Articles From The Field

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about native plants — but the truth is, they’re some of the most resilient, pollinator-friendly, and beginner-approved plants you can grow.

🌿Myth #1: “Native plants look messy.”
Native plants are only “messy” when they’re planted without intention.
With thoughtful spacing and a bit of structure (taller species in the back, shorter fillers in the front), native gardens can look just as polished as ornamental landscapes - while being far more beneficial for local wildlife.

🌿Myth #2: “Native plants attract pests.”
Native plants support beneficial insects, not pests.
In healthy ecosystems, most “pests” have predators that keep them in balance. Native plants actually reduce pest problems because they attract the right beneficial insects that restore natural control.

🌿Myth #3: “Native plants are harder to grow.”
Native plants are usually easier than non-native ornamentals.
By definition, native plants evolved to thrive in your region’s soil, rainfall, and climate. Once they’re established, most require less watering, fewer amendments, and far less maintenance.

🌿Myth #4: “Native plants don’t look as colorful or showy.”
Many native plant species are stunning.
Think of wild columbine, coneflowers, fireweed, or asters. Native flora displays incredible colors and textures — they just bloom on nature’s timeline, not the artificial one garden centers push.

🌿Myth #5: “Native plants spread too aggressively.”
Some native plants are enthusiastic growers, but not all.
Many are extremely well-behaved, especially when chosen thoughtfully. And even the fast spreaders can be essential for pollinators who rely on dense clusters.

🌿Myth #6: “Growing native plants is only for big yards.”
Native plants thrive in tiny spaces too.
Balconies, patios, courtyard corners, raised beds, even windowsill planters can become a mini ecosystem.

💚Native gardening isn’t complicated, it’s simply choosing plants that already belong here. By working with nature instead of against it, you create a thriving, beautiful space that supports pollinators, restores habitat, and brings life back into your yard or balcony.

Create a space where bees, butterflies, and native wildlife can thrive — right in your own backyard.

Why Pollinator Gardens Matter

Pollinators are essential to healthy ecosystems, and native plants are their lifeline. A well-planned pollinator garden provides nectar, pollen, shelter, and seasonal blooms that support insects from early spring to late fall.

Whether you have a large yard, a small city lot, or a sunny balcony, you can create a thriving micro-habitat that truly makes a difference. A few pots can support dozens of pollinators.

Key Elements of a Successful Pollinator Garden

🌸Plant Native First
Native flowers, shrubs, and grasses evolved with local pollinators — making them the most beneficial choice.
They provide:

• High-quality nectar and pollen
• Host plants for caterpillars
• Resilience in local climate and soil

🌸Use Bloom Layers
Pollinators need food all season long.
Include:

• Early bloomers like Trout Lily and Wild Columbine
• Mid-season like Bee Balm and Black-Eyed Susan
• Late-season like Goldenrod and Asters

🌸Plant in Clumps, Not Singles
Make clusters of 3–7 of the same species and add host plants.
Caterpillars need more than nectar — they need leaves.
Include:

• Milkweed for Monarchs
• Pearly Everlasting for Painted Ladies
• Willows for early-season pollinators

🌸Provide Habitat & Water
Small touches create a safe space for insects to rest and drink.

• Leave a bit of leaf litter
• Add a few rocks or logs
• Include a shallow water dish with stones

🐝A pollinator garden isn’t just beautiful — it’s a living ecosystem that brings your outdoor space to life, one bloom at a time.

Harness the power of native plants to manage stormwater, reduce runoff, and support pollinators — all in one beautiful space.

💧What Is a Rain Garden?

A rain garden is a shallow, planted depression designed to collect and absorb rainwater from roofs, driveways, or other hard surfaces. Instead of letting water rush into storm drains, a rain garden holds it temporarily so it can soak into the ground naturally.

Native plants are the stars here — their deep roots help filter water, stabilize soil, and support biodiversity.

💧Why Rain Gardens Matter

Rain gardens help:

• Reduce flooding and erosion
• Filter pollutants naturally
• Replenish groundwater
• Support bees, butterflies, and birds
• Beautify your landscape with minimal maintenance

They’re powerful climate-friendly tools that anyone can incorporate into their yard.

💧How a Rain Garden Works

1. Water flows in from a downspout or runoff area.
2. The garden temporarily fills, like a shallow basin.
3. Native plants and soil absorb the water within 24–48 hours.
4. Deep roots filter pollutants and provide habitat.

No standing water. No mosquitoes. Just beauty + function.

💧Choosing Plants for a Rain Garden

A good rain garden includes plants for all moisture zones:

Bottom (wettest area):

• Blue Flag Iris
• Swamp Milkweed
• Joe-Pye Weed

Mid-slope (moist but draining):

• Bee Balm
• New England Aster
• Golden Alexanders

Upper edge (drier):

• Black-Eyed Susan
• Water Avens
• Little Bluestem

These layers ensure color, texture, and ecological value all season long.

💧Rain Garden Size & Placement Tips

• Place it at least 10 feet or 3 meters away from your house.
• Ideal size: 10–20% of the area draining into it.
• Choose a spot where water naturally flows or can be redirected.
• Avoid areas with utility lines or compacted soil (unless amended).

💧Maintenance (Easier Than You Think!)

• Weed lightly the first year
• Water during droughts until plants are established
• Leave stems and seedheads for winter habitat
• Cut back in early spring

That's it — nature does the heavy lifting.

