Discover the Beauty and Benefits of Native Plants at Royal City Nursery
Did you know that we have a whole selection dedicated to Native Ontario Plants at Royal City Nursery? From Native perennials to native trees & shrubs, we have a great selection to choose from with a wide variety of colours and textures. Tanya Olsen, third-generation owner of Royal City Nursery and a Professor in the Horticulture program at Humber College, says it is super important to plant native plants into your gardens and everybody needs to be doing it and here is why…
Watch our latest video on youtube to learn more or scroll to continue reading.
Thumbnail image with link to ‘What are Native Ontario Plants’ video on our youtube channel.
What are Native Plants?
A native plant is a species that occurs naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat. Over time, these plants have evolved and adapted to the local environment, developing relationships with other native species, including insects, birds, and other wildlife. Native plants are typically well-suited to the local climate, soil, and environmental conditions which often make them more resilient and easier to grow than non-native species. They also play important ecological roles such as providing food and habitat for native wildlife, supporting pollinators like bees and butterflies, helping to maintain soil health and by giving better root structures.
A selection of native perennials available in-store this season (2024);
- Columbine (Aquilegia): Thrive in part shade, Columbine is known for its delicate, bell-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds. It’s a versatile plant that can tolerate a variety of soil conditions.
- Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata): A favourite of monarch butterflies, Swamp Milkweed is an essential plant for pollinator gardens. It thrives in moist soil and produces clusters of pink flowers in the summer.
- Native Ginger (Asarum canadense): An ephemeral plant, Native ginger emerges in spring with attractive, glossy leaves. It prefers partial shade and rich, moist soil. The leaves die back in summer, so it’s ideal to plant summer-flowering plants around it to fill out the space.
- Huckleberries (Gaylussacia spp.): These low-growing shrubs produce small, sweet berries that are edible and attractive to wildlife. They prefer acidic, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
- Wild Strawberries (Fragaria vesca): Ideal for ground cover, Wild Strawberries produce small, flavourful berries and attractive white flowers. They are hardy and spread quickly in the right conditions.
- Native Coneflowers (Eschinacea spp.): These hardy perennials are not only beautiful but provide food for finches and other birds. Leave the seed heads on over winter for interest and wildlife support.
- Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa): A hardy cactus that can survive harsh winters, Prickly Pear adds unique texture to gardens. It produces vibrant flowers in the summer.
- Anemones: These spring flowers prefer partial shade and come in various colours. They add a delicate beauty to gardens and are easy to grow.
- Bee Balm (Monarda spp.): Known for its aromatic leaves and beautiful flowers, Bee Balm attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden.
- Oringiums or Rattlesnake Masters (Eryngium spp.): Despite their thorny appearance, these plants produce stunning flowers in the summer, making them a unique addition to gardens.
- Grey Head Coneflowers (Ratibida pinnata): With tall stems and bright yellow flowers, Grey Head Coneflowers add a pop of colour to summer gardens and provide food for pollinators.
A selection of native trees available in-store this season (2024);
- Red Oak (Quercus rubra): A majestic tree known for its brilliant red foliage in the fall, the Red Oak is a valuable timber tree. It provides food and shelter for various wildlife species.
- Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipfera): Names for its tulip-shaped flowers, this tree has distinctive green leaves and produces large, showy flowers in the spring. It’s a fast-growing tree that can reach impressive heights.
- Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens): A native vine, Bittersweet produces orange-red berries in the fall that are attractive to birds. It’s a great plant for adding verticle interest to the garden.
- Snowberry (Symphoricarpos spp.): This shrub produces clusters of bright white berries that persist through the winter, providing food for birds. It’s a hardy plant that can tolerate a variety of conditions.
- Serviceberry (Amerlanchier spp.): Also known as Juneberry or Shadbush, Serviceberry is a versatile tree or shrub with white flowers in the spring. The berries ripen in June and are edible, with a flavour similar to blueberries. The foliage turns orange to red in the fall, adding to its ornamental value. It’s also one of Tanya’s favourite trees!
- Northern Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica): This shrub has glossy leaves and produces small, waxy berries that are a valuable food source for birds. It’s a salt-tolerant plant that’s ideal for coastal gardens.
- Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana): Witchhazel is known for it’s unique, spidery yellow flowers that bloom in late fall and early winter. It’s a valuable landscape plant for adding interest to the garden during the colder months.
Enhance your garden’s beauty and support local biodiversity by choosing native plants. These plants are adapted to thrive in Ontario’s climate and soil, making them a sustainable choice. Visit Royal City Nursery today to explore our wide selection of Native Ontario plants and start creating a garden that’s only only stunning but also beneficial for the environment. Together, we can make a difference in preserving Ontario’s natural heritage for generations to come.
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.
