2020 Healthy Yards Plant, Rain Barrel and Composter Guide

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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.

Full descriptions and images of the plants and products that are available through the 2020 Healthy Yards Program are listed below.

The 2020 Healthy Yards plant and garden sale has ended. If you would like to be notified when the 2021 sale begins, subscribe to receive email updates on the Healthy Yards page.

Trees

	Black Cherry Average height: 20-30m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist Bloom time: May to June; Flower colour: Showy - white/cream Fall colour: Yes Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds, butterflies, bees Edible: Can be eaten raw or used in jelly, syrup, juice and pies.
	Eastern Redbud Average height: 4-12m; Light: Partial shade, shade Moisture: Normal, moist Bloom time: April to May; Flower colour: Showy - pink Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds, butterflies Edible: Use whole blossoms in salads
	Sugar Maple Average height: 20-35m; Light: Sun, partial shade, shade Moisture: Normal, moist Bloom time: April to May; Flower colour: Yellow, red, white/cream Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds, butterflies, bees Edible: No, sap only
	Tamarack Average height: 15-25m; Light: Sun Moisture: Normal, moist, wet Bloom time: April to May Flower colour: Not showy - yellow, red, green/brown Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds; Edible: No Note: Sheds needles in the fall
	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; Edible: No
	White Cedar Average height: 9 - 16 m, Spacing: 5 m 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

	American Cranberry Average height: 2-4 m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Normal, moist; Soil: Sand, loam, drought tolerant Bloom time: May to July; Flower colour: White/cream Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds, butterflies, bees Edible: Fruits in the fall can be made into jelly and jams.
	American Hazelnut Average height: 3-5m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Normal Bloom time: March to April Flower colour: Red flowers and yellow-brown catkins Wildlife attracted: Squirrels and birds Edible: Fruits in the fall can be made into jelly and jams.
	Black Raspberry Average height: 1.5-3m Light: Sun, partial shade, shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist; Soil: Gravelly or sandy loams Bloom time: May to June Flower colour: White Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds and bees Edible: Yes
	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 can be eaten raw or cooked. Can also be dried for winter use.
	Pasture Rose Average height: 0.3-2 m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, moist, wet Bloom time: June to July; Flower colour: White/cream, pink Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds, butterflies, bees Edible: Rose hips can be used in jams and jellies.
	Red Osier Dogwood Average height: 1-4m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Normal, moist, wet Bloom time: May to July; Flower colour: White/cream Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds, butterflies, bees Edible: No
	Silverberry Average height: 1-4m Light: Sun, partial shade, shade Moisture: Dry, normal Bloom time: June to July; Flower colour: Yellow Fall colour: No; Winter interest: Yes Wildlife attracted: Birds Edible: Yes
	Snowberry Average height: 30-120cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, moist Bloom time: May to July; Flower colour: Showy - Pink, white/cream Fall colour: No; Winter interest: Yes Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds, bees Edible: No
	Spicebush Average height: 1-5m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Moist, wet Bloom time: March to April; Flower colour: Yellow Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds, butterflies, bees Edible: Leaves can be dried for tea, berries are substitute for allspice. Requirements: To produce fruit, two or more plants are required.
	St. John's Wort Average height: 60-100cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist Bloom time: July to August; Flower colour: Showy - yellow Fall colour: No; Winter interest: Yes Wildlife attracted: Butterflies, bees Edible: No
	Wild Red Raspberry Average height: 0.3-4m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist Bloom time: May to July; Flower colours: White/cream Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds Edible: Fruits edible raw or cooked. Used in pies, jellies and preserves.
	Winterberry Average height: 2-4m Light: Sun, partial shade, shade Moisture: Dry, moist, wet Bloom time: April to July; Flower colours: White, yellow, green, brown Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: Yes Wildlife attracted: Birds, bees, butterflies Edible: No

