Plants

If you want a tree that will provide shade, screening, wildlife habitat or a stronger landscape presence without waiting decades, Ontario has several excellent fast-growing choices. The province’s wide range of climates means the best tree for southern Ontario may not be the best choice for northern Ontario, so hardiness, soil and available space all … Read more

European ash (Fraxinus excelsior), also known as common ash, is a large, graceful deciduous tree native to much of Europe, including Britain. It is one of the most recognisable woodland trees in the UK, particularly in winter when its distinctive black buds stand out against its grey branches. Under suitable conditions, European ash can become … Read more

Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is one of the most familiar native trees of the British countryside. Often called hawthorn, May, or hedgerow thorn, it is particularly associated with traditional hedgerows, field boundaries, woodland edges, scrub, and open countryside. Its clouds of white, sometimes pink-tinged flowers in late spring are followed by clusters of deep red … Read more

Fast-growing trees can transform a garden, woodland, farm, or large landscape in surprisingly little time. Some species can add 1–2 metres of height per year when young and growing in fertile, moist soil, while others considered fast-growing in the UK may add around 50–80 centimetres annually. The actual rate depends heavily on the site, so … Read more

Shrubs with orange berries occupy a striking middle ground in the landscape, warmer and more attention-grabbing than yellow fruit but softer than the classic red display most fall gardens lean on. That orange hue often signals something specific happening at a chemical level, since many of these fruits carry high concentrations of carotenoid pigments, the … Read more

Shrubs with yellow berries bring a color to the winter and fall landscape that red and purple-fruited plants simply can’t match, standing out sharply against bare branches, evergreen foliage, or a dusting of snow. Yellow fruit is relatively uncommon in the plant world compared to red, since red pigments tend to attract fruit-eating birds more … Read more

The Kwanzan cherry tree is one of the most eye-catching flowering trees for a spring landscape. Its branches become covered with large, deep pink flowers. The blooms are double and look almost like small clusters of roses. For a few weeks each spring, the tree can become the main feature of an entire garden. Kwanzan … Read more

The Akebono cherry tree is one of those flowering trees that can completely change the appearance of a landscape for a few weeks each spring. Its branches become covered with soft pink flowers that gradually fade toward white as they open, creating a gentle two-tone effect that is especially beautiful against the still-bare branches of … Read more

Types of blueberries vary far more widely than the uniform blue containers at a grocery store suggest, spanning 4 distinct species groups bred for entirely different climates, from the humid lowlands of Florida to the sub-zero winters of Minnesota. Nearly every commercial and backyard variety grown today traces back to a single collaboration: in 1911, … Read more

Watering an indoor bonsai tree sounds simple, but getting the timing and amount right can make the difference between healthy growth and stressed roots. Bonsai are grown in small, often shallow containers, which means they have a limited amount of soil available to hold water. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) notes that bonsai containers restrict … Read more