Price for Planting Services in Toronto and GTA depends on the kind of plants, their size, the soil condition and how much preparation is needed. Perennially, smaller 1-gallon plants like salvia, hostas, phlox, and daylilies typically range from $40–$55 per plant, labour included. These are the most economical ways to create colourful flower beds that are suitable for Toronto’s climate.

Price for Planting Services in Toronto and GTA - 2026

What Is the Price for Planting in Toronto and GTA?

The mid-range selection may consist of a hydrangea shrub that usually costs anywhere from $65 to $150 depending on the root and maturity of the plant. These shrubs add frame, height, and long-term visual charm to the front yards and garden beds.

To obtain privacy and evergreen coverage, most homeowners opt for cedars. The prices vary highly depending on the height and labour requisites. The smaller 4–5 ft cedars start at $150, while 6 ft cedars are around $345 since additional excavation and soil removal are needed. The bigger 7 ft+ cedars may be $500 or more, especially when creating a full privacy hedge.

If you want to know more about the Price for Planting Services in Toronto and GTA, see our comprehensive guide: How Much Do Planting Services Cost in ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌Toronto?

Blue New Dimension Salvia

From $45 Installed

Annabelle Hydrangea

$65–$150 Installed

Endless Summer Hydrangea

$150–$300 Installed

What Is the Price for Just Plants in Toronto and GTA?

When‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ homeowners from Toronto and the GTA are inquiring about the price of plants without installation, the best way to explain it is by saying the price for a plant only is generally about half of a full installation price. This is because the installation price comprises labor, soil preparation, excavation, fertilizer, edging, delivery, cleanup, and disposal, progress that are all removed when buying plants alone. So, if 1-gallon Blue New Dimension Salvia or August Moon Hosta installed is priced at $45, the plant-only price will usually be somewhere between $20 and $25. The pattern is the same for mid-range flowering plants like Cone Flower, Violet Riot Salvia, or White Summer Phlox.

Shrubs’ pricing is done in a similar way. Hydrangeas, which cost $65–$150 installed depending on the size, usually cost $30–$75 when purchased alone. Cedars also follow the same 50% rule: a 4–5 ft cedar installed for $150 will be $75–$90 for the plant only most of the time. A 6 ft cedar installed at $345 would be around $160–$180, and bigger 7 ft+ cedars, which cost more than $500 installed, are typically $250–$300 without labor.

By doing so, plant-only consumers can be certain of transparent and predictable costs, thus enabling them to handle the planting on their own, which is an excellent choice for ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌homeowners.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Flower Bed in Toronto and GTA?

The‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ cost for a flower bed installation in Toronto changes with factors such as the area, the number of plants, the depth of the soil, the type of edging, and whether the flower bed is covered with mulch or decorative stone. Mostly, the money that a household pays for a small bed ranges from $650 to $1,200, from $1,200 to $2,400 for a medium bed, and more than $2,500 for large custom installations. The pricing listed here is for the work of digging old soil out, delivering fresh garden soil, shaping the bed, installing a clean edge, planting shrubs and flowers, and finishing the surface with mulch or decorative stone.

A flower bed of 10 feet with 8-10 perennials might be priced between $650 and $850, though that’s dependent on the chosen plants and materials. The cost of a 15 ft bed with a mix of flowering perennials and shrubs like hydrangeas or ornamental grasses typically falls between $1,500 and $1,900. If the installation is large and includes premium shrubs like Endless Summer Hydrangea, Annabelle Hydrangea, or privacy plants, it can go beyond $2,500, especially if river rock or cedar mulch is selected.

Moreover, there are some other factors that influence the pricing. For instance, decorative rock increases the price by $180- $350 depending on the thickness while deeper soil replacement extends the labor time. Flower beds are among the most effective investments for increasing curb appeal and can very well transform the look of front yards, backyards, and walkways while at the same time solving drainage issues and making plants ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌healthier.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Shrubs in Toronto?

Shrub‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ installation costs in Toronto vary based on the size of the plants, the number of plants, the condition of the soil, and whether any excavation or soil removal is needed. Typically, small shrubs such as hydrangeas, spireas, or dwarf evergreens cost around $65–$150 installed, which includes soil preparation, fertilizer, delivery, and labor. The cost of medium-sized shrubs measuring between 2 and 3 feet usually ranges from $150–$250 depending on the species and the size of the root ball.

For bigger plants like mature hydrangeas or ornamental evergreens of 3-4 ft height, the installation may require deeper excavation and more materials. Generally, such installations are priced at $250–$395 each. Besides that, price variations may be seen in some varieties like Annabelle Hydrangea or Endless Summer Hydrangea, based on the root size, i.e., the smaller pot may be priced starting from $45–$65, whereas a larger multi-stem may be charged $150–$200 installed.

