I'm adding all of the species descriptions with photos, on pages by Latin name, alphabetically, on a series of pages. This is a text only list for those who do not wish to scroll through the photos.
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Achillea millefolium ex Terracotta
This hybrid, taller, with narrower stiffer compound leaves than some varieties, is supposed to be sterile, but I have seedlings coming up near it, with its distinctive foliage! Flowers begin orange, fade to gold. tough, adaptable plants, with uses in herbal medicine. I haven't yet knowingly seen any crosses between this and the local white flowered plants or pink A. sbirica camtschaticum. . It is not growing near the pink and red millefolium.
Allium aflatunense/ A hollandicum /Persian Onion/ Purple Sensation Allium
A popular garden Allium, of uncertain heritage,--as I grasp it, correct me if wrong!-- long known as aflatunense, this is likely wrong, so it has simply been called A hollandicum, for its centre of cultivation in the bulb fields of the Netherlands. Large balls (4" or so) of bright red-violet flowers, much loved by bees. 50-80cm or so tall, in my garden. Early leaves are tulip like, foliage fading by the time of flowering, so plant with something leafy to fill in and hide the yellowing leaves.
Anemone virginiana var cylindroides/ Tall Thimbleweed
Native; another plant at it's showiest in fall (rich, subtle fall colour) and winter-- seed heads are masses of fluff for a while, with a bit left to show through the snow..native on the acreage and left/encouraged in some places in the garden; unlike some thimbleweeds, this one tends to drier sites, sun or shade. Flowers are smallish, greenish white; 30-60cm or more
Androsace carnea ssp halleri; Pink Rock Jasmine
tidy clumps of bright green linear leaves, strong pink flowers on short stems; ex Vosges Mtns, Fr
Antennaria cf A. howellii
much larger rosettes than the small silvers, 2-3inches across; I have two slightly different forms, which may partly vary based on habitat: locally, they grow in semi/shade, under trees, clearing edges under grass, etc. Upper leaf surfaces are dark green, backs white/hairy. The other is from the foothills, very similar, but upper leaf surfaces are a greyer green, growing in more exposed sites, and very drought tolerant. Sometimes showing nice colour in cold weather. Flowering is typical for Antennaria, lengthening stems, whitish flowers, earlier than the silvers.
Antennaria -Small Silvers
Native; the taxonomy seems unresolved, a good excuse for me since I have no grasp on it! This seed is from small rosette, mat forming silver leaf types-- I have several original collections from the foothills and mountains, and there are local plants as well. They seed around the garden. so I have no idea what is what, but all are basically the same, with whitish flowers. Rosettes stay small, and growth is tight in a variety of conditions (don't mistake flatness for meekness-- they will bury other small plants!) but you'd probably need a really tough spot to get the rosettes as tiny as they can be in nature. Shots from several sites in the mountains/foothills.
Antennaria rosea ex cult /Pink Flowering Pussytoes
From a garden centre plant of unknown provenance; Flat spreading mats of silvery leaves (like above); flowering stems rise in spring with soft pink (pale to medium-- I have a suspicion that soil may affect intensity of colour, but not sure of how) tufts of flowers; flower stems lengthen after maturity; attractive ground cover in garden beds or moderate traffic lawn/ mowed areas.
Anthyllis vulneraria/ Kidney Vetch
medicinal/tea-- had I known about the tea at harvest time, I would have saved more of the flower heads!
Up to 40cm, somewhat sprawling plant; Generally for sun, well-drained soil, I haven't grown it long yet, but I don't think it is too fussy, no doubt more compact in leaner sites. Seed collected from a yellow flowered plant, there was a red not too far away, not sure if they cross; loose mound of spreading foliage, many clover like flower heads.
Aquilegia formosa / Western Red Columbine ex B.C. seed
deep orange flowers, smallish plants (so far!)..there are other Aquilegias around, so can't be guaranteed to be pure.
Aquilegia Xeric Bed Hybrid
These spontaneously appeared several years ago, not sure what the origin is--possibly my mom or aunt had some Columbines near here in years past.. There is a native blue and white in Alberta, but I've never seen it, doesn't seem all that likely.. I grew formosa nearby long ago, and there were surviving plants not too far away; other plants farther on the acreage do not make these colours..Plants so far have either small blue and white flowers or larger wine and gold; super tough plants growing in mesic and dry spots in the garden and in very dry shade under a large spruce (where they first appeared). I've only seen these two forms in this patch so far, but as usual with hybrid populations, no guarantees!
Armeria/ Sea Thrift -mix from pink *or* white flrs
I had the small A. Victor Reiter and a regular sized A. maritima alba; Victor Reiter has died out, the alba is still doing well, and there are numerous seedlings of various sizes in both pink and white; I've collected seed from white and pink plants separately, and a later collection together, but wouldn't count on them coming true to colour. You can specify one source or mixed. These seem unfussy here growing in rocky spots and other sites that have more (still gravelly clay) meadowy conditions. Main flowering in spring, with flowers all season. Apparently Armeria is notorious for a high percentage of empty seed, so unless sorting proves fruitful, I'll just send large packets to improve odds.
Arnica angustifolia / Narrow-leaf Arnica /Arctic Arnica /Alpine Arnica (Still some debate about the name, but no better match at the moment).
Native; A small Arnica, seeds collected from a gravelly roadside in the foothills near Nordegg; seems it is a species more typical of the alpine zone, I was lucky to find some seed farther down....., I thought it was a dryish site , but that may have been mistaken-- it tends to rain more there than here, and the plant it doesn't seem thrilled with dry conditions in the garden.. Not rhizomatous to any notable degree, flowering stems with very reduced leaves, 30cm or less, fuzzy grey-green basal leaves persistent. Late spring/early summer flowering.
Arnica chamissonis/ Meadow Arnica /Silver Arnica/ Chamisso's arnica
(presumably named for Adelbert von Chamisso, a German botanist who did field work in California in the early 19th century)
Native; medicinal; native species have similar properties to A. montanum, and chamissonis is cultivated for medicinal use; wild locally, moist-mesic sites, large robust Arnica 50-80cm, rhizomatous, nice silvery hairy foliage, almost like a small sunflower; mid-summer here; give it space to spread or be ready to control, but you'll want to let it make lots of stems-- you'll need lots of flowers if you want to use it as medicine, and as an ornamental they look great en masse!
Asters- see Canadanthus Eurybia, Symphyotrichum, Xanthisma
Campanula rotundifolia / Campanula alaskana / Harebell- local form
Native; edible; self sown into the garden (never hard to control) quite variable in stature and differences in flower shape and colour from very pale lavender to medium violet; I try to get seed from a number of wild plants to maximise variability, much of it comes from the several, varying (wild) plants in the garden! Will flower from deep shade to full sun (obviously more erect and more stems/flowers in sun), doesn't seem to fussy about moisture, they grow here from moist/mesic woodland clearings to dryish roadsides, and I've seen them on bare rock in the montane zone.
Canadanthus modestus/ Western Bog Aster
In spite of the common name, this is another versatile plant-- it popped up in the yard (who knows, maybe I sprinkled seeds there...) at the edge of a raised veg bed--unplanted this year, so unwatered, very dry. Attractive aster with dense foliage, pinky violet flowers.
Castilleja-- coming soon
Cirsium drummondii / Drummond's Thistle
Beautiful native thistle-- large deep pink flowers, fuzzy prickly rosettes with purplish fuzz; monocarpic (dies after flowering, commonly in second year), non-rhizomatous; very few
Corydalis aurea / Yellow Annual Corydalis
Native, only occasional in disturbed soil (such as pocket gopher mounds!) in open woods/edge here, I brought a couple into the gardens, and they are in every bed, now-- in a good way! Bright yellow spikes of flowers, greyish green leaves. Once established, there should be plants flowering from early spring to frost. Will self sow, be sure to leave seeds to disperse, easy to remove unwanted plants; grows in a wide range of conditions, including dry, moist, sun, shade--plant size and density will vary depending on growing conditions and germination time: plants that have a full season of growing will be much larger and start flowering in early spring; plants in rich, moist locations can be up to a foot or two high and across (be warned they will collapse later in the season...
