YardSmart Trees and shrubs

Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum lantana) 

A very large shrub with stout stems that can be trained as a small tree, with attractive fuzzy, gray-green wrinkled leaves that develop purplish fall colour, and white spring flowers with small fruit that is attractive to birds.

• It prefers full sun to partial shade 
• Adapted to all soil types.

American Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) 

Native to prairie woodlands, this large shrub has showy white flowers in spring, edible red fruit and red fall colour. Adaptable to all soils, will require additional water only if the fruit is being cultivated for eating.

• Grows 2 to 4 meters tall
• Prefers partial to full sun
• sandy to loam soils

Red Barberry (Berberis thundergii) - "Rosy Glow", "Emerald Carausel"

These are compact shrubs with vibrant colour. They stand out as hedges or planted individually.

• They thrive in heat and full sun
• Prefer well-drained soil

Cherry Prinsepia (Prinsepia sinensis)

Upright and spreading in form, it is one of the first shrubs to leaf out with small yellow flowers and red edible fruit. Very thorny making it useful as a barrier as well as an accent plant in the back of a bed. Attracts birds in the fall.

• Adaptable to sun and partial shade
• All soil types

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)

A vigorous plant with arching branches and thin exfoliating golden brown bark. Many varieties available.

• Thrives in full sun to partial shade
• It has deep fibrous roots
• Adaptable to most soils

Globe Blue Spruce (Picea pungens "Glauca Globosa") 

All spruces have shallow spreading root systems that compete with other plants for moisture.

• A dwarf blue spruce can grow up to 1 metre round and tall
• Prefers full sun
• Fully hardy on a range of soil types

Meyer's Dwarf Lilac (Syringa meyerii "Palibin")

A dense, twiggy shrub with small leaves that look like Mickey Mouse ears that requires little care. Lightly fragrant purple blooms in late spring.

• Grows to 4 feet high and 5 feet wide
• Prefers full sun
• Well drained soil

Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo)

A large group of cultivars of varying sizes and growth habits, these shrubs typically feature dense growth with deep green needles with brown-gray scaly bark.

• Prefers full sun
• Well-drained average soil types
• May take up to five years to establish well-developed root systems

Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)

A native to the eastern prairies, this species of Viburnum has long slender branches that forms a tall open shrub with shiny oval leaves that turn a beautiful purple/red in fall. White flowers in spring mature to purple black berries in fall that appeal to birds.

• Adaptable to all soil types
• Oen sun, tolerates partial shade

Nest spruce (Picea abies "Nidiformis")

Also known as Norwegian Spruce. A small, dense evergreen shrub that develops a depression in the centre. Colour is green to lime green.

• Four feet tall.
• Plant in full sun to partial shade.
• Does not tolerate standing water.

Potentilla or Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora floribunda)

Native to the prairies, this tough bushy shrub has grey-green small compound leaves and five petal yellow flowers that bloom right up till a killing frost.

• Requires full sun
• Adapts to all well-drained soil types.

Preston Lilac (Syringa prestoniae) 

Various types are available such as Royalty. Blooms later than many other lilacs with fragrant, long lasting blossoms.

• Grows up to 12 feet high with up to 12 feet spread. 
• Prefers full sun.

Red Elder (Sambucus racemosa)

A fast-growing large shrub that may be trained as a small tree. Has compound leaves, white flowers in spring and clusters of red berries attractive to birds.

• Adaptable to partial shade as well as full sun
• Does well in all soil conditions

Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum)

Native to the Rocky Mountains, these plants form large conical shrubs with soft, feathery bluish-grey foliage. The species is a host to cedar-apple rust so should be avoided if Hawthorns or Apples are planted nearby.

• Grows up to 20 feet tall and six feet wide
• Prefers full sun and all soil types

Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia)

A native to the prairies that is favoured for its sweet dark purple fruit. A large shrub with white fragrant flowers in early summer,

• Should be grown in full sun on well-drained soil
• May only require additional water when berries are maturing to ensure plump fruit.

Savin Juniper (Juniperus Sabina')

Native to Europe, this species features arching green foliage in a spreading vase shaped form.

• Prefers full sun
• Well-drained soil

Silver Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea)

A large upright native shrub with attractive silvery lance shaped leaves and red berries on female plants. They are well adapted to drier soil conditions, with extensive root systems that sucker to form thick plantings for the back of the garden.

• Grows to eight feet high and wide
• Requires full sun

Sister Justina Lilac (Syringa x hyacinthiglora "Sister Justina")

Provides fragrant white flowers in spring. Bluish green foliage turning a deep purple colour in fall.

• Twelve feet tall with nine foot spread
• Requires full sun

Snowberry (Symphoricapos alba)

A native of the prairies, it has many slender upright stems with bluish-green oval leaves and small white/pink flowers followed by large white berries in fall.

This is a useful plant for under eaves or informal groups where its tendency to sucker and form thickets will be an advantage. Attractive to birds.

• Fully hardy to our area and adaptable to both deep shade as well as open sun
• Prefers dry to moist, sandy soil