairie species

Shadier gardens are more suited to woodland speciesthat have evolved under the shade of woodland trees and shrubs


Next time…

May 10th at 6:30 – 8:00Plant selectionSourcing native plantsPlanting and growing

Any questions?


Thank you!!!

Landon Library and the London Waldorf School


Prairie Species

Big bluestemBlack-eyed SusanBlue vervainBonesetBottle gentianButterfly weedCanada anemone (meadow)Canada milk vetchCanada wild ryeCardinal flowerCulver’s rootEvening PrimroseFlowering spurgeFoxglove beardtongue

Giant hyssopGolden alexandersIndian grassNew England asterNew York ironweedNodding wild onionObedient plantPrairie cord grassShowy tick trefoilStiff goldenrodSwitch grassSwamp milkweedVirginia mountain mintWild bergamot



Prairie combo including purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan and milkweed


Woodland Species

Barren strawberryBee balmBlack snakerootBloodrootBottlebrush grassCommon wood sedgeCreeping phloxDutchman’s breechesFalse Solomon’s sealFancy wood fernFoamflowerGolden ragwortGreat lobeliaJack-in-the-pulpit

Large-flowered bellwortMaidenhair fernMayappleRed baneberryRice-cut grassSensitive fernSolomon’s sealTrout lilyVirginia bluebellsVirginia creeperWhite wood asterWild geraniumWild gingerWood poppyWood rush


Photo: Courtesy of Paul O’Hara, Blue Oak Landscapes, Hamilton

Mulched path through a woodland garden


Top: Courtesy of Vanessa KinsleySide: Courtesy of Martin Rudd

Woodland species


Plant Selection for a Butterfly Garden

Native species are especially good for attracting butterflies to your garden

Plant a diversity of species to attract the greatest variety of butterflies

Plants with different bloom times will attract butterflies from spring through fall


Butterfly Attracting Native Plants

Milkweed: Attracts monarch butterfly and red admirals

Butterfly milkweed: Attracts viceroy, monarch, black swallowtail, and red admiral

Joe-pye weed: Attracts viceroy, monarch, and blazing star skipper

New England aster, goldenrod, black-eyed susan, dense blazing star, purple coneflower, and wild bergamot: Attract a variety of butterflies

Night-blooming flowers, such as evening primrose, fireweed, and cardinal flower: Attract night flying moths


Additional Pointers

If planning a butterfly garden, make sure to also consider:

Butterflies like sunshineButterflies need mud puddles for essential nutrientsPesticides are detrimental to butterflies




Top: Photo courtesy Stan CaveneySide: Photo courtesy Grant Wilkins


Worksheet: Step 3

Use the accompanying picture slide show to complete Step 3 of Exercise Handout #2, matching suitable plants to your garden characteristics.


Bee Balm, Monarda didymais

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phot

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Prefers:Sun to part shadeMoist to average soil

Height: 2-5 ftBlooms: Early to midsummerColour: Red, purple, pinkOther:

Easy to growUsed traditionally as tea substitute (aka “Oswego tea”)Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees


Black-eyed Susans, Rudbekia hirta

Photo: Courtesy Ontario Native Plants

Prefers:Full to partial sunAverage to dry soil

Height: 1-3 ftBlooms: Summer to fallColour: Deep yellowOther:

Drought-tolerantAttracts butterflies and beesEasy to start from seeds


Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis


Prefers:Part shade to full shadeRich, moist soil

Height: 6-10 inchesBlooms: Early springColour: WhiteOther:

Forms clumps underground that can be divided for transplanting Roots appear to “bleed” when cut, hence the nameUsed traditionally to treat fever


Butterfly Weed, Asclepias tuberosa

photo

Prefers:Full sun to light shadeDry to average soil

Height: 2-3 ftBlooms: SummerColour: OrangeOther:

Drought-tolerantVery attractive to butterflies, including Monarch butterflyEasy to start from seedAttractive seed pod that opens to feathery white seed plumes



Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis

Photo: Courtesy of Missouri Botanical PlantFinder

Prefers:Full sun to part shadeMoist to wet, rich soil

Height: 2-4 ftBlooms: Late summerColour: Scarlet redOther:

Hummingbird magnetPropagates well by seed, division and stem cuttingsHas been used medicinally but is very poisonous when ingested incorrectly


Cup Plant, Silphium perfoliatum


Prefers:Full to partial sunAverage to dry soil; also tolerates clay soil

Height: 4-8 ftColour: YellowBlooms: Mid to late summerOther:

Drought-tolerantAttracts honeybees, butterflies and birds, including hummingbirdsEasy to start by seed and division


Evening Primrose, Oenothera biennisCa

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ckPh

oto

Prefers:Full to partial sunDry to average soil; prefers nutrient-poor/sandy soil

Height: 3-6 ftColour: YellowBlooms: All summerOther:

Drought-tolerantEntire plant is edibleLong history of use as an alternative medicineEasy to start by seed and division


Foamflower, Tiarella cordifolia

photo

Prefers:Full to light shadeRich soil with moist to average conditions

Height: 6-12 inchesBlooms: Mid-springColour: WhiteOther:

Keep soil moist with mulch or compostCan be used as a ground cover plant though it is slow to spread and needs weeding for the first year or soPhoto: Courtesy of Missouri Botanical PlantFinder


Michigan Lily, Lilium michiganense


Prefers:Full sun to part sunMoist, fertile soil

Height: 3-6 ftBlooms: SummerColour: Deep orange flowers spotted with brownOther:

Large showy flowers attract hummingbirds, bees and butterfliesDig in compost when plantingMulch to conserve moisture


New England Aster, Symphyotrichumnovae-angliae

photo

Prefers:Full to part sunRich soil, moist to dry

Height: 2-6 ftBlooms: Late summer to fallColour: LilacOther:

Attracts bees and butterfliesDrought-tolerantUsed traditionally as medicine for a variety of conditions, including externally for poison ivy



Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea

Prefers:Full sun to part sunWell-drained soils, from sand to loam

Height: 2-5 ftBlooms: Summer to fallColour: Light pink to lavenderOther:

Attracts hummingbirds and butterfliesEasy to grow, tolerates wide variety of conditionsMedicinal properties –popular as immune booster and cold/flu remedyPhoto: Courtesy of Green Gardeners CC


Spotted Joe-Pye Weed, Eupatorium maculatum


Prefers:Full sun to part sunPrefers moist soil, but tolerates dry to average

Height: 3-10 ftBlooms: Summer to fallColour: Purple to pinkOther:

Attracts bees and butterfliesEasy to start from seed


Virginia Bluebells, Mertensia virginica


Prefers:Full shade to part shadeMoist, rich soil; clay or loam

Height: 1-2 ftBlooms: Early springColour: Pink buds, blue flowersOther:

Plants are often dug up from the wild, so make sure to verify they are nursery propogatedPlants are usually dormant by June


White Wood Aster, Aster divaricatus


Prefers:Full to part shadeDry soil

Height: 1-3 ftBlooms: Mid to late summerColour: WhiteOther:

Listed as a threatened speciesAttracts butterfliesSome parts edible


Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa

Prefers:Sun to part shade

Height: 3 - 5 ftBlooms: Mid to late summerColour: LavenderOther:

Attractive to bees, butterflies and birdsDrought-tolerantMakes mint-flavoured teaUsed medicinally to ease colds and chest problemsPhoto: Courtesy of Green Gardeners CC


Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia


Prefers:Sun to part shadeTolerates many soils, from dry to moist, sand to clay

Height: 8-18 inchesBlooms: late spring to late summerColour: blue-violetOther:

Flowers bloom for 8-10 weeksA very hardy plant, can self-pollinate or by insectsRoot division in fall or early spring


Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense


Prefers:Full to part shadeMoist, rich soil; slightly acidic

Height: 6 inchesBlooms: Late springColour: Purplish brown flowers in springOther:

Known for large, low-growing, velvety green leavesRoots have distinctive ginger smell


Workshop Outline

• Native Plants:• Definition Exercise• Benefits


• Site Assessment• Garden Planning/Design Worksheet• Plant Selection Worksheet

Sourcing PlantsPlanting and Growing

• Wrap-up


Step 4: Sourcing Plants

Native plant sources include:Seed sources:

Other gardens, walk in the woods, seed suppliers, seed trades

Plant sources:Transplants/ division from other gardensSeedlings from plant nurseries