Cyclamen purpurascens /European Purple Cyclamen ---limited
Hardy for a number of years in my z3 garden (lows to near -40C at least, most winters, months below freezing, generally snow covered below -20C, though not guaranteed), this is generally considered the hardiest Cyclamen for northern gardens. Deep pink flowers from July until heavy frost. Plants can be grown in the rock garden or woodland garden-- in my climate rock settings (with some added humus, and not too dry-- I aim for spots with cool roots-shaded by rocks, or on a *slight* north slope- with leaves mostly in sun; hotter summer climates may need more shade) give more compact plants with smaller more closely spaced leaves. Most of my plants are from wild Austrian seed, but there are a few from garden seed mixed in. Leaf shape is somewhat variable, and most of my plants have leaves with dark background, silvery markings. Interestingly, seeds ripen the following year, just as the new season's flowers begin. Very few left..
Dianthus barbatus / Sweet William
Haven't collected this seed in years, tending not to focus on this sort of 'garden plant'-- but they are easy, showy and very popular with butterflies, and while I didn't plant them, I'm glad to have them. Dianthus barbatus/ Sweet William; biennial or short-lived perennial-- frankly, with so many plants in the well established colony naturalised in mowed areas and adjacent on the acreage, I don't notice how long individual plants live! These were introduced to the acreage by my sister in a 'wildflower' mix many years ago (there is a warning there-- those mixes often have non-natives, and many are invasive-- this is not even a natural species form, but rather garden hybrid/mix!). They are well established over a good swathe at one end of the acreage, but I have not noticed them spreading to other areas nor into wild areas adjacent. Many of the plants are mowed, but at the edges of garden beds, fences, compost piles, firewood heaps etc- anywhere they can avoid the mower- they will flower in a wide range of colours, for a fairly lengthy spell in mid-summer.I've just begun to move a few to the edges of garden beds, but I'm sure they'd do nicely with many mid-summer flowers that are vigorous enough to keep up with them! They have a good overlap of flowering time with the native Galium boreale/ Northern Bedstraw, and look nice with those.
Erigeron caespitosus /Tufted Fleabane
Native (grdn ex wild seed montane zone, Abraham Lake)
I've been using this name for this plant for a number of years-- still my best guess, though I find very different things also under this name on the internet....White flowers, sometimes (older flowers probably) with a hint of lavender. Spreading/decumbent leafy stems, with grey leaves; starts flowering in mid summer and continues into fall; individual flowers stay for weeks before finally producing seed. Thriving in my driest bed and growing in some very tough places in the wild.
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Erigeron compositus pink form / Dwarf Cut-leaf Fleabane
Small tufts of greyish green finely divided leaves, forming mounds over a couple of years; pale pink flowers on slender stems held above foliage, 10-15cm.Will self sow to make a nice drift or scattering among other plants..
Erigeron speciosus / Showy Fleabane (ex wild B.C. seed)
is another with long lasting flowers (compared to things like compositus and philadelphicus, with flowers which quickly go to seed). More or less erect plant, 30-40cm, large purple flowers.
Eurybia conspicua /Aster conspicuus / Showy Aster
a robust, showy and distinctive aster common locally.It is unmistakeable for its large rough leaves, flowers are a good size as well, with some variability in size and colour (pinky violet to more lavender); It is also a nice foliage plant with great fall colour (just a few of the colours/patterns shown below). In this area, they seem to need sun or mostly sun to flower, though foliage is still nice in the shade.
Eurybia sibirica / Aster sibirica /Siberian Aster
Low growing native aster (original material from the mountains west of here) many stems, mat to mound forming to 20 cm or so in my garden in gravelly clay loam. over several years forming very vigorous spreading plants. Seems very drought tolerant and tough-- great potential as a ground cover in tough spots. Piles of lavender flowers mainly in mid-summer. peaking before local asters. I've seen some at quite high altitude that were quite flat--haven't yet seen any that stayed that way in the garden (watching a couple of new seedlings...) but still quite low. Attractive rusty pappus (seed fluff).
Gaillardia aristata / Blanketflower Grdn ex Abraham Lake, Alberta
Variable plants-- some will flower first year and be short lived, others take a couple of years to flowering and live longer, but probably short lived in general; 30/40cm and taller, depending on conditions; drought tolerant; self sows reasonably, make sure to allow to re-sow, or grow new seedlings to replace.
Gaillardia aristata / Blanketflower Grdn ex Saskatchewan
Variable plants-- some will flower first year and be short lived, others take a couple of years to flowering and live longer, but probably short lived in general; 30/40cm and taller, depending on conditions; drought tolerant; self sows reasonably, make sure to allow to re-sow, or grow new seedlings to replace.
Galium boreale / Northern Bedstraw
Native; edible/tea/dye/medicinal/other uses
A plant and genus with a long history of uses (a coffee relative, the tiny seeds are even supposed to make a substitute for that beverage, but the thought of collecting that much seed seems daunting! I'd think with roasting etc, it must be a an hour or several's work for a cup!); It is a conspicuous wildflower here at the edge of the boreal forest, growing in a wide range of habitatsfrom roadsides and meadows where it can form large dense stends, mounds of tightly packed white flowers in season, to deep, even dry, shade under spruce trees where the whole plant is taller and looser with more airy sprays of flowers. It is rhizomatous, so best used with other strong growing plants, or naturalised, unless you intend to harvest lots, then give it a good garden spot!
Galium triflorum / Fragrant Bedstraw/ Three Flowered Bedstraw
Native; edible/tea/medicinal See notes on G boreale.
This is a rather unusual looking native plant, with, I think, some very interesting potential in the garden. Bright green leafy stems (leaflets arranged in whorls around the stem) trail out in a ring from the centre, more or less flat to the ground. It is typically found in moist/mesic woodland, and there is real potential for use as groundcover in shade, especially where there is space (with rocks, wood?) for the plant's shape to be appreciated. However, it has appeared in my garden in a few places you would not expect-- dry/rocky soils!- suggesting there are also possible uses in large pots, troughs, rock gardens etc, where its spreading/trailing form could be used to great advantage! This species is really all about the foliage, flowers are *tiny* but reward a good close look. Typical fuzzy/tiny burr seeds do add an interesting almot foamy texture to the plant.
Geum aleppicum / Yellow Avens
Native; Tall plant, adds a splash of colour and lots of texture to meadow plantings (robust leaves are green most/all of the time not covered by snow, like many of its relatives); grows wild in wetlands, but in the garden will grow in pretty much any soil or moisture, including some quite dry spots; smallish yellow flowers, borne in much greater numbers in the garden, and for a longer time, than in the wild, attractive burr like seed heads-- but will self sow generously if you leave the seeds to fall-- deadhead carefully or naturalise in meadow settings where other strong growing plants will keep it in line.
Geum montanum / Mountain avens medicinal
seems to prefer some moisture and/or humus; European sub/alpine; Dark green evergreen leaves in tight clumps. Flowering from early spring (main flowering) through fall freeze (occasional all season). Flowers initially open at base, among the leaves, then stems elongate with flowers and later attractive seed plumes to 30cm or a little more.
Geum rivale /Water Avens / Purple Avens
edible/medicinal; Native; wetland/edge; common around here; I haven't grown it, but expect it to be fine in mesic garden conditions; distinctive drooping bell flowers, more sepal than petal, hint of orange, grows from sun to deep shade, but will be floppy in shade, would need to grow with other things to sprawl over. attractive fuzzy burr seed heads. Robust foliage looks good from early spring.
Halenia deflexa / Spurred Gentian / Green Gentian
an interesting and elegant rather than showy native annual; the flowers are a delicate violet tinged green, and open only slightly. Grows in moist/mesic sites, sometimes in open grassy areas, but more often woodland/edge.
Heterotheca villosa / Golden Aster (AB foothills, large form)
medicinal? Native; Mounds of greyish green leaves on spreading stems 30-40cm; Golden yellow flowers in abundance mid to late summer or even fall; drought tolerant.
Heterotheca villosa / Golden Aster (wild seed, B.C. interior; small upright form)
Very different than the Alberta form listed above, I've been told by a few people this tiny plant from B.C. is the same species; stems are erect, no more than 15-20cm tall. Not flashy, but the upright form can be a nice contrast to mat forming plants, or those with larger leaves. It is also late flowering, another potential advantage in the garden. The bed it is in is a bit tough so some day I will try in another spot see if it changes the form.
