The Best Native Plants for Southern Ontario Landscapes

Incorporating native plants into your Southern Ontario landscape elevates your outdoor space into a thoughtfully designed retreat. Picture your backyard framed by the graceful lines of Red Maple trees or accented with the vibrant blooms of Smooth Hydrangea.

At LandArt, we believe beautiful landscaping is about purposeful choices that grow richer and look better over time. Whether your vision is a lush garden sanctuary, a stylish space for entertaining, or a landscape carefully tailored to your home's unique character, native plants deliver sophistication and lasting beauty perfectly suited to Southern Ontario.

Best Native Trees and Shrubs for Southern Ontario

Trees

• White Pine: An adaptable evergreen providing privacy and year-round greenery.
  
• Red Maple & Sugar Maple: Iconic trees known for their stunning autumn foliage and cooling shade.
  
• Red Oak: A robust, majestic presence, ideal for expansive areas and wildlife habitats.
  
• White Cedar & Balsam Fir: Evergreens offering structure and consistent beauty throughout the seasons.
  

Shrubs

• Red Osier Dogwood & Gray Dogwood: Durable shrubs prized for their vibrant stems and wildlife-attracting berries.
  
• Winterberry Holly: Known for brilliant berries that persist through winter, attracting birds.
  
• Witch Hazel: Offers distinctive late-season blooms and beautiful structural form.
  

Recommended Perennials and Wildflowers

Perennials and wildflowers bring colour, texture, and ecological benefits:

• Purple Coneflower: Attracts pollinators, drought-resistant, and easy to care for.
  
• Black-Eyed Susan: Bright, cheerful blooms that handle drought conditions gracefully.
  
• Smooth Hydrangea: Ideal for shady areas, providing lush foliage and striking flowers.
  

Optimal planting time: Early spring or fall for best establishment and long-term growth.

Ornamental Grasses and Groundcovers

Enhance your garden's visual interest and simplify maintenance with these choices:

Ornamental Grasses

• Miscanthus: An elegant grass that adds graceful movement and texture to gardens.
  
• Little Bluestem: A native grass that thrives in dry conditions, perfect for sustainable gardens.
  

Groundcovers

• Bearberry & Bunchberry: Low-growing plants with charming foliage, excellent for covering bare spots.
  
• Wild Ginger & Creeping Juniper: Dense, spreading plants ideal for suppressing weeds and creating lush groundcover.
  

Plants for Pollinator and Wildlife Attraction

Increase the biodiversity of your garden and create a vibrant ecosystem through your garden selections:

Butterflies & Bees

• Purple Coneflower
• Black-Eyed Susan
• Wild Bergamot (Bee Balm)

Birds

• Red Osier Dogwood
• Winterberry Holly
• Serviceberry

These plants foster local wildlife, enriching your garden and contributing to ecological sustainability.

Common Mistakes in Selecting Native Plants

Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure your native plants thrive:

• Not taking into account the mature size of plants. This can lead to overcrowding and maintenance issues when the plants fill out and take over a space.
  
• Picking the wrong site selection for each plant type. We consider sunlight and drainage when planning our horticulture selections.
  
• Overwatering or under-watering, misunderstanding native plant needs, or not using an automated irrigation system when available.
  
• Not including a diverse selection of plantings. Limited selections reduce ecological benefits and visual interest.
  
• Thinking only of the summer season. Your planting selection should factor in each season to create fall and winter landscapes that stand out.
  

Conclusion

Choosing native plants for your Southern Ontario landscape ensures a beautiful, low-maintenance, and environmentally supportive garden. Start today by consulting local gardening experts, visiting nearby nurseries, and creating a garden that flourishes naturally.



Contact us today to discuss your landscaping projects!

Office: 289.439.0018

Email: [email protected]