Choosing native plants for your property supports pollinators, birds, other wildlife, and a healthy ecosystem. Did you know that it also supports our drinking water quality? Whether you get your water from a well or directly from surface water like the lake or river, minimizing turf grass and maximizing the number of native trees, shrubs, and other plants sustains water quality.
On Saturday May 23, at Elvin Johnson Park on Halls Lake from 10 am – 2pm (or sold out), HHLPOA will be hosting their annual “Native Tree and Shrub Sale”. Ten different species of Ontario native shrubs and trees will be available for $5 cash and carry only.
Come prepared with some cash as we’ve got excellent choices for you this year and you won’t want to miss out! The trees for sale will be Northern Hackberry, Burr Oak (a keystone tree), Tamarack, and Tulip Tree, while we will have Red Osier Dogwood, Highbush Cranberry, Spicebush, American Elderberry, Buttonbush, and Ninebark. As always, Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your questions about these native plants.
New this year, we will do a planting demonstration and (with permission from the Township of Algonquin Highlands), we will be using some of our Source Water Protection grant funds to plant native shrubs along the shoreline at EJ Park in order to support Canada Goose deterrence and shoreline naturalization efforts at the park. You will also learn more about steps you can take to “protect every drop” of our drinking water.
Lead photo credit: Anne Beattie, September 2026 calendar winner