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Monarch butterfly on Milkweed

2023 Healthy Yards Plant, Rain Barrel and Composter Guide

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HomeFind or Learn AboutTrees and Yards2023 Healthy Yards Plant, Rain Barrel and Compost...

More in this Section...

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 tree
 

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 tree
 

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
 

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
 

 

Image of white birch trees in the fall
 

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 tree
 

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 tree 

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 tree

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 shrub

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

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.

 

Image of Ninebark shrub

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 

 

Image of Red Osier Dogwood shrub

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 

 

Image of Smooth Wild Rose shrub

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 

 

Image of St. John's Wort shrub 

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  

 

Image of Wild Black Currant shrub 

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  

 

Image of Wild Red Raspberry shrub 

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

Image of Arrow-leaved Aster wildflower 

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

 

Image of Smooth Aster wildflower 

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 Susans 

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

 

Wild Rye 

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 

 

Image of Milkweed wildflower 

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

 

Image of Showy Tick Trefoil wildflower 

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 

 

Image of Wild Bergamot wildflower 

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 

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

Image of Wood Aster wildflower 

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 

 

Image of Blue-stemmed Goldenrod 

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 

 

Image of Bottle Gentian 

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 

 

Image of Canada Anemone wildflower 

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 

 

Image of Nodding Onion wildflower 

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 

 

Image of Sweet Joe Pye Weed wildflower 

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 

 

Image of Thimbleweed 

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 

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 barrelRain 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 composterBackyard 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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