Hieracium intybaceum / False Chicory Hawkweed / Sulphur Hawkweed
European sub/alpine, I grow it in gravelly clay with a bit of humus, but I think it is probably pretty easygoing, and likely best (more compact) in fairly lean conditions. Spreading to decumbent stems 30-40cm, attractive narrow wavy slightly hairy medium grey green leaves, flowers an unusual pale yellow (compared to typical bright yellow of many hawkweeds)-- produced in large numbers, but I never seem to catch many open at once (Iit's occurred to me to wonder if there are more open in the morning-- I never see it then!). Short-lived plants, so leave some of the piles of seed produced to re-sow.. after having it for a number of years, it has not shown signs of getting out of control yet--seedlings are always around, but not huge numbers and not hard to yank extras. I think a lean gravelly meadow would be a good setting, or maybe a very exposed rocky spot to keep it tight. Not sure how it is for drought, mine is in a mesic berm.
Hieracium umbellatum / Parasol Hawkweed / Narrow-leaf Hawkweed / Northern Hawkweed edible? Native;
If your life has been ruined by yellow-flowered composite weeds, then keep moving ;) If you have a more open mind about native plants that fill interesting niches in the landscape, stick around! This widespread native of the Northern Hemisphere (variable and due for revision??) has bright yellow flowers typical of many plants in the Chicory Tribe of the Aster family, including a number of weedy cousins. This one has not proven bent on world domination around here, but you always need to watch any plant with flying seeds when grown away from natural habitat! It grows wild here in all sorts of sites from deep moist shade to mesic or dryish open spots. It will tend to be floppy in shade. Besides the flowers, which come from mid summer to frost, adding valuable late season colour, the narrow, slightly toothed leaves are quite nice , and turn interesting subtle shades in fall-- they are very attractive in wooded areas with late season shafts of sunlight hitting the flowers, then later the colourful/pale changing leaves. Many of the plants in my immediate area are in part/shade, but I think it has some interesting potential uses in meadow settings-- say mixed with several native asters to complement their blue/purple shades, maybe grasses or small shrubs for support... A couple have self sown into garden beds where they seem more robust and floriferous than in the wild, so more to explore... The tawny pappus ('fluff' on the seeds) is also attractive.
Hypochaeris maculata / Spotted Cat's Ear edible?
European of often exposed sites, sandy or poor soil; attractive bright yellow flowers like dandelions on steroids, long, strong leafless flower stems, low cluster of thick, somewhat hairy basal leaves with attractive dark spots.I think it is quite adaptable, in my garden in a couple of spots with average to rocky/gravel soil. mesic moisture, but it is likely fairly drought tolerant; a lean site probably helps keep it compact-- not too much other foliage adjacent would be good to show the leaves to advantage.
Inula rhizocephala / Stemless Inula
Asian, native to forests, meadows, thickets from SW Asia through India, China; Stemless, monocarpic/biennial (apparently some plants can be perennial, I have not seen that here) -- low to flat dense to open rosette, 30cm or so across, of slightly fuzzy medium green strap-like leaves; clusters of bright yellow flowers borne in the centre, second year/on maturity. Plants then set seed and die. Once you've had a plant mature in the garden, it should set seed and find its own spots, but of course you could sow seeds every year, or scatter them where you want them to be. For the rock garden or maybe an open spot in a woodland garden? I don't find it fussy about soil or exposure--plants are in mostly sun or shaded by taller plants; I don't have any in super wet or dry spots, but again, I imagine they are pretty adaptable. The only issue I've had is with some plants having some difficulty maturing seed if there is wet weather in fall.
Iris hookeri / I. setosa ssp canadensis / Beach-head Iris
From Nova Scotia wild seed originally; 30cm or so in my garden in mesic conditions; attractive clumps of narrow leaves, good colour in fall; med violet marked flowers, early to mid June, here.
Linnaea borealis / Twinflower very limited
Native; edible?/ medicinal; Iconic flower of the northern forests, from deep shade, moist to dryish through forest edge to more open sites in more northerly/wetter climates. (Many report better flowering with at least some sun; I find here they aren't fussy, but most things will have denser growth and flowering with more light, as long as they are not dry and scorched!). Plants here vary from barely pink to quite good pinks, or pale with darker areas. They often grow in very humusy soils, even directly on rotting wood etc, but again, they are not fussy here, and we have a good sized colony in a mowed area on rather dryish clayey soil with moderate humus, and part day sun. Very limited.
Maianthemum canadense / Canada Mayflower / Wild Lily-of-the-Valley
Native; an abundant and widespread plant here from open woods, edges of clearings (too much sun here and they look a bit scorched-- no doubt the cooler and moister the climate, the more sun they can take) to deep shade; they don't seem too fussy about soil or moisture, growing in dry soils under spruce, under grass and taller plants, semi/damp mixed woods, etc. Often with Cornus canadensis, Linnaea, Pyrola etc. Vigorously rhizomatous, you'd want to be cautious in a small garden or in beds with small delicate woodland plants. They are native all over the acreage and I have had no problems where they've popped up in or near beds. Emerging leaves in spring are very attractive, then flowers, ripening berries and fall colour.
Osmorhiza depauperata / Blunt-fruited Sweet Cicely / Blunt-fruited Sweet Root
Native; edible; An occasional here, from moist-mesic wooded areas, usually in medium to deep shade. Another with beautiful (ferm-like) foliage, inconspicuous flowers, and seed structures which are texturally interesting, also some interesting fall colour; I've never tried eating the root, since I like the plants too much! But it has gradually started moving into a few garden beds and areas adjacent, so maybe one day there will be enough to try! Well worth growing as an airy delicate presence in the woodland garden (quite likely it will also grow in meadows/woodland edge at least, but I have not seen that much yet...)
Oxyria digyna / Mountain Sorrel
edible; Unusual texture for the rock garden, or edge of the perennial vegetable planting.. low mounds of round/kidney shaped leaves, green with red highlights; typical sorrel tasting leaves. Flowers typical sorrel/dock in clusters of more or less erect narrow stems; roughly 30cm tall in flower in my garden, likely quite variable depending on conditions.
Oxytropis campestris / Field Locoweed
ex B.C. seed-- this has turned out to be good in the garden-- nice mass of bluish foliage, 20-30cm tall, flowering stems taller, creamy flowers, many flowering stems, attractive seed pods.
Packera paupercula / Senecio pauperculus / Northern Groundsel
Native; I *might* have collected separately from two forms, ask if interested: A) is the typical rather gracile form with fewer but good sized flowers, B) is likely taller, more branching and more numerous but smaller flowers. Grows naturally in moist spots, usually, but I don't think it would be that fussy in the garden. Sun to shade, but it will be floppy in full shade, as it is in the wild in a couple of spots in the yard.. 30-50cm?
Papaver alpinum / Alpine Poppy
An alpine, actually from the Alps! original material from big box garden centre; several shades-- white, yellow, a couple of oranges; short lived plants will self sow easily, but not overwhelmingly (weak rooted, easy to pull where unwanted, drifts are delightful among rocks or in meadow type plantings with other not too tall plants); 30cm-ish in flower/seed. Main flowering is in late spring, but they continue to flower all season.
Papaver 'Pacino' /Yellow Dwarf Poppy
there are various species attributed to this cultivar- could be miyabeanum; not sure what its real origin is, but it is a nice smallish -30cm or less- alpine type poppy, low mound of bluish foliage, nice sulphur yellow flowers, different shade than the yellows in the P. alpinum mix I have, and different leaves.
Papaver popovii / Siberian Poppy
orange flowers ( a Russian plant site shows photos of plants with yellow flowers, so, is this name correct?), hairy, mostly basal foliage; 30-45cm officially, can be small on really tough sites, with decent soil/moisture it will be easily at the upper range of that, or more, and robust plants will also have multiple growing points; numerous flowers over a long season which open early in the day, mostly finished by afternoon. Showy seed pods; of course there are seedlings, but not so many as I feared from the number of seed pods!
