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Native Species

Our nursery cultivates thousands of native trees that play a vital role in balancing our ecosystem. Because these species belong in our local environment, active community engagement is essential to sustain them for future generations.

Future Availability

  1. American basswood

  2. Red maple

  3. Silver maple

  4. Black maple

  5. Red ash

  6. Eastern hemlock

  7. White birch

  8. Pawpaw

  9. Bitternut hickory

  10. American Beech

  11. Black cherry

  12. Black gum

  13. Black Oak

  14. Bur Oak

  15. Cherry Birch

  16. Cucumber Magnolia

  17. Eastern Red bud

  18. Flowering dogwood

  19. Sassafras

  20. Tulip tree

  21. Hickory

  22. Black walnut

  23. American Chestnut​​

  1. ​​​American basswood (Tilia americana): Often found growing alongside sugar maples in mature valley systems, this large hardwood provides dense canopy shade. It produces soft, highly workable wood and fragrant summer flowers that are a major nectar source for local pollinators.
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  2. Red maple (Acer rubrum): This native tree is categorized under plants that thrive in moist to wet, part-shade conditions. It is also explicitly noted for its ability to tolerate Juglone, a chemical emitted into the soil by Black Walnut trees.
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  3. Silver maple (Acer saccharinum): The document lists this species as a native choice suited for moist to wet landscape locations. It specifically performs well in environments with part-shade exposure.
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  4. Black maple (Acer nigrum): This tree is recommended for planting in areas featuring moist to wet soil conditions. According to the guide, it is highly tolerant of full shade environments.
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  5. Red ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica): This species is explicitly designated in the guide under its common alternative name, Green Ash. It is recommended as a native selection for moist to wet conditions with full shade.
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  6. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis): A shade-loving conifer listed under plants for moist to wet conditions. It is also highly resilient against the root-emitted chemical Juglone from Black Walnut trees.
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  7. White birch (Betula papyrifera): This tree is cataloged under native species ideal for normal or moist soil conditions. It requires full, open sun to grow successfully.
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  8. Pawpaw (Asimina triloba): This unique plant is noted as an excellent choice for attracting local butterflies. It grows in moist to wet, part-shade sites and is highly tolerant of Black Walnut's Juglone chemical.
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  9. Bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis): The guide identifies this tree as a native species that thrives in moist to wet conditions. It is best suited for properties with part-shade exposure.
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  10. American Beech (Fagus grandifolia): This shade-tolerant species typically anchors drier forest ridges and features distinct, smooth blue-grey bark. It produces highly nutritious, triangular nuts that are a critical food source for local birds and forest mammals.
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  11. Black cherry (Prunus serotina): A common hardwood in local protected woodlots, easily recognized by its dark, flaky, "burnt-cornflake" bark. It is prized for its rich, reddish-brown timber and bears small, tart black fruits heavily favored by local songbirds.
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  12. Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica): Also known as black tupelo, this is a rare Carolinian tree that thrives in wet, swampy soils and low-drainage pockets. It is highly celebrated for its distinct horizontal branching pattern and brilliant scarlet autumn foliage.
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  13. Black Oak (Quercus velutina): A rugged, drought-resistant tree frequently found in dry, sandy soils or open savannas. Its deep root system holds fragile soils together, and its heavy acorn crops provide reliable food for local wildlife.
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  14. Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa): This slow-growing, large tree reaches 22–30 metres tall and features unique acorns with burly-fringed cups enclosing over half the nut. It is intolerant of shade, difficult to transplant once established, and grows in lower, wet areas that dry out in summer.
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  15. Cherry Birch (Betula lenta): Also called sweet birch, this native tree features dark, smooth bark reminiscent of a cherry tree. Its scraped twigs release a strong wintergreen aroma, and its exceptionally dense wood is heavily utilized in fine carpentry.
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  16. Cucumber Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata): Listed as a protected, endangered Carolinian species in Ontario, this is the only magnolia native to Canada. It grows into a massive canopy tree named for its unique green, cucumber-shaped fruits.
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  17. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis): A small understory tree highly favored for urban biodiversity planting due to its early spring profile. It produces vibrant, pinkish-purple blossoms directly along its bare bark before its heart-shaped leaves appear.
     

  18. Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida): A classic Carolinian understory tree recognized by its blocky, alligator-skin bark pattern. It provides high ecological value by producing showy spring bracts and clusters of bright red autumn berries for migrating birds.
     

  19. Sassafras (Sassafras albidum): A medium-sized, short-lived tree native to the Carolinian zone that features aromatic, sweet-smelling yellow spring flowers and blue berries on red stems. It tolerates Juglone and exhibits a unique characteristic where leaves grow in three different shapes on the same tree.
     

  20. Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera): Known to actively attract butterflies, this tree is recommended for normal or moist soil types. It thrives in part-shade locations and is verified to tolerate Juglone exposure.
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  21. Hickory (Carya spp.): This general group includes slow-growing varieties like Shagbark and Pignut hickory that dominate well-drained slopes. They are famous for producing shock-resistant wood and dense, hard-shelled nuts that feed forest animals.
     

  22. Black walnut (Juglans nigra): A large, fast-growing tree reaching 22–30 metres that produces globular nuts and compound leaves with 15–23 leaflets. It requires full sun, tolerates intermittent flooding, and releases a chemical called Juglone from its roots and nuts that inhibits the growth of many competing plant species.
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  23. American Chestnut (Castanea dentata): Once a soaring powerhouse of eastern hardwood forests, this species is now critically rare due to a historic fungal blight. It primarily survives today as short-lived root sprouts in highly localized, sandy ridges.

