For many of us, 2026 was a very long and cold winter! We are now finally entering into sunnier and warmer months ahead. Bring it on! These warmer days may inspire you to think about gardening. However, I encourage you this summer to not only consider creating a beautiful garden, but also one that’s biodiverse and that serves the wildlife around you. Let’s think of our gardens as living, breathing habitats and treat them with the love and respect they deserve. In this article, I will share tips & tricks how you can design a gorgeous garden, while at the same time nurture and protect the natural environment.
Full disclosure, I am by NO means a gardening ‘guru’. Like you, I am interested in adopting a ‘greener’ lifestyle at home, which includes outdoor spaces. Now that my mind is on summer, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to conduct research and to find more environmental ways to approach gardening. Without further ado, I will share with you what I learned.
What should you plant and why?
When you design your garden, it’s beneficial to select plants and shrubs that are ‘native species’ to the area in which you live. The reason for this is because many of these plants have evolved in your local environment for thousands of years. Therefore, they have adapted to soil type(s) and are suited for your climate (e.g. cool, hot, wet, dry, etc.). Not only that, they are the best source for providing food and shelter to local insects, birds, and other wildlife. Lastly, planting native species requires less maintenance and effort by you. Yay!
What is considered a 'native plant' and how can you find them?
Every region has it’s own species of native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees. You will need to investigate which species are native to your area. You can do this by searching reliable sources on the internet and/or by talking to a knowledgeable individual at a nursery. In Ontario, where I live, some native wildflowers include: wild lupines, blue flag iris, wood lily, smooth blue aster, and spotted beebalm. There are also numerous grasses, shrubs, and trees that grow better in my region (e.g. sweet grass, switch grass, sugar maple, bush honey suckle, etc.). If you have a larger property, you have greater opportunity to incorporate even more indigenous species.
A ‘native species’ is classified as one being grown within a 200 km radius of where you live. When visiting a nursery, ensure that they use environmentally responsible practices and truly sell native plants/seeds. You can ask where they were sourced. If seeds are collected by trained seed collectors, this is a good sign. If they do not have a clear answer where they get their stock, this is likely a red flag! Secondly, if you spot any invasive species (e.g. goutweed or periwinkle) being sold at the nursery, avoid purchasing from there. Sometimes, plants are labelled as ‘native’, when they are really ‘near native’, which means that they grow up to or over 1000 km from where you live. Remember, ‘native species’ should be found within a 200 km radius of where you are situated.
Finally, ask how plants are maintained. Are they using pesticides? If so, consider looking elsewhere. Really, plants shouldn’t look identical or perfect. In fact, it’s a good sign if they appear different from one another, and have some nibble marks on the leaves. So, if your goal is to create an environmentally friendly garden, lean towards purchasing truly native plants/shrubs that are not treated with pesticides.
Why are native plants important?
Native species are so important because many insects, birds, and other wildlife depend on them for their survival. For example, at present, insect populations are decreasing at rapid rates. In fact, scientists predict that 40% of all insect populations may become extinct within the next few decades. This will affect other wildlife, such as sparrows, who rely on insects for protein to feed their young during the spring and summer months. Thus, you can observe their close-knit relationship. Not only will one species suffer, but the other one will too. We can help situations like this by incorporating more native wildflowers, shrubs, ferns, and trees in our outdoor spaces.
Annuals or Perennials?
Having a garden that has continuous blooms throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons can make pollinators and other wildlife especially happy. It can also add to your joy too, as it gives your yard ongoing visual appeal and life! However, you may be contemplating whether you should plant annuals or perennials, or a combination of both. Generally, perennials are more expensive than annuals, but they do last longer and require less work and watering. Additionally, if you would like to purchase ‘native species’ for your garden, there are more common native perennials available.
Typically, annuals have a lifespan of one season (unless they reseed themselves). That means that they germinate, grow, flower and go to seed, which completes their life-cycle. Some common annuals include pansies, geraniums, zinnias, marigolds, and petunias. It is possible to collect annual seeds by gathering dried seed heads and storing them in a dry place during the winter months. Then, you may sow them in spring. Annuals can be great when there’s a ‘lull’ between your flowering perennials. Additionally, they give you flexibility in deciding how you would like your garden to look each new season. On the flip side, they do take more work and frequent watering.
