Gardening Gab

Click to enlarge | Photo: Paul Morris

Paul and Stephanie Morris established Acorus Restoration Native Plant Nursery 14 years ago to give something back and ultimately heal the planet. Located near Walsingham, Ontario, the gardens and plants in and around Acorus abound with an amazing diversity of flora indigenous to southern Ontario which continue to invite butterflies, dragonflies, birds and more.

Many creatures depend on native plants for their existence, and each of us can make a simple yet profound contribution by adding these plants to our gardens. Even in the city, a postage stamp-sized area of natural habitat helps migrating butterflies and songbirds find respite and food along the way!

Acorus offers over 350 species of native plants suitable for wetland, woodland, prairie and meadow. The trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants are grown from seeds collected in an ecologically responsible manner. Visit the healing, songbird, butterfly, hummingbird and water gardens and walk the trails to see large-scale restorations of wetland, Carolinian woodland and Tallgrass Prairie. Acorus also provides many biological and ecological restoration consultation services and has created a workshop space called Blazingstar Holistic Learning Centre. 

The goal for each of the natural habitats on this 38-hectare farm is to foster the health of a broad range of ecosystems and to heal the planet. The results are flourishing, magical areas of great beauty and increasing biodiversity, bringing more species of birds, butterflies and frogs each year. Acorus takes a from-the-ground-up approach to planet healing – heal the earth and wildlife will come, sometimes even as you are planting.

You can find out more at AcorusRestoration.com. Through the website you can access the Acorus online catalogue, growing information, pictures, trail information, workshops and an address and map. You can also contact Acorus by telephone at 519-586-2603 or by fax at 519-586-2447.

Nursery Tip

Wetland species establish quickly, while Tallgrass Prairie species take more patience to establish. Prairie species initially dedicate energy to deep root growth to ensure their drought tolerance.