Meadows & Prairies

Meadows and prairies are biodiverse gardens and natural areas with a wide variety of plants that are adapted to wet and dry soil conditions. Meadows and prairies provide habitat and food for birds, pollinators and other wildlife.

Toronto’s native prairie system is the tallgrass prairie. Tallgrass prairies are made up of 70 per cent native grasses and 30 per cent wildflowers. These plants are able to withstand poor growing conditions and are adapted to drought and poor soil. Prairie grasses remain throughout winter and early spring, providing food sources and shelter for wildlife.

Native Ontario tall grass prairies were once widespread but are now an endangered ecosystem. High Park’s black oak savannah is a small part of what remains. It is managed through a traditional/prescribed burn program.

Spaces created to provide similar ecosystem and habitat:

Throughout the Year

Spring

  • Prairies transition from the beige of winter to new green growth.
  • In May, early prairie wildflowers emerge, including violets, shooting stars and orchids.

Summer

  • Very tall grasses, such as big bluestem and switchgrass, can grow alongside wildflowers, like purple coneflowers and blazing stars.
  • Seed heads may appear on grasses like switchgrass in mid-summer.

Fall

  • Tall grasses change colour to brown, red and orange.
  • Seed heads of grasses and flowers provide food for birds.

Winter

  • Tall prairie grasses, such as big bluestem, remain standing and provide protective cover for small mammals and ground-nesting birds.
  • Remaining seed heads continue to offer a food source for wildlife.

Meadows are commonly found in open sunny areas where the plant communities are disturbed, like following a landslide, fire, flood or a tree canopy removal. Meadows are typically composed of 70 per cent wildflowers and 30 per cent grasses. The types of plants in the meadow will depend on the moisture levels, hardiness zone and soil type. Meadows can be found in floodplain, coastal or alpine areas.

The City of Toronto has partnered with the TRCA to recreate a natural meadow in the Gatineau Hydro Corridor.

Natural dune meadows:

Other meadows:

Throughout the Year

Spring

  • Meadows emerge from their winter dormancy with fresh, green foliage.
  • Spring ephemerals, such as bloodroot and hepatica, appear early.

Summer

  • Wildflowers bloom, attracting native pollinators.
  • Native grasses and plants can grow quite tall and provide habitat for wildlife.

Fall

  • Late summer asters bloom.
  • Grasses and wildflowers start turning shades of beige and brown.
  • Dried brown stalks provide food and shelter for birds and insects.

Winter

  • Standing, dried vegetation from the previous season remains visible.
  • Stalks and seed heads offer food for birds.
  • Hollow stems and leaf litter provide essential winter habitat for beneficial insects.

Natural meadow and prairie ecosystems are disappearing due to development. Toronto is working to create and preserve these important habitats by using ecosystem restoration and creating supportive plant communities.

City strategies that include meadows and prairies:

City Management

Natural plant communities found in ravines and natural areas, including prairies and meadows, are managed through Urban Forest Management.

Natural plant communities in parks and gardens are managed depending on the type of plant species and park usage.  Typically, City staff cut down or mow prairie and meadow communities one to two times per year. This may occur all at once or may happen one section at a time to protect habitat and food sources.

Cutting back mimics the natural life cycle of plants in nature. It also helps manage weeds and starts native seed germination in the soil. City staff may also remove invasive plants to maintain the health of the meadow plant community.

What You Can Do

Meadows and prairies are sensitive ecological communities. People and dogs are asked to stay out of these areas and enjoy them at a distance.