Perennial Flowers

Sun Kit

	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: 3
	Blue Vervain Average height: 60-180cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Normal, moist, wet Soil: Clay, sand, loam Bloom time: June to September Flower colour: Blue, purple Wildlife attracted: Birds, butterfly larvae Quantity: 2
	Butterfly Milkweed Average height: 30-75cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal Soil: Sand, loam Bloom time: June to September Flower colour: Yellow, orange Wildlife attracted: Butterflies Quantity: 1
	Common Yarrow Average height: 30-70cm Light: Sun Moisture: Dry, normal Soil: Clay, sand Bloom time: June to August Flower colour: White/cream, pink Wildlife attracted: Butterflies Quantity: 2
	Lance leaved Coreopsis Average height: 30-60cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry Soil: Sand Bloom time: May to July Flower colour: Yellow Wildlife Attracted: Birds, butterflies, bees Quantity: 3
	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: 1
	Virginia Mountain Mint Average height: 60-100cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Normal, moist Soil: Clay, sand and loam Bloom time: July to August Flower colour: White and purple Wildlife attracted: Birds, 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

Sun kit 3D design

3D design concept for perennial flower sun kits

Shade Kit

	Berry Bladder Fern Average height: 60-150cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Normal, moist Bloom time: Non-flowering Flower Colour: Non flowering Soil: Humus enriched Wildlife attracted: Insects Quantity: 1
	Bottlebrush Grass Average height: 100-150cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, moist Soil: Loam Bloom time: June to August Flower colour: White/cream, green/brown Wildlife attracted: Birds, hummingbirds, butterflies, bees Quantity: 1
	Great Blue Lobelia Average height: 30-120cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Normal, moist, wet Soil: Loam, Humus enriched Bloom time: August to September Flower colour: Blue Wildlife attracted: Bees Quantity: 3
	Hairy Beardtongue Average height: 30-90cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal Soil: Clay, sand Bloom time: May to July Flower colour: Purple, pink Wildlife attracted: Birds, butterflies, bees Quantity: 2
	Smooth Aster Average height: 30-120cm Light: Sun Moisture: Dry Soil: Dry Bloom time: August to November Flower colour: Blue, purple Wildlife attracted: Butterflies, butterfly larvae, bees Quantity: 2
	Wild Bergamot Average height: 60-120cm Light: Sun Moisture: Dry, normal, moist Soil: Clay, sand, loam, Humus enriched Bloom time: July to August Flower colour: Showy - purple, pink Wildlife attracted: Birds, hummingbirds, butterflies, 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: 1
	Wild Ginger Average height: 15-30cm Light: Partial shade, shade Moisture: Moist Soil: Humus enriched Bloom time: May to June Flower colour: Purple, green/brown Wildlife attracted: Butterflies Quantity: 1
	Zig Zag Goldenrod Average height: 30-100cm Light: Partial shade, shade Moisture: Moist Soil: Sand, loam, Humus enriched Bloom time: September to October Flower colour: Yellow Wildlife attracted: Hummingbirds, bees Quantity: 2

Shade kit 3D design

3D design concept for perennial flower shade kits

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.

View more information.

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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2020 Healthy Yards Plant, Rain Barrel and Composter Guide

Black Cherry

Eastern Redbud

Sugar Maple

Tamarack

Tulip Tree

White Birch

White Cedar

White Pine

White Spruce

American Cranberry

American Hazelnut

Black Raspberry

Common Elderberry

Nannyberry

Pasture Rose

Red Osier Dogwood

Silverberry

Snowberry

Spicebush

St. John's Wort

Wild Red Raspberry

Winterberry

Sun Kit

Black-Eyed Susan

Blue Vervain

Butterfly Milkweed

Common Yarrow

Lance leaved Coreopsis

Wild Rye

Virginia Mountain Mint

Wild Strawberry

Sun kit 3D design

Shade Kit

Berry Bladder Fern

Bottlebrush Grass

Great Blue Lobelia

Hairy Beardtongue

Smooth Aster

Wild Bergamot

Wild Columbine

Wild Ginger

Zig Zag Goldenrod

Shade kit 3D design

Specs and features

Specs and features

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