Want a little more privacy for your backyard? We’ve got you covered!
Whether you’ve moved into a new build home or you just want a little more privacy in your backyard, we’ve got four plants that should help your space feel a little more secluded. Plus these plants offer incredible habitat for wildlife!
Common Juniper
Zones: 4
This incredible shrub grows all over Canada from British Columbia to Newfoundland to the Arctic! While it might not flower like some of the other plants on this list, it makes up for that with both its hardiness and just how attractive it is to birds. This shrub is tolerant of salt and that comes in handy when the city whizzes by to salt the roads and sidewalks. Moreover, birds love to use the Common Juniper for shelter so don’t be surprised if you spot an American Robin, Eastern Bluebird, Purple Finch or Northern Flicker on your property thanks to this plant. At full height, the Common Juniper can reach 2.5 metres, making it an ideal shrub to grow along property lines!
American Cranberrybush
Zones: 2-7
If you’re looking for a statement bush, look no further than the American Cranberrybush. This shrub can grow up to 2.5 metres tall and three metres wide! Its red berries appear in the summer and it keeps its berries right through the winter (unless of course they are gobbled up by hungry birds!). Songbirds enjoy noshing on these berries and as a bonus, this bush is a larval host for the Spring Azure Moth!
Nannyberry
Zones: 2
Want a shrub with some heft to it? Look no further than the Nannyberry which can grow up to 10 metres in height! While it might keep nosy neighbours out of your yard, it’ll certainly do its best to keep wonderful birds and pollinators in your yard. In the summer months, this shrub reveals white fragrant flowers attracting all sorts of butterflies and moths. The Hummingbird Clearwing Moth, for example, which is often mistaken for a hummingbird, uses this shrub to survive the caterpillar stage. As autumn approaches, the Nannyberry will produce dark blue berries that attract Northern Cardinals, American Robins and Cedar Waxwings.
Black Chokeberry
Zones: 3-9
This large shrub, which can grow up to nearly two metres tall and over three metres wide, is an easy plant to grow. It doesn’t need much maintenance and it’s happy in full sun or partial shade. While you might be tempted to pick Black Chokeberries for your jams and jellies, the birds in your neck of the woods will thank you if you leave them alone. So many bird species adore Black Chockberries including American Robins, Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, Hairy Woodpeckers and more!
April Overall
April is the Editor of Wildlife Update, CWF’s e-newsletter and WILD magazine, the Canadian Wildlife Federation's children’s publication. When she’s not writing for CWF, you’ll probably find her playing with her daughter Nora.
3 comments
Great article, but could you please add in the scientific names of each of the plants as the common names are often misused. I think I’ve correctly attributed them to each species listed below. A great addition to this article would be suggestions of alternative species to ensure that native versions are selected over imported ones. For example, Prunus virginiana, is present as a native species with a wider range than Aronia melanocarpa. Or you could write it up as another article!
Greatly appreciated,
Tiina Payson
Common Juniper
– Juniperus communis
American Cranberry
– is this the highbush or low bush cranberry? Viburnum trilobum or Viburnum edule?
Nannyberry (sheepberry, or sweet viburnum)
– Viburnum lentago
Black Chokecherry (Aronia Berry, chokecherry, wild cherry, chokeberry)
– Aronia melanocarpa
Another suggestion is the Black Elderberry (Sambucus Nigra) Its excellent for blossoms and berries all across Canada!
Great suggestion!