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The Oliver Property

846 East Waseosa Lake Road, Lake Waseosa

Planting plan created by The District Municipality of Muskoka

Survey Date: 07/30/2020

Funded by •

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: 4b

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.

	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.
	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.
	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.
	Sweet Fern Height: 1 m Sweet Fern is a deciduous shrub species that typically grows 1 m in height. The leaves are dark green coloured, alternately arranged, narrow, lance shaped, have entire margins, rounded lobes, and are deeply notched, giving the appearance of a fern. The leaves are also aromatic when rubbed or crushed. The flowers are small, yellowish green catkins, which bloom between May and June. The fruits are greenish brown, burr like nutlets. This plant fixes it’s own nitrogen, which allows it to grow in poor soil and benefit nearby plants. This plant spreads well to produce small colonies. It is useful for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines.
	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.
	Smooth Arrowwood Height: 1-5 m The Smooth Arrowwood is a medium sized, deciduous shrub that grows from 1-5 m tall. The leaves are simple, oppositely arranged, and have coarsely toothed margins. In the spring and summer, the leaves have a dark green and glossy color. Fall colors can vary between yellow, red, or reddish purple and change in the late autumn. The flowers are showy, creamy white colored, appear in small, flat clusters, and bloom from late May to June. Berries are small, dark blue to black in color, and develop from August to November. This shrub also has gray bark and slender stems. Smooth Arrowwood is an attractive species and an excellent food source for many bird species. It is easy to transport, plant, and grow so could be used for mass planting. The shrub can be propagated from seeds or cuttings for expanding in the area or for future use at different sites. Growing Smooth Arrowwood is low maintenance but occasional pruning may be beneficial for shaping.
	Snowberry Height: 1-2m The Snowberry is a small shrub known for its white berries bunching at the nodes. This species produces oval-shaped, oppositely arranged, dark green colored leaves with smooth margins on short stalks. The shrub grows 1-2m in height. This shrub yields white to pink clusters of bell-shaped flowers during the summer. The fruiting bodies produced by this shrub are small, white berries that grow in bunches. These berries provide a good food source to a variety of animals, but are poisonous to humans. Snowberry is an ideal species for bank stabilization applications because its roots are vigorous and deep ranging. .
	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.
	Sweet Gale Height: 1-2m Sweet Gale is a medium-sized shrub which grows into a thick bush about 1-2 m tall. This species produces 1-8 cm long, oblong-lanceolate leaves which are finely toothed at the tip and are spirally arranged. When bruised, these leaves give off a pleasant aroma. Male and female catkins are produced on separate plants. The seeds are dispersed from the female plants via water, as they float on two corky bracts. This shrub also provides a good food source for bird species that eat the seeds including Grouse, Chickadees, and Bluebirds. Mammal species like Beavers and White-Tailed Deer also browse on the twigs and leaves of this plant.
	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.
	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.
	Swamp Rose Height: 2m The Swamp Rose is a beautiful perennial shrub species that typically grows 2m in height and spreads 2m. It is visually appealing with large pink flowers that last about 6-8 weeks. These flowers have five pink petals, a yellow center, and a pleasant fragrance. This species produces oblong shaped, compound leaves comprised of seven leaflets with serrated edges. The Swamp Rose produces red, round, fleshy fruit called rose hips, which remain on the bush throughout winter. These fruiting bodies provide a winter food source for wildlife, such as Grouse, Black Bears, Deer, and Rabbits. Swamp Rose may be confused with Prickly Wild Rose, which has a similar appearance. However, Swamp Rose can easily be distinguished by the presence of curved thorns, which appear at the nodes of the twigs without any occurring between the nodes. Swamp Rose grows best in moist, rich soils such as swamps and marshy shorelines. However, this species can also tolerate drier, loamy soils.
	Royal Fern Height: 1 m Royal Fern is a perennial fern species that typically grows less than 1 m in height. This plant may also be known by the common name Flowering Fern. Fiddleheads appear from the base of the plant and unfurl into green, arching, pinnately compound leaves. The leaves of this fern are well separated, broader, and more rounded than other ferns, giving it the appearance of a pea plant. Erect, spore-bearing fronds grow out of the center of the leaves in the early spring and turn brown in the fall. The fronds of this fern have a flower like appearance.
	Spotted Joe-Pye Weed Height: 1.5 m Spotted Joe-Pye Weed is a colourful wildflower species that can grow up to 1.5 m tall and can spread about 1 m. It has a plain or spotted purple stem, which is sometimes covered in fine hairs. The leaves are large, lanceolate shaped, have serrated edges, and appear in whorls of 3-5. The flowers are showy, fragrant, bright pink/purple coloured, have 8-20 disk florets, appear in clusters at the top of a flowering stem, and bloom in mid to late summer. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, like bees and butterflies. This plant spreads well and can form small colonies. The roots can be useful for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines.
	Boneset Height: 1.5 m Common Boneset is a wildflower species that can grow up to 1.5 m in height. This plant may also be known by the common name Thoroughwort. The leaves are oppositely arranged, dark green coloured, lanceolate shaped, wrinkly, have long narrow tips, serrated margins, and distinctively unite through the plant’s hairy stem. The flowers are tiny, white coloured, appear in flat-topped clusters, and bloom between July and September. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, like bees and butterflies. All parts of the plant are toxic. This wildflower spreads well and can be used to naturalize un-vegetated areas.
	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.
	Kalm St. Johns Wort Height: 1 m Kalm St. Johns Wort is a short, evergreen shrub species that typically grows less than 1 m in height. Older bark is reddish brown and appears shedding. The leaves are bluish green colored, narrow and linear shaped, appear in oppositely arranged pairs, and have entire margins. The flowers are showy, golden yellow colored, have five petals, numerous stamens, appear on upper branching stems, and bloom between July and August. These flowers produce small brown oval seed capsules. The flowers are beneficial for pollinator species, like bees and butterflies. These shrubs are visually attractive and used for making low hedges.
	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.
	White Birch Height: 15-25m The Paper Birch is a medium-sized (15-25m), deciduous tree which may also be referred to as White Birch or Canoe Birch. This species produces a sparse, irregular crown which arises from a slender trunk. This tree is best known for distinctive white, horizontally flaking bark, from which its name is derived. The Paper Birch produces light green, egg-shaped, 5-10 cm long leaves alternately arranged. During the fall, the light green foliage turns a bright yellow colour. During the spring, catkins appear and produce winged seed keys which mature and drop between the fall and following spring.
	Fragrant Sumac Height: 1-2m The Fragrant Sumac is a medium-sized deciduous shrub within the Cashew family. This species grows between 1-2 meters in height, is multi-stemmed, and produces a round, dense crown composed of erect and spreading branches. Between March and April, small yellow flower clusters bloom on the terminal ends of the branches prior to leaf development. Fruit development begins during late summer. Small, red, hairy berries are produced and can remain on the plant throughout the winter. Male catkins develop on the plant in September. Fragrant Sumac leaves are simple and arranged alternately along the branch. Leaves produced are simple and trifoliate with a large center lobe, appearing similar to Poison Ivy. During the spring and summer, the leaves are light green to green-yellow in colour turning a bright yellow to red or dark purple in autumn. Crushed leaves and stems of the Fragrant Sumac produce a fragrant citrus aroma, hence the common name. The aroma of this shrub is attractive to butterfly species, making it the perfect addition to any butterfly garden. The roots of the Fragrant Sumac are shallow, fibrous, and spread rapidly, making it an ideal choice for stabilizing shorelines and mitigating erosion on steep slopes. Unlike other Sumac species, Fragrant Sumac is significantly less aggressive and easily maintained.
	Steeplebush Height: 1 m The Steeplebush is a deciduous shrub species that typically grows about 1 m in height . This plant may also be known by the common names: Rose Spiraea or Hardhack. The leaves are dark green, about 7 cm long, elliptic to ovate shaped, have toothed margins, and have dense yellowish brown hairs on the undersides. The flowers are tiny, rose pink to purplish coloured, bloom in late summer, and appear on tall, dense, steeple shaped clusters. This plant is useful for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines. The flowers are also beneficial for pollinator species, like bees and butterflies.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	Butterfly Milkweed Height: 0.5 m Butterfly Milkweed is a very attractive perennial wildflower that typically grows about 0.5 m tall. This plant may also be known by the common name Showy Milkweed. The leaves are green coloured, alternately arranged, narrow and lance-shaped, and have entire margins. The flowers are showy, fragrant, bright orange coloured, have five tiny petals, appear in clusters of 8-25, and bloom between June and August. Butterfly Milkweed is easy to grow and is low maintenance. This wildflower spreads well and can be used to naturalize un-vegetated areas. The roots can be useful for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, like bees and butterflies. It is also a larval host for caterpillars of the endangered Monarch Butterfly, thus planting this species where possible can help protect this at risk species.

