In the garden: Native shrubs for urban Ottawa

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeLifeHomes In the garden: Native shrubs for urban Ottawa Learning which ones work best in an city space Author of the article: By Heather A. Clemenson, Special to the Citizen Published Sep 07, 2026 Last updated 25 minutes ago 4 minute read Join the conversation Canadian serviceberry spring flowers. PHOTO BY HEATHER CLEMENSON  Article content Growing native plants is a continuing trend because of their benefit to pollinators and wildlife.  Like many gardeners, I have planted more native shrubs in our garden, learning which ones work best in an urban space.  Article content Before choosing a native shrub it’s essential to consider the size of your garden, the hours of sunlight and shade and the soil type.  Consider whether your shrub is dioecious, like many berry-producing shrubs. If so, you will need both a male and female plant to produce fruit. Another factor is the shrub’s mature size. Native shrubs are best left to grow to their natural form, with pruning confined to removing dead, diseased or damaged branches. Finally, consider how your garden is used. If it’s a play space, be aware that a few native shrubs contain toxins that can be extremely harmful to children and pets.   Article content Article content Article content Native shrubs can provide year-round interest.  Two early bloomers are Canadian serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) with showy white five-petaled flowers and spicebush (Lindera benzoin) with clusters of tiny yellow flowers. Serviceberry is a large open shrub, about eight metres tall and six metres wide. Spicebush is much smaller (1.8 to 3.6 m tall and wide), though two plants (male and female) are needed to produce berries. Both shrubs tolerate part shade to full sun and attract pollinators early in the season. Each has a good fall colour and produces berries that attract birds. The serviceberry hosts larvae of many butterflies and moths. Spicebush is a larval host for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly. In addition, serviceberry berries can be used for jams, jellies and other recipes, while spicebush berries provide a good substitute for allspice.  Article content Witch hazel fall flowers. PHOTO BY HEATHER CLEMENSON  Article content Another early spring bloomer, American hazelnut (Corylus americana), has yellow male catkins (four to eight cm long) and inconspicuous female flowers. Growing up to five metres…