2023 Healthy Yards Plant, Rain Barrel and Composter Guide

Through our Healthy Yards Program, each spring residents can purchase a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennial flowers and eco-friendly products such as, rain barrels and backyard composters.

All the plant species are native to southern Ontario. They are well-adjusted to the local climate and soil, and don't need as much watering or maintenance as other species. They also improve our community's local ecology and biodiversity, providing homes and food for local wildlife.

Visit the Healthy Yards page to learn how you can order.

2023 Healthy Yards Pricing

Please note: There is a limit of 5 trees and/or shrubs, 1 wildflower kit, 2 rain barrels and 1 composter per household.

	Richmond Hill Residents	York Region Residents
Trees/Shrubs	$5.86	Unavailable
Wildflower Kits	$25.78	Unavailable
Rain Barrels	$60.00	Unavailable
Composters	$23.60	$23.60

Prices do not include HST.

2023 Healthy Yards Plants and Products

Full descriptions and images of the plants and products that are available through the 2023 Healthy Yards Program are listed below.

Trees

	American Plum Average height: 18-27m; Light: Sun Moisture: Normal, moist; Soil: Clay soil, wet soil Bloom time: May to June; Flower colour: White Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: Yes Wildlife attracted: Birds, bees, hummingbirds Edible: No
	Silver Maple Average height: 20-35m; Light: Slightly shade tolerant but prefers full sun Moisture: Moist; Soil: Rich, loam Bloom time: May; Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds, bees, butterflies Edible: No
	Tulip Tree Average height: 18-27m; Light: Sun Moisture: Normal, moist; Soil: Clay soil, wet soil Bloom time: May to June Flower colour: Yellow with orange band at petal base Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: Yes Wildlife attracted: Bees, birds and hummingbirds; Edible: No
	White Birch Average height: 6-30m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Moist; Soil: Sand, loam, salt tolerant Bloom time: April to May Flower colour: Yellow, green/brown Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: Yes Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds and hummingbirds. Larval host for Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Luna Moth; Edible: No
	White Cedar Average height: 9-16m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist; Soil: clay, sand, loam, drought and salt tolerant Bloom time: Non-flowering; Flower colours: Non-flowering Fall colour: No; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds Edible: No
	White Pine Average height: 30-50 m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist; Soil: sand, loam, Humus enriched Bloom time: Non-flowering; Flower Colours: Non-flowering Fall colour: No; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Birds Edible: No
	White Spruce Average Height: 20-30 m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Normal, moist; Soil: Clay, sand, loam Bloom time: Non-flowering; Flower colours: Non-flowering Fall colour: No; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Birds Edible: No

Shrubs

	Common Elderberry Average height: 1.5-3m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Moist; Soil: Sand, loam, clay Bloom time: May to June; Flower colour: Showy-white Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Birds, butterflies, bees Edible: For jelly, preserves, pies and wines.
	Nannyberry Average height: 4-7m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist; Soil: Clay, sand, loam Bloom time: May to June; Flower colour: White/cream Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: Yes Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds, butterflies, bees Edible: Fruits raw or cooked. Can be dried for winter use.
	Ninebark Average height: 2-3m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist Soil: Sand, loam, drought tolerant Bloom time: June to July; Flower colour: White/cream, pink Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Birds, bees Edible: No
	Red Osier Dogwood Average height: 1-4m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Normal, moist, wet; Soil: Clay, sand, loam Bloom time: May to July; Flower colour: White/cream Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: Yes Wildlife attracted: Birds, bees, butterflies, squirrels Edible: No
	Smooth Wild Rose Average height: 2-3m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry to medium; Soil: Sandy loam Bloom time: June/July; Flower colour: Pink Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Bumblebees, birds Edible: Yes
	St. John's Wort Average height: 60-100cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist Bloom time: July to August; Flower colours: Showy - yellow Fall colour: No; Winter interest: Yes Wildlife attracted: Bees, butterflies Edible: No
	Wild Black Currant Average height: Up to 1.5m Light: Sun, shade Moisture: Moist Bloom time: May, June; Flower colours: White, yellow Fall colour: Green, black berries; Winter interest: Yes Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds Edible: Fruit edible raw or cooked
	Wild Red Raspberry Average height: Up to 1.5m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist; Soil: Clay, sand, loam Bloom time: May to July; Flower colours: White/cream Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds Edible: Fruits edible raw or cooked. Used in pies, jellies and preserves.

