Sharp-lobed hepatica may be found at your local native plant nursery. Photo: Anemone acutiloba, syn. Hepatica acutiloba, Hepatica nobilis var. acuta (sharp-lobed hepatica) by Tom Potterfield.
Plan Your Garden With These Updated Tips and Resources
New and Improved: Guide to Native Plant Nurseries
With growing awareness and interest in native plants, traditional nurseries and garden centres are beginning to carry more of them. However, their supply can sometimes be limited or mixed with cultivars of native plants, which can make it difficult to find plants that are truly locally sourced.
The good news is we’ve updated one of our most popular resources, our Guide to Native Plant Nurseries.* This refreshed guide includes:
- Nurseries within 150 kilometres of the Credit River Watershed that specialize in native plants (including some that can mail you plants).
- Listings of the types of plants they sell: trees/shrubs, herbaceous and seeds.
- Whether they operate as retail or wholesale businesses.
- Links to their website.
- Location information.
To make it even easier for you, we’ve introduced our new online map to help you visualize where the nurseries are located. The map includes all the same great features as the hard copy list, but you can easily get directions – perfect for planning a road trip to pick up new plants.
Now that spring is finally here, it’s time to explore these resources and start planning your next gardening project.
* CVC does not promote or endorse any of the products or service providers in this guide.
Selecting the Best Plants for Your Yard
Before shopping for native plants, consider the conditions of your yard. Taking the time to observe and plan your garden will lead to thriving plants. Here are the conditions to consider:
Sun Exposure
Observe your planting area throughout the day to determine how many hours of sun your plants will receive. Keep in mind that large trees nearby will create more shade after they’ve leafed out. If your planting area receives:
- Zero to four hours of sun: select plants that prefer full shade.
- Four to six hours of sun: select plants that prefer partial shade.
- Six or more hours of sun: select plants that prefer full sun.
Soil Type
Grab a handful of soil from your garden. How does it feel?
- Very gritty: select plants that prefer sandy soil.
- Soft and smooth with some grit: select plants that prefer loam soil.
- Smooth, sticky and can easily be formed into a ball when moist, but hard when dry: select plants that prefer clay soil. Compacted clay soil is very common in newer developments.
Moisture Levels
After a rainfall, watch where water puddles or drains quickly:
- If the soil drains quickly after rainfall: select plants that prefer dry to moist conditions.
- If the soil feels damp most of the year and drains slowly: select plants that prefer moist to wet conditions.
Space
Make sure your desired plants will have enough space to grow: consider how tall and wide they will grow when mature. Before digging, contact Ontario One Call to mark underground utilities. For more tips on planting and caring for your native plants, consult our factsheets.
Bottlebrush Grass
Elymus hystrix
If you’re looking for a native plant to add interesting texture to your garden, bottlebrush grass might be the perfect addition. Its adaptability to most garden conditions makes it a great companion plant for native plant groupings.
In early spring, watch for grayish green to dark green sprouts as the grass reemerges from its winter sleep. Come mid-summer, the large, spiky flower heads bloom green then fade to grey-brown. Pairs of long spikelets climb the last 10 to 20 centimetres of each stalk. Giving the appearance of a group of bottlebrushes swaying in the wind.
Care Notes
Although bottlebrush grass prefers dry to slightly moist loamy soils, this plant will grow in other soil conditions and is tolerant of drought. Its preference for full or partial shade makes it suitable for a woodland or meadow garden, where it will grow from 0.6 to 1.2 metres tall.
Bottlebrush grass is clump-forming and will reseed itself, making it a great plant to start from seed.
Great for Insects and Pollinators
Bottlebrush grass is a host plant for many moths and butterflies, including the northern pearly-eye butterfly. Other insects, such as beetles, can be found snacking on its leaves.
Bottlebrush grass may be available at your local native plant nursery. Group with blue-stemmed goldenrod, wild columbine or large-leaved aster for a stunning native plant garden all season long. Consult our native plant lists for more inspiration.