https://birdsbeesgardens.ca/blog daily 0.75 2025-10-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/7b955e4e-846a-441b-ac64-cd7e0db91464/iStock-680311598.jpg https://birdsbeesgardens.ca/blog/no-mow-may-ontario-bees monthly 0.5 2025-05-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/f8573a0d-5441-40e5-8ba4-18a94021fd82/Honeybee.png Blog - No Mow May: A Well-Meaning Mistake for Ontario Bees - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/8e3fbe81-fdf7-435a-be36-b3b094c5fe5f/Honeybee+%281%29.png Blog - No Mow May: A Well-Meaning Mistake for Ontario Bees - Make it stand out Lawn dominated by creeping charlie. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/0ff788fa-5ee7-4b4e-9dd6-f9600bde5ff7/Kill+%2811%29.png Blog - No Mow May: A Well-Meaning Mistake for Ontario Bees - Make it stand out Eastern Redbud, an early flowering native Ontario tree. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/8697ee67-ac6a-448f-bce2-0ea33df3eb57/Need+help+getting+started+%281%29.png Blog - No Mow May: A Well-Meaning Mistake for Ontario Bees - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://birdsbeesgardens.ca/blog/are-you-choosing-the-right-flowers-to-save-the-bees monthly 0.5 2025-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/51b9bfde-5a40-4ddd-8166-d0857ef00d4f/shutterstock_2300054583x.jpg Blog - Are You Choosing the Right Flowers to Save the Bees? - Make it stand out Tri-Coloured Bumblebee / Orange-Belted Bumblebee https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/f92204fc-f68f-4222-bec8-2b48cce75ed2/Honeybee.png Blog - Are You Choosing the Right Flowers to Save the Bees? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/becd2001-e088-4c83-b0af-b4f5ef34533c/Honeybee+%281%29.png Blog - Are You Choosing the Right Flowers to Save the Bees? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/360ba7bd-2fba-4e3c-b630-3a0384b5683b/Screen+Shot+2025-01-15+at+11.05.05+AM.png Blog - Are You Choosing the Right Flowers to Save the Bees? - Make it stand out Source: https://wildlifepreservation.ca/2016/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ontario-ID-Card-2020.pdf https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/621cb81e-6d64-47d1-8b36-14259afbc0c6/osmia-1161410_1280.jpg Blog - Are You Choosing the Right Flowers to Save the Bees? - Orchard mason bees are especially efficient pollinators, visiting more flowers per hour than any other bee species. Just a few hundred of these hardworking bees can match the pollination output of 15,000 or more honeybees. Plus, since honeybees aren’t adapted to the cold here, they will only fly if it’s over 12 C. Many native bees, by contrast, will fly in 5 C or less! On cold spring or fall days, our native bees save the day. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/b79a6b58-5363-4247-aa37-7d4a78a86e38/echinacea-3705549_1280.jpg Blog - Are You Choosing the Right Flowers to Save the Bees? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1cf0e8c9-059f-4960-97d0-fdf72c3641d0/Honeybee+%283%29.png Blog - Are You Choosing the Right Flowers to Save the Bees? - But gardens full of non-natives are primarily helping honeybees, not our native bees. Many of the early blooming plants and groundcovers promoted to save the bees are non-native, and are thus not ideal for supporting the bees that really need help. Dandelions? Honeybees. Spring bulbs? Honeybees. Clover? Honeybees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/15ffba46-ce33-4f5f-b85d-f3d9db481884/Untitled+design+%289%29.jpg Blog - Are You Choosing the Right Flowers to Save the Bees? - Make it stand out Wild Lupine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/a8efcf00-1625-471b-a11b-aaf0994455d6/shutterstock_2342839325.jpg Blog - Are You Choosing the Right Flowers to Save the Bees? - Make it stand out Joe Pye Weed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/35da5941-b4ca-47d9-91c7-3904012c99e9/Honeybee+%284%29.png Blog - Are You Choosing the Right Flowers to Save the Bees? - Make it stand out New England Aster https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/0ff788fa-5ee7-4b4e-9dd6-f9600bde5ff7/Kill+%2811%29.png Blog - Are You Choosing the Right Flowers to Save the Bees? - Many flowering native trees are also pivotal in supporting native bees, as they bloom quite early in the spring. See: Native Trees in Ontario that are Pollinator Powerhouses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/8697ee67-ac6a-448f-bce2-0ea33df3eb57/Need+help+getting+started+%281%29.png Blog - Are You Choosing the Right Flowers to Save the Bees? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://birdsbeesgardens.ca/blog/native-trees-in-ontario-that-are-pollinator-powerhouses monthly 0.5 2025-01-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/65604db2-7521-4f7b-8988-3deb3dbaa301/Kill+%283%29.png Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out Red Oak Tree https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/50156b3e-881e-4c80-a110-316435f9dfdc/Kill+%285%29.png Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - On top of that, Ontario native trees are a larval food source for hundreds of species of butterflies, moths, and other native insects. Native trees therefore produce more insect prey than non-native species, and our native songbirds need these insects to feed their hatchlings. Native trees also serve as ideal habitat for Ontario birds and other small mammals. Yes, Ontario native trees support thriving biodiversity all the way up the food chain! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/126752ba-dffb-45ca-b09b-3d4a855646ee/dulcey-lima-oGYbNq4fqfc-unsplash.jpg Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out White Oak, Burr Oak, Chinquapin Oak, Pin Oak, Chestnut Oak, and and Red Oak can thrive in clay soils as well as sand, while Black Oaks prefer sandy soils. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/829a6e86-d402-458b-9ab1-0b30c62732ea/14530_ca_object_representations_media_44924_large-780x780-c-default.jpg Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out Willows can thrive in clay, sandy or loamy soils, although they prefer moisture. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1736433663805-P9MY7OLL3475Y1CVFE68/unsplash-image-42ZxwZgfyqQ.jpg Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out Birch trees prefer sandy loam, but can tolerate a variety of soil types. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/301bd5bf-8fe6-4424-b5a2-fa383eae4697/Kill+%286%29.png Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out Black Cherries grow best in sandy to loamy soils, while Canada Plum can grow in clay, sand, or loam. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/8767ac98-aaec-47a9-8dc3-bfa1249223d0/Kill+%287%29.png Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out Maples can thrive in clay, sandy, or loamy soils. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/b660254e-a258-44df-bc77-053b7cc0a185/Kill+%288%29.png Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out Wild Crabapple can thrive in sandy, loamy, or clay soils. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/fdc056f2-b213-4380-8d33-b06d25079751/Kill+%289%29.png Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out Hackberries can thrive in sandy, loamy, or clay soils. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/128f6ea7-bbbf-414a-9304-69f53abc6da4/Kill+%2815%29.jpg Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out Serviceberries can grow in sandy, loamy, or clay soils. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/0ff788fa-5ee7-4b4e-9dd6-f9600bde5ff7/Kill+%2811%29.png Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out Eastern Redbud trees are adaptable to most soil types, while preferring moist, well-drained soil. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1736436303004-OY6WLIW4GEPD24BBK5IU/unsplash-image-eD2rG9JkwJo.jpg Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out The Tulip Tree prefers sandy or loamy soils. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/2a4c29dd-76f0-406e-b2a5-f06c40318fe7/mnrf-srb-basswood-tree-900x1200-2023-05-15.jpg Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out Basswood is adaptable and can thrive in sandy to clay soils. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/d3bbebd2-2d98-4ca4-974b-93a340340939/Kill+%2812%29.png Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out Witch Hazel trees can tolerate sand, clay, or loamy soils. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/0e98d225-7623-48da-8f0f-9f9c9acfb731/mnr-srb-easternwhitepine-tree-1200x1200-2023-07-27.jpg Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out Pines thrive in sandy to loamy soil. White and Red Pines are particularly salt intolerant, so avoid planting them near roads or pathways that will be salted in winter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/8697ee67-ac6a-448f-bce2-0ea33df3eb57/Need+help+getting+started+%281%29.png Blog - Native Trees in Ontario That Are Pollinator Powerhouses - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://birdsbeesgardens.ca/blog/invasive-plants-ontario monthly 0.5 2025-10-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/c183c2eb-1eb8-4ef2-af1e-f261832a4b61/pexels-michaeltelitsyn-8086679.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Make it stand out Lily of the Valley is a charming but highly invasive non-native plant sold in nurseries across Ontario. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/15ffba46-ce33-4f5f-b85d-f3d9db481884/Untitled+design+%289%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Native plants are those that have evolved in a certain eco-region over millennia, if not eons. They are perfectly adapted to their area and essential to the ecosystem. They have specialized relationships with local pollinators, like insects and birds, and are the foundation of local food webs. Pictured right is Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis), a gorgeous native perennial that supports Ontario native bees and butterflies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/4482e848-6c8b-4ea2-861f-a042a047fd3b/Coltsfoot.png Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Noxious weeds are plants designated by a governing authority as harmful to ecosystems, crops, livestock, or human health. They are often invasive plants that a governing body is attempting to regulate. In Ontario, noxious weeds are listed in the Schedule of Noxious Weeds under the Weed Control Act. Homeowners have a legal obligation to remove noxious weeds, so it’s important to get familiar with them. Here is a list of Ontario’s noxious weeds. Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), a noxious weed commonly found in public parks and protected areas in Ontario. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1728410276694-RRH5CP28KNZXN5YDF0X8/AdobeStock_344062002.jpeg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Creeping bugleweed is an invasive groundcover for part to full shade that is still sold in Ontario garden centres! It takes over quickly, spreading via stolons, and provides little value to native ecosystems. It will grow back from any piece of root or stem left behind, so it must be thoroughly removed. Luckily, its roots are fairly shallow. Digging around the plant and clearing the soil will do the job. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1728492643288-8XVVI73LQQFOMNANEQFT/Kill%2B%25282%2529.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Wild blue phlox is a beautiful, low-growing (9-12 inches tall) perennial that blooms in April-May. It can form large colonies over time, with blooms that range from light blue to purple. It prefers part to full shade and average moisture, although it can be relatively drought tolerant once established. It does well in sandy or loamy soils. Importantly, it supports ecosystem health by providing for local pollinators, specifically long-tongued bees, butterflies and moths. It is also a host plant for the Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/e930c687-3e43-4834-92e9-0667e42b0cd5/Screen+Shot+2024-10-08+at+2.27.11+PM.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Common Blue Violet is a lovely spring-blooming groundcover and an important early nectar source for native pollinators. It also serves as a larval host plant for Fritillary butterflies and several moth species. It can do well in all light conditions and all soil types (sand, clay, loam) with average soil moisture, making it very easy to grow. It is low-growing (under 1 foot) and can tolerate light foot traffic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1728736846500-CC126MV4EBLG939W2P53/AdobeStock_436142108.jpeg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Creeping Charlie is a quick-spreading perennial that was introduced to North America from Europe through colonization. It spreads in two ways: by seed, and by stolons (or creeping stems). It loves shady spots but, much to the frustration of homeowners, can easily take over in sunnier areas too. What makes Creeping Charlie extra sneaky? It’s allelopathic, meaning it releases chemicals that suppress neighboring plants, giving it an edge and making it even harder to control. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/ba4bd668-b84e-4307-bca3-daae39315dd0/Woodland+Strawberry Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Woodland Strawberry is a charming, low-growing perennial known for its small, sweet strawberries and delicate white flowers. It thrives in a variety of conditions, doing best in partial shade to full sun and loamy soil. It will tolerate some drought once established. Its spring blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Plus, the fruits are a bonus treat for both wildlife and gardeners! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1728737007537-BFC47IEF9JGJM6PG1FE7/AdobeStock_600504551.jpeg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Creeping Jenny is a fast-spreading evergreen groundcover with bright green or golden, rounded leaves and small yellow flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. It is shade tolerant, thriving in partial shade to full sun. While beautiful, it is highly invasive and often found in wild areas as it easily escapes home gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/33ff5113-bf2d-49cc-9ea4-0a81df5a5ceb/Kill+%284%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Partridgeberry is an evergreen groundcover native to Ontario, prized for its glossy green leaves, delicate white summer flowers, and bright red berries that persist through winter. Partridgeberry thrives in partial to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, however can tolerate drier conditions once established. Its berries provide food for birds and small mammals, while its flowers attract native pollinators. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/d01048a8-edff-42ff-af8b-cb7819e1302c/pexels-mo-eid-1268975-2521557.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - English Ivy is an evergreen vine that is highly invasive in Ontario, despite still being sold in garden centres! Known for its rapid, aggressive growth, it often escapes into wild areas and smothers native plants. English Ivy spreads by seeds and by growing long vines that take root at their joints and climb over anything in their way. It can grow horizontally as a groundcover, or vertically as a vine. This plant thrives in partial to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, but it is highly adaptable and can grow in a wide range of conditions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/55b03257-7d41-49c4-bb1a-76dd142b35d2/pexels-pavel-danilyuk-5706204.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Virginia Creeper is a fast-growing, deciduous vine that’s well-known for its vibrant red foliage in the fall. Like English Ivy, it can serve as a groundcover or a vine. Unlike some invasive climbers, Virginia Creeper does not typically harm the trees it climbs and can be controlled with pruning. This vine grows in a variety of light conditions, from full sun to shade, and adapts well to a variety of soil types. It is highly tolerant of urban environments and is a versatile choice for covering large areas quickly. In addition to supporting local pollinators, its berries are an important food for birds and small mammals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1729109185966-889WGLYPLH1VL9Q7ELEF/GettyImages-1207576863.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Large-Leaved Aster is a hardy, shade-tolerant perennial native to Ontario, known for its large, heart-shaped leaves and clusters of pale flowers that bloom in late summer to fall. It spreads by rhizomes and is an excellent groundcover for woodland gardens and shaded areas, where it can form dense colonies. Its flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths, and other beneficial insects, and its dense foliage offers shelter for small wildlife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1728737165879-464WWSYDKI0KHOWGW9S3/AdobeStock_84204495.jpeg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Goutweed is a highly invasive perennial that spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes. Its adaptability to all conditions make it popular as a groundcover, so it is sadly still sold in nurseries in Ontario! Once established, Goutweed is notoriously difficult to eradicate as every bit of root will produce a new plant. Its rapid spread and versatility make it a significant threat to gardens, woodlands, and natural areas in Ontario, where it outcompetes native species and disrupts ecosystems. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/931b691f-0a59-4f22-96a0-d589bb849fa4/Kill+%286%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Virginia Waterleaf is a native perennial that features attractive, lobed leaves and clusters of lavender or white flowers in late spring. Its flowers provide an early nectar source for bees and other pollinators. This plant spreads by rhizomes and is self-seeding, making it a great groundcover for woodland gardens and areas in partial to full shade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/12237ca2-246b-43a9-a15d-ce0d7088f41f/Kill+%287%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Canada Anemone is a hardy, adaptable native perennial that forms dense colonies with bright white flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. It spreads through underground rhizomes, making it a vigorous groundcover. Canada Anemone thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, though it can tolerate wet conditions and poor drainage. It plays an important role in supporting native pollinators and ecosystems. Its spreading habit helps stabilize soil, preventing erosion in wetter areas, while providing shelter and cover for small wildlife. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/7c6a536f-de27-4d0c-8da6-78737b61490d/pexels-yuliia-patrikhalkina-521338253-20643613.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Lily of the Valley is a fragrant, shade-tolerant perennial that is still sold in garden centres in Ontario! With bell-shaped white flowers and broad, glossy green leaves, it is prized for its beauty and scent, but is highly invasive in Ontario. This aggressive plant spreads through underground rhizomes, crowding out native plants. Once established, Lily of the Valley is difficult to control and can quickly take over gardens and natural areas. While it prefers partial to full shade, it can adapt to a variety of soil types and tolerate dry conditions. Do not purchase or plant this bully! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1a797891-2771-4222-899b-c6406e8e3770/Kill+%288%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Solomon’s Seal, also known as Starry Solomon’s Seal, is a graceful, shade-loving perennial native to Ontario. It features arching stems with lance-shaped leaves and delicate clusters of star-shaped white flowers in spring, followed by small, attractive berries in late summer. The plant spreads slowly via rhizomes. It tolerates a range of conditions, but thrives in partial to full shade. Solomon’s Seal supports biodiversity by providing nectar for bees and other pollinators, while its berries are a food source for birds and small mammals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1728737388927-GOO4Z9GF1WMW3UHWDFGY/Kill%2B%25283%2529.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Pachysandra, commonly known as Japanese Spurge, is a popular evergreen groundcover prized for its lush, glossy green leaves and small white flowers that bloom in early spring. It prefers partial to full shade, but can be adaptable. It rapidly spreads via rhizomes, creating thick mats that can overtake native plants. It can come back from even the tiniest root fragment, making it a headache to eliminate. Pachysandra frequently escapes into nearby forested areas, harming native ecosystems. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1728492607748-VUO9SSH21OT9PBJPB9X2/AdobeStock_329082985.jpeg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - This evergreen groundcover thrives in shade or part shade and can thrive in all soil types (sand, clay, loam) in medium to moist conditions. In spring, it briefly produces dark red-purple flowers that are tucked beneath the leaves. Growing half a foot tall, its heart-shaped leaves make it an attractive groundcover that supports local ecosystems. It is also the larval host plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1728737665142-TRBK9R7E8YNRVNGGYKGC/Kill%2B%25284%2529.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Periwinkle is a tough, evergreen groundcover prized for its shiny leaves and purple flowers in spring. While it adds beauty to gardens, it is invasive in Ontario and harms native ecosystems. Beware - it is still being sold in garden centres! Periwinkle thrives in partial to full shade and adapts easily to various soil types. Its drought and shade tolerance make it popular for challenging garden spots. However, its aggressive growth poses a serious threat to biodiversity as it commonly escapes home gardens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/4a1f1861-a12c-44d7-9bae-94353107a6e2/DETA-1897.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Wild Geranium is known for its attractive, deeply lobed leaves and showy, pale pink to lavender flowers that bloom in late spring. This clump-forming plant slowly spreads by rhizomes to create a lush groundcover. It thrives in partial shade to full sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil, though it can tolerate a range of conditions, including drier soils once established. It is a versatile and delightful choice that is beneficial for pollinators, attracting bees, butterflies, and other insects. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1728400091247-BX6SSO6TNP3J6JALSO64/Kill.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Creeping bellflower is an especially difficult plant to deal with, as any seasoned gardener will tell you! Introduced from Europe, it spreads in two ways: through a creeping root system of rhizomes and by producing an abundance of seeds (up to 15,000 per plant). The rhizomes have a sneaky habit of spreading under fences, sidewalks, and even concrete! This resilient and determined plant can quickly become a persistent challenge in your garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1728400074305-87BDFL55T5DG3XJISH8L/Kill%2B%25281%2529.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Make it stand out Eradicating creeping bellflower will likely be a multi-year project. Creeping bellflower's root system is deep, consisting of long tubers that can easily detach from the upper roots. Any pieces of tubers left in the ground will produce more plants! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1728407983477-NPUN6SD4D4LLWLWJM2GO/Screen%2BShot%2B2024-10-08%2Bat%2B1.17.22%2BPM.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - A delightful native alternative to Creeping Bellflower is Harebell. Harebell grows best in sandy or loamy soil, part shade to full sun, and in dry to medium soil conditions. It's purple bell-like flowers bloom from summer to fall. A lovely bonus: this plant is a favourite of hummingbirds! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/9cad2b58-0885-4125-8ea9-fcf14bca8c5c/am_bellflower1.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - American bellflower is a biennial that can grow up to 6.5 ft tall in either clay, sand, or loamy soil. It prefers sun to light shade and regular moisture (medium to moist conditions). It blooms between June and August, boasting blue star-shaped flowers. Note: It is only a true native to the very southern tip of Ontario. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1728737872293-LHRL4ZUMVF5WDRRGVZX8/pexels-70588695-24498477.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Daylilies are robust perennials known for their striking orange flowers. They are commonly called “ditch lilies” as they thrive in the ditches along roadsides. Though admired for their low-maintenance beauty, they spread readily through underground rhizomes and are highly invasive in Ontario. Daylilies thrive in a wide range of conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and tolerate various soil types. Their roots are dense and tuberous, crowding out other plants. Any small piece left in the ground can regenerate into another plant. Their adaptability and rapid spread make them a threat to natural habitats near human settlement. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/130188f1-61d7-4822-b3f8-ebee32685c87/Kill+%289%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - The Michigan Lily is one of the few dazzling lilies native to Ontario, lighting up gardens with its bright orange blooms and elegantly curled-back petals. Blooming in the height of summer, this lily thrives in moist, well-drained soils and full to partial sun. More than just a pretty face, Michigan Lily is a pollinator magnet, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/3398f990-6c15-43e4-a525-f556ac3dd35e/Kill+%287%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - The deceptively pretty Purple Loosestrife is a highly invasive perennial plant in Ontario, recognizable by its tall spikes of vibrant purple-pink flowers. Native to Europe and Asia, it was introduced to North America in the 19th century and has since spread aggressively in wetlands, marshes, and along riverbanks and roadsides. It thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soils but can tolerate a variety of conditions, including full sun or partial shade. Its adaptability and prolific seed production (up to 2.7 million each year!) make it a serious ecological threat, particularly to wetlands. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/be3280a1-f424-426b-80f6-8dc582da75a5/pexels-courtney-kolander-894780245-26866434.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Blue Vervain is a hardy native wildflower with tall spikes of tiny, vibrant blue-violet flowers. Growing from 2-5ft tall, it supports a wide range of native pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Blue Vervain is tough yet graceful, thriving in moist soils and full to partial sun. In drier conditions, Blue Vervain can still thrive with more shade (particularly in the afternoon). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/2443512d-7706-434e-85b4-7bd901381ba8/pexels-lauripoldre-14574513.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Ontario native Blazing Stars are some of my favourite perennials, including Liatris spicata, Liatris aspera, and Liatris cylindrica. Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) is a stunner, with its tall, feathery spikes of bright purple flowers. Blooming in mid to late summer, it’s a favourite among native pollinators. Monarch butterflies and swallowtails are particularly drawn to its rich nectar, along with native bees and hummingbirds. Growing 2-5ft tall, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, often tolerating drought. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1729184713430-Q4I9U5C7X7NFLP53DC5K/unsplash-image-rh8FY8yXMss.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Anise Hyssop is a fragrant, bee-friendly, near-native herb with tall spikes of lavender flowers. Blooming from mid-summer to early fall, its sweet licorice scent and abundant nectar make it irresistible to native pollinators. Bumblebees, mason bees, and leafcutter bees flock to its blooms. Its long-lasting flowers provide an extended food source for pollinators as other blooms fade at the end of the season. Anise Hyssop thrives in full sun to partial shade https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/a0972ca8-9af2-4ba8-ba12-f8decd79f4e3/Yellow+flag+iris.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Yellow Flag Iris is an attractive but highly invasive perennial in Ontario, recognized by its large, showy yellow flowers. Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, it thrives in wetland areas including marshes, riverbanks, and lakeshores. It spreads through both seeds and rhizomes, forming dense stands that displace native species and reduce habitat quality and food sources for wildlife. Thriving in full sun or partial shade, its ability to colonize wetlands is alarming. Ontario has already lost over 70% of its vital wetland ecosystems, which support at least 20% of species at risk in the province. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/e119019d-3145-42ef-8a83-89170390d0d5/Kill+%2811%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Blue Flag Iris is a striking native iris that brings splashes of deep blue and purple to Ontario’s wetlands and shorelines. Blooming in late spring to early summer, its elegant, vibrant blooms are a magnet for native pollinators, particularly native bees. It also provides shelter for small wetland wildlife and supports water-loving pollinators, such as certain hoverflies and dragonflies. It thrives in full to partial sun and consistently moist soils. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/89e69407-460a-429f-bafb-129a4abf12e5/Kill+%2812%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Canada Lily boasts graceful, vibrant orange and yellow blooms in mid-summer. Its bell-shaped flowers dangle delicately from tall stems, attracting a range of native pollinators. Hummingbirds are particularly drawn to its bright, tubular flowers, which also attract swallowtail butterflies and bumblebees seeking nectar. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils and does well in partial shade to full sun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1729184889000-CJICT5TZ1HQI0G7WFO6B/unsplash-image-0VB03jtrhkY.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Cardinal Flower is another striking native wildflower that prefers wet conditions. It lights up Ontario’s wetlands, stream banks, and moist meadows with its brilliant red blooms in late summer. It is a favourite of hummingbirds, which are among the few pollinators able to access its long, tubular flowers. Thriving in full to partial sun, Cardinal Flower is perfect for damp settings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/51c91a60-0939-43cb-9e7d-14cbf911a8b6/Scilla.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Siberian Squill is an early-blooming favourite that, while admired for its delicate blue flowers, is invasive in Ontario. It can poisonous if eaten by some animals, including dogs. It spreads quickly through seeds and bulbs, forming dense colonies that outcompete native spring ephemerals like Trilliums and Bloodroot. This leads to a loss of biodiversity, reducing spring food sources and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. Like most invasives, Siberian Squill is adaptable and can thrive in a variety of conditions, making it especially pernicious. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/e78ece7e-d575-4d03-8142-38fca865aa45/Kill+%281%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Virginia Bluebells bring delicate shades of blue to Ontario gardens in early spring. Native bees are frequent visitors, along with the occasional butterfly seeking an early-season feast. Growing up to 2 feet tall, Virginia Bluebells thrive in moist, well-drained soils and partial to full shade. As one of the first spring blooms, they play a vital role in supporting pollinators emerging from winter and contribute to a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/fd6073ea-db6f-4a42-b4b1-e379fa716dbc/Miscanthus.