2024 Healthy Yards Plant, Rain Barrel and Composter Guide

The 2024 Healthy Yards Plant and Garden Sale online store is now closed. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Through our Healthy Yards Program, each spring residents can purchase a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennial flowers and eco-friendly products such as, rain barrels and backyard composters.

All the plant species are native to southern Ontario. They are well-adjusted to the local climate and soil, and don't need as much watering or maintenance as other species. They also improve our community's local ecology and biodiversity, providing homes and food for local wildlife.

Visit the Healthy Yards page to learn how you can order.

2024 Healthy Yards Pricing

Please note: There is a limit of 5 trees and/or shrubs, 1 wildflower kit, 2 rain barrels and 1 composter per household.

	Richmond Hill Residents	York Region Residents
Trees/Shrubs	$6.00	Unavailable
Wildflower Kits	$26.40	Unavailable
Rain Barrels	$61.44	Unavailable
Composters	$24.16	$24.16

Prices do not include HST.

2024 Healthy Yards Plants and Products

Full descriptions and images of the plants and products available this year are listed below.

Trees

	American Sycamore Average height: 30-40m; Light: Sun, partial shade, shade Moisture: Moist; Soil: Clay, sand, loam Bloom time: March to April; Flower colour: Red Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Birds Edible: Sap can be purified into syrup
	Eastern Redbud Average height: 6-9m; Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Moist; Soil: Clay, sand, loam Bloom time: March to May; Flower colour: Pink/purple Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Birds, bees, butterflies Edible: Young fruit and flowers, raw or cooked
	White Birch Average height: 6-30m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Moist; Soil: Sand, loam, salt tolerant Bloom time: April to May Flower colour: Yellow, green/brown Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: Yes Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds and hummingbirds. Larval host for Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Luna Moth; Edible: No
	White Cedar Average height: 9-16m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist; Soil: clay, sand, loam, drought and salt tolerant Bloom time: Non-flowering; Flower colours: Non-flowering Fall colour: No; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds Edible: No
	White Pine Average height: 30-50 m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist; Soil: sand, loam, Humus enriched Bloom time: Non-flowering; Flower Colours: Non-flowering Fall colour: No; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Birds Edible: No
	White Spruce Average Height: 20-30 m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Normal, moist; Soil: Clay, sand, loam Bloom time: Non-flowering; Flower colours: Non-flowering Fall colour: No; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Birds Edible: No

Shrubs

	American Hazelnut Average height: 2.5-5m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist; Soil: Sand, loam, clay Bloom time: March to June; Flower colour: White/red Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Squirrels, birds, bees Edible: Nuts, raw or cooked
	Buttonbush Average height: 1.5-3m Light: Partial shade, shade Moisture: Moist; Soil: Clay, sand, loam Bloom time: June to September; Flower colour: White Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Birds, butterflies, bees Edible: No
	Creeping Juniper Average height: <1m Light: Sun Moisture: Dry, normal; Soil: Clay, sand, loam Bloom time: March to May; Flower colour: Non-flowering Fall colour: No; Winter interest: Yes Wildlife attracted: Birds, squirrels Edible: Berries can be brewed into tea
	Flowering Raspberry Average height: 1-3m Light: Sun, partial shade, shade Moisture: Moist; Soil: Sand, loam Bloom time: June to August; Flower colour: Pink/purple Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: Yes Wildlife attracted: Birds, butterflies, bees, squirrels Edible: For jellies, preserves, pies and wines
	Ninebark Average height: 2-3m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist Soil: Sand, loam, drought tolerant Bloom time: June to July; Flower colour: White/cream, pink Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Birds, bees Edible: No
	Smooth Wild Rose Average height: 2-3m Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry to medium; Soil: Sandy loam Bloom time: June/July; Flower colour: Pink Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Bumblebees, birds Edible: Yes
	Spicebush Average height: 2-4m Light: Sun, partial shade, shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist; Soil: Sand, loam Bloom time: March to May; Flower colours: Yellow/green Fall colour: Yes; Winter interest: No Wildlife attracted: Bees, butterflies, birds Edible: Fruit and flowers, raw or cooked; twigs can be brewed into tea

