Ok......sigh...........
So I finished reviewing the list................
Even with letting a lot of stuff go...............that is near native, and probably not harmful, but not ideal.............
I came up with over 30 non-native species...............(If I was being officious, the problem species list would double)
20 are not even from North America
One is from Alabama...........
And they want to plant a shade-loving species that's native in the full sun.................
FFS
******
So I am not going to copy/paste my list here, as I do post under a pseudonym for a reason; and I will be submitting my full list of suggested revisions.
I will highlight a few of my objections that some of you may wish to follow-up on with Waterfrontoronto or the City.
1) Hedge Maple is on their list; It's European, and there is some evidence it can reproduce here. I don't know if it's invasive, there's not that much of it around, but given our community's negative problem with
Norway Maple........I would prefer this one not be used.
2) Highbush Cranberry - the plant on the list is actually native, and great; the problem is most of the nurseries that claim to grow it, and label it as such, have European Highbush Cranberry (it's hard to tell the difference); the European species is invasive.
3) Weeping Willow - Native to China. Definitely can reproduce and hybridize here as well; no need for it, plenty of native willows would work; none look the same or have the same size as Weeping Willow, I understand its appeal, but it's a poor choice here.
4) Day lily, and Yellow Day Lily, both non-native, both invasive; There are better native choices available. Michigan Lily is already on their list; but they could also add Wood Lily.
5) Chinese Juniper, non-native, can and does reproduce here, you can see a few off to the sides of various highways where they've seeded.
There are lots more problems but I'll limit it to that..
If this is something you care about, and you're expert, do write with details to relevant people
If you're not expert, but want to write, just say you've been made aware of a large number of non-native plant choices and would appreciate a review and edit of the list to focus on native wherever possible.