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Miscanthus are tall (up to 6.5 feet), ornamental grasses native to Asia and Africa. These species spread vigorously through rhizomes and seeds, overtaking native plants and reducing biodiversity in our ecosystems. Miscanthus is particularly problematic in disturbed habitats, wetlands, and along roadsides. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, but is adaptable to a range of conditions, including poor or disturbed soils. Once established, it is difficult to remove. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1340870b-3385-4c02-8e21-b1563d1f3634/Screen+Shot+2024-10-31+at+2.58.58+PM.png Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Indian Grass is a tall (up to 8 feet), elegant native grass with striking golden-yellow inflorescences, especially in late summer and fall. This perennial grass thrives in full sun, adapting well to a variety of conditions, including drought. Its deep root system helps stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. Indian Grass provides essential habitat and food for numerous wildlife species, including birds like the Eastern Meadowlark and American Goldfinch, which feed on its seeds. It also supports native pollinators. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1729185865319-S56L9AZ3ZG0XQGCMT68A/Common+buckthorn+AdobeStock_560781182.jpeg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1729185906191-M30UUP5FZ6OTWDTYC831/Sea%2BBuckthorn.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1729185920531-BDSAG74X1SZ5KB8INBC1/Glossy%2BBuckthorn.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Glossy Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/e421f39c-0a02-4ce0-81df-eed26cdabef6/Kill+%2813%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Chokeberry is a versatile native shrub that adds beauty and ecological value. It sports clusters of delicate white flowers in spring and glossy black berries in late summer. This resilient plant thrives in various conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and is adaptable to most soil types. Chokeberry not only provides a vital food source for birds and small mammals, but it also attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, during its flowering period. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/6219eeab-32d9-462e-b454-79c6cb9f0347/Kill+%2814%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Nannyberry is a lovely native shrub with creamy white flowers in spring and clusters of dark blue-black berries in the fall. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, this adaptable plant prefers well-drained soils but can tolerate a range of conditions, including wet sites. Nannyberry serves as an important food source for various wildlife, including birds like cardinals and bluebirds, while its fragrant flowers attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/128f6ea7-bbbf-414a-9304-69f53abc6da4/Kill+%2815%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Serviceberry is a delightful native tree or shrub that flaunts stunning white flowers in early spring and sweet, juicy berries in early summer. This versatile plant is a favorite among wildlife, providing an essential food source for mammals and birds, including robins and bluebirds. Its blooms provide for a range of pollinators, making it a valuable asset for local biodiversity. With its multi-season interest, from beautiful blooms to vibrant fall foliage, Serviceberry enhances the aesthetic appeal of landscapes while promoting ecological health. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/6a249393-4495-4b08-a5e6-154013b01972/Kill+%282%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Burning Bush is known for its brilliant red foliage in the fall, which has made it a popular ornamental plant. However, it is highly invasive in Ontario, easily escaping home gardens by producing copious amounts of seeds. Once it takes root, Burning Bush forms dense thickets that outcompete native plants, reducing biodiversity and altering natural habitats. This shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade and can tolerate a range of soils, including dry and disturbed areas, making it highly adaptable and difficult to control. It can form monocultures that dominate forests, fields, and roadsides. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/0a4c81bf-918d-4f55-a41c-853f945dad6f/Kill+%2816%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Eastern Wahoo is a gorgeous native shrub in the same family as Burning Bush. It too boasts fall interest, showing off with vibrant pinkish-red fruits that burst open to reveal bright orange seeds, providing a feast for birds like robins and cardinals. Its small, purplish flowers in spring attract native bees and other pollinators, supporting biodiversity early in the season. Thriving in partial shade, Eastern Wahoo adds beauty to woodlands and hedgerows while enhancing habitat quality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/11ce665a-5a4a-4834-beb2-d4ff66f9b6af/False+spirea.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - False Spirea is a fast-growing, deciduous shrub with attractive, fern-like foliage and fluffy white flower clusters in mid-summer. Although appealing, it is highly invasive, spreading through underground rhizomes and quickly forming dense thickets that disrupt natural ecosystems. This shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a range of soils. Its adaptability and relentless production of suckers make it incredibly difficult to control. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/46081d1b-57a3-4c88-9381-0ba3465d6097/451855331_840653388172279_8177152930348453741_n.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Meadowsweet is a lovely native shrub that brings a touch of elegance to Ontario’s wetlands, meadows, and stream banks. In midsummer, it produces clusters of delicate, fluffy white flowers that are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its dense foliage and fibrous roots also help stabilize soil, preventing erosion along waterways. Preferring full sun and moist to wet soils, it is a beautiful and functional addition to your garden. Image from Nature in the City of Toronto https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/1729188130529-8F1LZDKTPD4UGV3VOBQE/Tartarian+Honeysuckle Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - These non-native honeysuckles, originally from Asia and Europe, grow rapidly with prolific reproduction. They take over natural areas, crowding out native plants and disrupting ecosystems. Reaching from 6.5 to 16 feet tall, their summer blooms range from white to pink to crimson. Invasive honeysuckles take over the understory, blocking forest regeneration and reducing wildlife habitat. Japanese and Tartarian honeysuckles are still sold in Ontario. Do not plant these invasive shrubs! Tartarian Honeysuckle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/eee9a972-5e90-4157-8295-d24db41134c7/Screen+Shot+2024-10-17+at+2.08.21+PM.png Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Bush Honeysuckle is a hardy native shrub with yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers blooming in early summer. It attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to dry and/or rocky soils. As a native honeysuckle, it forms low, dense thickets that provide shelter and nesting sites for small wildlife, making it a clear winner over its invasive counterparts! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/134b7c52-50e0-4b03-90a5-7310d6bf0b79/Japanese+Barberry.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Japanese Barberry is an ornamental shrub that has become highly invasive in Ontario and other parts of North America. It spreads aggressively through its abundant seeds, which are dispersed by birds. Japanese Barberry thrives in full sun to partial shade and is highly adaptable, tolerating a wide range of soil types. Its striking fall foliage and vibrant red berries that last through winter make it a favourite of gardeners looking for all-season interest. But, sadly, it poses a serious threat to natural habitats, and herbivores will not eat it due to its sharp thorns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/d432309e-e4da-43c9-9a37-5eccb1740bce/Kill+%2817%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Winterberry is a native deciduous holly that adds year-round appeal to Ontario gardens. Known for its bright red berries that persist through the colder months, Winterberry provides an important food source for birds when other food is scarce. In summer, its small white flowers attract pollinators, and its glossy green leaves turn yellow in the fall. It thrives in most soils that are medium to moist and in full sun to partial shade. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/0168959f-ba75-42e3-86a2-e581a438bbe9/Kill.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - The Norway Maple is an invasive tree from Europe that is often grown in urban areas since it can tolerate pollution, foot traffic, and salt. While popular as a shade tree, it produces a large number of seeds that spread easily and its dense canopy shades out understory plants, reducing biodiversity. It is also allelopathic and produces chemicals that slow down the growth of nearby plants, and local wildlife do not eat it or its seedlings. If you or your neighbours have one, you are likely well aware of how many saplings it produces each year! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/b064b451-91e0-45af-b1c8-cdcaca9a875a/Kill+%2818%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - All of these native maples are well-suited to Ontario’s climate and offer valuable benefits to wildlife. Each native maple serves as a host plant for hundreds of native butterfly and moth species. In urban spaces, Freeman or Silver maples are appropriate choices, as they can tolerate pollution. Sugar maples can not, and thus tend to thrive in more rural areas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/eccec6c5-fff0-46d0-b284-789a2964e6f3/Kill+%281%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Tree of Heaven is an aggressive, non-native tree that has become a major environmental threat in Ontario. Originally from China, it spreads rapidly through both seeds and suckers. Known for its ability to thrive in poor soils and urban environments, Tree of Heaven also releases allelopathic chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants. It is also the preferred host of the invasive spotted lanternfly, highlighting how the spread of non-native plants can exacerbate the spread of invasive pests, creating a damaging cycle for local ecosystems. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/68eb183e-5974-470d-a672-65d8bcf0a210/Kill+%2819%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Staghorn Sumac is a native Tree of Heaven look-alike that provides ecological value rather than diminishing it. Known for its striking, velvety branches, it produces vibrant clusters of red berries in late summer and fall, which provide food for birds including robins and cedar waxwings. Staghorn Sumac is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that thrives in full sun to partial shade and can adapt to a variety of soil types, including dry, rocky, and disturbed areas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/4482e848-6c8b-4ea2-861f-a042a047fd3b/Kill+%284%29.png Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Coltsfoot is an aggressive, invasive perennial plant that spreads rapidly in Ontario. It was brought to North America from Europe during colonization as it was prized as an herbal medicine. Known for its early yellow flowers that appear before the leaves, it establishes itself in disturbed areas like roadsides, ditches, and riverbanks. Sadly, I often find this noxious weed along trails in public parks and protected areas. Coltsfoot spreads both by seeds and by an extensive underground rhizome system, allowing it to quickly form dense patches that crowd out native plants. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/99716fd3-877c-47af-bf39-d1aaa2536272/Kill+%282%29.png Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Dog-Strangling Vine is a highly invasive perennial vine. Originating from Europe, it spreads through both wind-dispersed seeds and underground roots, forming dense, smothering mats that outcompete native plants. Its rapid growth and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, including forests, meadows, and disturbed areas, allow it to take over quickly. Dog-Strangling Vine can also interfere with the life cycle of native butterflies, as Monarchs may mistakenly lay eggs on it, but the larvae cannot survive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/ea8ce9f7-6a7e-441d-8cf8-6b51337e86b1/Untitled+design+%289%29.png Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Garlic Mustard is an invasive herb native to Europe that has become a serious threat to Ontario’s woodlands and natural areas. It spreads rapidly by seed, forming dense colonies and altering soil composition, limiting the growth of other