Sunny Conditions

Dry soil
Sunny conditions

  1. Pearly Everlasting - Anaphalis margaritacea

  2. Wild Bergamot - Monarda fistulosa

  3. Big Bluestem - Andropogon gerardii

  4. Butterfly Milkweed - Asclepias tuberosa

  5. Evening Primrose - Oenothera biennis

  6. Sideoats Grama - Bouteloua curtipendula

  7. Sneezeweed - Helenium autumnale

  8. Fox Sedge - Carex vulpinoidea

  9. Eastern Cottonwood - Populus deltoides

  10. Blue-eyed Grass - Sisyrinchium montanum

  11. Riverbank Wild Rye - Elymus riparius

  12. Largetooth Aspen - Populus grandidentata

  13. Ohio Goldenrod - Solidago ohioensis

  14. Hard-stem Bulrush - Scirpus acutus

  15. Swamp White Oak - Quercus bicolour

  16. Blue Vervain - Verbena hastata

  17. Soft-stem Bulrush - Scirpus cyperinus

  18. Bur Oak - Quercus macrocarpa

  19. Tall Ironweed - Vernonia altissima

  20. Prairie Cordgrass - Spartina pectinata

  21. Pin Oak - Quercus palustris

  22. Meadowsweet - Spiraea alba

  23. Buttonbush - Cephalanthus occidentalis

  24. Canada Bluejoint - Calamagrostis canadensis

  1. Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea): This 90 cm perennial features flat-topped clumps of small white flowers with yellow centres and papery petals from July to September. It provides high wildlife value as a pollinator magnet and the specific host plant for the American Lady Butterfly.
     

  2. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): Reaching up to 1.2 m tall, this perennial features square branches and highly aromatic leaves and flowers. Its distinctively shaped, pale purple blooms emerge from June to September to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
     

  3. Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii): This highly attractive grass reaches 2.4 m tall and produces unique seed heads resembling a turkey's foot in late August. After the first frost, its stems and leaves shift to a red-copper color that remains standing all winter to offer exceptionally high forage and shelter value.
     

  4. Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa): Forming bushy clumps up to 75 cm tall, this perennial displays spectacular, flat-topped clusters of vivid orange flowers from June to August. It holds high wildlife value by drawing in bees, butterflies, and serving as a host plant for Monarch larvae.
     

  5. Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis): This biennial plant can reach 2 m tall with a reddish-green stem and lance-shaped leaves. Its lemon-yellow flowers open up at twilight from late summer to fall to attract hummingbirds and beneficial insects.
     

  6. Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula): Growing in clumps up to 1 m tall, this grass is known for good autumn colour when its blue-green basal leaves turn red-brown. From June to September, it produces red or purple flower spikelets that distinctively droop to one side of the stem to attract birds.
     

  7. Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale): Also called Swamp Sunflower, this 60–150 cm perennial features winged stems and alternate leaves. From August to October, it produces yellow flowers with a yellow-green dome and three-notched rays that attract moths, butterflies, and other pollinators.
     

  8. Fox Sedge (Carex vulpinoidea): This sedge grows in 30–60 cm clumps with stiff triangular stems and green leaves with rough margins. Its clustered green-to-yellow flowers bloom from May to June, eventually turning yellow-brown and spreading out to resemble a fox's tail.
     

  9. Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides): A large, very fast-growing pioneer tree reaching 22–30 m tall with triangular, glossy, coarsely toothed leaves. It produces bright red flowers in April followed by cone-shaped fruit that release cottony seeds, while its roots work efficiently to hold shorelines together.
     

  10. Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium montanum): A member of the Iris family rather than a true grass, this 10–30 cm perennial features linear basal leaves. From May to July, it produces up to 5 beautiful purple flowers with yellow "eye" centres that open in the early morning and close by the afternoon.

  11. Riverbank Wild Rye (Elymus riparius): This mid-sized grass reaches up to 1.5 m tall and produces slightly nodding, bristly green flowers in late summer that later turn brown. It is easily grown from seed and is highly effective for riparian buffer planting to control soil erosion.
     

  12. Largetooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata): This short-lived, fast-growing tree reaches 15–22 m tall and features alternate leaves with large, uneven teeth along the margins. Slender, drooping catkins emerge in mid-to-late April, and the tree provides high value for songbirds, small mammals, and upland ground birds.
     

  13. Ohio Goldenrod (Solidago ohioensis): Reaching up to 1 m tall, this perennial features a completely smooth stem lined with upright-pointing leaves. It produces bright yellow, flat-topped flower clusters from August to September that attract butterflies, songbirds, and small mammals.
     

  14. Hard-stem Bulrush (Scirpus acutus): This tall perennial sedge grows 1–3 m high with few leaves, mostly located at its base. It produces clusters of 1–8 brown-grey spikelets and is commonly utilized for contaminated water treatment and bank stabilization.
     

  15. Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolour): A large, fairly fast-growing tree reaching 22–30 m tall that produces simple, alternate leaves and acorns up to 38 mm long. It is uncommon in Canada, appearing only in southern Ontario, where its yellow-green spring catkins attract various water, ground, and songbirds.
     

  16. Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata): This perennial reaches up to 2 m tall with rough-haired, square stems and toothed, lance-shaped leaves. From June to October, it produces dense terminal clusters of funnel-shaped blue or purple flowers that attract butterflies and waterfowl.
     

