Author: Penka Matanska, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission. “Restoring viable habitat within the humandominated landscapes that separate habitat fragments – with as much of this land as possible – is the single most effective thing we can do to stop the steady drain of species from our local ecosystems.” Douglas W. Tallamy For…
Poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, is distinguished by having a single female flower that lacks petals and frequently has sepals. Separate male flowers surround the sepals, which are all housed in a cup-shaped structure known as a cyathium. Modified leaves or bracts make up the plant’s brilliant red, pink, white, or bicolor section, commonly known as the…
Greetings fellow gardeners Life has been changing and moving along like a roller-coaster. My basement still hums with a dehumidifier-fan, and I am hoping the restoration will begin soon. Unfortunately, I found a tick burrowing into me and that was not pleasant. I was able to get antibiotics from the pharmacy, which is so much…
This hardy, ornamental shrub is my plant choice for January as it can be depended upon to deliver vibrant red colour to the winter landscape. At about 5-6’ tall and wide, this particular dogwood (also known as Red-twig) features a number of notable attributes including stunning fall leaf colour, attractive berries for the birds, vibrant…
Berries are an irresistible treat for birds, particularly in winter when food is scarce. The fruits produced by these shrubs provide calories and crucial nutrients that birds need, particularly during the cold winter months when other natural food sources are nonexistent or buried in the snow. Here are some of my favorites to consider for…
Staghorn Sumac puts on a startling display of color in the fall. It is a pleasing sight, especially in the fall, when the leaves turn extremely colourful. It is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. Male and Female Flowers Female flowers produce showy pyramidal fruiting clusters (up to 8″ long), each containing…
The wintergreen shrub is accentuated with either gorgeous, white bell-shaped flowers or brilliant, pinkish-red berries, depending on the season. Beautiful, fragrant wintergreen has evergreen foliage. This plant does well indoors, though it is typically used as ground cover. It’s the ideal addition to make your house cheery in the winter. Wintergreen makes excellent ground cover…
The Saskatoon Berry Bush is a woody, perennial shrub that can yield fruit and adapt to a variety of soil types and climatic conditions. The Saskatoon is a small to medium-sized shrub or tree that is a member of the Rose family. It shares a kinship with the mountain ash, apple, and hawthorn. Saskatoon berry…
Blackberry bush is the plant for you if you are searching for simple fruit to grow in limited space. In many areas, these sweet-tasting blackberries grow untamed in the forests and alongside trails. In the wild, they successfully contend with a range of weeds. They’ll grow easily if you put a few of them in…
Poinsettia ( a member of the Euphorbiaceae botanical family) is distinguished by having a single female flower that lacks petals and frequently sepals. These sepals are surrounded by separate male blooms, and all of this is contained in a cup-shaped structure known as a cyathium. Modified leaves or bracts make up the plant’s brilliant red,…
Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) produces fantastic fruit and it is easy to grow. This berry bush provides a second pleasure: It is an ornamental beauty with beautiful colours throughout seasons. White flowers in the spring, dark green leaves thorugh seasons that transform into blackish purple berries with dark red leaves in the fall. Various jams and…
Rhodora is a thin, erect-branched shrub that seldom grows taller than 3-4 feet. This small northern shrub has stunning blooms that appear before or alongside the leaves. Rhodora canadensis, also known as Canada rosebay, is a deciduous shrub native to northeastern North America and a member of the heath family. It is most commonly found…
Twin flower is a charming evergreen creeping vine that forms large mats in moist, shady woods. Its sweet-smelling blooms attract bees. After the flowers have faded, the plant’s evergreen leaves remain beneath the snow all winter. The Twin flower (Linnaea borealis) is a plant found throughout the northern hemisphere in circumboreal habitats. It occurs across…
Native to the marshes of North America, common boneset has a long history of use as a medicine and a lovely, recognizable appearance. It is still occasionally cultivated and harvested for its medicinal qualities. Gardeners also find it appealing as a native plant that draws pollinators. It grows thick and hairy in wet areas like…
Grey dogwood is a hardy, low-maintenance shrub that provides subdued beauty all year round. Around June, white flower panicles enliven the surroundings. In the late summer and early fall, white berries draw a large number of birds. And the gray bark is nicely contrasted by the reddish-pink fruit stems that survive into the winter. Dogwoods…
The Snowberry is a great addition to many types of landscapes or gardens as an ornamental shrub, as it is easy to care for and very low maintenance. Native to North America, snowberry shrubs are sometimes known as waxberry or ghostberry. Due to their deciduous nature, they shed their leaves in the winter season like…
Winterberry holly has pointed, dark-green foliage that is surrounded by red berries. While the berries remain, the leaves fall off in late fall and early winter, leaving a stunning display of brilliant red fruit in your garden. The deciduous holly shrub is native to eastern North America and several Asian regions. Once established, winterberries just…
A red Osier dogwood plant with its red stems and without leaves.
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus Syriacus), a popular garden addition, is frequently planted to provide a burst of late-season colour after other trees and shrubs have finished blooming. Hibiscus Syriacus is a traditional choice for landscape focal points. This plant makes an excellent specimen, foundation, or border plant. This is ideal for larger patio containers. Rose…
Highbush blueberries are a common fruit grown in home gardens that can be used fresh or frozen. Blueberry bushes are long-lived plants with a lifespan similar to that of fruit trees. The berries are versatile and can be enjoyed fresh, used in desserts, or stored by canning or freezing. In addition, the plants provide ornamental…
Bog rosemary is an arctic-tough, garden-pretty, small evergreen shrub. The leaves are narrow with white hairy undersides. A sharp tip on the leaves distinguishes this species from Kalmia polyfolia (bog sheep laurel), another small ericaceous shrub which can occur in the same habitat. Bog rosemary has pink, bell-shaped flowers. It can be found in acidic…
Canadian Serviceberry has stunning white flowers rising above the foliage in early spring before the leaves. It has green foliage throughout the season. The oval leaves turn an outstanding orange in the fall. It produces blackberries in late spring. They are a very important source of food for people and wildlife. Serviceberry trees are a…
Rhododendron are highly valued in landscaping. Their gorgeous pink flowers brighten up any location. The flowers also attract bees and the rare bog elfin butterfly (Callophrys lanoraieensis) that drinks its nectar after hatching. They are a remarkable flower because of their explosive, butterfly-like look. Where to Plant In nature, find rhododendron in acid soils and…
St. John’s Wort is a magnificent, vivacious plant with flowers that can be up to 5 cm wide. It is easy to cultivate and prefers damp soil and full sun. It can grow very tall with the rich soil conditions. In particular, from early summer through fall, when its bright yellow blossoms cheer up a…
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