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DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

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COMMON NAME

SCIENTIFIC NAME

URBAN TOLERANCE

SALT TOLERANCE

SOIL

CONDITIONS TOLERATED

NATIVE

HEIGHT

SPREAD

Alder, Speckled

Alnus rugosa

Sensitive

Sensitive

Moist or wet, full sun or partial shade

Dry

 

15-20' /

4.5-6m

10-15' /

  3-4.5m

Arrowwood

Viburnum dentatum

Tolerant

Moderate

Well-drained, sun or partial shade

Wet

 

6-8' /

2-2.5m

6-15' /

2-4.5m

Barberry, Japanese

Berberis thunbergii

Moderate

 

 

Dry

 

3-6' /

1-2m

3-8' /

1-2.5m

Barberry

Berberis vulgaris

Tolerant

Moderate

Adaptable, best in full sun

Withstands dry conditions

 

3-6' /

1-2m

4-7' /

1.3-2.3m

Beauty Bush

Kolkwitzia amabilis

Sensitive

Sensitive

Well-drained, pH adaptable, full sun

   

6-10' /

2-3m

Usually slightly smaller in spread

Bridal wreath, Spirea

Spiraea prunifolia 'bridal wreath'

Sensitive

Moderate

Most, except wet, full sun, open areas

   

  4-9' /

1.3-3m

6-8' /

2-2.5m

Bog Rosemary

Andromeda polifolia nana

Tolerant

Moderate

Peaty, sandy soil which is constantly moist and cool, full sun or light shade

Wet

Native

1-2' /

.3-.6m

2-3' /

.6-1m

Buffalo Berry

Shepherdia canadensis

Tolerant

Tolerant

Tolerates very poor soils - sunny, open location

Dry

Fixes nitrogen

Native

6-8' /

2-2.5m

6-8' /

2-2.5m

Buffalo Berry, Silver

Shepherdia argentea

Tolerant

Tolerant

Tolerates very poor soils – likes open,sunny location

Extremely cold and drought tolerant

Native

6-10' /

2-3m

6-10' /

2-3m

Buckthorn, Common / SeaBuckthorn

Hippophae rhamnoides

Very Tolerant

Very Tolerant

Relatively infertile, sand with a moist subsoil, sun

   

9-12' /

3-4m

Sometimes to 30'

10-40' /

3-12m

Bunchberry

Cornus canadensis

Sensitive

Sensitive

Moist, acid, rich in organic matter

Partial or full shade –

water until well-established 

 

Native

3-9' / 1-3m

10' / 3m

Chokecherry, Common

Prunus virginiana

Tolerant

Tolerant

Moist, well-drained

 

Native

25' / 7.5m

20' / 6m

Cotoneaster, Bearberry

Cotoneaster dammari

Tolerant

Tolerant

Well-darined, adaptable

Occurs wild on heaths (peaty) and rocky ground

 

1-1.5' /

.3-.5m

6' / 2m

Cotoneaster, Cranberry

Cotoneaster apiculatus

Tolerant

Medium to high tolerance

Moist, well-drained, acid or alkaline,

High pH

Light sandy, heavy clay, withstands drought

 

3' / 1m

3-6' /

1-2m

Cranberry, American

Viburnum trilobum

Moderate

Very  Sensitive

Good, well-drained, moist, sun or partial shade

Wet

Native

8-12' /

2.5-4m

8-12' /

2.5-4m

Currant, Alpine

Ribes alpinum

Very Tolerant

Very Tolerant

Any good soil, full sun or partial shade

Does well in calcareous soils

 

3-6' /

1-2m

Spread wide  or wider than height

Currant, Flowering

Ribes aureum

Very Tolerant

Very Tolerant

Any good soil, full sun or partial shade

   

3-6' /

1-2m

Spread wide  or wider than height

Dogwood, Redosier, Red-stemmed

Cornus sericea (formerly C. stolonifera)

Sensitive

Sensitive

Moist, extremely adaptable

Wet, swampy conditions

Native

7-9' /

2.3-3m

10' /

3m

Dogwood , Grey

Cornus racemosa

Very Sensitive

Very Sensitive

Moist, well-drained, very adaptable, full shade or sun

 

Native

10-15' /

3-4.5m

10-15' /

3-4.5m

Dogwood, Bailey Red-twigged

Cornus baileyi

(closely allied to C. sericea)

Sensitive

Sensitive

Found native on sandy soils

 

Native

7-9' /

2.3-3m

10' / 3m

Dogwood, Flowering

Cornus florida

Very Sensitive

Very Sensitive

Acid, well-drained soil

- keep soil, cool and moist -partial shade

Full sun, but keep soil cool and moist

Native

20' / 6m

Spread equal to or greater than height

Dogwood, Green-twig

Cornus stolonifera 'nitida'

Sensitive

Sensitive

Extremely adaptable to wide range of soil and climatic conditions

Wet, swampy conditions

Native

7-9' /

2.3-3m

10' / 3m

Dogwood, Pagoda

Cornus alternifolia

Sensitive

Sensitive

Best in colder climates – keep root zone cool, moist and acid

Full sun, but best in partial shade

Native

15-20' /

4.5-6m

Spread one and a half times the height

Dogwood, Yellow-twig / Golden-twig

Cornus sericea (formerly stolonifera)

