Schedule A:

Plants & Property

Land Characteristics

This planting plan is designed based on the land characteristics identified during the day of the site visit. Plants are chosen according to the soil and light conditions on your property. The number of plants chosen for each planting compartment takes into account the square metre area of the space, as well as the amount of current vegetation cover. Your property is part of ecoZone: 5b

Land Characteristics by Compartment

Plant Selection Summary

The following shrubs and trees are chosen for their suitability and survivability given the current soil and light conditions in each compartment on your property, as well as preferable features.

Plant Information

The following table summarizes key information about each plant selected for your property.

	Narrow Leaved Meadowsweet Height: 1-2m The Narrow Leaved Meadowsweet is an erect, deciduous shrub, which grows in the shape of a mound to a height of 1-2m. This species develops numerous branches and branchlets, giving it a sparse appearance. Leaves produced are simple and narrow with sharply toothed borders growing alternately along the branches. These bright, light green leaves appear crowded, as they grow close together on the stocks and branches. During the fall, leaves turn a yellow-red or yellow-orange colour. Small white to light pink flower clusters appear in the spring growing in a dense, narrow pyramid at the terminal ends of the branches. During late summer to early fall, these flowers produce smooth, papery seed pods.
	Shining Willow Height: 10m The Shining Willow is a relatively large deciduous shrub, which grows up to 10 m in height. The shiny leaves are 5-11 cm long and 1-5 cm wide, which are what give this Willow its name. They are lance shaped, with dark green color on the top, and light green on the bottom. Flowers bloom from May to June and range in colour from yellow to a green/brown.
	Red Osier Dogwood Height: 1.5-4m The Red Osier Dogwood is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub native throughout Northern and Western North America which typically grows to 1.5-4m. This species is multi-stemmed with numerous erect and ascending bright red branches that create a loose and spreading form. Leaves produced are simple, two-toned with a dark green upper side and light green underside. They are arranged opposite each other along the branches. During the fall, the foliage turns a brilliant red to dark purple. Clusters of small, creamy white flowers form on the terminal ends of the branches between June and July. The Red Osier Dogwood produces blueish-white fruiting bodies during late summer, which may persist throughout the winter. This shrub's berries provide an important winter food source for numerous species, from large deer to small wintering birds.
	Alternate-Leaved Dogwood Height: 5-10 m The Alternate-Leaved Dogwood is a tall, deciduous shrub or small tree species that can grow 5-10 m in height. This plant may also be known by the common name Pagoda Dogwood. It can be grown either in the form of a single stem tree or multi-stemmed shrub comprised of two or three smaller trunks. The leaves are ovate shaped, alternately arranged, have prominent veins, have a pointed tip, and have entire margins. The flowers are showy, fragrant, whitish yellow, appear in flat clusters, and bloom between May and June. These flowers produce clusters of dark blue berries. The flowers are beneficial for pollinator species while the berries are beneficial for wildlife species. The root system is valuable for controlling erosion and stabilizing loose soil. This plant is often used as a small ornamental tree in landscaping. The common name comes from the fact that all other Dogwood species have oppositely arranged leaves.
	Pussy Willow Height: 6m The Pussy Willow is a fast growing, deciduous shrub or small tree found reaching heights of 6m, and is from British Columbia to Newfoundland. This species grows from shoots extending from the base of the trunk, creating a multi-stemmed, tall, round bush. The Pussy Willow is an ideal species for bank stabilization and erosion control due to its large, fibrous root system and love of water. This species branches extend from the main shoots and are usually hairy and reddish-brown in colour. The main shoots of Pussy Willow are smooth and greyish-brown, becoming scaly with age. It produces simple, narrow, lance-shaped leaves alternately arranged along the branch. The Pussy Willow yields purple-brown fuzzy catkins which will form long-beaked and finely haired capsules during May and June.
	Bush Honeysuckle Height: 1m The Bush Honeysuckle is a small, hardy, deciduous shrub that rarely grows taller than 1 m in height. The leaves are simple, oppositely arranged, ovate shaped, and have finely toothed margins. During the spring and summer, the leaves are dark green in colour, then in the fall they take on a variety of colours ranging from a deep purple to light yellow. The flowers are small, showy, yellow to orange colored, trumpet shaped, appear in clusters on the tips of branches, and bloom between June and July. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, including hummingbirds and butterflies. The roots of the Bush Honeysuckle are fibrous, giving it the ability to form thickets and making it an ideal shrub to plant for erosion control.
