Blog

Written by: Cole White

Be on the lookout for native plant species at your supermarket garden centre: In Ontario, Loblaws has partnered with Carolinian Canada and the World Wildlife Foundation's In the Zone initiative to bring native plant stock into 35 stores across the province. This is exciting news, because it makes ecologically-sound gardening a little more accessible for our plant people in the Carolinian Zone!

In the Zone plants sighted at a local Zehrs garden centre. Photo courtesy of Sofia Becerra.

We love initiatives like this, which make it easier to get locally-grown, ethically-sourced plants into the hands of gardeners. By supporting pollinators and other wildlife, and existing as an alternative to potentially invasive ornamentals, these plants can make a real contribution to the health of urban areas.

If you live in Southern Ontario, head out to one of these participating stores and demonstrate that there's consumer demand for native plant stock in mainstream retail outlets by buying some plants. Or if you arrive and they're all sold out, this might be a great time to ask when they'll be getting more!

Network of Nature isn't affiliated with any of the businesses involved -- we just think that small steps like this could represent a positive shift in how Canadians relate to plants.

Here's an interactive map you can explore to find a participating store, and check out the nurseries that are supplying them.

Are you curious about what plants are available and what you can do with them? Check out Network of Nature's species pages for a few of the plants being offered:

 

Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)   Great for: Rooftop (drought tolerant/shallow rooted), Butterfly, and Prairie/Meadow gardens   View Plant
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)   Great for: Pond Edge/Wetland, Pond/Standing Water, and Butterfly gardens   View Plant
Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum)   Great for: Butterfly and Prairie/Meadow gardens   View Plant
Monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens)   Great for: Butterfly gardens   View Plant
Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)   Great for: Pond Edge/Wetland and Woodland gardens   View Plant
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedantum)   Great for: Woodland gardens   View Plant
Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus)   Great for: Woodland and Rooftop gardens (drought tolerant/shallow rooted)   View Plant
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)   Great for: Rooftop (drought tolerant/shallow rooted), Bird, and Woodland gardens   View Plant
Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum)   Great for: Rooftop (drought tolerant/shallow rooted), Bird, and Prairie/Meadow gardens   View Plant
Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica)   Great for: Woodland and Prairie/Meadow gardens   View Plant

If you'd like to share what's going on in your own zone to help people engage with ecologically-friendly gardening practices, please Contact Us and let us know!

Further Reading:

• Where to Find Native Plants - In The Zone

• Loblaws In The Zone Species List

• Network of Nature Blog: Why Choose Native?