vegetation. Garlic mustard thrives in shaded, moist areas and can easily colonize forest floors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/b744bd6d-691d-4f48-aba4-82f7a3c7f5b6/Kill+%286%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Japanese Knotweed is a highly invasive species that is difficult to control without herbicide. Originally from East Asia, it spreads rapidly through underground rhizomes. Japanese Knotweed thrives in a variety of environments and, like many invasives, it alters soil composition and prevents the regeneration of native vegetation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/654dd21f-9644-4611-837a-4c8bc9854ee3/Kill+%2820%29.jpg Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - The invasive Phragmites Australis poses a significant threat to Ontario’s wetlands and aquatic ecosystems. You have likely seen this grass lining the ditches of Ontario’s highways and roadsides! Native to Europe, it spreads aggressively through both seeds and underground rhizomes. It forms monocultures that outcompete native vegetation, degrade wildlife habitat, and reduce biodiversity. Phragmites thrives in wet, marshy areas and can rapidly dominate shorelines, reducing water flow, and altering water quality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/8697ee67-ac6a-448f-bce2-0ea33df3eb57/Need+help+getting+started+%281%29.png Blog - Invasive Plants in Ontario & What to Plant Instead - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://birdsbeesgardens.ca/blog/please-kill-your-lawn-history-of-lawns monthly 0.5 2025-09-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/f76df250-4fcb-4511-9273-94e37db99e28/pexels-pixabay-280222+%281%29.jpg Blog - Pollinators Need You to Kill Your Lawn - Make it stand out On individual lots, it is common for 90% of the available landscape to be dedicated to lawn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/efb53026-08ad-4f89-adac-78e0017f6020/pexels-theshuttervision-17326319.jpg Blog - Pollinators Need You to Kill Your Lawn - Let’s look at the numbers: In the U.S., lawn irrigation consumes on average more than 8 billion gallons of water daily. This accounts for 30% of all water used during the summer in the east, and up to 60% in the west. That’s 32 gallons per day per person in the country! This is more water than is replaced by rainfall in most areas, making this entirely unsustainable. In Canada, residential water use increases by 50% in the summer months due in large part to lawn irrigation, and 50% of the water used outdoors evaporates before serving any purpose! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/b99428c3-e4cd-4fae-9de1-48d5d15296df/pexels-aaron-kittredge-35519-129112.jpg Blog - Pollinators Need You to Kill Your Lawn - Our story begins with the early colonial-capitalists and their ideals. Colonial garden aesthetics are dominated by turfgrass accented by non-native flowers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/d0496d46-9146-4f8b-b530-150849d7ff52/1950s+Ads.jpg Blog - Pollinators Need You to Kill Your Lawn - As lawns became tied with property values for this population, and as the vast and coercive lawn care economy reached an increasing number of homeowners through commercials and advertisements, the lawn soon came to embody a moral character. “Good” lawns contain dense, soft grasses with no weeds, maintain a rich and vibrant colour, and are neat and consistent - grass should be manicured and homogenous. Brooks and Francis note that “These characteristics are associated with wealth, education and implicit moral worth; good neighbours have good lawns.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/da543a1a-923f-4bba-8ed7-7d35770bfece/61IKou3S87L._AC_UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg Blog - Pollinators Need You to Kill Your Lawn - The moral lawn economy is so powerful that an increasing number of homeowners are carpeting their yards with artificial turf! Setting aside the uncomfortable question of how to clean the artificial grass should any animals defecate on it, it’s a tad bit bonkers that we’ve reached a point where plastic grass is what we need to purchase to signal our responsibility to our neighbours. What stage of capitalism is it when people begin carpeting outdoors…? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/803e0c9b-81ba-4126-a6a4-92024672080f/pexels-michael-tuszynski-1134777-2157401.jpg Blog - Pollinators Need You to Kill Your Lawn - Make it stand out Urban and suburban landscapes are highly ecologically fragmented. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/ebc03c4b-1871-4593-bbca-102c1e7b7455/shutterstock_1800177103.jpg Blog - Pollinators Need You to Kill Your Lawn - Make it stand out Monarch visiting Joe Pye Weed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/0924536e-2584-4169-949f-ef4016abb08b/pexels-cassius-cardoso-927917183-26825227.jpg Blog - Pollinators Need You to Kill Your Lawn - Caterpillars are some of the most important insect herbivores, not only because many become pollinators, but because they are the most vital food source for birds. Birds are important for propagating more plant species as they spread seeds throughout the environment, and they are also prey for other species in each web. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/4f612471-3db5-4a27-83d1-941632937f0c/shutterstock_2491148823.jpg Blog - Pollinators Need You to Kill Your Lawn - Further, although birds will eat berries from non-native plants, these berries tend to have much less fat than their native counterparts. Many North American species of birds need berries with high fat content to build up enough fat stores for migration or to survive the winter. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6618408fca352e4455047ba6/8697ee67-ac6a-448f-bce2-0ea33df3eb57/Need+help+getting+started+%281%29.png Blog - Pollinators Need You to Kill Your Lawn - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://birdsbeesgardens.ca/blog/category/Garden+Clean-Up monthly 0.5 https://birdsbeesgardens.ca/blog/category/Climate+Change monthly 0.5 https://birdsbeesgardens.ca/blog/category/Gardening+for+Pollinators+%26+Biodiversity monthly 0.5 https://birdsbeesgardens.ca/blog/category/Lawns monthly 0.5 https://birdsbeesgardens.ca/blog/category/Pests monthly 0.5 https://birdsbeesgardens.ca/blog/category/Invasive+Species monthly 0.5 https://birdsbeesgardens.ca/blog/category/Politics+and+Economics monthly 0.5 https://birdsbeesgardens.ca/blog/tag/honeybees+vs.+native+bees 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