Native Plants
- Abbey Gardens
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
The Big Impact of Native Plants (and How to Get Started)
Ecological gardening is a growing movement focused on creating habitat, increasing biodiversity, building healthy soils, sequestering carbon, and conserving water. It provides an opportunity to connect with nature and positively impact the environment. A key step in ecological gardening is rethinking plant choices—shifting from non-native species to native plants that truly support local ecosystems.
Why Native Plants?
Native Plants Invite Wildlife In
Native plants support the vast majority of our native leaf-eating insects, such as caterpillars, which in turn provide food for creatures higher up the food chain. Without leaf-eating insects, most species up the food chain would struggle to survive.
96% of North American terrestrial bird species rely on
insects to feed their young
It takes hundreds of years for caterpillars to adapt to a plant species’ leaf chemistry, so planting native plants that have co-evolved alongside these insects is a sure way to support them. But wait, doesn’t that mean we’ll end up creating gardens overrun by insects and damaged plants? The short answer is no- insect predators (like our feathered friends) keep the balance in check.
Native Plants are Low(er) Maintenance
Native plants thrive in their local environment and usually require less care over time. They’re adapted to the soil, moisture levels, climate patterns, and pests of your region, meaning less (if any) soil amendments and pest control interventions required. Once established (2-3 seasons), watering is required sparingly unless we experience severe drought.
Getting Started with Native Plants
Right Plants for the Right Place
The planet is divided into distinct ecological areas known as ecoregions, defined by shared characteristics such as climate, soil types, precipitation patterns, underlying geology, and other environmental factors. Choosing species suited not only to your regional climate but also to your site’s specific features—such as soil depth, drainage, sun exposure, and moisture—is essential for the long-term success of a garden or naturalization project. Local native plant nurseries, horticultural clubs, curated plant kits, and botany guides are valuable resources for identifying native plants well suited to your project.
How Abbey Gardens Can Help
Ecological Gardens to Inspire
At Abbey Gardens, we create ecological demonstration gardens to educate and inspire homeowners to bring nature into their own landscape.
Look for the following natural spaces while you’re here:
A small, constructed pond brimming with native aquatic plants
Lawn conversion garden with compact, well-behaved native and non-invasive ornamental plants perfect for tidy front yards
Rain garden to capture and filter water-runoff
Naturalistic garden showing how to balance environmental needs with visual appeal
Children’s garden with wildlife features and native plants to foster conversation about nature
Native Plant Selection Made Easy
At Abbey Gardens in Haliburton, our ecology team has created native plant kits that represent site conditions common to our area. Pollinator Garden kits are for sites with dry to normal soil that experience part shade to full sun. This kit includes a mix of wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees that will attract pollinators throughout the whole season. Open Shoreline kits (suitable for any wet area of your property) benefit sites with low lying areas that have moist soil and at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Forest Garden kits are appropriate for shaded areas with dry to normal soil. Native plant kits can be ordered through our online store and picked up on Victoria Day weekend.
If your site conditions differ from the ones listed, or you would like to create a garden in shallow bedrock soils, moist & shady areas, meadows or over your septic bed, we can customize your plant order to suit your needs.
Cara Steele, Ecologist
Abbey Gardens