	Silky Dogwood Height: 2-4m The Silky Dogwood is a large, deciduous shrub species native to Eastern North America that reaches a height of 2-4m. This species produces a rounded shape due to its numerous upright branches stemming from a central, multi-stemmed base. Branches which grow touching the ground can develop their own root system, often creating thickets. During the spring and summer, branches are a shiny, light green colour and change to a red colour during the fall and winter. This species produces simple, lance-shaped leaves arranged oppositely along the branches. During the spring and summer, the foliage is a deep green colour and turns dark red-purple during the fall prior to dropping. Small, yellow-white flowers bloom during mid-June, maturing into bright blue berries in September. This species of Dogwood grows best alongside Willow when being planted to mitigate erosion and stabilize shorelines.
	Black-Eyed Susan Height: 1 m Black-Eyed Susan is a popular biennial or a short-lived perennial wildflower species that typically grows about 1 m in height. Its leaves are green, alternately arranged, lance shaped, and covered with bristly hairs giving the leaf a grey/green colour. The flowers are daisy-like, have 8-20 yellow ray florets surrounding numerous dark brown disk florets, and blooms between June and September. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, like bees and butterflies. The seeds are also beneficial to wildlife species, like birds and small mammals. This flower blooms for long periods.
	Sugar Maple Height: 12-35m Canada's national tree, the Sugar Maple, is the famous maple syrup producer. This species has the most well-known leaf shape as it is at the centre of the Canadian flag. Leaves produced are arranged opposite to each other and have five lobes or sometimes three with few, irregular teeth. The leaf, is an easy way to differentiate between maple species. The best way to identify a Sugar Maple from a Red or Silver Maple is to look at the notches between the lobes. A Sugar Maple will have a "U" shaped notch, similar to the curve that is made when you make an "L" with your thumb and forefinger. A Red Maple will have a "V" shaped notch, similar to when you separate two of your fingers. Silver Maples have very deep, narrow notches. A common sight around maple trees is the presence of seed keys. Sugar Maple seeds are dispersed by wind, therefore the seeds are encased by a winged capsule, hanging off the tree by a long, slender stalk, usually in groups of two. This species bark is smooth and grey, becoming dark grey and separated into long, vertical ridges which are usually curled outward along one side. Sugar Maples prefer deep, moist, well-drained soils and are often found amongst Yellow Birch, Red Oak, Red Maple, Basswood, and Eastern Hemlock. Sugar Maples produce a hard lumber used for making furniture, cabinets, flooring, and plywood.
	Black Cherry Height: 20-30m The Black Cherry is a medium-sized deciduous tree typically 20-30m in height and can tolerate a wide variety of light, soil and moisture conditions. This species is native to North America. The Black Cherry is commonly found in mixed, broad-leafed forests. This cherry species produces a slender trunk and a narrow, irregular crown with arching branches and drooping tips. Leaves are simple and grow alternately along the branch. Small, white flower clusters appear in May and turn to reddish cherries during early summer and ripen by late August. These cherries provide a food source for songbirds and small mammals. Black Cherry Roots are shallow and wide-spreading.
	Shrubby Cinquefoil Height: 1 m Shrubby Cinquefoil is a hardy, deciduous shrub species that grows about 1 m in height. The stems are reddish brown to gray and appear shredded with age. The leaves are green to blueish green, narrow and elliptic shaped, hairy, alternately arranged, compound with 5 leaflets, and have entire margins. The flowers are showy, yellow, saucer shaped, have five petals, appear in small clusters on terminal branches, and bloom between June and September. In the fall, the flowers give way to an oval-shaped, brown fruit covered in white hairs. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, like bees and butterflies. This is a popular shrub for ornamental use in gardens.
	Canadian Serviceberry Height: 3-5 m The Canadian Serviceberry is a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree which grows from 3-5 m in a dense round form. This plant may also be known by the common names: Juneberry, Shadblow, or Shadbush. Early in the spring, prior to leaf development, clusters of fragrant, showy white flowers bloom along the branches. By July, these flowers give way to the fruiting bodies. The fruits are initially small, green berries, which grow to the size of blueberries and turn a deep purple-blue upon maturation during the fall. Leaves produced are finely toothed and spear-shaped. Throughout the summer, leaves are dark green and turn a dramatic orange-red during the fall.
