In the ever-evolving world of landscaping, selecting the right trees and shrubs is crucial for creating a visually appealing and functional garden. Understanding the sizes, shapes, and foliage of various plants can help you make informed choices that enhance your outdoor space, especially in the climate of southern Ontario.
Trees: Majestic Giants and Petite Beauties
Large Trees: Ideal for providing shade, creating focal points, and offering a sense of scale to your garden.
- Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum): Known for its striking fall colors, the sugar maple can grow up to 75 feet tall. Its dense canopy provides excellent shade, and it's a classic choice for southern Ontario gardens.
- Red Oak (Quercus rubra): This robust tree can reach up to 70 feet and is valued for its strength and longevity. Its leaves turn a brilliant red in the fall, adding seasonal interest.
Medium Trees: Perfect for smaller yards or as secondary focal points in larger landscapes.
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis): With its white spring blossoms, edible berries, and attractive fall foliage, the serviceberry is a versatile choice for medium-sized gardens. It typically grows to about 15-25 feet.
- Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis): Known for its stunning pink flowers in early spring, the eastern redbud reaches about 20-30 feet and has heart-shaped leaves that add unique texture to the garden.
Small Trees: Excellent for adding height without overwhelming the space, these trees are perfect for tight spots or as accents.
- Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida): This small tree, growing to about 20-30 feet, offers beautiful white or pink flowers in spring and red foliage in fall.
- Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): With their delicate, lacy leaves and striking fall colors, Japanese maples are ideal for small gardens or as understory trees. They typically grow to 10-25 feet.
Shrubs: Versatile and Varied
Evergreen Shrubs: Provide year-round greenery and can serve as hedges, screens, or foundation plants.
- Boxwood (Buxus spp.): Known for their dense, green foliage and ability to be shaped into various forms, boxwoods are perfect for formal gardens. They come in a range of sizes, from compact varieties to larger species.
- Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis): This native shrub can be used as a hedge or specimen plant. It's adaptable and provides year-round green foliage.
Deciduous Shrubs: Offer seasonal interest with flowers, fruits, and changing foliage.
- Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.): Famous for their large, showy flower clusters, hydrangeas are available in many varieties, from compact to larger bushes. Their flowers can be blue, pink, white, or purple, depending on the soil pH.
- Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius): This hardy shrub features attractive peeling bark, white or pink flowers in spring, and colorful foliage that can range from green to deep burgundy.
Foliage: Texture and Color
Variegated Foliage: Adds visual interest and contrast to the garden.
- Hosta (Hosta spp.): These shade-loving perennials come in various sizes and feature leaves with stunning variegation patterns, from green and white to blue and yellow.
- Variegated Dogwood (Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'): Known for its striking white-edged leaves, this shrub adds color and texture to the garden throughout the year.
Seasonal Color: Plants that offer changing foliage colors can provide year-round interest.
- Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus): Famous for its fiery red fall foliage, this shrub is a standout in any garden. It can grow to about 6-10 feet and is relatively low-maintenance.
- Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria): With its purple foliage and unique, smoky-looking flower clusters, the smoke bush is an eye-catching addition to any landscape. It typically grows to about 10-15 feet.