who are we? what do we do? why are we here?• sourcing plants • planting and growing worksheet...
TRANSCRIPT
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Welcome!
Who are we?What do we do?Why are we here?
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Go Green in Your Garden
Our program services include:
Green Garden VisitFree fact sheetsDiscounted rain barrels and compostersBulk native plants
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Native Plant Gardening
A Simple Approach To Creating Your Own Native
Plant Garden
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Introductions
Name
Why you are here/What you hope to get from the workshop
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
“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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Which Plants Are Native?
As a novice, you will need to consult:
A knowledgeable friend
A good guide book
The internet
Garden centers/stores
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Environmental Benefits
Reduce pollution
Reduce water consumption
Reduce storm water run-off
Reduce energy use and pollution of lawn mowing
Improve biodiversity
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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!
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Invasives in the Coves
Garlic mustardTatarian honeysuckleBuckthornPeriwinkle GoutweedEurasion milfoilNorway mapleAnd many more…
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Additional Benefits
Beautiful and versatileEasy to take care ofCosts lessImproved soil healthSelf-seeders Natural refuge in urban environment Fun to research traditional uses
Photo: Courtesy of Charles Kinsley
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
“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!)
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced 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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Get Creative
Think themes:
Colour schemes
Scented garden
Healing/medicinal garden
Butterfly gardens
Bird haven
Photo: Courtesy of Charles Kinsley
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Worksheet: Steps 1-2
Complete Steps 1 and 2 of Exercise Handout #2: Designing My Native Plant Garden.
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Workshop Outline
• Native Plants:• Definition • Benefits
• Native Plant Gardening: 5-Step Approach
• Site Assessment• Garden Planning/Design Worksheet
Plant Selection Worksheet• Sourcing Plants• Planting and Growing Worksheet
• Wrap-up
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Step 3: Plant Selection
Matching plants to your site and design considerations
Research options:BooksInternetGarden CentresFriends/NeighboursEnvironmental Organizations Native Plant Fairs/Events
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Examples
Plant Selection for Sun vs. Shade
Plant Selection for a Butterfly Garden
Photo: Courtesy of Ontario Native Plants
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Next time…
May 10th at 6:30 – 8:00Plant selectionSourcing native plantsPlanting and growing
Any questions?
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Thank you!!!
Landon Library and the London Waldorf School
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Photo: By Toronto Green Community
Prairie combo including purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan and milkweed
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Photo: Courtesy of Paul O’Hara, Blue Oak Landscapes, Hamilton
Mulched path through a woodland garden
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Top: Courtesy of Vanessa KinsleySide: Courtesy of Martin Rudd
Woodland species
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Photo: Courtesy of Charles Kinsley
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Top: Photo courtesy Stan CaveneySide: Photo courtesy Grant Wilkins
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Worksheet: Step 3
Use the accompanying picture slide show to complete Step 3 of Exercise Handout #2, matching suitable plants to your garden characteristics.
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Bee Balm, Monarda didymais
tock
phot
o
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis
Photo: Courtesy of Green Gardeners CC
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Photo: Courtesy of Charles Kinsley
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Cup Plant, Silphium perfoliatum
Photo: By Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Evening Primrose, Oenothera biennisCa
nSto
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Michigan Lily, Lilium michiganense
Photo: Courtesy of Charles Kinsley
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Photo: Courtesy of Ontario Native Plants
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Spotted Joe-Pye Weed, Eupatorium maculatum
Photo: Courtesy of Green Gardeners CC
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Virginia Bluebells, Mertensia virginica
Photo: Courtesy of Green Gardeners CC
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
White Wood Aster, Aster divaricatus
Photo: Courtesy of Missouri Botanical PlantFinder
Prefers:Full to part shadeDry soil
Height: 1-3 ftBlooms: Mid to late summerColour: WhiteOther:
Listed as a threatened speciesAttracts butterfliesSome parts edible
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia
Photo: Courtesy of Ontario Native Plants
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense
Photo: Courtesy of Missouri Botanical PlantFinder
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Workshop Outline
• Native Plants:• Definition Exercise• Benefits
• Native Plant Gardening: 5-Step Approach
• Site Assessment• Garden Planning/Design Worksheet• Plant Selection Worksheet
Sourcing PlantsPlanting and Growing
• Wrap-up
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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…
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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.
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
On-going Maintenance
Very little… sit back and enjoy!
Photo: By Toronto Green Community
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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?
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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
Produced by Toronto Green Community
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.
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Wrap-Up
Questions
Produced by Toronto Green Community
Thank you!!!
Landon Library and the London Waldorf School