  17. Soft-stem Bulrush (Scirpus cyperinus): Growing 1–3 m tall, this sedge features round, olive-green stems that taper at the tips above mostly basal leaves. Its tiny, petal-less flowers bloom from August to September, forming terminal, drooping, reddish-brown clusters that look woolly as they mature.
     

  18. Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa): This large, slow-growing tree reaches 22–30 m tall with variable rounded lobes on its leaves. Its yellow-green flowers bloom in May, producing unique acorns encased in a cup that covers over half the nut with a distinct, burly-fringed edge.
     

  19. Tall Ironweed (Vernonia altissima): Reaching over 1.5 m tall, this perennial bears lance-shaped leaves with finely toothed margins and pinkish-purple flower heads from August to October. It attracts bees and butterflies, is highly tolerant of the chemical Juglone, and remains unpalatable to grazing mammals.
     

  20. Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina pectinata): This robust, thin-leaved grass reaches up to 2 m tall and features an unusual, comb-like arrangement of bristly flower spikes. It holds up well against mid-summer flooding to protect against erosion, providing high-quality nesting cover for wetland birds.
     

  21. Pin Oak (Quercus palustris): A medium-sized, fast-growing oak reaching 15–22 m tall that is easily transplanted and features deep open-sinused leaves that turn scarlet in autumn. It bears drooping yellow-green catkins in May and serves as a highly valuable resource for waterbirds, small mammals, and the Gray Hairstreak Butterfly.
     

  22. Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba): Also known as Wild Spiraea, this small branching shrub reaches 2 m tall and produces slightly fragrant, erect, white conical flower spikes from late June to mid-August. It produces clusters of five small, dry, red-brown capsules that offer medium wildlife value to deer and gamebirds.
     

  23. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis): This globular shrub grows 2–4 m high with glossy, smooth, whorled leaves. In late July and August, it develops dense, creamy-white ball clusters resembling a pincushion, followed by hard globular fruits that provide food for shorebirds and waterfowl.
     

  24. Canada Bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis): This medium-sized grass reaches up to 1.5 m tall with numerous flat leaves. From July to September, it produces purple panicle flowers made of short, hairy bristles that provide important winter food and shelter for birds and small mammals.

Moist to Wet soil
Sunny conditions

  1. Swamp Milkweed - Asclepias incarnata

  2. Bebb’s Sedge - Carex bebbii

  3. Red Osier Dogwood - Cornus stolonifera

  4. White Turtlehead - Chelone glabra

  5. Porcupine Sedge - Carex hystericina

  6. Highbush Cranberry - Viburnum trilobum

  7. Spotted Joe-Pye-Weed - Eupatorium maculatum

  8. Butternut Walnut - Juglans cinerea

  9. Black Walnut - Juglans nigra

  10. Sneezeweed - Helenium autumnale

  11. Fox Sedge - Carex vulpinoidea

  12. Eastern Cottonwood - Populus deltoides

  13. Blue-eyed Grass - Sisyrinchium montanum

  14. ​Riverbank Wild Rye - Elymus riparius

  15. Largetooth Aspen - Populus grandidentata

  16. Ohio Goldenrod - Solidago ohioensis

  17. Hard-stem Bulrush - Scirpus acutus

  18. Swamp White Oak - Quercus bicolour

  19. Blue Vervain - Verbena hastata

  20. Soft-stem Bulrush - Scirpus cyperinus

  21. Bur Oak - Quercus macrocarpa

  22. Tall Ironweed - Vernonia altissima

  23. Prairie Cordgrass - Spartina pectinata

  24. Pin Oak - Quercus palustris

  25. Meadowsweet- Spiraea alba

  26. Buttonbush - Cephalanthus occidentalis

  27. Canada Bluejoint - Calamagrostis canadensis

  1. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata): This 1.5 m perennial features lance-shaped, opposite leaves that leak a milky white sap when broken. It blooms with pink-purple, flat-topped flower clusters from June to August and holds high wildlife value as a host plant for Monarch butterfly larvae.
     

  2. Bebb’s Sedge (Carex bebbii): Growing in bunches up to 61 cm tall, this medium-sized sedge produces 3 to 12 globular or oval-shaped spikes on each stem. The spikes turn brown to yellow-green at maturity, providing seeds that are frequently eaten by waterfowl and songbirds.
     

  3. Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera / sericea): A fast-growing shrub reaching 2–4 m tall, it is highly recognizable by its bright red to purple twigs and vibrant orange-to-purple autumn foliage. It produces dense flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers in spring followed by white pea-sized berries, making it excellent for soil stabilization.
     

  4. White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra): Named for its uniquely shaped blooms, this tidy, clump-forming perennial reaches 40 to 90 cm tall with dark green, toothed leaves. Its two-lipped white flowers bloom from July to September, acting as a specific larval host for the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly.
     

  5. Porcupine Sedge (Carex hystricina): This tall perennial sedge grows up to 1 m high and features smooth-margined green leaves. It blooms from May to June with green-to-yellow flower heads made of beaked seeds that serve as a food source for the Black Duck and other waterfowl.
     

  6. Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum): This multi-stemmed shrub grows up to 4 m high with opposite, three-lobed leaves resembling maple foliage. It produces white flowers in early summer followed by heavy, drooping clusters of firm, scarlet-red berries that persist through winter for birds like Cedar Waxwings.
     