Compartment A

Naturalization Area

Deer grazing

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

Bush Honeysuckle

3

Narrow Leaved Meadowsweet

3

Red Osier Dogwood

2

Sweet Fern

3

White Pine

1

Smooth Arrowwood

1

Snowberry

3

Ostrich Fern

6

Compartment B

Naturalization Area

Deer grazing

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

Narrow Leaved Meadowsweet

7

Red Osier Dogwood

1

Sweet Gale

1

Silky Dogwood

2

Witch Hazel

1

Swamp Rose

2

Royal Fern

3

Spotted Joe-Pye Weed

4

Boneset

2

Compartment C

Naturalization Area

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

Bush Honeysuckle

6

Red Osier Dogwood

2

Smooth Arrowwood

1

Snowberry

1

Ostrich Fern

6

Witch Hazel

1

Alternate-Leaved Dogwood

1

Kalm St. Johns Wort

6

Ninebark

1

White Birch

1

Fragrant Sumac

4

Steeplebush

3

Compartment D

Naturalization Area

Japanese knotweed

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

Red Osier Dogwood

2

Smooth Arrowwood

1

Snowberry

2

Kalm St. Johns Wort

3

White Birch

1

Fragrant Sumac

5

Shining Willow

1

Purple Coneflower

3

Wild Bergamot

3

Butterfly Milkweed

4

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.