On the other hand, perennials come back year-to-year. Some last many years, while others, such as lupine, columbine, and delphinium have a lifespan of approximately 3 to 5 years. Some examples of perennials include daisies, bee balm, and black-eyed Susans. Perennials often spread and become quite large, so you may need to split them over time. Generally, they take less work and require less frequent watering because their root systems extend much deeper into the soil compared to annuals. Annuals tend to bloom more consistently throughout the season, while perennials often bloom randomly.
What is companion planting?
As suggested by its name, companion planting is when you place two or more plants next to each other that creates a beneficial relationship. For example, indigenous peoples in the Great Lakes region of North America utilize a sustainable agriculture method referred to as, “The Three Sisters”. This involves planting corn, beans, and squash side-by-side. The corn stalks act as a structural support for the beans, and the plants exchange nitrogen with the soil to facilitate growth. Squash is planted between the corn and the beans so that its leaves shade the soil below to retain moisture and to act as a barrier against weed growth. It is found that these crops thrive much better when planted together rather than in isolation. They also help to deter pests.
Similarly, there are certain flowers that do better when planted together. For instance, marigolds, zinnias and sunflowers are excellent companion plants because, together, they repel pests and attract pollinators. They also help to improve the soil. Benefits of biological diversification include: pest prevention and protection, soil enrichment, and attracting pollinators.
Designing a Pollinator Garden
Planting a pollinator garden can provide an ongoing food source for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, birds, and hummingbirds. In Canada, there are over 1000 species of pollinating animals, but hundreds are at risk of extinction. For example, just in the last twenty years, the monarch butterfly population has decreased by 80%! We can help reverse these numbers by planting milkweed on our properties, which is needed by caterpillars. As stated earlier, nature has a symbiotic relationship, meaning that both parties need one another to thrive and survive.
To demonstrate, 80% of flowering plants require pollinators to help them reproduce. Pollinators, such as bees, move pollen from the male parts of flowers (anthers) to fertilize female parts (stigmas) which allows for cross-pollination between plants of the same species. Bees carry pollen on their bodies and when they fly to other flowers, some of this pollen rubs off. Additionally, through this process, pollinators permit plants to develop seeds or fruits that animals and humans can later consume. Overall, pollinators rely on these plants for nectar (gives them energy), pollen (provides protein), and for their leaves (further food and a place to lay larvae). Thus, this symbiotic relationship benefits everyone and everything!
If you are interested in planting a pollinator garden, select native plants that have colourful petals and make sure to incorporate diverse kinds. Pollinators are attracted to colour, scent, and even shape. Keep their food source going all season long by having continuous blooming flowers. Lastly, leave some of your garden bare. This can give perennials space to expand, as well as a place for burrowing bees. You can also add birdbaths, and other water features to further assist wildlife during the warmer months.
If you found this article informative and helpful, please stay tuned for Part II, where I will give you tips & tricks how to naturally keep weeds at bay, as well as how to upkeep your lawn and garden in a more environmental and sustainable way. Good luck applying these tips and have fun with your gardening adventures this season!
Sources
Companion Planting: A Toronto Master Gardeners Guide. Toronto Master Gardeners. companionplanting.pdf
Earth-Friendly Landscaping. The Conservation Foundation. Earth-Friendly Landscaping – The Conservation Foundation
Godfrey, Ryan. Tips to Help You Shop for Native Plants. WWF. April 17, 2025. Tips to help you shop for native plants – WWF.CA
Help the Monarchs. Canadian Wildlife Federation. Canadian Wildlife Federation: Help the Monarchs
Pollinators. Canadian Wildlife Federation. Canadian Wildlife Federation: Pollinators
Pollinator Garden: A Toronto Master Gardeners Guide. Toronto Master Gardeners. Pollinator Garden: A Toronto Master Gardeners Guide – Toronto Master Gardeners
Sweetser, Robin. Annual vs. Perennial Plants: Everything You Should Know. Almanac. Jan 2, 2026. Annual vs. Perennial Plants: Everything You Should Know | Almanac.com
Viswanathan, Leela. The Three Sisters as Indigenous Sustainable Agricultural Practice. Indigenous Climate Hub. June 15, 2023. The Three Sisters as Indigenous Sustainable Agricultural Practice – Indigenous Climate Hub
Weir-Jimerson, Karen & Hoppe Norgaard, Claire. 12 Sustainable Gardening Tips to Make Your Yard More Eco-Friendly. Better Homes & Gardens. Jan 2, 2025. 12 Sustainable Gardening Tips to Make Your Yard More Eco-Friendly
Woodland, Susan. Your Guide to Native Ontario Plants. Nature Canada. Plant-List-Options-Web.pdf