Parnassia palustris / Grass of Parnassus / Bog Star
Native; slender leafless flower stems, usually in clusters, rise 20-40cm from small roughly heart shaped basal leaves (when growing in grasses etc, the leaves are often next to invisible), with intricately veined white flowers. Here they flower from late summer into fall, with interesting seed capsules ripening from shiny green to near paprika, opening just at the top, and filled with powdery seed. Typically growing in wet meadows in sun to a fair bit of shade, but extending up road embankments, so I imagine they are adaptable to fairly ordinary garden conditions.
Pedicularis groenlandica / Elephant's Head
Native; medicinal; Attractive wetlandhemiparasite (grows/best with roots drawing nutrition from other plants) , ferny foliage, mostly basal, purple/pink flowers in spikes, 30-40cm or more, green to purple foliage depending on whether it has a good host. Wet meadows to partly shady spots.
Penstemon procerus / Slender Penstemon / Littleflower Beardtongue
Native; tea? my plants originally from Gardens North Seed, Red Deer River Valley provenance. Multiple rather weak, ascending stems with numerous small blue-violet flowers in terminal clusters. In tough sites, plants may be very small 10-20cm or less, 30-40cm is probably average; more moisture/nutrients can give much larger plants; self seeds fairly generously, unwanted plants not super hard to remove, but best to keep it away from small delicate/hard to weed plants! Very drought tolerant, at least in my not very hot summers!
Polemonium pulcherrimum / Showy Jacob's Ladder
ex B.C. Pale blue/lavender flowers and small leaves on plants 30cm, spreading ascending stems. I think they are probably pretty adaptable to soil, moisture and exposure, like anything will be denser and more compact in leaner spots. Flowers are small and delicate, with more flowering stems over several years.
Potentilla gracilis / Slender Cinquefoil / Graceful Cinquefoil
Native; lots of smallish bright yellow flowers in early summer (earlier flowering, more delicate plants than pulcherrima) held on spreading slender stems 30-50cm tall. mostly basal leaves, clump forming; mesic to dryish, good in tough soils, these seeds are from plants in a semi wild area between my outer driveway and the entrance to the neighbour's field-- so occasionally driven on or cattle trodden, hard clayey soil! I moved some pieces to the garden a few years ago, in case they'd be lost to road work, but both groups of plants have continued to thrive, the garden plants in clayey soil with a bit of humus and gravel added, drought tolerant.
Potentilla nitida / Bright Cinquefoil/ Dolomite Cinquefoil
Classic European alpine from limestone areas, mainly, but has been very happy in my rock garden in gravelly clay, not much humus (though I'm sure it is making its own!); low dense mat(under 10cm) of beautiful silver to white (from fine hairs) leaves; can grow relatively quickly, if happy so do not plant near small things that may be overwhelmed (I've had to move some Sempervivums in one bed, in another they have not done well); Pale pink /white with pink flowers; My plants were from wild seed, and variable in silveriness, flatness, number of flowers etc-- so it is worth growing a few seedlings at least.
Potentilla pulcherrima? / Beautiful Cinquefoil / Soft Cinquefoil
Native; original seed from Gardens North as P hippiana-- which it is not, wrong leaflet arrangement; after that is a little less clear-- it has a roughly similar form to P gracilis listed above, of which pulcherrima is sometimes considered a sub-species; it is also known to hybridise with other species such as hippiana; in any case, these plants are appropriately more robust than gracilis-- dense clumps of mostly basal leaves, med-dark green with hairy white back, palmate at base, stem leaves slightly pinnate; many 40 to 60 cm tall flowering stems, quite strongly erect (unlike much of what I see under this name on the internet....) plenty of the usual modest sized bright yellow flowers in mid-summer.
Potentilla pulvinaris / Couch Cinquefoil / Hairy Cinquefoil
Turkish species; low dense clusters of dark green leaves heavily coated with silvery hairs; First flowers appear near the leaves in spring, then flower stems elongate to 30cm or so. I have it in a couple of rock garden spots, clayey soil with a bit of humus and gravel.. doesn't seem particular, in one extra lean spot, the plants are noticeably smaller. Attractive subtle fall colour.
Potentilla valderia / Valdieri's Potentilla
This rather uncommon species from alpine France and Italy is underwhelming in flower, but well worth growing for the fuzzy white leaves (variable from seed, I have some that are greener) that are always nice in a lowish mound, to 15-20cm or so; flowering stems somewhat decumbent or weak, ascending, 30-40cm +/- Native bees seem unbothered by the inconspicuous flowers, and visit them enthusiastically.
Prenanthes purpurea / Purple Lettuce / Rattlesnake Root
(medicinal? edible? lettuce cousin; some plants in the genus are used as greens, I haven't tested it); 40-60cm? likely more in a more encouraging spot; open woodland/edge plant-- shows some inclination to scorch? although the bed it is in can be fairly dry, in part day sun it is fine, it seems to me it may not be fond of full sun, or it may be a water issue; rhizomatous-- apparently can spread too well in some (milder? wetter?) places-- here it has very gently been forming a nice little patch over a number of years; subtle plant with medium green leaves, pretty but tiny dangling deep pink flowers, with upturned petals; interesting fall colour in the gold/brown/black shades.
Prunus tomentosa / Nanking Cherry
from garden plants, presumably cultivars; I notice no clear difference in the seed grown plants, but their could be minor differences in the fruit; small, textured, ribbed and velvety leaves, almost pink flowers, loads of delicious tart fruit. Small tree/bush, can be pruned heavily (the moose do it here, over winter) for compact shape. Plus: fruits do not detach as easily this year I saw crows on the bush for the first time!), giving more of a chance to harvest.
Pulsatilla patens / Anemone patens / Prairie Pasqueflower (don't call it Crocus ;) )
Native; Lots of common names, and debate about placement in Anemone or Pulsatilla, etc; Early spring sees the exquisite golden hair covered buds emerge first, opening to lovely lavender blooms, near white inside with darker outsides; finely dissected leaves emerge later.
Pulsatilla vulgaris etc- mixed/ Pasqueflower
Indispensable in the spring garden-- fuzzy leaves and buds emerge early and develop together; from plants growing from garden seed-- Pulsatillas are notorious hybridisers; variations in size, leaf shape and flower colour and shape from blue-lavender through violet and red-violet. early flowers, substantial mounds of divided leaves later on the larger plants.
Saponaria lutea / Yellow Alpine Soapwort
European sub/alpine of rocky/grassy places; happy so far in my rock garden in fairly average conditions; low spreading plant, bright green leaves, loose clusters of pale yellow flowers; not flashy but a nice textural plant with subtle colour.
Scabiosa ex S japonica Ritz Blue/Pink
edible; Bought as the cultivar Ritz Blue, but there may have been two seedlings together-- one blue, one pink...; about 20-30cm tall in flower, compact, deep green, mostly basal foliage; long flowering season, many heads. Beginning to seed nearby, haven't yet seen what colour the seedlings flower. So far, I have it growing in gravelly clay, bit of humus, a spot that probably doesn't get very dry, but have not tried it elsewhere. I've read it can take some shade.
Solidago sp small (smaller multiradiata or simplex? AB Rocky Mtns)
My original collection was at a fairly high altitude, but early in my newer garden building (2008?) and I did not keep proper records! This one has stayed very small in the garden, 10-15cm tall with a fewerect linear flower stems. It is in a very gravelly spot, shallow soil, so I don't know if it will grow larger in better soil, though recent slight reworking of the area did not change it.
Solidago multiradiata / Mountain Goldenrod / Northern Goldenrod / Alpine Goldenrod
Native; edible/medicinal/dye? (ex AB foothills and higher)
Medium size goldenrod-- 40cm or so tall in the garden; showy; linear leaves, stems green or reddish; from a couple of wild sources in the foothills and higher, these tended to be few stemmed, modest plants in habitat, and are generally taller and more robust in the garden, especially in richer/looser soil, making good sized clumps of many stems. Like any composite, they can spread by seed, not problematically so far, though I collect most of the seed; I have not noticed them spreading rhizomatously beyond the clump, I see no sign after several years of them trying to take over. For a smaller, tougher plant, try for very lean rocky soil and/or hard clay. Much loved by pollinators, esp small brown butterflies here.