  7. Spotted Joe-Pye-Weed (Eupatorium maculatum): Reaching an impressive height of up to 2 m, this showy perennial features a hairy stem often marked with distinct purple spots. From August to September, it displays flat-topped clusters of small pink-purple florets that attract butterflies, songbirds, and beneficial insects.
     

  8. Butternut Walnut (Juglans cinerea): This medium-sized tree reaches 15–22 m tall and features alternate, compound leaves typically containing 11–17 leaflets. Designated as an Endangered Species in 2003, it blooms with yellowish-green drooping catkins and hosts the Hickory Hairstreak butterfly larvae.
     

  9. Black Walnut (Juglans nigra): A large tree reaching 22–30 m tall, it features alternate compound leaves with 15–23 leaflets and produces globular nuts inside fleshy green husks. Its roots and nuts release a chemical called Juglone, which actively inhibits the growth of competing plants like White Pine and blueberries.
     

  10. Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale): Also known as the Swamp Sunflower, this perennial grows 60–150 cm tall with a distinctively winged stem. Its yellow, dome-centred flowers bloom from August to October, featuring unique three-notched rays that attract moths, butterflies, and pollinators.
     

  11. Fox Sedge (Carex vulpinoidea): This clump-forming sedge grows 30–60 cm tall with stiff, triangular stems and leaves featuring rough margins. Its densely clustered green-to-yellow flowers bloom from May to June, eventually turning yellow-brown and spreading to mimic a fox's tail.
     

  12. Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides): This large, rapid-growing tree reaches 22–30 m and features glossy, triangular-shaped leaves with coarse teeth. It blooms with bright red, corn-cob-like flowers in April that mature into cone-shaped clusters releasing cottony seeds, while its aggressive roots stabilize shorelines.
     

  13. Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium montanum): Standing just 10–30 cm tall, this perennial is a member of the Iris family with linear, basal leaves. It grows readily from seed and produces short-lived purple flowers with yellow "eye" centres that open in the early morning and close by early afternoon.
     

  14. Riverbank Wild Rye (Elymus riparius): Reaching up to 1.5 m high, this mid-sized grass develops slightly nodding, bristly green flowers in late summer that eventually mature into a brown colour. It is easily grown from seed and serves effectively in riparian buffer plantings to significantly control soil erosion.
     

  15. Largetooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata): This fast-growing, short-lived tree ranges from 15–22 m tall and is distinguished by alternate leaves with large, uneven teeth. It develops slender, drooping catkins in mid-to-late April and provides highly rated food and cover for songbirds, mammals, and gamebirds.
     

  16. Ohio Goldenrod (Solidago ohioensis): This native perennial grows up to 1 m tall, showcasing a completely smooth stem lined with leaves that point upwards. From August to September, it forms flat-topped clusters of bright yellow flowers that support butterflies, songbirds, and small mammals.
     

  17. Hard-stem Bulrush (Scirpus acutus): Growing 1–3 m tall, this perennial sedge features minimal foliage restricted to its base and bears 1 to 8 brown-grey spikelets per cluster. It is a vital food and nesting resource for aquatic mammals and waterfowl, and is commonly used to treat contaminated water.
     

  18. Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolour): A large tree reaching 22–30 m tall, it features simple alternate leaves and acorns up to 38 mm long enclosed halfway by their caps. It is uncommon in Canada, occurring only in southern Ontario where it serves as an excellent species for floodplain and streambank plantings.
     

  19. Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata): This 2 m perennial is structured with a rough-haired, square stem and opposite, lance-shaped leaves. From June to October, it produces numerous terminal clusters of funnel-shaped purple or blue flowers that draw in butterflies, sparrows, and finches.
     

  20. Soft-stem Bulrush (Scirpus cyperinus): This 1–3 m perennial sedge consists of round, olive-green stems that taper toward the tips and feature mostly basal leaves. It blooms from August to September, forming terminal, drooping clusters of reddish-brown spikelets that take on a woolly appearance as they mature.
     

  21. Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa): Growing into a large tree of 22–30 m tall, it features rugged leaves with variable rounded lobes and yellow-green spring catkins. Its acorns are highly distinct, featuring a unique cup that encloses more than half the nut with burly-fringed edging.
     

  22. Tall Ironweed (Vernonia altissima): This upright perennial stands over 1.5 m tall with finely toothed, lance-shaped leaves and clusters of pinkish-purple flower heads. It is entirely unpalatable to grazing mammals, blooms from August to October, and is highly resilient to Black Walnut's Juglone chemical.
     

  23. Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina pectinata): A robust grass reaching up to 2 m tall, it has long, thin green leaves and a unique comb-like arrangement of bristly flowers. It holds up exceptionally well against mid-summer flooding, making it highly effective for erosion protection and wetland bird nesting cover.
     

  24. Pin Oak (Quercus palustris): This medium-sized tree reaches 15–22 m tall and is distinguished by deep open-sinused leaves that turn a brilliant deep scarlet in late autumn. It is easily transplanted, develops drooping yellow-green catkins in May, and acts as a high-value host for the Gray Hairstreak butterfly.
     

  25. Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba): Also called Wild Spiraea, this small branching shrub reaches 2 m tall and develops pale brown to red-brown capsule fruit clusters. Its slightly fragrant, white conical flower spikes bloom from June to August, offering fair wildlife value to deer and gamebirds.
     

  26. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis): This globular shrub grows 2–4 m high with glossy, smooth leaves arranged in opposite patterns or whorls of 3 or 4. In late summer, it produces dense, ball-like white flowers that resemble pins in a pincushion, followed by hard globular fruits eaten by shorebirds.
     

