Chokecherry is a native tree in Ontario reaching heights of 3-6 meters. It has simple oval shaped leaves and gray/brown bark. In late spring, the chokecherry produces clusters of small, five-petaled white flowers attracting many pollinators. By the end of summer, these flowers transition into small red/purple drupes. To learn more about the chokecherry, visit:

• Ontario – Chokecherry
• Ontario Trees and Shrubs – Chokecherry 

Wild plum tress are relatively short, with a small trunk. They bloom beautiful white flowers in the spring and early summer. In august and september, plums appear. Flowers attract pollinators while plums attract wildlife. For more information, visit:

• The Morton Arboretum – Wild Plum
• Wildflower Center – Wild Plum

Grey dogwood trees’ green leaves turn orange and red in the fall. They can grow up to 9-feet tall. These trees grow small greenish and white blossoms in spring. Interestingly, grey dogwood trees grow white berries which show a harsh contrast to their reddish branches. To learn more about grey dogwoods, visit:

• Wildflower Center – Grey Dogwood
• Ontario Trees and Shrubs – Grey Dogwood 

Northern hackberry is about 12-18 meters tall and native to Ontario. Once spring arrives, this tree produces greenish flowers and by early fall, it produces small drupes that ripen to a dark purple colour. Northern Hackberry serves as a host plant for several butterfly species, including the Hackberry Emperor. To learn more, visit:

• Wildflower Center – Northern Hackberry
• Ontario – Northern Hackberry 

Smooth rose is not like your typical rose, as per its name, smooth rose does not have thorns and grows into a dense shrub. The flowers have five-petals and can range from white to pink. This plant can grow up to 6-feet tall and blooms during the summer months. Smooth rose is attractive to bees and pollinating insects. To learn more about smooth rose, visit:

• Wildflower Center – Smooth Rose 
• Gardenia – Smooth Rose