	White Pine Height: 30m The White Pine is Ontario's provincial tree. This species is the largest northeastern conifer with soft and light needles, which typically grows 30m in height. The needles are bundled into groups of 5 and are spirally spread around the twigs. White Pine bark is smooth and grey-green when young, becoming dark grey and deeply furrowed upon maturation. This tree produces yellow-green seed cones which are long, cylindrical, and covered in 50-80 scales. Unfortunately, this species is susceptible to White Pine Blister Rust and attacks by the White Pine Weevil. White Pine is a hardy tree which can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, from sphagnum bogs to dry sandy and rocky ridges.
	Wild Bergamot Height: 1 m Wild Bergamot is a perennial wildflower species that is member of the mint family and can grow about 1 m tall. Its stems are light green and smooth with abundant branching on the upper half. The leaves are oppositely arranged, broadly lanceolate shaped, 6-10 cm long, and have toothed edges. The also leaves emit a aromatic minty/oregano scent when crushed. The flowers are showy, pink/lavender coloured, appear on the ends of flowering stems, and bloom between July and September. The flowers bloom in the center of the head first, moving outwards creating a wreath. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, like bees and butterflies. This wildflower spreads well and can be used to naturalize un-vegetated areas. The roots can be useful for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines.
	Oswego Tea (Red Bergamot) Height: 50 cm Oswego Tea is a showy perennial wildflower species that typically grows about 50 cm in height. This plant may also be known by the common names Red Bergamot or Scarlet Beebalm. The leaves are dark green, oval shaped, have a minty fragrance. The unique flowers are bright red and grow in dense rounded clusters, with individual tubular flowers that bloom between May and October. The beautiful flowers of Oswego Tea attract various pollinator species like hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The Oswego Tea plant is susceptible to a common fungal disease, called powdery mildew, when planted in dry soils. Historically, the leaves of the plant have been used for antiseptic purposes, as well as poultices to heal minor wounds and skin infections.
	Red Oak Height: 30m The Red Oak, also referred to as the Northern Red Oak or Champion Oak, is a slow growing, hardwood, deciduous tree found throughout Eastern and areas of Central Ontario. This species can grow to be quite tall reaching 30m and has a single, large trunk. The bark is smooth, dark gray in colour, and develops deep ridges with age. The crown of the Red Oak is created by several main branches as well as horizontal and ascending branches. It is uneven and irregular, but generally round in form. Leaves produced are between 10-20 cm long with 7-9 sharp and pointed lobes. During the summer, the leaves are a dull green but in the fall turn a brilliant deep red to yellow-orange. The Red Oak is monoecious, producing male and female flowers on the same tree. Male flowers produced are hanging catkins growing from the leaf axils of the previous year, while the female flowers are grown from the leaf axils of the current year. Fruiting bodies produced by this species are 3 cm long, round shaped acorns with a scaly cap covering a quarter of the body. Red Oak Acorns require approximately two years to reach maturation.
	Purple Coneflower Height: 1m Purple Coneflower is a perennial wildflower that typically grows about 1 m tall. This plant may also be known by the common name Echinacea. The leaves are dark green coloured, alternately arranged, lance shaped with pointed tips, and have serrated margins. The flowers are showy, pale purple to pink, have 15-20 toothed petals, appear atop erect stems, and bloom between June and August. This wildflower spreads well and can be used to naturalize un-vegetated areas. The roots can be useful for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines. This flower blooms for long periods. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, like bees and butterflies. The seeds are also beneficial to wildlife species, like birds and small mammals.
	Witch Hazel Height: 4-9m The Witch Hazel is a deciduous understory shrub, with a broad and rounded crown which typically grows 5-9m. This species can sometimes take on the form of a tree. Witch Hazel is most recognizable for its 2 cm long, spidery, bright yellow flowers, which bloom during late fall. Leaves produced are alternate, simple, 6-15 cm in length, and obovately shaped. These leaves are dark green on top with paler undersides and turn yellow during the autumn. Witch Hazel leaves produce hairs on their principal veins, are asymmetrical at their base, scalloped, and sometimes coarsely toothed. In addition, the leaves contain 5-7 straight, parallel, ascending veins per side. The twigs are slender, zigzagged, tawny, and smooth when mature. Witch Hazel fruiting bodies are short, thick, light brown capsules that become woody upon maturation. This species is typically multi-stemmed with two or more trunks, which are crooked and 10-15 cm in diameter.
