Helen’s Mainly Native Garden – FineGardening

My title is Helen Stephenson and I’ve been gardening within the Halton space of ​​Ontario for over 20 years. For the final 10 years I’ve tried to plant principally native species. I am within the far north of the Carolinian ecoregion, which is an space that makes up simply 1% of Canada’s whole land space however accommodates extra species of wildlife than every other ecosystem in Canada. I consider it’s my obligation to protect this little piece of heaven on earth!

My husband and I constructed a rain backyard not lengthy after we moved in to cope with the periodic flooding that occurred throughout the spring thaw and after heavy rains in the summertime. On this backyard we’ve got blue flag irises (Iris versicolor, Zones 2–7), turtle head (Chelone indirect, Zones 5–9) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, Zones 3–9).

We additionally added a pond surrounded by anemones (Anemone canadensis, Zones 3–8), Cransbill (Geranium maculatum, Zones 3–8), monkey flower (Mimulus ringens, Zones 3–8) and an Ohio buckeye tree (Aesculus glabrous, Zones 3–7).

I took this picture of a marsh marigold plant (Caltha palustris, Zones 3–7) in early spring.

Now the lilies of Michigan (Lilium michiganense, Zones 4–8) are in full bloom.

Elsewhere within the backyard, columbine (Aquilegia canadensis, Zones 3–8) are flourishing. . .

. . . whereas the beautiful prairie seed heads smoke (Geum triflorum, Zones 3–7) sway within the breeze.

Along with the flora, we’ve got every kind of great wildlife visiting the backyard. I am positive gardeners with a eager eye seen the 2 very overgrown apple bushes within the background. The bushes produce many apples, however each is devoured by the wildlife that visits my backyard. Foxes, the occasional heron, raccoons, many various species of birds and far more all contribute to my thriving little ecosystem.

I hope to share extra pictures later within the season as extra vegetation bloom!

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