'flaviramea'

Sensitive

Sensitive

Moist, adaptable

 

Native

7-9' /

2.3-3m

10' / 3m

Elder, American

Sambucus canadensis

Tolerant

Tolerant

Moist

Wet

Native

5-12' /

1.5-4m

 

Elder, European

Sambucus nigra

Sensitive

Sensitive

Moist

Does not like hot weather

 

20-30' /

  6-9m

20' / 6m

Elder, Scarlet

Sambucuc pubens

Sensitive

Sensitive

Moist, rocky soil

 

Native

12-25' /

 6-7.5m

12-25' /

 6-7.5m

Elder, Red

Sambucus racemosa

Sensitive

Sensitive

Moist, rich soil

 

Native

8-12' /

2.5-4m

8-12' /

2.5-4m

Euonymus americanus, Strawberry Bush

Euonymus americanus

Sensitive

Sensitive

Moist

   

4-6' /

1.3-2m

4-6' /

1.3-2m

Euonymus, Colorata

Euonymus fortunei 'coloratus'

Moderate

Sensitive

Most, pH adaptable

Tolerates full sun and heavy shade

 

4' / 1.3m

6-10' /

2-3m

Euonymus, European

Euonymus europaeus

Moderate

Moderate

Moist, well-drained, pH adaptable, full sun, partial shade

Very tough and tolerant plant

 

12-30' /

  4-9m

10-25' /

  3-7.5m

Euonymus, Wintercreeper 'Sarcoxie'

Euonymus fortunei 'Sarcoxie'

Tolerant

Moderate

Moist, not  swampy or wet, pH adaptable

Full sun and heavy shade

 

4' / 1.3m

6-10' /

2-3m

Euonymus, Winged

Euonymus alatus

Very Sensitive

Very Sensitive

Most, well-drained, pH adaptable, not drought tolerant

Very adaptable

 

15-20' /

4.5-6m

Similar spread

Falsespirea, Ural

Sorbaria sorbifolia

Tolerant

Moderate

Moist, well-drained organic soil, full sun, light shade, pH adaptable

   

5-10' /

1.5-3m

Spread equal to height

Forsythia

Forsythia ovata

Tolerant

Tolerant

Good, loose soil, full sun, pH adaptable

Very adaptable

 

4-6' /

1.3-2m

8-10' /

2.5-3m

Forsythia, 'Early Ottawa'

Forsythia ovata 'Early Ottawa'

Tolerant

Tolerant

Good, loose soil, full sun, pH adaptable

Very adaptable

 

4-6' /

1.3-2m

8-10' /

2.5-3m

Honeysuckle, Blueleaf

Lonicera korolkowii

Moderate

Sensitive

ALL HONEY-SUCKLES:

Good, loamy, moist, well-drained, not wet soils, full sun to partial shade

Adaptable to many soils and pH levels, tolerates dry conditions

 

6-12' /

 2-4m

Spread about equal to height

Honeysuckle, 'Clavey's Dwarf'

Lonicera xylosteum'Claveyi'

Moderate

Sensitive

See above

Adaptable to many soils and pH levels, tolerates dry conditions

 

3-6' /

1-2m

4' / 1.3m

Honeysuckle, Dwarf Bush

Lonicera Diervilla

Moderate

Moderate

See above

Adaptable to many soils and pH levels, tolerates dry conditions

 

3-6' /

1-2m

4' / 1.3m

Honeysuckle, European Fly

Lonicera xylosteum

Tolerant

Tolerant

See above

Adaptable to many soils and pH levels, tolerates dry conditions

 

8-10' /

2.3-3m

10-12' /

  3-4m

Honeysuckle, Japanese (twining vine)

Lonicera japonica

Sensitive

Sensitive

See above

Adaptable to many soils and pH levels, tolerates dry conditions

 

20-30' /

  6-9m

 

Honeysuckle, 'Morrow'

Lonicera morrowii

Moderate

Moderate

See above

Adaptable to many soils and pH levels, tolerates dry conditions

 

6-8' /

2-2.3m

8-10' /

2.3-3m

Honeysuckle, Tartarian

Lonicera tartarica

Tolerant

Tolerant

See above

Adaptable to many soils and pH levels, tolerates dry conditions

 

10-12' /

  3-4m

10' / 3m

Lilac, Common

Syringa vulgaris

Moderate

Moderate

ALL LILACS:

Loose, well-drained and slightly acid, full sun, good air movement

There are 400-900 different clones of Syringa vulgaris!

Lilacs are pH adaptable and prefer cooler summers

 

Common Lilac:

8-15' /

2.3-4.5m

6-12' /

2-4m

Mock Oranges

Philadelphus spp.

