Native plants are fantastic—but why should we plant them? Native plants are, by their nature, adapted to our local environment, which means they’re often hardier, develop deeper root systems, and provide vital support to our pollinators. It’s a win-win—for the garden and the ecosystem. Tanya Olsen, third-generation owner of Royal City Nursery and Professor in the Horticulture Apprenticeship program at Humber College, shares her all-time favourite native picks—plus some exciting new perennials, shrubs, and trees we’ve got at the garden centre this year (2025).
Looking to plant native and don’t know where to start? This perennial list is packed with Tanya’s all-time favourites—plus some exciting new standouts for 2025. Whether you’re gardening in full sun, part shade, or something in between, these native perennials will bring beauty, biodiversity, and resilience to your Southern Ontario landscape.
This versatile native shrub has a lovely horizontal growth habit and grows to about 6 x 6 feet. It thrives in full sun to dappled shade and produces clusters of white flowers followed by berries that birds love. Nannyberry is a type of viburnum with especially phenomenal berries and excellent pollinator value.
If you’re planting for pollinators, start with milkweed.
Delicate and airy, native columbine grows well in drier soil and prefers full sun to dappled shade. It’s a great early bloomer, and once established (water well the first season!), it’ll come back year after year.
Tree or shrub? You choose! This native multitasker offers spring blooms, edible berries in June (also called Saskatoon berries), and brilliant fall colour. It reaches about 15 x 15 feet, tolerates full sun to dappled shade, and is beloved by birds and pollinators alike. Fun fact: It’s Tanya’s absolute favourite—she even has it tattooed on her shoulder!
These cheerful yellow blooms love the sun and bring vibrant summer colour. Ideal for meadow-style gardens or sunny borders.
A must-have for lovers of unusual plants. Prairie smoke features funky, nodding flowers that open into soft, smoke-like seed heads. Just 10 x 10 inches in size and full sun-loving, it’s a compact stunner that adds interest all season.
A standout for pollinators, this slender-leaved perennial features vibrant purple blooms. A graceful, airy addition to sunny spaces.
A quirky native with white, ball-shaped flowers from the thistle family. It adds structure and texture to native plantings.
Yes, you can grow cactus in Ontario! This hardy native thrives in hot, dry conditions (especially in sandy driveways or dry rock gardens). Look for its beautiful yellow blooms sitting atop paddle-like pads.
This aromatic perennial smells amazing and is a pollinator magnet. Compact and tidy—perfect for herb gardens or borders.
These late-summer bloomers provide soft blue flowers just when pollinators need them most. Give them a good watering in their first year to get them established.
A low-growing, adaptable native that only reaches about 2.5 feet wide. Perfect for underplanting or naturalizing.
Ethically sourced and native—but endangered in the wild. This majestic tree can grow up to 60 x 60 feet. Ideal for large landscapes with full sun.
A moisture-loving perennial with tall purple blooms that appear in early summer. Ideal for rain gardens or damp spots in sun to part shade.
These natives might not look like much year-round, but they’re vital to Ontario’s woodland ecosystems. Most shine for just a few weeks to a couple of months each spring—and then disappear until next year. Trust us, they’re worth it.
When planning a resilient, eco-friendly garden, native trees and shrubs are essential. They provide year-round structure, feed local wildlife, and help create a more self-sustaining landscape. Tanya recommends aiming for a minimum of 30% evergreen coverage in your garden—this not only adds year-round colour but also creates windbreaks that keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Here are her top native tree and shrub picks to plant this year.
One of the hardiest evergreens you can grow in Southern Ontario. White spruce grows quickly—around 10 to 16 inches per season—and establishes into a substantial privacy screen. Ideal for windbreaks, hedgerows, or winter colour.
A fantastic multi-season shrub that offers beautiful foliage and phenomenal berries. Grows approximately 8 to 10 feet tall and thrives in part shade to full sun. Pollinator-friendly and wildlife-supporting.
One of the earliest spring bloomers, redbuds burst into pink flowers in April, followed by shiny new foliage. They also produce unique pea-pod-like seed heads in fall. Best planted in slightly sheltered spots with sun to shade exposure.
Loved for its delicate spring flowers, glowing bark in the rain, and brilliant fall colour, the serviceberry is an all-around star. Grows beautifully in almost full shade to full sun. Bonus: the berries are edible and attract birds!
Native to the Carolinian forest (Guelph sits right on its northern edge!), this underused native has gorgeous blue-silver bark that stands out in winter. It offers great privacy and texture, making it a standout four-season performer.
A true showstopper, the tulip tree is a close relative of the ornamental magnolia and stands out with its distinctive tulip-shaped leaves. In late spring, it produces elegant greenish-yellow flowers that bloom beneath the canopy. Native to Southern Ontario, this majestic tree can reach heights of up to 50 feet—making it a stunning choice for larger landscapes.
Known for its vibrant red foliage in fall, this tree puts on a stunning seasonal show. New growth has a reddish tinge, and mature trees can grow large—making it perfect for larger yards or park-style plantings.
An urban-tough native tree with unique, cork-like bark and clusters of blue-black berries that birds love. Planting one in your yard is a great way to attract and support both birds and pollinators while adding texture and character to your landscape.
This majestic native provides brilliant red to burnt orange fall colour and supports countless species of wildlife. Produces acorns and holds onto its leaves into early winter. An excellent choice for privacy, shade, and biodiversity.
Native trees and shrubs do more than look good. They help conserve water, support local wildlife, and reduce maintenance over time. Whether you’re building a windbreak, creating privacy, or simply adding year-round beauty, there’s a native tree or shrub perfect for your space.
Visit us this season to explore our curated selection of native trees and shrubs. Our team of experts are here to help you make the most of your space—naturally.
About Tanya Olsen:
Tanya is a third-generation garden centre owner and landscape designer.
Teaches Horticulture Apprenticeship at Humber College in Ontario, Canada.
Has a weekly segment on CTV news.
Has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture.
YWCA Woman of Distinction.
About Royal City Nursery:
Guelph, Ontario’s only third-generation, full-service garden centre! We specialize in creating custom outdoor living spaces and unique solutions for all your garden, landscape, and seasonal decorating needs! At our new greenhouse, located between Guelph and Cambridge, we are the garden centre of choice for discerning homeowners, landscapers, and designers.
