GUELPH/ERAMOSA – Sean James, a multi-award-winning landscape designer and horticulturalist, shared his wisdom and experience on “Nifty Native Plants” to an appreciative audience at Stone United Church on March 2 as part of the church’s Spring Wellness Series.
Through the use of personal stories tinged with humour, pictures of a wide variety of plants and slides of real-life landscapes, James encouraged his audience to consider introducing native plants into their gardens.
As a passionate advocate for eco-gardening, he suggested working with the contours of the land, soils and drainage as they currently exist wherever possible.
He encouraged gardening enthusiasts to regard the design of a garden as a work of art and noted that they must first have a clear understanding of what they are trying to create and how native plants will help to bring the vision to fruition.
He gave an example of a “colour echo” garden, in which plants of different sizes, textures and extent of foliage cover from the same colour palette can be used to create a relaxing space.
He noted vegetable gardens do not need to be boring as they can contain a wide variety of native plants that are edible, fermentable and perhaps medicinal.
Rain gardens can be used as a way to help retain moisture and give rise to a whole range of possibilities for the introduction of species.
Meadow gardens are low maintenance and attract a wide variety of insects and birds and help to sequester carbon.
Woven throughout his talk were some general tips to keep in mind when deciding to use non-invasive native plants.
He suggested multiple visits to local nurseries to see what plants are available at different times of the year, and to note how different species looked at various stages of development.
James reminded his audience that although the use of native plants can help create low maintenance gardens, patience is required especially during the first year.
In that crucial period following planting, he emphasized the need for regular watering up to one inch on a regular basis so that plants might put down deep roots.
He also stressed the need to avoid the overuse of similar plants which can lead to unintended consequences such as unwanted insect infestations.
With respect to soil enhancement, Sean advocated the use of a wide variety of organic material and encouraged gardeners to remember the maxim that what falls on your property stays on your property.
On March 16, Stone United also welcomed Jill Kron, a pharmacist in Rockwood, for the speaker’s series.
Kron shared her knowledge about new powers recently granted to pharmacists by the Ontario government.
Throughout the one-hour hybrid online and in-person session, Kron walked participants through the various ways pharmacists can improve the well-being of patients.
