Native Plants & Lawn Alternatives
Traditional grass lawns consume enormous amounts of water, fertilizer, and fuel for mowing. Replacing your lawn with native plants creates a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape that supports local wildlife and saves you money.
Why Go Native?
- Zero irrigation once established — native plants are adapted to local rainfall
- No mowing — save 40+ hours per year and eliminate gas emissions
- No pesticides or fertilizers — native plants thrive without chemical inputs
- Supports pollinators — bees, butterflies, and birds depend on native species
- Reduces stormwater runoff — deep root systems absorb rain naturally
- Increases property value — professional native landscaping is increasingly desirable
Popular Native Plants for Ontario
Groundcovers: Wild strawberry, creeping phlox, bearberry
Grasses: Little bluestem, switchgrass, prairie dropseed
Wildflowers: Black-eyed Susan, purple coneflower, wild bergamot
Shrubs: Serviceberry, ninebark, winterberry holly
Getting Started
Start small — convert a section of lawn at a time. Remove existing turf, prepare the soil, and plant a mix of native species suited to your sun exposure and soil type. Within two growing seasons, your native garden will be fully established and virtually self-sustaining.