  27. Canada Bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis): Reaching up to 1.5 m tall, this grass features numerous flat leaves and purple panicle flowers composed of short, hairy bristles. It blooms from July to September and serves as a helpful source of food and protective shelter for birds during the winter season.

Normal or Moist soil
Sunny Conditions

  1. Common Milkweed - Asclepias syriaca

  2. New England Aster - Aster novae-angliae

  3. Indian Grass - Sorghastrum nutans

  4. Wild Strawberry - Fragaria virginiana

  5. Little Bluestem - Schizachyrium scoparium

  6. Sweet Ox-eye - Heliopsis helianthoides

  7. Kalm’s Brome - Bromus kalmii

  8. Staghorn Sumac - Rhus typhina

  9. Dense Blazing Star - Liatris spicata

  10. Virginia Wild Rye - Elymus virginicus

  11. White Birch - Betula papyrifera

  12. Bottlebrush Grass - Elymus hystrix

  13. Foxglove Beardtongue - Penstemon digitalis

  14. Switch Grass - Panicum virgatum

  15. Hawthorns - Crataegus spp.

  16. White Ash - Fraxinus americana

  17. Eastern White Pine - Pinus strobus

  1. Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca): Characterized by large, broad leaves, this native perennial provides critical food and breeding grounds for local butterflies. It produces unique, spherical clusters of fragrant pinkish-purple flowers that bloom in mid-summer.
     

  2. New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae): This vibrant perennial develops dense, showy clusters of rich purple flowers accented with bright yellow centers from September to October. It serves as an essential, high-value late-season nectar source for migrating bees and butterflies.
     

  3. Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans): A tall bunchgrass featuring striking blue-green foliage and elegant, feathery golden-brown seed heads that catch the wind in late summer. It creates highly reliable, structure-rich nesting cover and winter shelter for field-dwelling birds and small mammals.
     

  4. Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana): This low, spreading groundcover displays small, five-petaled white flowers from April through May. It bears tiny, highly flavorful red fruits that act as a heavily sought-after food source for local songbirds and forest wildlife.
     

  5. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium): This native bunchgrass features slender blue-green stems that shift to a beautiful reddish-bronze color following the first autumn frost. Its rigid winter structure and fluffy white seed heads provide a vital cold-weather foraging ground for songbirds.
     

  6. Sweet Ox-eye (Heliopsis helianthoides): Also referred to as False Sunflower, this upright perennial is lined with opposite, sharply toothed leaves. It blooms abundantly with yellow, daisy-like flowers through July and August, drawing in countless native pollinators.
     

  7. Kalm’s Brome (Bromus kalmii): A delicate, graceful native grass that produces drooping, finely hairy green spikelets as summer matures. It grows in loose, fine tufts that supply local birds with exceptional material for weaving their nests.
     

  8. Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina): A highly distinct large shrub or small tree noted for its velvety, hair-covered branches that mimic deer antlers. It is easily identified by its dense, cone-shaped clusters of deep crimson autumn berries that provide crucial winter sustenance for birds.
     

  9. Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata): This architectural perennial features stiff, unbranched stems heavily wrapped in narrow, grass-like foliage. It produces spectacular, torch-like spikes of fuzzy purple flowers that uniquely bloom from the top down during July and August to attract butterflies.
     

  10. Virginia Wild Rye (Elymus virginicus): A cool-season grass producing dense, erect flower spikes that resemble cultivated rye in mid-summer. The seed heads dry to a warm tan shade, offering sturdy cold-weather protective cover and foraging seeds for upland gamebirds.
     

  11. White Birch (Betula papyrifera): Famous for its smooth, bright white bark that naturally rolls and peels back in paper-thin layers as it matures. It features pendulous spring catkins and changes to a striking, vibrant yellow hue during the autumn season.
     

  12. Bottlebrush Grass (Elymus hystrix): Named for its widely spreading, horizontal spikelets that look exactly like a kitchen bottle brush, this grass adds wonderful texture to the understory. Its unique green seed heads emerge in mid-summer before drying to a warm straw color.
     

  13. Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis): This tidy perennial sends up glossy, straight stems topped with loose clusters of tubular white-to-pale-pink flowers in June. Its smooth, opposite leaves frequently develop a deep burgundy tint in autumn, providing lasting visual interest.
     

  14. Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum): A deep-rooted, robust perennial grass with a stiffly upright growth habit and airy, cloud-like pinkish-purple flower panicles. It effectively resists collapsing under heavy winter snows, ensuring exceptional thermal cover and plentiful seeds for wild turkeys.
     

  15. Hawthorns (Crataegus spp.): This group of small, thorny trees produces rigid branches, sharp protective spikes, and clusters of showy white spring blossoms. They yield small, apple-like red fruits called "haws" that linger on the branches into winter to sustain local wildlife.
     

  16. White Ash (Fraxinus americana): A large canopy tree with compound leaves that transition to a dramatic shade of deep purple or bronze in autumn. It produces winged seeds (samaras) and is explicitly documented in the guide to tolerate the root-emitted chemical Juglone from Black Walnut trees.
     

  17. Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus): A towering conifer bearing soft, bluish-green needles in clusters of five and long, slender, resin-dotted cones. It holds supreme ecological value as a preferred nesting site for bald eagles, though it is highly sensitive to nearby Black Walnut trees.