Perennial Flowers

Sun Kit

	Black-Eyed Susan Average height: 30-150cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist Soil: Sand, loam Bloom time: June to October Flower colour: Yellow, orange Wildlife attracted: Birds, butterflies, insects Quantity: 2
	Butterfly Milkweed Average height: 30-60cm Light: Sun Moisture: Dry, normal Soil: Sand, loam Bloom time: May to September Flower colour: Orange, yellow Wildlife attracted: Birds, butterflies, butterfly larvae Quantity: 2 OR Swamp Milkweed Average height: Up to 150cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Normal, moist Soil: Clay, loam Bloom time: June to October Flower colour: Pink, purple Wildlife attracted: Butterflies, butterfly larvae, bees Quantity: 2
	Wild Bergamot Average height: 60-120cm Light: Sun Moisture: Dry, normal, moist Soil: Sand, clay, loam, hummus enriched Bloom time: July to August Flower colour: Showy - purple, pink Wildlife Attracted: Birds, hummingbirds, butterflies, bees Quantity: 2
	Hairy Beardtongue Average height: 30-150cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, moist, normal Soil: Sand, loam Bloom time: June to October Flower colour: Pink, purple Wildlife attracted: Butterflies, birds, insects Quantity: 2
	Lance-leaved Coreopsis Average height: 30-60cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal Soil: Sand, loam, clay Bloom time: March to August Flower colour: Yellow Wildlife attracted: Butterflies, insects Quantity: 2
	Little Bluestem Average height: 30-150cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal Soil: Sand, loam, clay Bloom time: June to December Flower colour: White, green, brown Wildlife attracted: Butterflies, birds, insects Quantity: 2
	New England Aster Average height: 30-120cm Light: Sun Moisture: Dry Soil: Dry Bloom time: August to November Flower colour: Pale blue Wildlife attracted: Butterflies, butterfly larvae, bees Quantity: 2
	Wild Strawberry Average height: 5-25cm Light: Sun, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal Soil: Clay, sand Bloom time: May to July Flower colour: White/cream Wildlife attracted: Birds, butterflies, larvae, bees Quantity: 2

Shade Kit

	Blue Vervain Average height: Up to 150cm Light: Sun, partial shade, shade Moisture: Normal, wet Soil: Loam, sand, clay Bloom time: June to October Flower colour: Blue/purple Wildlife attracted: Butterflies, birds Quantity: 1
	Canada Anemone Average height: Up to 75cm Light: Partial shade, shade Moisture: Moist Soil: Moderately moist, sandy soil Bloom time: May, June, July Flower colour: White Wildlife attracted: Bees, some bird species Quantity: 1
	Large-leaved Aster Average height: Up to 100cm Light: Sun, partial shade, shade Moisture: Dry, normal Soil: Clay, sand, loam Bloom time: July to October Flower colour: White, blue, purple Wildlife attracted: Bees, butterflies Quantity: 3
	Nodding Onion Average height: 60cm Light: Sun Moisture: Moist Soil: Moist, clay to loam Bloom time: July, August Flower colour: White/pink Wildlife attracted: Bees, birds, small mammals Quantity: 1
	Sweet Joe Pye Weed Average height: Up to 2m Light: Sun, part shade Moisture: Moist Soil: Moist, wet loam Bloom time: July, August Flower colour: Pink/purple Wildlife attracted: Bees, birds Quantity: 2
	Thimbleweed Average height: 60-90cm Light: Partial shade, shade Moisture: Dry, moist Soil: Sand, loam, Humus enriched Bloom time: May to July Flower colour: White Wildlife attracted: Bees Quantity: 2
	Wild Columbine Average height: 30-100cm Light: Shade, partial shade Moisture: Dry, normal, moist Soil: Clay, sand, loam Bloom time: April to July Flower colour: Showy - red, pink, yellow Wildlife attracted: Birds, hummingbirds, butterflies Quantity: 3
	Zig Zag Goldenrod Average height: 30 to 100 cm Light: Partial shade, shade Moisture: Moist Soil: Sand, loam, hummus enriched Bloom time: Late summer Flower colour: Yellow Wildlife attracted: Hummingbirds, bees Quantity: 3

Rain Barrels

Rain barrels are designed to collect and store rain water from your roof. The rain water can be used for many activities including watering your lawn or garden.

Specs and features

Capacity: 208 litres (55 gallons)
Size: 24" wide x 34" tall
Features: Easy multi-barrel installations, insect resistant stainless steel screen, childproof lid and stable footprint, 3 additional spigot mounting locations, high spigot accommodates most watering cans.

View more information.

Backyard Composters

Backyard composters are designed to compost food and yard waste, diverting it from landfill and leaving you with a natural fertilizer for your garden.

Specs and features

No assembly required
Capacity: 311 litres
Size: 31" wide x 33" tall
Material: Made from recycled content
Front harvest door for easy access
Twist locking lid
Conical shape means nothing gets stuck in corners and also provides for ease of lifting off to access the entire pile
Rodent resistant
10 year warranty
Fits in any vehicle

View more information and a composting guide.

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2024 Healthy Yards Plant, Rain Barrel and Composter Guide

2024 Healthy Yards Pricing

2024 Healthy Yards Plants and Products

American Sycamore

Eastern Redbud

White Birch

White Cedar

White Pine

White Spruce

American Hazelnut

Buttonbush

Creeping Juniper

Flowering Raspberry

Ninebark

Smooth Wild Rose

Spicebush

Sun Kit

Black-Eyed Susan

Butterfly Milkweed

Swamp Milkweed

Wild Bergamot

Hairy Beardtongue

Lance-leaved Coreopsis

Little Bluestem

New England Aster

Wild Strawberry

Shade Kit

Blue Vervain

Canada Anemone

Large-leaved Aster

Nodding Onion

Sweet Joe Pye Weed

Thimbleweed

Wild Columbine

Zig Zag Goldenrod

Specs and features

Specs and features

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