Inside this edition of Natural Garden News

• When the subtle things shine
• If you want a Grounded garden…
• Beat overwhelm with these native plant pairings
• 3 articles about why it’s good to leave the leaves
• New here? Start with these articles
• Blown away – on leaf blowers
• Pod cast
• Alternative fall colours
• This isn’t a Christmas tree
• My greatest inspiration (one month later)
• Today’s recommended reading
• Today’s VIP (Very Important Plant)
• The mellow season

I hope you enjoy the newsletter! If you have any questions or feedback, please reply to this email.

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Simon Payn
Grounded
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Email: hello@groundedgardens.ca​
Web: groundedgardens.ca​

When the subtle things shine

In November, it pays to appreciate the small things. Gone is the green, mostly gone are the colourful leaves – and the snow hasn’t fallen (yet) to make it all pretty again.

Some call November the grey season – and I can see why.

But look! (Closely!) This is the month when the subtle things shine: when frost makes stems jet black, seed heads remain like sculptures, and rain places jewels on leaves.

I ask my clients to look closely at their gardens because the more you look, the more you notice… and the more you love what’s there.

If all seems a little grey, maybe now’s the time to stop and stare.

Simon

If you want a Grounded garden… I’m currently booking garden and shoreline installs (and management services) for 2026. We start by having a quick call to see if it makes sense for me to come look at your site. There’s still time before the snow flies. ​ Learn more To see some of my recent work, please see this page.

Beat overwhelm with these native plant pairings Some native plants just go together – like peas and carrots. Here are some classic plant pairings… and the reasons why. Read more.​

3 articles about why it’s good to leave the leaves ​Why leaving the leaves is better for your yard ​Life in the leaf litter (detailed PDF showing what lives in the leaves) ​Why to leave the leaves in your yard this fall​

New here? Start with these articles

Blown away

This letter in The Highlander made me smile. Sometimes I think gas-powered leaf-blowers symbolize everything that’s wrong with the human-nature relationship. Don’t get me started!

Pod cast

Here’s the Common Milkweed that planted itself all by its own in the parking lot of Lucas House. Literally bursting with seeds!

Alternative fall colours

Here’s a rainy day shot at Lucas House. The Slender Mountain Mint’s seed heads are black, and the Little Bluestem is still ablaze.

This isn’t a Christmas tree

Yes, still too early for all that. Instead, here’s a Tamarack I planted a few years ago at my house. The great thing about this tree is the golden colour its needles turn this time of year, when most of the fall leaves are… fallen. If you’ve got a moist site and room for a tree, pick this!

My greatest inspiration (one month later)

I showed you pictures of this a wetland on Kennaway Road last month. As I said then, every month it looks different. Here it is one frosty morning a few days go. Look at the subtle colours and textures!

Today’s recommended reading

Letting go: Fascinating interview with naturalistic garden designer Ben O’Brien, from Prince Edward County, about planting meadows – and natives found growing in super-stressful situations. Read more.

This is meant to be: I often talk to clients about “intentional” plantings. In other words, use the tools of nature but give them a designer’s guiding hand. One of the techniques in my toolbox is “cues to care”. Read more.

Beauty out of horror: A thoughtful garden remembering terrorist attacks in Paris. Read more.

Healthy shorelines: Why buffer zones of vegetation are vital for keeping our lakes free of harmful algae blooms. Read more.

Meadowscape: Could this eco-home in England provide inspiration for anyone wanting to landscape their new cottage? Read more.​

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Today’s VIP (Very Important Plant)

I’ve put together some information “cards” about native plants. These are plants I use in my designs.

Today let’s look at Fragrant Sumac​

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The mellow season

Is fall when our gardens look their best? A controversial idea, perhaps, but I’m coming around to it.
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These pictures by natural garden legend Roy Diblik help build my case. (Click to see the post and more pictures.)

Thank you for reading!

Simon

Email: hello@groundedgardens.ca​
Web: groundedgardens.ca​
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