Best Plants, Trees & shrubs for Toronto Landscaping
As a landscape designer serving Toronto, I often get asked about the ideal plants - trees, shrubs, perennials, annual - for our local climate and urban environment. Toronto homeowners typically seek landscaping options that are beautiful year round, resilient and low maintenance. Through my years of experience, I've identified many options that suit different style preferences and thrive wonderfully in our unique conditions.
Why Native Trees Are Perfect for Toronto Landscaping
Choosing native trees is an excellent strategy for landscaping in your outdoor garden spaces. Native species naturally thrive in Toronto’s climate, which means less watering, fertilizing, and ongoing care. According to the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, native trees enhance local biodiversity, providing crucial habitats for wildlife and pollinators (Toronto Region Conservation Authority, 2022).
One of the best trees to plant in Toronto is the Red Maple (Acer rubrum). It grows quickly, provides brilliant autumn colour, and thrives in various soil conditions. Another outstanding choice is the Serviceberry tree, admired for its spring blossoms and edible berries that attract beneficial wildlife, enhancing your landscape’s ecological value.
Native deciduous and evergreen trees are a great choice for creating an individual statement or planting in mass.
Evergreen Options
Evergreens offer year-round visual appeal and privacy, making them highly sought after by homeowners. The Green Giant Cedar is a fast growing hedging tree that requires only part-sun conditions. They're hardy, fast-growing, and ideal for creating privacy hedges. Another beautiful evergreen choice is the Blue Spruce which is known for durability and low maintenance, perfectly suited to busy Toronto families. The Native Eastern Hemlock is a great choice to fill large shady garden spaces. Evergreens range in size from dwarf shrubs to tall. The larger they are the more protection they provide from cold, winter winds.
The options for evergreens is endless from Pine to Cedar to Hemlock to Fir to Yew. Use for hedging, massing in groups, or as an individual specimen.
Ornamental Trees for Stunning Aesthetics
Ornamental trees boost curb appeal and property value significantly. The Eastern Redbud, with its stunning pink spring flowers, offers high visual impact at a modest cost. Flowering Dogwood trees, famous for their elegant blooms, can similarly enhance your property without breaking the bank. According to Landscape Ontario, ornamental trees can increase property values by up to 15% (Landscape Ontario, 2021).
Ornamental trees ranging from Japanese Maples to Dogwood to Redbud. Trees denoted as a ‘standard’ are shrubs grafted to a host trunk. An example is a Hydrangea TF.
Flowering Shrubs
Flowering shrubs add color, texture and structure into a garden. Hydrangeas thrive in Toronto’s climate, producing vibrant, resilient blooms throughout summer and fall. They require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for cost-conscious landscaping. Weigela shrubs also offer robust growth, vibrant colors, and reliability, making them perfect for busy homeowners. Rhododendrons not only offer beautiful spring flowers, but through winter stand out as they are evergreen.
Flowering shrubs are available in a wide range of colours and sizes. Choose according to light requirements. For example, a Butterfly Bush requires full sun.
Low-Maintenance Perennials
Perennials are a great investment because they return every year. Coneflowers, Allium, Sage, Astilbe are a few examples of perfect choices for Toronto gardens, thriving with minimal care. According to the University of Guelph, perennials significantly reduce gardening costs compared to annuals, as they don't require annual replanting (University of Guelph, 2021).
Most perennials only require maintenance in the fall and spring. Many can be left over winter for all season interest.
Hardy Ground Covers
Groundcovers like Creeping Thyme, Sedum, and Ajuga offer an economical way to reduce lawn maintenance costs. These plants thrive in Toronto’s climate, require minimal watering, and effectively suppress weeds, making them ideal for challenging landscaping areas like slopes or shaded zones.
Ground covers are available for a variety of light conditions and in a variety of colours.