Perennial Flowers

Sun Kit

	Aster species (Arrow-leaved) Average height: 30-120cm Light: Sun Moisture: Dry Soil: Dry Bloom time: August to November Flower colour: White Wildlife attracted: Butterflies, butterfly larvae, bees Quantity: 2
	Aster species (New England) Average height: 30-120cm Light: Sun Moisture: Dry Soil: Dry Bloom time: August to November Flower colour: Pale blue Wildlife attracted: Butterflies, butterfly larvae, bees Quantity: 2
	Black-Eyed Susan Average height: 30-150cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist Soil: Sand, loam Bloom time: June to October Flower colour: Yellow, orange Wildlife attracted: Birds, butterflies, insects Quantity: 2
	Canada Wild Rye Average height: 90-150cm Light: Sun, partial shade, shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist Soil: Clay, sand Bloom time: July to August Flower colour: Purple, amber, brown Wildlife attracted: Birds, butterfly larvae, insects Quantity: 2
	Common Milkweed Average height: 30-90cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal Soil: Sand, loam Bloom time: June to September Flower colour: Pink Wildlife attracted: Butterflies, butterfly larvae, bees Quantity: 2
	Showy Tick Trefoil Average height: 60-180cm Light: Sun Moisture: Dry, moist Soil: Moist soil, loam Bloom time: June, July, August Flower colour: Pink Wildlife attracted: Butterflies, hummingbirds Quantity: 2
	Wild Bergamot Average height: 60-120cm Light: Sun Moisture: Dry, normal, moist Soil: Sand, clay, loam, hummus enriched Bloom time: July to August Flower colour: Showy - purple, pink Wildlife Attracted: Birds, hummingbirds, butterflies, bees Quantity: 2
	Wild Strawberry Average height: 5-25cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal Soil: Clay, sand Bloom time: May to July Flower colour: White/cream Wildlife attracted: Birds, butterflies, larvae, bees Quantity: 2

Shade Kit

	Aster species (Wood) Average height: 30-120cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal Soil: Loam, sandy loam Bloom time: August to November Flower colour: Pink/purple or blue Wildlife attracted: Butterflies, bees Quantity: 3
	Blue-stemmed Goldenrod Average height: Up to 90cm Light: Partial shade, full shade Moisture: Dry to medium Soil: Loam, clay loam Bloom time: Fall Flower colour: Yellow Wildlife attracted: Butterflies, bees Quantity: 2
	Bottle Gentian Average height: Up to 60cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Medium, wet Soil: Loam, sandy loam Bloom time: August to September Flower colour: Blue Wildlife attracted: Bees Quantity: 1
	Canada Anemone Average height: Up to 75cm Light: Partial shade, shade Moisture: Moist Soil: Moderately moist, sandy soil Bloom time: May, June, July Flower colour: White Wildlife attracted: Bees, some bird species Quantity: 2
	Nodding Onion Average height: 60cm Light: Sun Moisture: Moist Soil: Moist, clay to loam Bloom time: July, August Flower colour: White/pink Wildlife attracted: Bees, birds, small mammals Quantity: 2
	Sweet Joe Pye Weed Average height: Up to 2m Light: Sun, part shade Moisture: Moist Soil: Moist, wet loam Bloom time: July, August Flower colour: Pink/purple Wildlife attracted: Bees, birds Quantity: 2
	Thimbleweed Average height: 60-90cm Light: Partial shade, shade Moisture: Dry, moist Soil: Sand, loam, Humus enriched Bloom time: May to July Flower colour: White Wildlife attracted: Bees Quantity: 3
	Wild Columbine Average height: 30-100cm Light: Shade, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist Soil: Clay, sand, loam Bloom time: April to July Flower colour: Showy - red, pink, yellow Wildlife attracted: Birds, hummingbirds, butterflies Quantity: 2

Rain Barrels

Rain barrels are designed to collect and store rain water from your roof. The rain water can be used for many activities including watering your lawn or garden.

Specs and features

Capacity: 208 litres (55 gallons)
Size: 24" wide x 34" tall
Features: Easy multi-barrel installations, insect resistant stainless steel screen, childproof lid and stable footprint, 3 additional spigot mounting locations, high spigot accommodates most watering cans.

Backyard Composters

Backyard composters are designed to compost food and yard waste, diverting it from landfill and leaving you with a natural fertilizer for your garden.

Specs and features

No assembly required
Capacity: 311 litres
Size: 31" wide x 33" tall
Material: Made from recycled content
Front harvest door for easy access
Twist locking lid
Conical shape means nothing gets stuck in corners and also provides for ease of lifting off to access the entire pile
Rodent resistant
10 year warranty
Fits in any vehicle

View more information and a composting guide.

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2023 Healthy Yards Plant, Rain Barrel and Composter Guide

2023 Healthy Yards Pricing

2023 Healthy Yards Plants and Products

American Plum

Silver Maple

Tulip Tree

White Birch

White Cedar

White Pine

White Spruce

Common Elderberry

Nannyberry

Ninebark

Red Osier Dogwood

Smooth Wild Rose

St. John's Wort

Wild Black Currant

Wild Red Raspberry

Sun Kit

Aster species (Arrow-leaved)

Aster species (New England)

Black-Eyed Susan

Canada Wild Rye

Common Milkweed

Showy Tick Trefoil

Wild Bergamot

Wild Strawberry

Shade Kit

Aster species (Wood)

Blue-stemmed Goldenrod

Bottle Gentian

Canada Anemone

Nodding Onion

Sweet Joe Pye Weed

Thimbleweed

Wild Columbine

Specs and features

Specs and features

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