Protect What Matters: Native Plant Sale Returns Until May 12

Each spring brings an opportunity to shape what our landscapes become. Left unmanaged, many properties across the Kawartha watershed face gradual loss - fewer pollinators, increased runoff, eroding shorelines, and gardens that demand more water and upkeep to survive.

Kawartha Conservation’s 2026 Spring Native Plant Sale, launched April 7, and offers a practical way for residents to turn that trend around, protecting what matters while creating healthier, more resilient spaces at home.

Native plants are uniquely suited to local conditions. Without them, landscapes often rely on more maintenance, more watering, and still struggle to support wildlife. Over time, that gap leads to fewer birds and pollinators, reduced soil stability, and declining water quality. With the right plants in place, those same spaces can become thriving, low-maintenance environments that work with nature rather than against it.

“We know that small changes on individual properties can have a significant impact across the watershed,” says Stewardship Technician Julia Derue. “These kits are designed to make it easy for landowners to avoid common challenges and create spaces that are both beautiful and functional. It’s about protecting what you have, while building something that lasts.”

The 2026 sale features eight carefully designed plant kits, each matched to specific site conditions and supported with simple guidance:

• Pollinator Friendly Kit - 20 herbaceous plants
• Shady Oasis Kit - 22 herbaceous plants
• Waterfront Wonders Kit - 18 herbaceous plants
• Shoreline Tiny Forest Kit - 20 mixed shrubs and herbaceous plants
• Big Backyard Forest Kit - 26 trees and shrubs
• Small Backyard Forest Kit - 15 trees and shrubs
• Sense-ational Forest Kit - 16 trees and shrubs
• Rain Garden Kit - 62 herbaceous plants and shrubs

These kits remove the guesswork, helping residents choose plants that will thrive, reduce maintenance over time, and contribute to a healthier landscape.

The Pollinator Friendly Kit remains a popular choice, featuring species such as Butterfly Milkweed, Wild Bergamot, and Wild Columbine. These plants bring seasonal colour while supporting bees and butterflies that are essential to both natural ecosystems and local food systems.

“Planting native species is one of the easiest ways to make a lasting difference,” adds Julia Derue. “You’re not only improving your own property, you’re contributing to cleaner water, stronger shorelines, and a more resilient environment across the region.”

For landowners, the benefits are immediate and long term - reduced maintenance, better drought tolerance, improved soil health, and a landscape that continues to grow stronger year after year.

Orders are limited and often sell out, making early planning important.

This spring, the choice is simple: continue managing the challenges, or invest in a landscape that works for you and the environment.

The sale closes on May 12 with plant pick-up at Ken Reid Conservation Area scheduled for May 22.

To learn more or place an order, visit:
https://www.kawarthaconservation.com/healthygardens

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