• Landscaping

How does Landscaping contribute to a Sustainable Site?

The choice of Landscaping features dramatically impacts how the building integrates with its site. Choosing native species that have adapted to the Canadian climate means less maintenance is required in water, chemicals and maintenance. These choices need not compromise aesthetics, as there are many native species that flower throughout the growing season.

How do we landscape?

We use black-eyed susans, dogwoods, junipers, karlfoerster ornamental grasses and a variety of local tree species to provide shade, ground cover and colourful flowers on our grounds. Diluted horticultural vinegar is used to help abate weeds, along with traditional removal. All debris that is removed from the site (weeds, trimmings, dead plant matter) is composted and used for mulch and new plantings. We also use chipped wood from project iRestore as mulch on the gardens.

How does it make us more sustainable?

Fertilizers and pesticides are carried in stormwater into waterways and local bodies of water, degrading water quality and adversely effecting biodiversity in these ecosystems. Invasive species planted in landscaping can displace native species, altering ecosystems that took millennia to develop. Using natural Landscaping integrates the building into its surroundings and minimizes the side effects of changing the land from its natural state. Maintaining open, natural spaces, like the grounds surrounding the ERC, provides habitat for plants and animals that provide vital ecosystem services.

Landscaping image gallery

Birdhouse
Birdhouse

Many birdhouses dot the landscape around the ERC. We are tracking what species use these bird houses to aid in our habitat restoration work.

Black eyed susans
Black eyed susans

Black Eyed Susans are a prominent feature in our gardens and the habitat restoration project because of their colour and hardy nature.

Flower beds
Flower beds

The grounds of the ERC feature grasses, trees and colourful flowers to make the site blend into the conservation area.

Flower closeup
Flower closeup

Many of the flowering species selected for the gardens and green roof provide pollen for birds, bugs and bees.

Main entrance
Main entrance

The gardens will survive summer droughts because the species selected have adapted to local climate variations.

Native tallgrass
Native tallgrass

Ornamental and karlfoerster grasses are scattered throughout the gardens on the site. By fall, some are over 5 feet tall!

Occupied birdhouse
Occupied birdhouse

We have installed over a dozen bird houses on site, including one designed to house a purple martin colony next to the Project iRestore site. This house was occupied shortly after installation.

Outdoor water supply
Outdoor water supply

When we plant new or replace deceased plants, they may require irrigation to establish their roots. Our non-potable system provides this water from rain recovered from the roofs or from treated wastewater.

Sugar maple
Sugar maple

The forests surrounding the ERC in the Kortright Centre include sugar maples, a source of maple syrup.

Walkways
Walkways

This flagstone path leads from a stairwell out to the parking lot, and is lined with bushes and trees. Other walkways feature crushed limestone which reflect the summer sun and keep local temperatures from rising because of the structures in place.

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Did you know?

  • You can pick water efficient plants like ours

    Municipal water consumption can more than double in the summer due to high outdoor water usage. This includes irrigation of lawns and gardens, which with proper design, can prosper with little to no irrigation.

    One of our gardens is called the “Water for Tomorrow” garden. It features native plants, a maintained mulch depth of 3” and looks out over Project iRestore’s site.

    You can pick plants like ours for your garden, reducing the amount of water needed to have an impressive natural space. Check out York Region’s plant selection guide here.

  • Maintaining hardscape and landscaping takes care and planning

    Maintenance of parking lot surfaces and stormwater management features requires some attention to detail that may not be as critical for a simple asphalt parking lot with only grass to cut. For example, each year we

    • Undertake a spring cleanup, trimming grasses, cleaning up debris and dead plant matter to make room for new spring growth
    • Sweep the hardscape surfaces with a mechanical sweeper, removing winter debris tracked into the parking lot by visitors and commuters
    • Inspect the bioswale and storm drains for obstructions or fouling from melt events

    As a result, our grounds are ready to look their best for the summer growing season.

Generously supported by:

Salivan Landscape provides ongoing maintenance of the ERC’s native, drought hardy species, and keeps the grounds impressive and appealing with full-service maintenance, architecture and construction of the highest caliber.

In addition, Salivan maintains and nurtures the plants on the interior of the building that are scattered throughout the office spaces, trimming when needed and ensuring that plants receive the right amount of light and water, depending on the species chosen.

Company profile

Salivan Landscape, founded in 1923 is one of the most experienced and largest landscape companies in Southern Ontario.

Salivan Landscape measures success with very high standards of customer service and customer satisfaction. Their impeccable attention to detail has helped them win many of the province’s most prestigious awards for design, construction and maintenance, earning them a reputation for excellence.

But to Salivan it is more than a reputation … it is tradition.


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