MOUNTAIN MAPLE Acer spicatum

Sun: Full Sun or Shade
Moisture: Medium to Moist, Well drained
Height: 3 - 7 m
Spacing:  2 m (6 ft)
Native Range in Canada: SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PEI, NS, NL

Description: Bright red seeds in summer and orange foliage in fall - Host for Harvester and Tiger Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.

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SPECKLED ALDER Alnus rugosa

Sun: Full Sun or Part Shade
Moisture: Medium to Wet
Height: 2 - 4 m (7 - 13 ft)
Bloom Time: April to May
Spacing: 2 - 3 m (6 - 9 ft)
Native Range in Canada: SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PEI, NS, NL

Description: Good for erosion control along stream beds, flood tolerant. Seed for songbirds. Host for Harvester butterfly caterpillars.

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SASKATOON Amelanchier alnifolia

Sun: Full Sun
Moisture: Dry to Medium, Well drained
Height: 3 - 4 m
Bloom Time: May
Colour: White
Spacing: 1.2 - 2 m (4 - 6 ft)
Native Range in Canada: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, YT, NWT

Description: The purple fruit is great to eat fresh or for Saskatoon pie - Early to bloom and leaf out in spring - Good early food source for bees - Golden fall colour - Deer Resistant.

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LEADPLANT Amorpha canescens

Sun: Full Sun
Moisture: Dry to Medium
Height: 30 - 90 cm
Bloom Time: June
Colour: Blue/Purple
Spacing: 60 - 90 cm (2 - 3 ft)
Native Range in Canada: MB, ON

Description: The glowing, blue/purple flower spikes attract butterflies for nectar and bees for pollen - A rare shrub with grey-green leaves - Prefers sandier soil - A legume.

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INDIGO BUSH Amorpha fruticosa

Sun: Full Sun
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 2 - 3 m
Bloom Time: June
Colour: Dark Purple
Spacing: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Native Range in Canada: MB, ON, QC, NB

Description: A rare shrub with gorgeous, dark purple flower spikes - Host to Alfalfa butterflies - A legume - Attracts bees.

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DWARF FALSE INDIGO Amorpha nana

Sun: Full Sun
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 30 - 50 cm
Bloom Time: June
Colour: Reddish Purple
Spacing: 60 cm (2 ft)
Native Range in Canada: MB

Description: A small, rare shrub with fragrant flowers in spike like racemes - Attractive, fine textured leaves - Attracts bees.

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RED OSIER DOGWOOD Cornus sericea ssp. sericea

Sun: Full Sun or Shade
Moisture: Medium to Wet
Height: 1 - 3 m
Bloom Time: June
Colour: White
Spacing: 1.2 - 2 m (4 - 6 ft)
Native Range in Canada: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PEI, NS, NL, YT, NWT, NU

Description: Red bark adds winter colour - White berries attract birds - Host of Spring Azure butterflies - Excellent for riverbanks.

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GREY DOGWOOD Cornus racemosa

Sun: Full Sun or Shade
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 2 m
Bloom Time: June
Colour: White
Spacing: 1.2 - 2 m (4 - 6 ft)
Native Range in Canada: MB, ON, QC

Description: Showy flowers and white berries, which birds love - Grey bark - Host for Spring Azure butterflies - Purple fall colour - Spreads gradually by underground roots.

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HAZELNUT Corylus americana

Sun: Full Sun or Part Shade
Moisture: Dry to Moist, Well drained
Height: 1 - 3 m
Bloom Time: May
Colour: Red, tiny
Spacing: 1 - 3 m (3 - 9 ft)
Native Range in Canada: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PEI, NS, NL

Description: Excellent, golden orange fall colour - Nuts can be roasted and eaten - Spreads to form dense clumps - Deer Resistant.

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HAWTHORN Crataegus chrysocarpa

Sun: Full Sun or Part Shade
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 2 - 4 m (7 - 13 ft)
Bloom Time: June
Colour: White
Spacing: 2 - 4 m (7 - 13 ft)
Native Range in Canada: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PEI, NS, NL

Description: A very attractive shrub with stout thorns - Loaded with beautiful, white flowers, followed by bright red fruit - Host for Harvester butterflies and Hairstreak butterflies - Deer Resistant.

