Native flowering shrubs
Hydrangeas do not always have to be planted in a garden. In terms of a native shrub cultivar, Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ ‘Tiger Eyes’ (staghorn sumac) is a good alternative. This shrub offers great foliage and the flowers are unique and striking. In fact, the flowers can be used to make tea. Whereas the species is known for its suckering tendencies, Bailtiger makes a great specimen or accent plant. A few others that should be considered include Lindera benzoin (spicebush), Amelanchier laevis (Allegheny serviceberry), and Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud). All of these are deciduous understorey, small trees, which flower in the spring followed by leaves. Redbud flowers are produced along the stems of the tree. Birds love the berries on the serviceberry, while butterflies are fond of the redbud flowers, and swallowtail butterfly larvae feed on the leaves of the spicebush. All of these options provide four seasons of interest, as well as food, foraging, and habitat to pollinators and birds.
Ornamental grasses
Planting ornamental grasses can add value to a garden and landscape in many ways; however, choosing the right one is important. This author has come to appreciate only a few out of a considerable selection that is available and cautions landscapers when planting Miscanthus spp. One reason to avoid Miscanthus pupurascens (eulalia, flame grass) is because it self-seeds readily in Toronto (and possibly other gardens in southern Ontario). Another variety that should not be used is Calamagrostis brachytricha (reed grass), as it is a proliferous self-seeders. When planting ornamental grasses, one of the better options is Panicum virgatum (switch grass). This is a tallgrass prairie plant, which is native and offers an abundance of cultivar options. Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah,’ ‘Heavy Metal,’ and ‘North Wind’ are also popular selections. For example, Hakonechloa macra (Japanese forest grass) is not only a great-looking grass that can stand on its own, but is also great as a filler plant, groundcover, and those hard-to-plant-places. It is a true ‘clumper’ that does not run and offers great flowering and change of colour with the seasons.
Other tallgrass prairie natives that are often used are Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) and Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem). Big bluestem is just that—big. It can reach heights of 1.2 to 1.8 m (4 to 6 f), with flowers extending almost 2.4 m (8 ft). Little bluestem is just as attractive at 0.6 to 1.2 m (2 to 4 ft). Both adapt well to a wide range of soils, after establishing.
A word on invasive species and weeds
Depending on where the client lives, it will determine which plants are weeds and invasive species. Many garden plants have escaped cultivation, and in the Greater Toronto Area the list is long. Ravines, parks, neighbourhoods, and gardens are filled with these horticultural escapees. To name a few, Rhamnus cathartica (buckthorn), Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard), Cynanchum rossicum (dog-strangling vine) were all introduced to North America as ornamentals and have since escaped cultivation to become among the top invasive species in Toronto. That said, it is more critical than ever for landscapers to become educated on and choose wisely when planting in their client’s gardens.
The responsibility of choosing plants wisely
When factoring in changes in weather patterns and the overall climate, along with habitat loss, and the advance of invasive species to remaining ecosystems, the choice of what to plant can seem daunting for many landscapers. It is most certainly do-able and with a good base of native plants, or cultivars of, with a wide selection of horticultural plants now common to Canadian gardens, landscapers can create beautiful gardens for homeowners, while at the same time help nature, too.
Sandra Pella has a degree in political science from the University of Western Ontario. She is the head gardener for the Toronto Botanical Garden and is an avid environmentalist. Pella has worked for private nurseries and as a gardener for the City of Toronto, as well as interned at the world-renowned Great Dixter in England. She is also a speaker/educator on many horticultural, gardening, and nature topics. She can be reached via e-mail at gardener@torontobotanicalgarden.ca.