Tolerant

Moderate

Most, but prefers moist, well-drained soil, full sun or light shade

   

10-12' /

  3-4m

10-12' /

  3-4m

Nannyberry, Sheepberry

Viburnum lentago

Moderate

Moderate

Moist or dry soils, sun or shade

Highly adaptable, very durable plant

Native

15-18' /

4.5-5.4m

6-10' /

2-3m

Ninebark, Common

Physocarpus opulifolius

Very Tolerant

Tolerant

Adapts well to difficult situations, full sun or partial shade

 

Withstands acid and alkaline soils and dry situations

Native

5-10' /

1.5-3m

6-10' /

2-3m

Oleander, Nerium

Oleander

Very Tolerant

Very Tolerant

Prefers well-drained soils, but is adaptable, sun or partial shade

High wind tolerance, dry or marshy conditions

 

6-12' /

2-4m

Spread similar to height

Pea Shrub, Siberian

Caragana arborescens

Very Tolerant

Very Tolerant

Tolerates poor soils, drought, alkalinity, nitrogen-fixing plant

Dry, sweeping winds

 

15-20' /

4.5-6m

12-18' /

4-5.4m

Potentilla / Bush Cinquefoil

Potentilla fructicosa

varieties

Very Tolerant

Very Tolerant

Fertile, moist, well-drained, partial shade but full sun for best flowering

Wet or dry open ground especially that of calcareous origin

Native to northern hemi-sphere

1-6' /

.3-2m

depending on variety

2-8' /

.6-2.3m

depending on variety

Privet, Amur

Ligustrum amurense

Sensitive

Sensitive

Any except very wet, pH adaptable,

Full sun and up to 50% shade

Dry

 

12-15' /

  4-5.4m

Spread 2/3 of height

Quince, Flowering

Chaenomeles speciosa

Sensitive

Sensitive

Wide range of soils, full sun or partial shade

Dry, does not tolerate soils with a high pH

 

6-10' /

2-3m

6-10' /

2-3m

Roses

Rosa spp.

Very Sensitive

Very Sensitive

         

Rose, Rugosa

Rosa rugosa

Moderate

Moderate

Well-drained, sunny and open, slightly acidic

Dry, pH adaptable

Native

4-6' /

1.3-2m

4-6' /

1.3-2m

Sand Cherry, Western Sand Cherry

Prunus besseyi

Tolerant

Moderate

Well-drained

Tolerates rather inhospitable, hot, dry conditions

Native

4-6' /

1.3-2m

4-6' /

1.3-2m

Serviceberry, Saskatoon

Amelanchier alnifolia

Very Tolerant

Very Tolerant

Alkaline

Harsh climate

Native

3-18' /

1-6m

Variable

Snowberry, Common

Symphoricarpos albus

Very Tolerant

Sensitive

Very tolerant of any soil.

Native on limestone and clay, full sun to medium shade

Very adaptable

Native

3-6' /

1-2m

3-6' /

1-2m

Spirea, 'Anthony Waterer'

Spiraea x bumalda 'Anthony Waterer'

Sensitive

Moderate

Tolerant of many soils except extremely wet, full sun, open areas

   

2-4' /

.6-1.3m

Spread is one and a half to twice the height

Spirea, Bridalwreath

Spiraea prunifolia 'bridalwreath'

Sensitive

Moderate

Most, except wet, full sun, open areas

   

4-9' /

1.3-3m

6-8' /

2-2.5m

Falsespirea, Ural

Sorbaria sorbifolia

Tolerant

Moderate

Moist, well-drained, organic soil, full sun or light shade, pH adaptable

   

5-10' /

1.5-3m

Spread equal to height

Spirea, Vanhoutte

Spiraea x vanhouttei

Very Tolerant

Very Tolerant

Most, except wet, full sun, open areas

   

6-8' /

2-2.5m

10-12' /

3-4m

Sumac, Fragrant

Rhus aromatica

Moderate

Sensitive

Prefers acid soil, full sun or partial shade

Adaptable

Dry

3-6' /

1-2m

6-10' /

2-3m

Sumac, Staghorn

Rhus typhina

Very Tolerant

Tolerant

Well-drained – this is not a plant for poorly-drained soil

Adaptable, tolerates very dry, sterile soil

Dry

15-25' /

4.5-7.5m

Spread equal to or greater than height

Viburnum, Black Haw

Viburnum prunifolium

Moderate

Moderate

Adaptable to many soil types, sun or shade

Dry

 

12-15' /

  4-4.5m

9-12' /

3-4m

Wayfaring Tree Viburnam

Viburnum lantana

Very Tolerant

Very Tolerant

Well-drained, loamy, sun or 50% shade

Withstands calcareous and dry soils

 

10-15' /

3-4.5m

10-15' /

3-4.5m

Weigela, Old Fashioned

Weigela florida

Moderate

Sensitive

Well-drained, full sun

Very adaptable

 

6-9' /

2-3m

9-12' /

3-4m

Winterberry, Common

Ilex verticillata

Very Sensitive

Very Sensitive

Light and heavy, full sun or partial shade,  prefers moist, acid (pH 4.5-5.5) soil

 

Adaptable to wet conditions

Native

6-10' /

2-3m

Spread equal to height

Witch Hazel, Common

Hamamelis virginiana

Moderate

Moderate

Moist soil, full sun or shade – avoid extremely dry situations

 

Native

20-30' /

6-9m

20-25' /

6-7.5m

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