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SHRUBBY CINQUEFOIL Dasiphora fruticosa 

Sun: Full Sun
Moisture: Dry to Wet
Height: 30 - 120 cm (1 - 4 ft)
Bloom Time: June to September
Colour: Yellow
Spacing: 0.9 - 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft)
Native Range in Canada: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, NS, NL, YT, NWT

Description: A long blooming, low maintenance shrub - Attracts bees and butterflies - Helpful for erosion control - Seed for birds in autumn - Also called Potentilla - Deer Resistant.

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BUSH HONEYSUCKLE Diervilla lonicera

Sun: Full Sun or Shade
Moisture: Dry to Moist, Well drained
Height: 50 - 100 cm
Bloom Time: June to July
Colour: Yellow
Spacing: 50 - 100 cm (1.5 - 3 ft)
Native Range in Canada: SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PEI, NS, NL

Description: Great as a tall groundcover - Clusters of yellow, funnel shaped flowers - Spreads by roots - Red/gold fall colour.

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SILVERBERRY Eleagnus commutata

Sun: Full Sun
Moisture: Dry to Medium, Well drained
Height: 2 - 4 m
Bloom Time: June
Colour: Yellow
Spacing: 2 - 4 m (6 - 12 ft)
Native Range in Canada: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, YT, NWT, NU

Description: Silver leaves - Thicket forming shrub spreads by roots - Also called Wolf Willow - Great for erosion control and wildlife - Deer Resistant.

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WILD PLUM Prunus americana

Sun: Full Sun or Part Shade
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 3 - 5 m
Bloom Time: May
Colour: White
Spacing: 2 - 3 m (6 - 9 ft)
Native Range in Canada: SK, MB, ON, QC

Description: A mass of flowers cover the plant before the leaves emerge - Red or yellow plums - Host of Spring Azure and Swallowtail butterflies.

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PINCHERRY Prunus pensylvanica

Sun: Full Sun or Part Shade
Moisture: Dry to Medium, Well drained
Height: 3 - 5 m (10 - 16 ft)
Bloom Time: May
Colour: White
Spacing: 1 - 2 m (3 - 7 ft) 
Native Range in Canada: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PEI, NS, NL, NWT

Description: Bright red, pea sized cherries make good jelly - Nice fall colour - Birds love the fruit - All prunus species host Spring Azure and Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.

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WESTERN SANDCHERRY Prunus pumila besseyi

Sun: Full Sun
Moisture: Dry to Medium
Height: 15 - 40 cm
Bloom Time: May
Colour: White
Spacing: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Native Range in Canada: SK, MB, ON

Description: White flowers are followed by tart, purplish, edible cherries – Native to dry, sandy prairies in the southwest parklands of Manitoba. Attracts bees.

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SMOOTH SUMAC Rhus glabra

Sun: Full Sun
Moisture: Dry to Medium
Height: 2 - 4 m
Colour: Red fruit
Spacing: 2 - 4 m (6 - 12 ft)
Native Range in Canada: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC

Description: Fast growing with showy, brilliant red leaves in fall - Spreads by roots - Cone shaped red fruit clusters attract wildlife.

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WILD BLACK CURRANT Ribes americanum

Sun: Full Sun or Shade
Moisture: Medium to Wet
Height: 90 - 120 cm
Bloom Time: May
Colour: Yellow
Spacing: 60 - 90 cm (2 - 3 ft)
Native Range in Canada: AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, NS

Description: A great shrub for shady, moist areas - Edible black berries - Birds love the fruit too - Fast growing.

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PRICKLY ROSE Rosa acicularis

Sun: Full Sun or Part Shade
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 1 - 2 m (3 - 7 ft)
Bloom Time: June
Colour: Pink
Spacing: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Native Range in Canada: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, NS, YT, NWT

Description: Fragrant flowers produce red rose hips - Floral emblem of Alberta - Spreads by roots - Host for Hairstreak butterfly caterpillars - Rusty orange fall colour.

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WILD RASPBERRY Rubus idaeus

Sun: Full Sun or Part Shade
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 1 - 2 m
Bloom Time: June
Colour: White
Spacing: 60 cm (2 ft)
Native Range in Canada: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PEI, NS, NL, YT, NWT, NU

Description: Very tasty fruit, great for eating fresh or in jam or pies - Fresh or dried leaves make good tea - Spreads by roots.

Fruiting is best with regular moisture.

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BUFFALOBERRY Shepherdia argentea

Sun: Full Sun
Moisture: Dry to Medium
Height: 3 - 5 m
Colour: Orange/Red fruit
Spacing: 1 - 2 m (3 - 6 ft)
Native Range in Canada: BC, AB, SK, MB

Description: A thorny shrub with silver leaves and orange/red berries. Berries are very sour but after a hard frost they make good jelly. Male and female flowers are on separate plants so more than one plant is needed to produce fruit. Buffaloberry does great on sandier soils.