According to the statistics, the typical small shrub project (4–6 plants) will cost the homeowners $600–$1,200, while the price of bigger installations with 8–15 shrubs will range from $1,500 to $3,500. Labor is usually responsible for 40–60% of the total cost. In case there is a need for soil disposal, you should additionally consider $120–$200 depending on the volume. Installing a shrub is an excellent way to raise your property’s value and improve its appearance from the street at a relatively low ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌cost.

How Much Does Cedar Planting Cost in Toronto?

The‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ cost of cedar varies a lot according to the height, maturity, and whether or not there is a need for excavation. Thus, for small 4–5 ft Eastern White Cedars, installation prices in Toronto are from $150 per tree, and this price covers soil loosening, fertilizing, alignment, watering, and delivery. Homeowners that seek for thicker or premium-grade cedars might be that they need to pay a little more, which is usually $165–$185.

When cedars are 6 ft tall, an excavation is required since larger root balls need deeper planting holes and more soil removed. Therefore the cost of instalment increases to about $295–$345 per cedar and the exact figure depends on how accessible the site is and what the soil condition is. For 7 ft and taller cedars — thus giving more immediate privacy — the installation is generally from $500+ each and some premium specimens may cost even more than $650.

The price of a standard privacy hedge consisting of 10–15 cedars may be anywhere from $1,800 to $5,500 and the height and the spacing determine it. If there is a need for soil disposal, it may cost an additional $150–$250. Cedars grow at a rate of about 12–18 inches per year and thus, they are among the fastest ways to create a natural privacy wall in Toronto ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌backyards.

How Long Does Planting Take? (Labour Time Breakdown)

The‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ time necessary for planting services varies with the number of plants, the state of the soil, and the preparation of the bed. On average, a crew installs 15–25 perennials or 8–12 shrubs in about 2–3 hours. A bigger project with the part removal and soil replacement may take 4–6 hours. Flower beds that include the use of a lawn mower, mulch, and a decorative stone may take a full day of work.

Below is a rough labour timeline:

Perennials: 15–20 minutes each (digging, fertilizer, watering)
Shrubs: 20–35 minutes each
Hydrangeas: 25–40 minutes depending on root size
Cedars: 30–50 minutes per tree, longer when excavation is required
Soil delivery & spreading: 45–90 minutes
Mulch finishing: 30–60 minutes for an average bed

Generally, a residential planting project takes about 3–5 hours, and a larger commercial installation may take 6–10 hours, depending on the number of plants and the amount of materials. Most Toronto homeowners schedule projects with 20–40 plants, which is a comfortable half-day. The Sprinkler Company Inc. offers full labour, cleanup, and watering after ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌completion.

How Much Soil and Mulch Do I Need for Planting?

Figuring‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ out the volume of soil and mulch is a vital part of the whole job of estimating planting costs. Most garden beds in Toronto have soil placed at a depth of 3–4 inches, while mulch is spread at 2–3 inches.

Soil: 0.1–0.12 cubic yards per 10 sq ft bed
Mulch: 0.07–0.08 cubic yards per 10 sq ft bed
Soil: 0.50 cubic yards per 50 sq ft bed
Mulch: 0.30–0.40 cubic yards per 50 sq ft bed
Soil: 1.0 cubic yard per 100 sq ft bed
Mulch: 0.6–0.8 cubic yards per 100 sq ft bed

Typically, a residential flower bed will need 1–2 yards of soil and 1 yard of mulch, which will cost $180–$350 delivered and installed. The price for a bigger project (3–5 yards) will be $450–$750, depending on type (cedar mulch, black mulch, natural brown, or river rock). Beds with decorative stone require more material – often 1.5× the volume of mulch. These calculations allow planners to provide healthy, nutrient-rich soil for plant growth and at the same time to keep the moisture levels during the hot summer months in ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌Toronto.

Are Perennials or Shrubs Cheaper to Maintain in Toronto?

Perennials‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ usually keep the maintenance costs low as they need less watering, no trimming, and only minimal care in the long run. Shrubs, on the other hand, may be tough but still require regular shaping and seasonal pruning.

Average yearly maintenance costs:

Perennials: $0–$30 per plant
Small shrubs: $20–$50 per shrub
Large shrubs / hydrangeas: $40–$80 per shrub
Cedars: $50–$120 per tree (for trimming and shaping once a year)

It takes only one or two times per season for perennials such as Salvia, Daylilies, Coral Bells, and Phlox to be fertilized and they are usually spread out in nature, which in turn cuts down planting costs in the future. On the other hand, shrubs have to be pruned to maintain the shape and prevent the overgrowth. Hydrangeas have to be trimmed carefully in order to get flowers properly. Cedars, on the other hand, need to be trimmed every year to keep the branches tight and avoid splitting.

When looking at long-term costs over 5 years:

Perennials: $45–$80 total care
Shrubs: $150–$300
Cedars: $250–$600

A mix of 70% perennials and 30% shrubs is a great choice for homeowners who want to stick to their budget as it maintains a low-maintenance, yet full and polished, ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌landscape.