Natural Garden News from Grounded – May 24, 2025

May 24, 2025

Inside this edition of Natural Garden News

Why Rufus and I are happy this week
If you want a Grounded garden…
Is that plant easy-going or super-fussy?
The evolution of the native plant garden
New here? Start with these articles
Today’s recommended reading
Today’s VIP (Very Important Plant)
It starts with one plant
Lucas House Diary
White party!
What we’ve been up to

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

Come say Hi at the Haliburton Home and Cottage Show.

It’s open Friday May 30, 3-8; Saturday May 31, 9-5; and Sunday June 1, 9-3 at the Haliburton Arena. More info here.

Why Rufus and I are happy this week

My puppy Rufus (Grounded’s emotional support gardener) is having the time of his life. Earlier this week he splashed around in three lakes in one day.

That’s because things are getting busy here at Grounded. We’re installing gardens and shorelines, and we’re meeting home and cottage owners across the Highlands who are interested in working with us.

I’m happy so many people want to create natural landscapes. Homeowners seem to get what “gardening for life” means.

I call these people Lake Legacy Leaders because they’re showing the new way to live on our lakes – a way that respects this place and preserves it for the future.

It’s an utter pleasure working with such people – and it’s why I want to do the best I can, not just to plant thriving landscapes but also to make examples that others on the lake can follow.

Simon (and Rufus – who says Hi!)

Grounded will be at the Haliburton Home and Cottage Show next weekend. Come say Hi!

It’s at the Arena in Haliburton. Friday May 30, 3-8; Saturday May 31, 9-5; and Sunday June 1, 9-3. More info here.

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 a little 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.

Is that plant easy-going or super-fussy?

Here are three useful ways to make sure we choose plants that will thrive with little management. Read more.

How your garden or shoreline evolves

Natural gardening isn’t a one-time thing. Instead, it’s about dancing with nature, watching the garden mature year by year. Here’s what you can expect from your new landscape installed by Grounded. 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

It’s not just the deer: How human development helped spread Lyme Disease… and how biodiverse native plants can halt its advance. Read more.

The mosquito bucket of doom! Quit using harmful pesticides that even if called “all natural” still kill a wide variety of insects. Instead, try this. (I’m going to give it a go – I’ll report back). Read more.

Bella! While we await summer, here’s some eye-candy from Italy: an old olive grove planted like a meadow. Read more.

Pollinator A Bee C: A super guide on native plant/insect interactions. Which insects are you helping when you plant that species? Read more.

Back on the lake: The local push to make sure the Lake Partner Program water testing regime continues. Read more.

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 Cardinal Flower.

Please share me!

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Lucas House Diary:
May 24, 2025

The garden is slowly….very slowly… becoming a garden. That’s because the perennials, grasses and sedges are starting to grow. Read more.

White party!

This is the time that our woodland edges and understory come into their own. It’s flower time for the trees and shrubs!

I am using some of these plants in my own designs. They’re a great way to soften the border between cottage and forest. They also provide some wonderful colour (albeit mostly white) before the flowering plants start blooming. That’s not to mention all the wildlife benefits.

These images were all taken around my house, where a shrub thicket has naturally formed. Below are Hobblebush, a violet, an elder and a cherry.