	Ninebark Height: 2-3m The Common Ninebark is a very hardy, large (2-3m in height), deciduous shrub naturally occurring within riparian zones. This species is often planted as an ornamental shrub for its exfoliating bark which reveals reddish-light brown inner bark. This shrub is multi-stemmed with numerous horizontal and ascending branches creating a full, round shape. The Common Ninebark produces dull green, ovate to round shaped leaves with three to five lobes per leaf. During the fall the leaves turn brilliant yellow or dark purple. Between May and June, showy, bell-shaped flowers bloom in clusters on the terminal ends of the branches. During the summer, these flowers give way to small green or green-yellow berries which turn a bright red upon ripening.
	Ostrich Fern Height: 1.5 m The Ostrich Fern is a coarse, erect to arching perennial fern, that can grow up to 1.5 m in height. The stems are clustered and arching while the leaves are ostrich-plume shaped, widest near top, and very gradually narrowed to the base. The size of the leaves grow up to 1.5 m long and 12-40 cm wide, with around 40 pairs of leaflets or pinnae. The leaflets are long, narrow-pointed, and ascending. The leaves are fertile, with spore clusters on the undersides of sub-leaflets.
	Christmas Fern Height: 0.5 m The Christmas Fern is a hardy evergreen fern which can withstand a variety of environmental conditions. It is one of the most common ferns within North America. This species produces robust, leathery, lace-like leaves which grow in a fountain like clump and persist throughout the winter. Silvery and scaled fiddleheads emerge early in the spring. This fern rarely exceeds heights of half a meter and is a popular fern species to utilize in landscaping due to its year-round colour. This fern is often planted for restoration applications due to its ability to conserve soil and control erosion.
	Common Juniper Height: 1 m The Common Juniper is a small, low spreading coniferous shrub with stiff branches which typically grows 1m in height. This species can occasionally grow upright in favorable conditions. The Common Juniper is found across North America as well as Greenland, Europe, Siberia, and Asia. This species grows green needles with sharp tips found in whorls of 3 on branches. The seed cones of this plant resemble berries and grow along mature branches. The seed cones of Common Juniper begin green and take eighteen months to ripen, turning a dark purple or black colour and developing a blue wax coating.
	Bearberry Height: 20 cm Bearberry is a low growing, evergreen shrub/ground cover species that grows about 20 cm tall. The leaves are dark green, leathery, shiny, ovate shaped, alternately arranged, and have entire margins. The flowers are tiny, urn shaped, white to pink colored, appear in drooping clusters, and bloom between April and May. Flowers are followed by bright red berries, which remain throughout the fall and winter. These berries are beneficial to wildlife species like birds and small mammals.
	Lowbush Blueberry Height: 60 cm The Lowbush Blueberry is a low growing, deciduous shrub that only reaches about 60 cm in height. This species grows erect, with many spreading and ascending branches. New branch growth is soft and green-brown in colour, while older branches are woody and have shredded looking bark. The leaves are small, simple leaves alternately arranged, and have finely serrated margins. During the fall, this shrub's lustrous blue-green leaves turn into an electrifying bronze, scarlet or crimson colour. Clusters of small, white, bell-shaped flowers bloom between May and June. By July, the flowers give way to clusters of edible blueberries. These berries provide a significant food source for a variety of bird and mammal species.
	Wintergreen Height: 15 cm Wintergreen is a medium-sized ground cover species that grows up to 15 cm in height. The leaves are glossy, dark-green, simple, oval shaped, and turn purple during the fall. Wintergreen is a visually appealing plant that produces small, white, bell-shaped flowers during the spring. This species yields edible, scarlet red berries during July, which persist throughout the winter months. These berries are a great food source for many song birds, squirrels, deer and a tasty treat for humans when added to pastries or salads. The name Wintergreen comes from the plants ability to keep it's leaves throughout the winter. Wintergreen is unique because their leaves emit a minty aroma when crushed. Wintergreen oil is commonly used in the flavoring of gum and toothpaste.

