Inside this edition of Natural Garden News

• Plants that just work
• If you want a Grounded garden…
• Why natural gardens are lower maintenance
• How to make a beautiful landscape in the shade
• New here? Start with these articles
• Today’s recommended reading
• Today’s VIP (Very Important Plant)
• What’s happening at Lucas House?
• Waste not, want not

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

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

Plants that just work

Most traditional landscapers don’t know a lot about plants. They’re great at terracing, steps, patios and whatnot, but they’ll probably admit that their horticultural knowledge isn’t top-notch. Certainly not about native plants.

This is perhaps why you see the same few species used across Ontario. Hosta for shade, Burning Bush for structure and colour, Forsythia for reliable spring blooms, or Periwinkle for groundcover.

I see these plants over and over again. Landscapers choose them because they’re reliable – they do the job they’re supposed to do and they do it well. Indeed, some are pretty indestructible.

(Not just indestructible. Some are downright invasive. They shouldn’t be let out in the yard because they don’t play nice with others.)

The other day, I needed to choose a shrub on the double for a client when my grower was out of what I wanted. I’d already used Bush Honeysuckle elsewhere in the project, but I chose it again for this new spot. You know why? It’s easy going and it’s reliable. (And it’s attractive and provides great services to wildlife.)

It makes a lot of sense to choose plants that are steady performers. It helps the project succeed, and successful projects make for happy homeowners.

That’s not to say I come back to the same 10 plants. I have 169 in my database at the moment. But if in doubt, I choose one that’s going to make everyone happy.

And with that… Happy Canada Day!

Simon
​

If you want a Grounded garden… I’m currently booking garden and shoreline installs for 2025 and 2026. My pipeline is filling up, but I still have some space for summer and fall installations. We start by having a quick call to see if it makes sense for me to come look at your site. ​ Learn more To see some of my recent work, please see this page.

Why natural gardens are (by nature) lower maintenance How we follow nature to create landscapes that mostly look after themselves. Read more.​

How to make a beautiful landscape in the shade Shade doesn’t have to be about hostas and ferns. Here’s some ideas. Read more.​

New here? Start with these articles

Native plants and natural gardens 101 Links to my most important articles. Read more.​

Myths about native plants and natural gardens I hear a lot of myths. Here’s the reality. Read more.​

All about shorelines A look at shoreline naturalization: why it’s important and how to do it. Read more.​

Today’s recommended reading

Could we do this here? How cities across Canada are using public space to create natural gardens for pollinators. Read more.

Flower architecture: How to use different flower shapes when designing gardens. Read more.

Fire breaks: In California, they’re using native plants to slow the spread of wildfires (how? the plants they choose are suited to the climate so don’t dry up and become kindling.) Read more.​

Roadside assistance: Boston is ditching roadside grass and replacing it with plants that soak up rainwater. Read more.

Soak with care: Uh-oh… emptying your hot tub could harm your lake. Lots of good info if you want to enjoy your spa responsibly. Read more.

In a previous newsletter, I told you about the Mosquito Bucket of Doom. It’s a way of reducing the number of pesky biters without killing every other insect around your property. I told you I’d try it… and I did. This isn’t at all scientific or peer reviewed, but I believe it works. I put the bucket by my porch, where the shaded, dark-coloured environment was a Mozzy hangout. There are definitely fewer now than there were before.

​

Get the free guide I’ve updated my guide to natural gardens in Haliburton County and surrounding areas. Download here

Now booking garden and shoreline installs If you’d like me to come and look at your garden or shoreline, please contact me. Learn more

​

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 Common Boneset.

​

Please share me! If you know someone who might like this newsletter, please forward it to them!

Did someone forward this to you? Get your own copy by clicking here and adding your email address.

What’s happing at Lucas House?

This is the month the garden feels like it’s getting established. There are two reasons for this: First, it’s time… we’re starting the third year of the garden now. Second, I have added some shrubs.

Pictures below. And read all the details here.

Waste not, want not

Look at this! A sunken garden created at a former waste water treatment plant. I love that they’ve left the equipment there. Click through to see more pictures.

Rufus says Hi… …and do my feet look good in these fur boots?

Thank you for reading!

Simon

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