Resources & Guides
Explore our collection of helpful guides and resources for growing native plants, creating wildlife habitat, and restoring natural landscapes. We’ve included practical information for gardeners, landowners, and anyone interested in supporting biodiversity, with a special focus on eastern Ontario.
Aggressive/Spreading Native Plants
Some native plants spread readily, making them particularly useful for naturalizing larger areas, reclaiming disturbed sites, and restoring ecological function. Explore species that can help fill space, stabilize soil, and establish resilient plant communities.
Native Plants for Boulevard Gardens
Boulevard gardens can be challenging places to grow plants. Explore hardy, lower-growing native species that tolerate difficult conditions and bring biodiversity to urban spaces.
Little Forests
Small spaces can make a big difference. Discover how densely planted communities of native trees and shrubs can create thriving little forests, enhance biodiversity, and help restore natural habitat.
Juglone Tolerant Native Species
Black Walnut trees produce juglone, a natural compound that can affect the growth of some nearby plants. Explore native species that can tolerate these conditions and grow successfully around Black Walnut trees.
Native Plants for Shorelines
Healthy shorelines provide important habitat, help stabilize soil, and protect water quality. Explore native trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges, and wildflowers suited to shoreline environments, from moist banks to areas subject to seasonal flooding.
Native Plants for Clay-based Soils
Clay soils can present challenges for gardeners, but many native plants are well adapted to these conditions. Explore trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges, and wildflowers that thrive in heavier soils and help create resilient, biodiverse landscapes.
Native Plants for Xeriscaping
Create beautiful, water-wise landscapes using native plants adapted to dry and tough growing conditions, rocky, thin soils. Discover species that require little supplemental watering once established, while providing valuable habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.
Native Plants for Small Yards
Even the smallest outdoor spaces can support biodiversity. Discover native trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers suited to compact gardens, helping create welcoming habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife without overwhelming your space.
Native Plants for Shade Gardens
Bring life to shady spaces with native woodland plants. Explore shade-loving wildflowers, ferns, sedges, shrubs, and understory trees that can transform areas beneath mature trees into beautiful, layered plant communities.
Native Nut and Fruit Bearing Plants
Discover native trees and shrubs that produce nuts, berries, and other fruits, providing valuable food for birds, mammals, and other wildlife. These species can enrich spaces while supporting biodiversity and offering seasonal interest.
Soft Landings: Creating Habitat Beneath Our Trees
Discover how creating naturalized areas beneath trees can provide essential habitat for moths, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Learn how native plants, fallen leaves, and undisturbed soil help wildlife complete their life cycles.
External Resources
We’ve gathered a selection of useful guides and educational resources from conservation organizations and other trusted sources. These resources offer practical information on native plants, habitat creation, and ecological restoration, with an emphasis on southern and eastern Ontario.
Rice Lake Plains — Prairie & Meadow Restoration
An excellent guide to establishing native prairie and meadow communities in southern Ontario. Covers site preparation, species selection, planting methods, and long-term management, with valuable information for restoration projects in our region.
Rice Lake Plains Partnership — Landowner Resources
Explore conservation and restoration resources specific to the Rice Lake Plains, including information on tallgrass prairie, native tree planting, invasive species management, and wildlife habitat enhancement.
Grow Me Instead — Ontario Invasive Plant Council
A practical guide to identifying invasive garden plants and choosing suitable alternatives, including many native species. A helpful resource for making more ecologically responsible planting choices.
Pollinator Partnership Canada — Planting Guides
Explore regional planting guides designed to help gardeners and landowners select plants that provide essential habitat for native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Includes guides for different ecological regions across Ontario.
Tallgrass Ontario — Prairie & Savanna Management
Tallgrass Ontario is dedicated to conserving and restoring Ontario’s rare tallgrass prairie and savanna ecosystems. Explore practical resources for landowners, including guidance on identifying, establishing, maintaining, and restoring these important natural communities.
Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan — Stewardship Programs
The Bay of Quinte Remedial Action Plan offers funding incentives and technical assistance to eligible landowners undertaking projects that improve water quality and restore natural habitat. Programs support shoreline naturalization, native plantings, rain gardens, erosion control, and other rural and urban stewardship initiatives.