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Monarch butterfly on Milkweed

2020 Healthy Yards Plant, Rain Barrel and Composter Guide

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Home/Find or Learn About/Trees and Yards/2019 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.

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 Tree
 

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 Tree
 

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 Tree in Fall
 

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 Tree
 

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
 

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; Edible: No

 

 

 

White cedar tree
 

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 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

American Cranberry

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

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

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 

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.

 

Image of nannyberry shrub

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

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 

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

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

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 

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 

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 

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.  

 

Image of winterberry shrub 

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 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: 3

 

Blue Vervain 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

Fern 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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 

 

Image of wild ginger plant 

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 

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 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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