🌈A rain garden turns stormwater into an opportunity — creating a resilient, beautiful, pollinator-friendly space that helps your home and your community thrive.

Native plants can thrive anywhere — even in the smallest city spaces.

You don’t need a big yard to support pollinators or surround yourself with native beauty. With the right containers and plant choices, balconies, patios, and small walkways can become thriving ecosystems filled with color, texture, and buzzing life.

Container gardens are:

• Perfect for renters
• Low-maintenance
• Easy to rearrange
• Ideal for experimenting with native plants
• Great for attracting bees, butterflies, and songbirds in the city

Even a single pot can make a measurable difference.

🪴Choosing the Right Containers

Size Matters
Bigger pots hold more soil, which:

• Keeps roots cooler
• Retains moisture longer
• Helps plants grow deeper, stronger roots

Try 12–18" diameter pots for most native flowers.

Material

• Ceramic or clay: beautiful but dries faster
• Plastic or resin: lightweight and dependable
• Wood: natural insulation for roots

Choose what fits your space and style.

Drainage Is Essential
Always pick containers with drainage holes. Add a small layer of gravel or broken pottery to keep roots healthy.

🪴Best Native Plants for Containers

These species don’t mind tight quarters and still offer great nectar, color, and texture.

Top Picks for Sunny Balconies

• Bee Balm (Monarda) – great for hummingbirds
• Black-Eyed Susan – cheerful, long-blooming
• Purple Coneflower – iconic pollinator magnet
• Wild Bergamot – fragrant and resilient
• Butterfly Milkweed – supports Monarchs

Great for Partial Shade

• Wild Columbine – adored by early pollinators
• Virginia Bluebells – early spring color
• Zigzag Goldenrod – late-season pollinator support
• Canada Anemone – lush and hardy
  

Native Grasses for Movement & Texture

• Little Bluestem
• Switch Grass
• Sedges

These grasses also provide winter interest and shelter for wildlife.

🪴How to Arrange Your Containers

Think of your small space like a layered mini garden:

Option 1 — “Tall–Medium–Low” Setup

• Back: Tall ornamental grass or milkweed
• Middle: Bee Balm, Coneflower
• Front: Water Avens, Wild Strawberry, or low sedges

Option 2 — Pollinator Buffet Cluster
Group 3–5 pots together with different bloom times. This creates a continuous food source from spring to frost.

• Early: Wild Columbine
• Mid: Black-Eyed Susan
• Late: Asters or Goldenrod

Option 3 — Vertical Garden Style
Use plant stands or shelves for a space-saving “green wall.” Great for narrow balconies.

🪴Watering & Care Tips for Urban Containers

• Water deeply until it drains from the bottom.
• During hot spells, check daily. Containers dry fast in wind + sun.
• Add mulch (shredded leaves or fine bark) to keep soil cool.
• Fertilizer usually isn’t necessary, native plants thrive in lean soil.
  

🐝How Your Balcony Helps Pollinators

Even a few pots of native flowers can:

• Provide nectar in areas lacking green space
• Help bees “hop” between fragmented habitats
• Offer safe resting spots during long flights
• Increase urban biodiversity
  

You’re contributing to a bigger ecological network from your own little corner of the world.

Container gardening proves that you don’t need a huge yard to make a huge impact — even the smallest balcony can bloom into a beautiful, pollinator-friendly oasis.

Coming Soon

• Wildflowers of New Brunswick - Todd Boland
• Wildflowers of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island - Mary Primrose & Marian Munro
• 100 Easy-to-Grow Native Plants for Canadian Gardens - Lorraine Johnson
• National Audubon Society: Wildflowers of North America - Audubon
• Our Atlantic Woods: A Photo Guide to Non-Timber Forest Products - Ron Smith
• Flora of New Brunswick - Harold R. Hinds
• Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening & Conservation - Donald J. Leopold
• Plantes de Milieux Humides et de Bord de Mer du Quebec et des Maritimes - Martine Lapointe
• Arbres et Plantes Forestieres du Quebec et des Maritimes - Michel Leboeuf
• Trees & Shrubs of the Maritimes - Todd Boland
• East Coast Trees & Shrubs: A visual Guide to 50+ Species in Atlantic Canada - Jeffrey C. Domm
• Trees in Canada - John Laird Farrar
• National Audubon Society: Trees of North America - Audubon
• Growing Trees from Seeds; A Practical Guide to Growing Native Trees, Vines and Shrubs - Henry Kock, Paul Aird, John Ambrose and Gerald Waldron
• Medicinal Herbs of Eastern Canada: A Pictorial Manual - Brenda Jones
• Edible Plants of Atlantic Canada - Peter J. Scott
• Eating Wild in Eastern Canada: A Guide to Foraging the Forsts, Fields, and Shorelines - Jamie Simpson

• VASCAN

https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/search

• The Natural Edge - Watershed Canada

https://naturaledge.watersheds.ca/plant-database/

• Canadian Wildlife Association

https://cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/encyclopedias/native-plant-encyclopedia/

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

https://www.wildflower.org

• New Brunswick Invasive Species Council

https://www.nbinvasives.ca

• Wild Plants from Seed

https://wildplantsfromseed.com

• Greater Moncton Wildflower Library

https://www.wildflowerseeds.org/moncton/

• Nature NB

https://www.naturenb.ca

• Petitcodiac Watershed Association

https://www.petitcodiacwatershed.org