Native plant seedlings from Native Plant Nurseries in Scarborough: Canada Anemone, New England Aster, Sweet Oxeye, Bergamot, Evening Primrose, Ground Cherry and Hoary Vervain


Guidelines for Seed Sourcing

Take only up to 10% of wild seeds for any given plant - leave the rest to nature

Share your own seeds to trade with other native plant growers

Find out about local seed exchanges, festivals and relevant environmental groups:

Friends of the Coves, Gathering on the Green, Old East Village Community Association, London Public Library etc…


Plant Sources

Do NOT dig up plants from the wild for dividing or transplanting as this will wreak havoc on the natural environment

When buying plants, make sure they are nursery propagated and not taken from the wild

Ask questions about where the plants have originated, the geographic zone and the seed source


Step 5: Planting and Growing

Once you have sourced your native plants or seeds, you will need to get them in the ground and get them growing!

Seed propogationDivisionTransplantingEarly maintenanceOngoing maintenance


Seed Propogation

Most native seeds exhibit some degree of dormancy, and need cold exposure to “wake” them up:

Plant in the fall (directly in the soil or in potting containers) – cover to protect from predators and leave outdoors for the winter

Mimic the natural process through seed stratification


Stratification

Place seeds in a clean, labeled bag (plastic or paper)

Add some moisture to the bag:Should be damp, not soggy

Place in fridge for 6-8 weeks prior to spring planting

Plant immediately upon removal from the fridge


Division for Plants with Fibrous Roots

Dig the plant out of the ground: From other gardens only, with permission

Separate the roots by hand or with the help of gardening tools and/or a knife

You will end up with small divisions of the main plant

Replant immediately and water well.


Division for Plants with Rhizomes

Dig around the plant to find the rhizomes

Select young outer pieces

Separate into 3-inch sections with a sharp knifeSelect sections with a few buds

Place horizontally in the ground

Cover the rhizome with soil

Water immediately


Tips for Transplanting Seedlings

Soil preparation:Soil should be smooth and weed free

Sheet mulch:Prepare bed by laying down wet cardboard, 3 inches of soil and 3 inches of mulchClear into the mulch and plant directly into the soil


Positioning Plants

Do not place aggressive plants beside non-aggressive ones

Leave about 15-25cm (5.5 – 10 inches) between plants

Plant each species in groups of at least 2-3 plants so they can help each other grow


Early Maintenance

Once planted, water immediately

Water regularly in first season to allow root establishment and to prevent shock

Mulching around plants helps prevent weed competition

Weeding is recommended during the first few seasons until plants are well established

Keep in mind that some native plants will not grow very large or flower in their first year


On-going Maintenance

Very little… sit back and enjoy!



Discussion

What are some advantages and disadvantages of growing native plants:

From seed?By division?By transplanting?

Have you tried any of the above methods? If so, what worked and what didn’t?


Growing Method

Advantages Disadvantages

By Seed Cheaper than buying plantsCan be very satisfying

to grow from seed

Requires time and patienceRequires preplanningSome species are hard

to propagate by seed

By Division Use existing plants in your own garden or a friend’s garden and save money

Not all plants will survive this method wellPlants can look wilted

and scraggly at first

By Transplant Can order exactly what you want from a reliable sourceDon’t have to fuss

around with growing from seed

Can be costly to order seedlings this way


ReferencesCanadian Wildlife Federation. Wild About Butterflies.

Johnson, Lorraine. Grow Wild! Native Plant Gardening in Canada and Northern United States. Toronto: Random House of Canada: 1998.

Johnson, Lorraine. 100 Easy-to-Grow Native Plants for Canadian Gardens. Toronto: Whitecap Books:1999.

Native Plant Nurseries. Growing Native Plants Under Difficult Urban Conditions.

Taylor, Patricia A. Easy Care Native Plants. New York: Henry Holt and Company: 1996.

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Butterflies and Their Gardens.


Wrap-Up

Questions


Thank you!!!

Landon Library and the London Waldorf School

Who are we? What do we do? Why are we here?• Sourcing Plants • Planting and Growing Worksheet •Wrap-up Produced by Toronto Green Community “Since native-plant gardening is

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