Staff Picks: Top Five Native Shrub Species from our Planting Team

Meet Jess, our dedicated Operations Supervisor for Residential Planting Programs—an ISA certified arborist and our coordinating wizard. Jess takes joy in assisting homeowners in finding the perfect tree and shrub for their unique spaces, exemplified by this standout:

"The common ninebark has been inspiring me a lot lately with its textures and sound. The name ‘ninebark’ comes from this shrub’s characteristic mature bark that exfoliates and peels off to reveal several layers (commonly thought of as nine layers) of reddish-brown bark. Although the layered bark adds much needed textures to any landscape, my favourite feature still remains the musical seeds. In the fall, the common ninebark seeds are enclosed in drooping, pinkish-red, papery capsules that can’t help but remind me of maracas as I shake them and listen to the rattling seeds fill the air with a gentle rhythm. If that doesn’t win you over, this shrub is also a member of the rose family, so it has lovely, showy, dense white flower clusters that are attractive to humans and pollinators alike."

Jon is an ISA certified arborist and serves as our exceptional Field Coordinator for Residential Planting Programs playing a pivotal role in tree planting, consultations and follow-ups. Witnessing the delight on a client's face as they see their newly planted trees flourish is Jon's favorite aspect of the season. Rest assured, his top pick is bound to leave you in awe:

“With a nickname of "pot of gold", how could you not love St. John's Wort? One of the reasons that I love it is because it is such an important shrub for pollinating species. When in bloom, it will seem like the whole shrub is vibrating from the insects visiting the many brilliant yellow flowers. I also love how low to the ground it is, creating a sphere shape that tends to be a great native shrub addition in gardens."

In her role as Residential Planting Programs Assistant, Amba supports the Backyard Tree Planting Program office operations and client communications. Amba has a fascination with edible native plants that can also be welcome additions to beautiful landscape designs. Her choice perfectly combines beauty, edibility and biodiversity:

“The spicy, citrusy aroma of a crushed green leaf was all it took for me to become obsessed with spicebush. I promptly planted two shrubs in my front yard the following week to make a refreshing spiced iced tea with the twigs and leaves. In early spring, the bright yellow blossoms are reminiscent of little pompoms, celebrating the return of spring. During autumn, there's a brilliant showcase of golden yellow foliage and drupes of vibrant red oval berries that can be dried and used in place of allspice. A unique, fun fact: the spicebush is the host plant of the spicebush swallowtail butterfly. When in the caterpillar stage, it resembles a character straight out of a cartoon with false oversized eyes.”

As the Residential Planting Programs Field Assistant, Joel helps with the Backyard Tree Planting Program field and office operations. Joel finds great satisfaction in helping people develop a deeper appreciation for the invaluable services provided by urban forest ecosystems and elevating our collective environmental awareness. His pick is sure to make an impression in any yard:

“Initiated by the visual and atmospheric impression provided by a specimen so large that its stems were tied together and rested over top of a garden shed for support, my favourite shrub is the common elderberry. From thin, delicate stems and foliage at planting, to dense umbrella-like canopy at maturity, the common elderberry offers more than just aesthetic appeal. Common elderberry thrives in loam, sand or clay soils, and can handle full or partial sun. Not only are the tiny, dark purple to black clusters of drupes (berry-like fruits with hard stones in the middle) edible and highly nutritious for humans, but they combine with the elderberry's foliage to offer food and nesting habitat for over 50 species of songbirds!”

Brenna has harbored a profound connection to nature and an unwavering commitment to preserving and expanding the urban forest for generations to come. In her capacity as the Manager for Residential Planting Programs and an ISA certified arborist, Brenna takes on a pivotal role in mentoring staff, guiding them as stewards of the urban forest. Whatever the season, her distinctive choice always commands attention:

“One of my favourite native shrubs is the common witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) because unlike the majority of other native shrubs, many of its distinct features present themselves in the fall and winter. The abundantly branched, bushy and large-growing common witchhazel is among one of the last shrubs to bloom each year, typically following an attractive display of bright yellow foliage in the fall. Clusters of fragrant, cheery yellow, crinkly, spider-like flowers appear between October and December, brightening up the dreary landscape and providing sweet nectar to many late season pollinators such as moths, flies and honeybees. Throughout the winter, greenish, acorn-like seed capsules (fruit) develop and mature over the following year. By the next fall season, while the flowers are in bloom, the mature capsules burst open and forcefully eject the seeds up to 30 feet away from the shrub! How neat is that? The presence of both the flowers and mature fruit on the shrub at the same time is a rare occurrence, making the common witchhazel one of my favourite shrubs and a very unique addition to any garden!”