Symphyotrichum boreale / Aster borealis /Northern Bog Aster / Rush Aster
Native; a sweet delicate species, slender stems, narrow leaves, white to slightly lavender flowers; grows in open to partly wooded grassy wetland areas here; late summer/fall flowering and often good fall colour. I haven't tried it in the garden yet, but I expect it to be adaptable to fairly ordinary conditions, as the moisture in its habitat is quite variable. Single to few stemmed in habitat, likely to be fuller in the garden.
Symphyotrichum ciliolatum / Aster ciliolatus / Fringed Aster / Lindley's Aster
Native; (local, wild, in and out of garden beds)
Our most versatile aster, growing and flowering from full sun to deep shade, moist to dry; Like most things, densest growth and flowering will be in good light, but it flowers well even among large trees here. Some slight variation in colour, but tending to bluey-lavender, smallish/medium flowers generally in large numbers. As a species (not individual plants) has a long flowering season from mid-summer beyond deep frost. Slightly rhizomatous, but places where I've left them in garden beds, they haven't shown much tendency to spread. They are also in many mowed areas here, will flower when cut quite low, and have good fall colour from gold to deep reds.
Taraxacum pseudoroseum / Pink Dandelion
edible/medicinal
Pale pink outer ray flowers (they are not petals ;) ) yellow centres; foliage more or less like common dandelions, small if kept starved, they can get to nearly a couple of feet tall in flower in good conditions; Transplant carefully- I've had no problem with seedlings, but moving adult plants is not so easy as for the weeds!
Taraxacum rubifolium / Taraxacum faeroense / Red Leaf Dandelion / Faeroe Islands Dandelion
edible/medicinal; from boggy places (wet, rocky?) in the North Atlantic region (British and Faeroe Islands); a beautiful small dandelion (regardless of soil, I have not seen this get larger as many other spp will do) with dark green to red-black leaves(varying a bit through the year and with sun exposure), red flower stem, deep yellow flowers; seems to prefer regular moisture-- mine are at the base of rock beds, where they cosy into the clay among the rocks and never dry out; they probably would be fine with average moisture as long as the taproot can reach down. Full sun in cool places-- they don't mind some shade, but will have better colour in more light; hot summer places might need some shade, or at least rocks to cool the roots..
Townsendia leptotes / Slender Townsend Daisy
low growing perennial, tiny greyish green leaves, stemless daisy flowers, slightly pinkish white; small rosettes gradually spreading into a nice patch-- by seed, and maybe root? but gently and locally only. Shots of this in full flower get some of the biggest wows of any of my garden photos. For rock gardens or troughs.
Tulipa dasystemon / Tulipa neustreuvae earliest yellow
Haven't been able to pin a definitive name on this one from commercial bulbs (I know nothing about Tulipa, but have asked advice from those who do-- the problem with some of these plants that have been in cultivation a long time is that they may be long separated from any knowledge of where the original plants came from, and could have formed garden hybrids along the way; the names used in the trade are often incorrectly applied or totally invalid); could be what is called dasystemon (in horticulture) or a hybrid of neustreuvae, or something else! In any case, a favourite, as it is very early, around the same time as Crocus here, and well ahead of tarda (hort); flowers are solid yellow, with dark markings on the outside, smaller than tarda (hort) with longer stems, which elongate more in seed.
Tulipa tarda (hort) / Tulipa urumiensis
what typically is called tarda in gardens (likely wrong name in general use, the truth is not clear); early small tulip, yellow with white tips and violet on outside of flowers; flowers are larger than the above, and short stemmed; red border on leaves. Can spread by seed to form a nice patch-- maybe too much in some climates, not here.
Tulipa turkestanica / Turkestan Tulip
This botanical tulip *may* have a less controversial name than the others. White flowers with yellow in the centre, multiple flowers per stem-- this one has been getting better each year.
Xanthisma coloradoense /Aster coloradoensis / Colorado Tansyaster
very limited
Small plant with reclining stems, light/medium pink flowers; My plant is young, so I can't comment on ultimate form (I'm assuming it will form a loose mat; my understanding is that this is a leafier/longer stemmed variant of the species), but it is a nice colour to have in the garden with most of the fleabanes and asters I have being either white or lavender/blue
Zigadenus elegans / Anticlea elegans / Mountain Death Camas
Grdn ex B.C.? many years ago-- very limited
attractive clusters of glaucous leaves increase over time, as do the number of flowering stems, 40-60 cm in flower, fairly dense (compared to some other species) spikes of creamy flowers with green centre markings. Effect is like a small yucca; Moist-mesic in the wild here, but I think they are not too particular about moisture.
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Achillea millefolium ex Terracotta
This hybrid, taller, with narrower stiffer compound leaves than some varieties, is supposed to be sterile, but I have seedlings coming up near it, with its distinctive foliage! Flowers begin orange, fade to gold. tough, adaptable plants, with uses in herbal medicine. I haven't yet knowingly seen any crosses between this and the local white flowered plants or pink A. sbirica camtschaticum. . It is not growing near the pink and red millefolium.
Allium aflatunense/ A hollandicum /Persian Onion/ Purple Sensation Allium
A popular garden Allium, of uncertain heritage,--as I grasp it, correct me if wrong!-- long known as aflatunense, this is likely wrong, so it has simply been called A hollandicum, for its centre of cultivation in the bulb fields of the Netherlands. Large balls (4" or so) of bright red-violet flowers, much loved by bees. 50-80cm or so tall, in my garden. Early leaves are tulip like, foliage fading by the time of flowering, so plant with something leafy to fill in and hide the yellowing leaves.
Anemone virginiana var cylindroides/ Tall Thimbleweed
Native; another plant at it's showiest in fall (rich, subtle fall colour) and winter-- seed heads are masses of fluff for a while, with a bit left to show through the snow..native on the acreage and left/encouraged in some places in the garden; unlike some thimbleweeds, this one tends to drier sites, sun or shade. Flowers are smallish, greenish white; 30-60cm or more
Androsace carnea ssp halleri; Pink Rock Jasmine
tidy clumps of bright green linear leaves, strong pink flowers on short stems; ex Vosges Mtns, Fr
Antennaria cf A. howellii
much larger rosettes than the small silvers, 2-3inches across; I have two slightly different forms, which may partly vary based on habitat: locally, they grow in semi/shade, under trees, clearing edges under grass, etc. Upper leaf surfaces are dark green, backs white/hairy. The other is from the foothills, very similar, but upper leaf surfaces are a greyer green, growing in more exposed sites, and very drought tolerant. Sometimes showing nice colour in cold weather. Flowering is typical for Antennaria, lengthening stems, whitish flowers, earlier than the silvers.
Antennaria -Small Silvers
Native; the taxonomy seems unresolved, a good excuse for me since I have no grasp on it! This seed is from small rosette, mat forming silver leaf types-- I have several original collections from the foothills and mountains, and there are local plants as well. They seed around the garden. so I have no idea what is what, but all are basically the same, with whitish flowers. Rosettes stay small, and growth is tight in a variety of conditions (don't mistake flatness for meekness-- they will bury other small plants!) but you'd probably need a really tough spot to get the rosettes as tiny as they can be in nature. Shots from several sites in the mountains/foothills.
Antennaria rosea ex cult /Pink Flowering Pussytoes
From a garden centre plant of unknown provenance; Flat spreading mats of silvery leaves (like above); flowering stems rise in spring with soft pink (pale to medium-- I have a suspicion that soil may affect intensity of colour, but not sure of how) tufts of flowers; flower stems lengthen after maturity; attractive ground cover in garden beds or moderate traffic lawn/ mowed areas.
Anthyllis vulneraria/ Kidney Vetch
medicinal/tea-- had I known about the tea at harvest time, I would have saved more of the flower heads!
Up to 40cm, somewhat sprawling plant; Generally for sun, well-drained soil, I haven't grown it long yet, but I don't think it is too fussy, no doubt more compact in leaner sites. Seed collected from a yellow flowered plant, there was a red not too far away, not sure if they cross; loose mound of spreading foliage, many clover like flower heads.
Aquilegia formosa / Western Red Columbine ex B.C. seed
deep orange flowers, smallish plants (so far!)..there are other Aquilegias around, so can't be guaranteed to be pure.
