In 1864, the American naturalist John Muir was on a mission, trekking deep into Ontario’s Holland Marsh, in search of a rare orchid: Calypso Borealis
Native plants sustain birds, bees and butterflies If you’re looking to create a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that also helps birds, bees and butterflies, planting native plant perennials is for you!…
There’s a lot going on in the garden on this sleepy late May morning, Canada’s Victoria Day long weekend. The chickadees are moving at warp speed hustling insects to their…
This is the time of spring ephemerals, the first flowers to grace our gardens and natural areas as the weather warms. Hepatica (Anemone hepatica), Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) and bloodroot…
I awoke to wind and rain on this Saturday morning. Spring wildflowers – including Hepatica, Virginia bluebells and Bloodroot – are furled against the onslaught but no doubt grateful for…
A meadow filled with Indian paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea) wildflowers is a sight to behold. This brilliant red native plant (also known as scarlet paintbrush, scarlet cup and painted cup) graces…
As May comes to a close, I have an appreciation for the ground covers that help keep weeds down, serving as ‘green mulch.’ There are a number of native ground…
No Mow May is a catchy slogan and well intentioned idea, but it falls short of making a meaningful contribution to biodiversity. Instead, take real action for bees, birds and…
Mild Ontario summer helping monarch butterfly populations If you’ve been thinking it seems like there are more monarch butterflies around this year, you may be right. Monarchs have been making…
Waterloo Region’s Native Plant Source nursery is the place to find native plants for beautiful gardens that support local biodiversity Gardening is good for the body, mind and soul —…