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SHOWY MOUNTAIN ASH Sorbus decora

Sun: Full Sun or Shade
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 5 - 8 m (16 - 26 ft)
Bloom Time: June
Colour: White
Spacing: 3 - 4 m (10 - 13 ft)
Native Range in Canada: SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, NS, NL

Description: A very pretty small tree with flat clusters of flowers and big clusters of red berries in summer. Showy mountain ash is not a true ash species, so it is not affected by emerald ash borer.

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NARROWLEAF MEADOWSWEET Spirea alba

Sun: Full Sun or Part Shade
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 50 - 100 cm
Bloom Time: July
Colour: White
Spacing: 60 - 90 cm (2 - 3 ft)
Native Range in Canada: AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PEI, NS, NL

Description: Pyramidal clusters of fuzzy flowers - Host for Spring Azure butterflies - Great for low untrimmed hedges.

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COMMON SNOWBERRY Symphoricarpos albus var. pauciflorus

Sun: Full Sun or Shade
Moisture: Dry to Moist
Height: 30 - 75 cm
Bloom Time: June
Colour: Pink/White
Spacing: 60 - 90 cm (2 - 3 ft)
Native Range in Canada: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PEI, NS, NL, NWT

Description: Important food and cover source for many birds - Spreads by roots to form thickets - White berries are not edible.

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WESTERN SNOWBERRY
Symphoricarpos occidentalis

Sun: Full Sun or shade
Moisture: Dry to Moist
Height: 50 - 90 cm
Bloom Time: June
Colour: Pink/White
Spacing: 60 - 90 cm (2 - 3 ft)
Native Range in Canada: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NWT

Description: One of the most widespread and commonest shrubs in the prairies. Spreads a lot by creeping roots. Best used for reclamation and to control soil erosion on banks and slopes. The white fruit is a source of food for birds.

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WHITE CEDAR Thuja occidentalis

Sun: Full Sun or Shade
Moisture: Medium to Wet
Height: 10 - 20 m (33 - 66 ft)
Spacing: 2 - 3 m (7 - 10 ft)
Native Range in Canada: MB, ON, QC, NB, PEI, NS

Description: A long-lived, bushy cedar that grows in a broadly pyramidal shape 3 - 5 metres wide (10 - 16 feet wide). Makes a beautiful tree or shelterbelt. Native to the south eastern Manitoba boreal forest. Birds like to eat the seeds and nest in the tree. Aromatic foliage. A sacred plant used in smudging ceremonies.

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NANNYBERRY Viburnum lentago

Sun: Full Sun or Part Shade
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 3 - 4 m (10 - 13 ft)
Bloom Time: June
Colour: White
Spacing: 1.2 - 2 m (4 - 6 ft)
Native Range in Canada: SK, MB, ON, QC, NB

Description: Boasts shiny leaves, flat clusters of flowers and blue-black berries - Bright red fall colour - Viburnums host Spring Azure butterfly caterpillars. Expands by root suckers.

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HIGHBUSH CRANBERRY Viburnum trilobum

Sun: Full Sun or Shade
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 2 - 4 m
Bloom Time: June
Colour: White
Spacing: 1.2 - 2 m (4 - 6 ft)
Native Range in Canada: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PEI, NS, NL

Description: Showy flowers and bunches of red berries - Gorgeous red fall colour - Host for Hummingbird Clearwing Moth.

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DOWNY ARROWWOOD Viburnum rafinesquianum

Sun: Full Sun or Shade
Moisture: Dry to Moist
Height: 90 - 150 cm
Bloom Time: June
Colour: White
Spacing: 1.2 - 2 m (4 - 6 ft)
Native Range in Canada: MB, ON, QC

Description: Round flower clusters are followed by navy/black berries – Leaves turn purple in autumn – Birds and other wildlife like to eat the berries – Viburnums host the little Spring Azure butterflies.

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PAGODA DOGWOOD Cornus alternifolia

Sun: Part-Shade or Shade
Moisture: Medium to Moist
Height: 2 - 5 metres
Bloom Time: June
Colour: White
Spacing: 1.2-2 m (4-6 ft)
Native Range in Canada: MB, ON, QC, NB, PEI, NS, NL

Description: A rare shrub with showy clusters of flowers and dark blue berries that birds love. Excellent for many pollinators too.

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