Aquilegia Xeric Bed Hybrid
These spontaneously appeared several years ago, not sure what the origin is--possibly my mom or aunt had some Columbines near here in years past.. There is a native blue and white in Alberta, but I've never seen it, doesn't seem all that likely.. I grew formosa nearby long ago, and there were surviving plants not too far away; other plants farther on the acreage do not make these colours..Plants so far have either small blue and white flowers or larger wine and gold; super tough plants growing in mesic and dry spots in the garden and in very dry shade under a large spruce (where they first appeared). I've only seen these two forms in this patch so far, but as usual with hybrid populations, no guarantees!
Armeria/ Sea Thrift -mix from pink *or* white flrs
I had the small A. Victor Reiter and a regular sized A. maritima alba; Victor Reiter has died out, the alba is still doing well, and there are numerous seedlings of various sizes in both pink and white; I've collected seed from white and pink plants separately, and a later collection together, but wouldn't count on them coming true to colour. You can specify one source or mixed. These seem unfussy here growing in rocky spots and other sites that have more (still gravelly clay) meadowy conditions. Main flowering in spring, with flowers all season. Apparently Armeria is notorious for a high percentage of empty seed, so unless sorting proves fruitful, I'll just send large packets to improve odds.
Arnica angustifolia / Narrow-leaf Arnica /Arctic Arnica /Alpine Arnica (Still some debate about the name, but no better match at the moment).
Native; A small Arnica, seeds collected from a gravelly roadside in the foothills near Nordegg; seems it is a species more typical of the alpine zone, I was lucky to find some seed farther down....., I thought it was a dryish site , but that may have been mistaken-- it tends to rain more there than here, and the plant it doesn't seem thrilled with dry conditions in the garden.. Not rhizomatous to any notable degree, flowering stems with very reduced leaves, 30cm or less, fuzzy grey-green basal leaves persistent. Late spring/early summer flowering.
Arnica chamissonis/ Meadow Arnica /Silver Arnica/ Chamisso's arnica
(presumably named for Adelbert von Chamisso, a German botanist who did field work in California in the early 19th century)
Native; medicinal; native species have similar properties to A. montanum, and chamissonis is cultivated for medicinal use; wild locally, moist-mesic sites, large robust Arnica 50-80cm, rhizomatous, nice silvery hairy foliage, almost like a small sunflower; mid-summer here; give it space to spread or be ready to control, but you'll want to let it make lots of stems-- you'll need lots of flowers if you want to use it as medicine, and as an ornamental they look great en masse!
Asters- see Canadanthus Eurybia, Symphyotrichum, Xanthisma
Campanula rotundifolia / Campanula alaskana / Harebell- local form
Native; edible; self sown into the garden (never hard to control) quite variable in stature and differences in flower shape and colour from very pale lavender to medium violet; I try to get seed from a number of wild plants to maximise variability, much of it comes from the several, varying (wild) plants in the garden! Will flower from deep shade to full sun (obviously more erect and more stems/flowers in sun), doesn't seem to fussy about moisture, they grow here from moist/mesic woodland clearings to dryish roadsides, and I've seen them on bare rock in the montane zone.
Canadanthus modestus/ Western Bog Aster
In spite of the common name, this is another versatile plant-- it popped up in the yard (who knows, maybe I sprinkled seeds there...) at the edge of a raised veg bed--unplanted this year, so unwatered, very dry. Attractive aster with dense foliage, pinky violet flowers.
Castilleja-- coming soon
Cirsium drummondii / Drummond's Thistle
Beautiful native thistle-- large deep pink flowers, fuzzy prickly rosettes with purplish fuzz; monocarpic (dies after flowering, commonly in second year), non-rhizomatous; very few
Corydalis aurea / Yellow Annual Corydalis
Native, only occasional in disturbed soil (such as pocket gopher mounds!) in open woods/edge here, I brought a couple into the gardens, and they are in every bed, now-- in a good way! Bright yellow spikes of flowers, greyish green leaves. Once established, there should be plants flowering from early spring to frost. Will self sow, be sure to leave seeds to disperse, easy to remove unwanted plants; grows in a wide range of conditions, including dry, moist, sun, shade--plant size and density will vary depending on growing conditions and germination time: plants that have a full season of growing will be much larger and start flowering in early spring; plants in rich, moist locations can be up to a foot or two high and across (be warned they will collapse later in the season...
Cyclamen purpurascens /European Purple Cyclamen ---limited
Hardy for a number of years in my z3 garden (lows to near -40C at least, most winters, months below freezing, generally snow covered below -20C, though not guaranteed), this is generally considered the hardiest Cyclamen for northern gardens. Deep pink flowers from July until heavy frost. Plants can be grown in the rock garden or woodland garden-- in my climate rock settings (with some added humus, and not too dry-- I aim for spots with cool roots-shaded by rocks, or on a *slight* north slope- with leaves mostly in sun; hotter summer climates may need more shade) give more compact plants with smaller more closely spaced leaves. Most of my plants are from wild Austrian seed, but there are a few from garden seed mixed in. Leaf shape is somewhat variable, and most of my plants have leaves with dark background, silvery markings. Interestingly, seeds ripen the following year, just as the new season's flowers begin. Very few left..
Dianthus barbatus / Sweet William
Haven't collected this seed in years, tending not to focus on this sort of 'garden plant'-- but they are easy, showy and very popular with butterflies, and while I didn't plant them, I'm glad to have them. Dianthus barbatus/ Sweet William; biennial or short-lived perennial-- frankly, with so many plants in the well established colony naturalised in mowed areas and adjacent on the acreage, I don't notice how long individual plants live! These were introduced to the acreage by my sister in a 'wildflower' mix many years ago (there is a warning there-- those mixes often have non-natives, and many are invasive-- this is not even a natural species form, but rather garden hybrid/mix!). They are well established over a good swathe at one end of the acreage, but I have not noticed them spreading to other areas nor into wild areas adjacent. Many of the plants are mowed, but at the edges of garden beds, fences, compost piles, firewood heaps etc- anywhere they can avoid the mower- they will flower in a wide range of colours, for a fairly lengthy spell in mid-summer.I've just begun to move a few to the edges of garden beds, but I'm sure they'd do nicely with many mid-summer flowers that are vigorous enough to keep up with them! They have a good overlap of flowering time with the native Galium boreale/ Northern Bedstraw, and look nice with those.
Erigeron caespitosus /Tufted Fleabane
Native (grdn ex wild seed montane zone, Abraham Lake)
I've been using this name for this plant for a number of years-- still my best guess, though I find very different things also under this name on the internet....White flowers, sometimes (older flowers probably) with a hint of lavender. Spreading/decumbent leafy stems, with grey leaves; starts flowering in mid summer and continues into fall; individual flowers stay for weeks before finally producing seed. Thriving in my driest bed and growing in some very tough places in the wild.
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Erigeron compositus pink form / Dwarf Cut-leaf Fleabane
Small tufts of greyish green finely divided leaves, forming mounds over a couple of years; pale pink flowers on slender stems held above foliage, 10-15cm.Will self sow to make a nice drift or scattering among other plants..
Erigeron speciosus / Showy Fleabane (ex wild B.C. seed)
is another with long lasting flowers (compared to things like compositus and philadelphicus, with flowers which quickly go to seed). More or less erect plant, 30-40cm, large purple flowers.
Eurybia conspicua /Aster conspicuus / Showy Aster
a robust, showy and distinctive aster common locally.It is unmistakeable for its large rough leaves, flowers are a good size as well, with some variability in size and colour (pinky violet to more lavender); It is also a nice foliage plant with great fall colour (just a few of the colours/patterns shown below). In this area, they seem to need sun or mostly sun to flower, though foliage is still nice in the shade.
Eurybia sibirica / Aster sibirica /Siberian Aster
Low growing native aster (original material from the mountains west of here) many stems, mat to mound forming to 20 cm or so in my garden in gravelly clay loam. over several years forming very vigorous spreading plants. Seems very drought tolerant and tough-- great potential as a ground cover in tough spots. Piles of lavender flowers mainly in mid-summer. peaking before local asters. I've seen some at quite high altitude that were quite flat--haven't yet seen any that stayed that way in the garden (watching a couple of new seedlings...) but still quite low. Attractive rusty pappus (seed fluff).