Fruit-Bearing Trees & shrubs for Functional Landscaping
Fruit-bearing trees such as apple, pear, and cherry are fantastic, budget-friendly choices that offer practical benefits along with beauty. According to a Brigham Young University study in Quebec City, the study found mature trees in high-income areas raised property values by as much as 15 percent depending on the Buyer profile. These trees enhance food security, provide beautiful blossoms, and significantly increase home value, making them a smart investment. Another option is fruit-bearing shrubs like raspberries, blueberries or blackberries.
Fruit trees and shrubs grow best in full sun conditions. Be mindful that some fruit-bearing plants require cross-pollinators. An example of this is most apple trees that require the planting of at least two of different varieties to cross-pollinate to bear fruit.
FABULOUS POTS FILLED WITH Annuals for all season colour
Annuals can provide sustained seasonal color. In Spring, fill pots with Daffodils, Pansies and Primrose. Come Summer, focus on mixing Marigolds, Geraniums, Impatiens, Lobelia, Ivy and Verbena. These choices will enhance your garden’s beauty each year and are perfect for creating a welcoming entryway or accenting a patio.
During the growing seasons, use temperature appropriate annual plants in pots to add pops of colour, height and interest.
Creating beautiful & functional LandscapeS
Have a plan! Knowing how to locate pathways, gardens, patios, decks, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, etc is the artistic side of Landscape Design. If you are taking on the project yourself, make sure to take accurate measurements and create a scaled drawing.
Select plants and trees that align naturally with Toronto’s climate as well as with your design style. Plants are an investment so you want to LOVE them! Native and drought-resistant plants minimize watering, maintenance, and replacement costs. Incorporating mulch around trees and plants helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Make sure to choose the right plant for the right place. Different plants have different requirements for light, moisture, soil and nutrients. PLUS…plants grow! Always read labels to accommodate for their growth. According to the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, strategic landscaping can lower energy costs by up to 30% annually (Landscape Ontario, 2022).
Toronto's varied seasons require thoughtful landscaping. Having something in your garden that is always providing colour, texture and general interest is important. Evergreens provide constant greenery throughout winter. Grasses and the spent flowers on some perennials also add winter interest. Deciduous trees and flowering shrubs bring seasonal beauty. Perennials flower throughout the growing season. Choosing a variety of plants that offer interest throughout the season ensures that your landscape remains vibrant year-round.
Use the right tools for planting and always refer to the Canadian Nursery Standards. Keep tools clean to prevent rusting and the spreading of disease and pests.
Maximizing Your Budget by HIRING A LANDSCAPE DESIGNER
Landscaping is an investment involving a lot of moving parts. Knowing where to start can be overwhelming and stressful. Having a Landscape Designer, like me - Stephanie LeBlanc - at your side to design and manage your project ensures you have a partner and advocate from start to finish. I work with reputable and experienced contractors that take my designs and together we make your dream spaces come to life!
Why Choose Master in the Field Landscape Design?
As a professional Landscape Designer with extensive experience serving Toronto homeowners, I understand local climate challenges and how to best bridge the gap between science and art. My job is to consider your landscape, your style preferences and your wish list and create a vision for your outdoor spaces. Each recommendation I make is rooted in sustainable, practical, and beautiful landscaping solutions that will improve your property value and transform the way you live outdoors!
Ready to transform your front yard affordably? Contact me today for personalized landscaping ideas tailored to your needs. PLUS…visit my Inspiration Page for more front yard landscaping ideas perfect for your Toronto landscaping projects.
References:
Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). (2022). Benefits of Native Trees and Plants. Retrieved from https://trca.ca/native-plants
Landscape Ontario. (2021). Enhancing Home Value Through Landscaping. Retrieved from https://landscapeontario.com/landscape-value
University of Guelph. (2021). Cost-Effectiveness of Perennials. Retrieved from https://uoguelph.ca/gardening-cost-savings
Toronto Parks & Forestry. (2020). Urban Fruit Trees: Benefits and Guidelines. Retrieved from https://toronto.ca/urban-fruit-trees