Part-Shade Conditions

Moist to Wet soil
Part-Shade conditions

  1. Boneset - Eupatorium perfoliatum

  2. ​Rough-leaved - Goldenrod - Solidago patulatum

  3. Pawpaw - Asimina triloba

  4. Spotted St. Johnswort - Hypericum punctatum

  5. Tall Meadow Rue - Thalictrum pubescens

  6. Dutchman’s Breeches - Dicentra cucullaria

  7. Bitternut Hickory - Carya cordiformis

  8. Michigan Lily - Lilium michiganense

  9. Green-headed Coneflower - Rudbeckia laciniata

  10. Silver Maple - Acer saccharinum

  11. Cardinal Flower - Lobelia cardinalis

  12. Nannyberry - Viburnum lentago

  13. Hop Sedge - Carex lupulina

  14. Red Maple - Acer rubrum

  15. Great Lobelia - Lobelia siphilitica

  16. Bee Balm - Monarda didyma

  17. Common Elderberry - Sambucus canadensis

  18. Silky Dogwood - Cornus amomum

  1. Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum): This 1.5-metre perennial is recognized by wrinkled leaves that fuse around the central stem, producing flat-topped clusters of white flowers that attract pollinators.
     

  2. Rough-leaved Goldenrod (Solidago patula): Reaching 1.5 metres, this native features square stems and rough, sandpaper-textured leaves, producing one-sided clusters of bright yellow flowers in late summer.
     

  3. Pawpaw (Asimina triloba): A small understory tree with large, tropical-looking leaves, this plant acts as the specific larval host for the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly and produces large, edible custard-like fruit.
     

  4. Spotted St. Johnswort (Hypericum punctatum): Growing to 1 metre, this perennial is distinguished by smooth leaves covered in tiny, translucent or dark dots and small, five-petaled yellow flowers.
     

  5. Tall Meadow Rue (Thalictrum pubescens): A 2.5-metre perennial with delicate, fern-like bluish-green foliage that produces showy, cloud-like clusters of starburst-shaped white flowers.
     

  6. Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria): A low-growing, early spring ephemeral with finely dissected, feathery leaves that produces a nodding stalk of unique, hanging white flowers.
     

  7. Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis): A hardwood tree identified by bright, mustard-yellow winter buds, featuring compound leaves and small, thin-shelled nuts consumed by wildlife.
     

  8. Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense): This native grows up to 1.5 metres with whorled leaves and blooms in mid-summer with large, nodding, bright orange flowers with dark-spotted, recurved petals.
     

  9. Green-headed Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata): A 3-metre, robust perennial with deeply lobed leaves that displays daisy-like flowers with drooping yellow petals and a prominent green center.
     

  10. Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum): A large, fast-growing tree with deeply lobed leaves that display a shimmering silvery-white underside and produce tiny reddish flowers in early spring.
     

  11. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): A 1.2-metre unbranched perennial with lance-shaped leaves, producing spikes of brilliant, tubular scarlet-red flowers that attract hummingbirds.
     

  12. Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago): A shrub or small tree that produces white spring flowers followed by edible blue-black fruits, with foliage that turns a dramatic purplish-red in autumn.
     

  13. Hop Sedge (Carex lupulina): This 1-metre, clump-forming sedge features thick, V-shaped pale green leaves and is distinct for its large, inflated, spiky yellow-green seed heads.
     

  14. Red Maple (Acer rubrum): Renowned for brilliant scarlet autumn foliage, this tree has three-lobed leaves, red twigs, and small clusters of early spring flowers.
     

  15. Great Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica): Growing up to 1 metre, this upright plant produces dense, showy spikes of tubular, two-lipped bright blue flowers in late summer.
     

  16. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma): A highly aromatic, 1-metre perennial with minty-scented leaves, producing striking, shaggy terminal heads of tubular, bright crimson-red flowers.
     

  17. Common Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis): A 3-metre, multi-stemmed shrub with white pith that produces broad, flat-topped white flowers and heavy bunches of purple-black berries.
     

  18. Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum): A spreading shrub with reddish-purple twigs, fine hairs, and distinct curving vein leaves, featuring yellowish-white flowers and porcelain-blue berries.

Normal or Moist soil
Part-Shade Conditions

  1. Fringed Brome - Bromus ciliatus

  2. Wild Red Raspberry - Rubus idaeus

  3. Canada Wild Rye - Elymus canadensis

  4. Tulip Tree - Liriodendron tulipifera

  5. American Bittersweet - Celastrus scandens

  6. White Spruce - Picea glauca

  7. Running Strawberry Bush - Euonymus obovata

  8. Witch-hazel - Hamamelis virginiana

  1. Fringed Brome (Bromus ciliatus): This graceful native grass produces slender, arching stems and distinctly drooping, hairy seed heads in mid-to-late summer. It grows in loose tufts, offering valuable fine nesting material and seasonal forage for local birds.
     

  2. Wild Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus): A prickly, multi-stemmed shrub that produces small white spring flowers followed by highly flavorful, edible red berries. It serves as an essential food resource for local songbirds and mammals while providing protective cover.
     

  3. Canada Wild Rye (Elymus canadensis): This robust bunchgrass is easily recognized by its large, nodding flower spikes that resemble cultivated rye. The seed heads mature to a warm tan color and remain standing through the winter to provide excellent wildlife cover and seeds.
     

  4. Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera): One of Canada's tallest native hardwoods, this tree is distinguished by its unique four-lobed, tulip-shaped leaves and large green-and-orange spring flowers. It is highly valued for attracting local butterflies and hosting beneficial insects.
     