Gaillardia aristata / Blanketflower Grdn ex Abraham Lake, Alberta
Variable plants-- some will flower first year and be short lived, others take a couple of years to flowering and live longer, but probably short lived in general; 30/40cm and taller, depending on conditions; drought tolerant; self sows reasonably, make sure to allow to re-sow, or grow new seedlings to replace.
Gaillardia aristata / Blanketflower Grdn ex Saskatchewan
Variable plants-- some will flower first year and be short lived, others take a couple of years to flowering and live longer, but probably short lived in general; 30/40cm and taller, depending on conditions; drought tolerant; self sows reasonably, make sure to allow to re-sow, or grow new seedlings to replace.
Galium boreale / Northern Bedstraw
Native; edible/tea/dye/medicinal/other uses
A plant and genus with a long history of uses (a coffee relative, the tiny seeds are even supposed to make a substitute for that beverage, but the thought of collecting that much seed seems daunting! I'd think with roasting etc, it must be a an hour or several's work for a cup!); It is a conspicuous wildflower here at the edge of the boreal forest, growing in a wide range of habitatsfrom roadsides and meadows where it can form large dense stends, mounds of tightly packed white flowers in season, to deep, even dry, shade under spruce trees where the whole plant is taller and looser with more airy sprays of flowers. It is rhizomatous, so best used with other strong growing plants, or naturalised, unless you intend to harvest lots, then give it a good garden spot!
Galium triflorum / Fragrant Bedstraw/ Three Flowered Bedstraw
Native; edible/tea/medicinal See notes on G boreale.
This is a rather unusual looking native plant, with, I think, some very interesting potential in the garden. Bright green leafy stems (leaflets arranged in whorls around the stem) trail out in a ring from the centre, more or less flat to the ground. It is typically found in moist/mesic woodland, and there is real potential for use as groundcover in shade, especially where there is space (with rocks, wood?) for the plant's shape to be appreciated. However, it has appeared in my garden in a few places you would not expect-- dry/rocky soils!- suggesting there are also possible uses in large pots, troughs, rock gardens etc, where its spreading/trailing form could be used to great advantage! This species is really all about the foliage, flowers are *tiny* but reward a good close look. Typical fuzzy/tiny burr seeds do add an interesting almot foamy texture to the plant.
Geum aleppicum / Yellow Avens
Native; Tall plant, adds a splash of colour and lots of texture to meadow plantings (robust leaves are green most/all of the time not covered by snow, like many of its relatives); grows wild in wetlands, but in the garden will grow in pretty much any soil or moisture, including some quite dry spots; smallish yellow flowers, borne in much greater numbers in the garden, and for a longer time, than in the wild, attractive burr like seed heads-- but will self sow generously if you leave the seeds to fall-- deadhead carefully or naturalise in meadow settings where other strong growing plants will keep it in line.
Geum montanum / Mountain avens medicinal
seems to prefer some moisture and/or humus; European sub/alpine; Dark green evergreen leaves in tight clumps. Flowering from early spring (main flowering) through fall freeze (occasional all season). Flowers initially open at base, among the leaves, then stems elongate with flowers and later attractive seed plumes to 30cm or a little more.
Geum rivale /Water Avens / Purple Avens
edible/medicinal; Native; wetland/edge; common around here; I haven't grown it, but expect it to be fine in mesic garden conditions; distinctive drooping bell flowers, more sepal than petal, hint of orange, grows from sun to deep shade, but will be floppy in shade, would need to grow with other things to sprawl over. attractive fuzzy burr seed heads. Robust foliage looks good from early spring.
Halenia deflexa / Spurred Gentian / Green Gentian
an interesting and elegant rather than showy native annual; the flowers are a delicate violet tinged green, and open only slightly. Grows in moist/mesic sites, sometimes in open grassy areas, but more often woodland/edge.
Heterotheca villosa / Golden Aster (AB foothills, large form)
medicinal? Native; Mounds of greyish green leaves on spreading stems 30-40cm; Golden yellow flowers in abundance mid to late summer or even fall; drought tolerant.
Heterotheca villosa / Golden Aster (wild seed, B.C. interior; small upright form)
Very different than the Alberta form listed above, I've been told by a few people this tiny plant from B.C. is the same species; stems are erect, no more than 15-20cm tall. Not flashy, but the upright form can be a nice contrast to mat forming plants, or those with larger leaves. It is also late flowering, another potential advantage in the garden. The bed it is in is a bit tough so some day I will try in another spot see if it changes the form.
Hieracium intybaceum / False Chicory Hawkweed / Sulphur Hawkweed
European sub/alpine, I grow it in gravelly clay with a bit of humus, but I think it is probably pretty easygoing, and likely best (more compact) in fairly lean conditions. Spreading to decumbent stems 30-40cm, attractive narrow wavy slightly hairy medium grey green leaves, flowers an unusual pale yellow (compared to typical bright yellow of many hawkweeds)-- produced in large numbers, but I never seem to catch many open at once (Iit's occurred to me to wonder if there are more open in the morning-- I never see it then!). Short-lived plants, so leave some of the piles of seed produced to re-sow.. after having it for a number of years, it has not shown signs of getting out of control yet--seedlings are always around, but not huge numbers and not hard to yank extras. I think a lean gravelly meadow would be a good setting, or maybe a very exposed rocky spot to keep it tight. Not sure how it is for drought, mine is in a mesic berm.
Hieracium umbellatum / Parasol Hawkweed / Narrow-leaf Hawkweed / Northern Hawkweed edible? Native;
If your life has been ruined by yellow-flowered composite weeds, then keep moving ;) If you have a more open mind about native plants that fill interesting niches in the landscape, stick around! This widespread native of the Northern Hemisphere (variable and due for revision??) has bright yellow flowers typical of many plants in the Chicory Tribe of the Aster family, including a number of weedy cousins. This one has not proven bent on world domination around here, but you always need to watch any plant with flying seeds when grown away from natural habitat! It grows wild here in all sorts of sites from deep moist shade to mesic or dryish open spots. It will tend to be floppy in shade. Besides the flowers, which come from mid summer to frost, adding valuable late season colour, the narrow, slightly toothed leaves are quite nice , and turn interesting subtle shades in fall-- they are very attractive in wooded areas with late season shafts of sunlight hitting the flowers, then later the colourful/pale changing leaves. Many of the plants in my immediate area are in part/shade, but I think it has some interesting potential uses in meadow settings-- say mixed with several native asters to complement their blue/purple shades, maybe grasses or small shrubs for support... A couple have self sown into garden beds where they seem more robust and floriferous than in the wild, so more to explore... The tawny pappus ('fluff' on the seeds) is also attractive.
Hypochaeris maculata / Spotted Cat's Ear edible?
European of often exposed sites, sandy or poor soil; attractive bright yellow flowers like dandelions on steroids, long, strong leafless flower stems, low cluster of thick, somewhat hairy basal leaves with attractive dark spots.I think it is quite adaptable, in my garden in a couple of spots with average to rocky/gravel soil. mesic moisture, but it is likely fairly drought tolerant; a lean site probably helps keep it compact-- not too much other foliage adjacent would be good to show the leaves to advantage.
Inula rhizocephala / Stemless Inula
Asian, native to forests, meadows, thickets from SW Asia through India, China; Stemless, monocarpic/biennial (apparently some plants can be perennial, I have not seen that here) -- low to flat dense to open rosette, 30cm or so across, of slightly fuzzy medium green strap-like leaves; clusters of bright yellow flowers borne in the centre, second year/on maturity. Plants then set seed and die. Once you've had a plant mature in the garden, it should set seed and find its own spots, but of course you could sow seeds every year, or scatter them where you want them to be. For the rock garden or maybe an open spot in a woodland garden? I don't find it fussy about soil or exposure--plants are in mostly sun or shaded by taller plants; I don't have any in super wet or dry spots, but again, I imagine they are pretty adaptable. The only issue I've had is with some plants having some difficulty maturing seed if there is wet weather in fall.
Iris hookeri / I. setosa ssp canadensis / Beach-head Iris
From Nova Scotia wild seed originally; 30cm or so in my garden in mesic conditions; attractive clumps of narrow leaves, good colour in fall; med violet marked flowers, early to mid June, here.