Compartment A

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal
• Soil Type: loamy, clay
• Plant Height: any
• Light conditions: partial sun

Narrow Leaved Meadowsweet

6

Shining Willow

2

Red Osier Dogwood

6

Alternate-Leaved Dogwood

1

Pussy Willow

5

Bush Honeysuckle

3

Silky Dogwood

1

Black-Eyed Susan

8

Compartment B

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal
• Soil Type: loamy, clay
• Light conditions: full sun, partial sun

Narrow Leaved Meadowsweet

3

Red Osier Dogwood

3

Alternate-Leaved Dogwood

2

Bush Honeysuckle

6

Sugar Maple

1

Black Cherry

1

Shrubby Cinquefoil

6

Canadian Serviceberry

1

White Pine

1

Wild Bergamot

3

Oswego Tea (Red Bergamot)

3

Compartment C

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal
• Soil Type: loamy, clay
• Light conditions: full sun, partial sun

Narrow Leaved Meadowsweet

3

Red Osier Dogwood

3

Bush Honeysuckle

5

Shrubby Cinquefoil

3

Red Oak

1

Purple Coneflower

4

Compartment D

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal
• Soil Type: sandy
• Plant Height: max 1.5m
• Light conditions: full sun, partial sun

Witch Hazel

1

Ninebark

10

Compartment E

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal
• Soil Type: sandy
• Plant Height: max 1.5m
• Light conditions: full sun, partial sun

Red Osier Dogwood

2

Bush Honeysuckle

6

Shrubby Cinquefoil

9

Compartment F

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal
• Soil Type: sandy
• Light conditions: partial sun

Ninebark

4

Ostrich Fern

7

Christmas Fern

4

Compartment G

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal
• Soil Type: sandy
• Plant Height: any
• Light conditions: partial sun

Bush Honeysuckle

7

Witch Hazel

1

Ostrich Fern

8

Common Juniper

1

Bearberry

15

Compartment H

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal
• Soil Type: sandy
• Plant Height: any
• Light conditions: partial sun

Ostrich Fern

8

Compartment I

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal
• Soil Type: sandy
• Plant Height: any
• Light conditions: partial sun

Bush Honeysuckle

10

Compartment J

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Moisture: normal
• Soil Type: sandy
• Plant Height: any
• Light conditions: partial sun

Red Osier Dogwood

1

Ninebark

6

Compartment K

Naturalization Area

• pH: acidic
• Depth: potted
• Soil Type: sandy, loamy
• Plant Height: any
• Light conditions: partial sun, shade

Red Osier Dogwood

6

Silky Dogwood

2

Lowbush Blueberry

6

Wintergreen

12

Schedule B

Financial Summary

Project by: The District Municipality of Muskoka

Shoreline Re-Naturalization Starter Kit includes: free site visit, customized re-naturalization planting plan for your shoreline property, native plants including free bare root (small) and potted (large) plants and wildflowers, coconut fibre pads to deter grass from growing around new plantings, tree guards for all deciduous trees, mulch for your wildflowers, Plant Care Guide with instructions on how to take care of your new plants, Habitat Creation Guide and a Wildflower Garden Guide.

Our planting plans are created onsite with you and provide detailed information and plans to re-naturalize your shoreline property. We take photos of areas for planting and overlay native plants that are well suited to your property based on site conditions such as soil type and sunlight availability.

We will work with you to create a plan that works for you including options for low growing plants in areas where views are important.

Schedule C

Project Agreement

Stewardship Agreement

Please indicate your agreement to this proposed plan by signing the following Stewardship Agreement and submitting it, along with your financial contribution, to:

The District Municipality of Muskoka
70 Pine Street Bracebridge, Ontario P1L 1N3

Plant Availability

Please note that plant species may need to be changed based on plant stock availability at the time of ordering.

Project Completion

Upon receiving your signed stewardship agreement and financial contribution, a date will be booked for you to pick up your Natural Edge Kit. The District Municipality of Muskoka will supply all plants and materials. If you are paying for the planting to be completed for you, a date will be arranged for The District Municipality of Muskoka to plant your shoreline, bringing the plants and materials with them. If there are particular dates that you would prefer, we will do our best to accommodate your requests.

About this program

About The District Municipality of Muskoka

The District of Muskoka is an upper-tier municipality that has monitored water quality in Muskoka area lakes since 1980. Since 2002, the Muskoka Water Strategy has provided integrated and strategic initiatives for the protection of Muskoka's water resources. The purpose of the strategy is to guide and minimize the impact of human activities on water resources; ensure human and environmental health; and preserve the quality of life in Muskoka.

This program was created by Watersheds Canada

We believe that every person has the right to access clean and healthy lakes and rivers in Canada. At Watersheds Canada, we work to keep these precious places naturally clean and healthy for people and wildlife to continue using for years to come. We love working with others to meet the needs of local communities, whether you’re a concerned citizen, a landowner, a lake association looking for help, or a coalition of groups interested in activating your local community.