  5. American Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens): A vigorous climbing vine that produces striking clusters of bright orange seed capsules that split open to reveal showy red berries in autumn. These colorful fruits persist into the cold months, acting as a critical winter food source for birds.
     

  6. White Spruce (Picea glauca): A hardy, spire-shaped conifer featuring short, stiff, bluish-green needles that emit a distinct aroma when crushed. It holds exceptional ecological value by providing vital thermal shelter and nesting sites for birds and small mammals.
     

  7. Running Strawberry Bush (Euonymus obovatus): This trailing, low-growing groundcover features opposite leaves and roots along its green stems as it creeps across the forest floor. In autumn, it produces unique, warty pink seed capsules that split open to reveal fleshy orange seeds.
     

  8. Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): A highly unique large shrub or small tree that produces fragrant, ribbon-like yellow flowers in late autumn just as its leaves are falling. It holds high wildlife value by providing late-season nectar for insects and small woody capsules that pop open to disperse seeds.

Shade Conditions

Moist to Wet soil
Shade Conditions

  1. Spicebush - Lindera benzoin

  2. Green Ash - Fraxinus pennsylvanica

  3. Black Maple - Acer nigrum

  4. Eastern Hemlock - Tsuga canadensis

  1. Spicebush (Lindera benzoin): An aromatic shrub featuring early spring yellow flowers and red berries vital for migratory birds.
     

  2. Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica): A large canopy tree characterized by ridged, diamond-patterned bark, compound leaves, and high tolerance to Juglone.
     

  3. Black Maple (Acer nigrum): A large tree with dark, drooping, fuzzy-underside leaves that provide wildlife habitat and high-quality sap.
     

  4. Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis): A long-lived, shade-tolerant conifer that creates cool, shaded environments and offers crucial winter thermal cover for wildlife.

Normal or Moist soil
Shade Conditions

  1. White Baneberry - Actaea pachypoda

  2. Hairy Solomon’s Seal - Polygonatum pubescens

  3. Maple-leaved Viburnum - Viburnum acerifolium

  4. Jack-in-the-Pulpit - Arisaema triphyllum

  5. Bloodroot - Sanguinaria canadensis

  6. Twinleaf - Jeffersonia diphylla

  7. Sugar Maple - Acer saccharum

  8. Poke Milkweed - Asclepias exaltata

  9. Heart-leaved Aster - Aster cordifolius

  10. Serviceberry - Amelanchier spp.

  11. White Snakeroot - Eupatorium rugosum

  12. Blue beech - Carpinus caroliniana

  13. Large-leaved Aster - Aster macrophyllus

  14. Purple Flowering Raspberry - Rubus odoratus

  15. Ironwood - Ostrya virginiana

  16. Canada Mayflower - Maianthemum canadense

  17. Bladdernut - Staphylea trifolia

  1. White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda): This perennial features unique white berries with a distinct dark spot that resemble doll's eyes on thick red stalks, adding striking texture to the forest floor.
     

  2. Hairy Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum pubescens): Growing up to 90 cm tall, this plant features arching stems with hanging, bell-like greenish-yellow flowers in spring and produces blue-black berries in late summer.
     

  3. Maple-leaved Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium): A low, branching shrub with three-lobed, maple-like leaves that produces flat clusters of white flowers followed by dark purple berries.
     

  4. Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum): This unusual plant features a striped, hood-like spathe ("the pulpit") shielding a central spike ("Jack") and develops a tight cluster of glossy red berries in late summer.
     

  5. Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis): A classic early spring ephemeral, it features a single, deeply scalloped leaf wrapping a stem that opens into a white flower, often identified by orange-red sap.
     

  6. Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla): Named for its unique leaves divided into two symmetrical halves, this perennial produces short-lived white flowers followed by a distinctive, pear-shaped capsule.
     

  7. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum): A dominant, large canopy tree, it is renowned for its iconic five-lobed leaves that turn brilliant colors in autumn and its sweet spring sap.
     

  8. Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata): A woodland native, this plant features drooping, loose clusters of white-to-greenish flowers and serves as a host plant for Monarch butterfly larvae.
     

  9. Heart-leaved Aster (Aster cordifolius): This clumping perennial features heart-shaped basal leaves and produces a cloud of small, pale blue-to-violet flowers in late summer and autumn.
     

  10. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.): This small tree or shrub produces clusters of showy white flowers in early spring, followed by dark purple berries prized by songbirds.
     

  11. White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum): An upright perennial with opposite, sharply toothed leaves and fluffy, flat-topped clusters of white flowers that bloom from August to October.
     

  12. Blue Beech (Carpinus caroliniana): A small understory tree characterized by smooth, rippled, bluish-grey bark and drooping clusters of winged nutlets.
     

  13. Large-leaved Aster (Aster macrophyllus): Identified by its massive, rough-textured basal leaves that form a groundcover, it sends up stalks with flat-topped clusters of pale violet-to-white flowers.
     

  14. Purple Flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus): A shrub with large, maple-like leaves and thornless stems that blooms with fragrant, rose-purple flowers followed by edible red berries.
     

  15. Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana): A slow-growing tree with shredded, vertical bark that produces hanging, hop-like seed clusters that feed local wildlife.
     

  16. Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense): This low-growing, spreading perennial features two to three glossy leaves and a small, feathery spike of white flowers that become red berries.
     

  17. Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia): A large shrub with compound leaves that produces bell-shaped white flowers and highly unique, inflated, paper-like seed capsules.

All Conditions

Plants for
Almost all soil
Almost all light Conditions

  1. Wild Columbine - Aquilegia canadensis

  2. Grey Dogwood - Cornus racemosa

  3. American Plum - Prunus americana

  4. Woodland Sunflower - Helianthus divaricatus

  5. Ninebark - Physocarpus opulifolius

  6. White Oak - Quercus alba

  7. Star-flowered Solomon’s Seal - Maianthemum stellatum

  8. Shagbark Hickory - Carya ovata

  9. Virgin’s Bower - Clematis virginiana

  10. Poverty Oat Grass - Danthonia spicata

  11. Aquatic Sweet Flag - Acorus americanus

  12. Blue Flag Iris - Iris versicolour

  13. White Water Lily - Nymphaea odorata

  14. Eastern White Cedar - Thuja occidentalis

  15. Virginia Creeper - Parthenocissus quinquefolia

  16. Chokeberry - Aronia melanocarpa

  17. Trembling Aspen - Populus tremuloides

  1. Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): This 30–90 cm perennial features unique, nodding red and yellow flowers with backward-pointing spurs that bloom from May to July. It provides exceptional wildlife value by serving as a primary food source for ruby-throated hummingbirds and various native bees.
     

  2. Grey Dogwood (Cornus racemosa): A tough, thicket-forming shrub growing 2–4 metres high, it produces flat clusters of white flowers in June followed by white berries on distinctive bright red stems. Its dense structure provides excellent nesting cover, and its autumn fruit is heavily consumed by local songbirds.
     

  3. American Plum (Prunus americana): This small, multi-stemmed tree grows 3–8 metres tall and produces masses of fragrant white flowers in early spring before its leaves emerge. It develops thick, protective branches and yields edible, bright red-to-yellow plums that feed a variety of local mammals and birds.
     

  4. Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus): Reaching up to 1.5 metres, this upright perennial features rough, sand-papery leaves and bright yellow, star-like flower heads from July to September. It spreads efficiently via rhizomes to form beautiful colonies that attract butterflies and provide seeds for songbirds.
     

  5. Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius): A structural shrub reaching 2–3 metres, it is named for its unique, papery tan bark that peels away in multiple thin layers on mature stems. It displays dense, umbrella-like clusters of white-to-pinkish flowers in spring followed by attractive, reddish seed capsules.
     

  6. White Oak (Quercus alba): A massive, long-lived canopy tree growing 22–30 metres tall with a wide, spreading crown and leaves featuring smooth, rounded lobes. It produces sweet, low-tannin acorns that serve as one of the most critical wildlife food sources in the entire regional ecosystem.
     

  7. Star-flowered Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum stellatum): Standing 20–60 cm tall, this arching perennial features a zig-zag stem lined with smooth, lance-shaped leaves. It blooms with a small terminal cluster of delicate, star-shaped white flowers in spring, which mature into dark, striped berries.
     

  8. Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata): Instantly recognizable by its gray bark that peels away in long, dramatic vertical plates warping outwards at the ends. This large tree produces compound leaves with five leaflets and heavy crops of sweet, thick-shelled nuts highly prized by local wildlife.
     

  9. Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana): A vigorous, climbing native vine that uses its leaf stalks to twine upward over fences, shrubs, and trees. It displays spectacular curtains of small, fragrant white flowers from July to September, followed by unique, feathery, cloud-like seed heads.
     

  10. Poverty Oat Grass (Danthonia spicata): This low-growing, native perennial bunchgrass features distinctively curly, twisted green basal leaves that form tight tufts. In early summer, it produces slender, unbranched flower stalks that dry to a warm straw color, offering fine nesting materials for ground birds.
     

  11. Aquatic Sweet Flag (Acorus americanus): A wetland perennial with sword-shaped, bright green leaves that emit a pleasant, citrus-like fragrance when crushed. It produces an unusual, finger-like green spadix flower that juts sideways from the stem, providing structural habitat along shorelines.
     

  12. Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolour): This structural wetland plant features sturdy, fan-like groupings of narrow leaves and stands up to 1 metre tall. It blooms from May to July with magnificent, large violet-blue flowers adorned with yellow and white markings that draw in native pollinators.
     

  13. White Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata): A classic floating aquatic plant with large, round, dark green leaves featuring a deep V-slit that rest flat on the water's surface. It produces highly fragrant, multi-petaled white flowers with bright yellow centers that open in the morning and close by afternoon.
     

  14. Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis): A slow-growing, aromatic conifer with flat, fan-like sprays of scale-like needles and stringy, reddish-brown bark. It is highly valued for providing dense, evergreen thermal protection and vital winter browse for local wildlife.
     

  15. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia): A fast-growing climbing vine easily identified by its compound leaves divided into five distinct leaflets. It serves as an ecological powerhouse, turning a brilliant crimson-red in autumn while producing dark blue berries that feed migrating birds.
     

  16. Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa): A multi-stemmed native shrub that showcases clusters of white, dark-tipped spring flowers and glossy green foliage. In autumn, the leaves shift to a vibrant wine-red color alongside heavy clusters of glossy, astringent black berries that persist into winter.
     

  17. Trembling Aspen (Populus tremuloides): This fast-growing pioneer tree features smooth, greenish-white bark and small, rounded leaves with flattened stalks that cause them to flutter and "tremble" in the slightest breeze. It expands rapidly via root suckers to provide excellent early-succession habitat and winter buds for birds.

© Est. 2017 Silver Leaf Nursery & Garden Centre, Landscaping

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