Linnaea borealis / Twinflower very limited
Native; edible?/ medicinal; Iconic flower of the northern forests, from deep shade, moist to dryish through forest edge to more open sites in more northerly/wetter climates. (Many report better flowering with at least some sun; I find here they aren't fussy, but most things will have denser growth and flowering with more light, as long as they are not dry and scorched!). Plants here vary from barely pink to quite good pinks, or pale with darker areas. They often grow in very humusy soils, even directly on rotting wood etc, but again, they are not fussy here, and we have a good sized colony in a mowed area on rather dryish clayey soil with moderate humus, and part day sun. Very limited.
Maianthemum canadense / Canada Mayflower / Wild Lily-of-the-Valley
Native; an abundant and widespread plant here from open woods, edges of clearings (too much sun here and they look a bit scorched-- no doubt the cooler and moister the climate, the more sun they can take) to deep shade; they don't seem too fussy about soil or moisture, growing in dry soils under spruce, under grass and taller plants, semi/damp mixed woods, etc. Often with Cornus canadensis, Linnaea, Pyrola etc. Vigorously rhizomatous, you'd want to be cautious in a small garden or in beds with small delicate woodland plants. They are native all over the acreage and I have had no problems where they've popped up in or near beds. Emerging leaves in spring are very attractive, then flowers, ripening berries and fall colour.
Osmorhiza depauperata / Blunt-fruited Sweet Cicely / Blunt-fruited Sweet Root
Native; edible; An occasional here, from moist-mesic wooded areas, usually in medium to deep shade. Another with beautiful (ferm-like) foliage, inconspicuous flowers, and seed structures which are texturally interesting, also some interesting fall colour; I've never tried eating the root, since I like the plants too much! But it has gradually started moving into a few garden beds and areas adjacent, so maybe one day there will be enough to try! Well worth growing as an airy delicate presence in the woodland garden (quite likely it will also grow in meadows/woodland edge at least, but I have not seen that much yet...)
Oxyria digyna / Mountain Sorrel
edible; Unusual texture for the rock garden, or edge of the perennial vegetable planting.. low mounds of round/kidney shaped leaves, green with red highlights; typical sorrel tasting leaves. Flowers typical sorrel/dock in clusters of more or less erect narrow stems; roughly 30cm tall in flower in my garden, likely quite variable depending on conditions.
Oxytropis campestris / Field Locoweed
ex B.C. seed-- this has turned out to be good in the garden-- nice mass of bluish foliage, 20-30cm tall, flowering stems taller, creamy flowers, many flowering stems, attractive seed pods.
Packera paupercula / Senecio pauperculus / Northern Groundsel
Native; I *might* have collected separately from two forms, ask if interested: A) is the typical rather gracile form with fewer but good sized flowers, B) is likely taller, more branching and more numerous but smaller flowers. Grows naturally in moist spots, usually, but I don't think it would be that fussy in the garden. Sun to shade, but it will be floppy in full shade, as it is in the wild in a couple of spots in the yard.. 30-50cm?
Papaver alpinum / Alpine Poppy
An alpine, actually from the Alps! original material from big box garden centre; several shades-- white, yellow, a couple of oranges; short lived plants will self sow easily, but not overwhelmingly (weak rooted, easy to pull where unwanted, drifts are delightful among rocks or in meadow type plantings with other not too tall plants); 30cm-ish in flower/seed. Main flowering is in late spring, but they continue to flower all season.
Papaver 'Pacino' /Yellow Dwarf Poppy
there are various species attributed to this cultivar- could be miyabeanum; not sure what its real origin is, but it is a nice smallish -30cm or less- alpine type poppy, low mound of bluish foliage, nice sulphur yellow flowers, different shade than the yellows in the P. alpinum mix I have, and different leaves.
Papaver popovii / Siberian Poppy
orange flowers ( a Russian plant site shows photos of plants with yellow flowers, so, is this name correct?), hairy, mostly basal foliage; 30-45cm officially, can be small on really tough sites, with decent soil/moisture it will be easily at the upper range of that, or more, and robust plants will also have multiple growing points; numerous flowers over a long season which open early in the day, mostly finished by afternoon. Showy seed pods; of course there are seedlings, but not so many as I feared from the number of seed pods!
Parnassia palustris / Grass of Parnassus / Bog Star
Native; slender leafless flower stems, usually in clusters, rise 20-40cm from small roughly heart shaped basal leaves (when growing in grasses etc, the leaves are often next to invisible), with intricately veined white flowers. Here they flower from late summer into fall, with interesting seed capsules ripening from shiny green to near paprika, opening just at the top, and filled with powdery seed. Typically growing in wet meadows in sun to a fair bit of shade, but extending up road embankments, so I imagine they are adaptable to fairly ordinary garden conditions.
Pedicularis groenlandica / Elephant's Head
Native; medicinal; Attractive wetlandhemiparasite (grows/best with roots drawing nutrition from other plants) , ferny foliage, mostly basal, purple/pink flowers in spikes, 30-40cm or more, green to purple foliage depending on whether it has a good host. Wet meadows to partly shady spots.
Penstemon procerus / Slender Penstemon / Littleflower Beardtongue
Native; tea? my plants originally from Gardens North Seed, Red Deer River Valley provenance. Multiple rather weak, ascending stems with numerous small blue-violet flowers in terminal clusters. In tough sites, plants may be very small 10-20cm or less, 30-40cm is probably average; more moisture/nutrients can give much larger plants; self seeds fairly generously, unwanted plants not super hard to remove, but best to keep it away from small delicate/hard to weed plants! Very drought tolerant, at least in my not very hot summers!
Polemonium pulcherrimum / Showy Jacob's Ladder
ex B.C. Pale blue/lavender flowers and small leaves on plants 30cm, spreading ascending stems. I think they are probably pretty adaptable to soil, moisture and exposure, like anything will be denser and more compact in leaner spots. Flowers are small and delicate, with more flowering stems over several years.
Potentilla gracilis / Slender Cinquefoil / Graceful Cinquefoil
Native; lots of smallish bright yellow flowers in early summer (earlier flowering, more delicate plants than pulcherrima) held on spreading slender stems 30-50cm tall. mostly basal leaves, clump forming; mesic to dryish, good in tough soils, these seeds are from plants in a semi wild area between my outer driveway and the entrance to the neighbour's field-- so occasionally driven on or cattle trodden, hard clayey soil! I moved some pieces to the garden a few years ago, in case they'd be lost to road work, but both groups of plants have continued to thrive, the garden plants in clayey soil with a bit of humus and gravel added, drought tolerant.
Potentilla nitida / Bright Cinquefoil/ Dolomite Cinquefoil
Classic European alpine from limestone areas, mainly, but has been very happy in my rock garden in gravelly clay, not much humus (though I'm sure it is making its own!); low dense mat(under 10cm) of beautiful silver to white (from fine hairs) leaves; can grow relatively quickly, if happy so do not plant near small things that may be overwhelmed (I've had to move some Sempervivums in one bed, in another they have not done well); Pale pink /white with pink flowers; My plants were from wild seed, and variable in silveriness, flatness, number of flowers etc-- so it is worth growing a few seedlings at least.
Potentilla pulcherrima? / Beautiful Cinquefoil / Soft Cinquefoil
Native; original seed from Gardens North as P hippiana-- which it is not, wrong leaflet arrangement; after that is a little less clear-- it has a roughly similar form to P gracilis listed above, of which pulcherrima is sometimes considered a sub-species; it is also known to hybridise with other species such as hippiana; in any case, these plants are appropriately more robust than gracilis-- dense clumps of mostly basal leaves, med-dark green with hairy white back, palmate at base, stem leaves slightly pinnate; many 40 to 60 cm tall flowering stems, quite strongly erect (unlike much of what I see under this name on the internet....) plenty of the usual modest sized bright yellow flowers in mid-summer.
Potentilla pulvinaris / Couch Cinquefoil / Hairy Cinquefoil
Turkish species; low dense clusters of dark green leaves heavily coated with silvery hairs; First flowers appear near the leaves in spring, then flower stems elongate to 30cm or so. I have it in a couple of rock garden spots, clayey soil with a bit of humus and gravel.. doesn't seem particular, in one extra lean spot, the plants are noticeably smaller. Attractive subtle fall colour.
Potentilla valderia / Valdieri's Potentilla
This rather uncommon species from alpine France and Italy is underwhelming in flower, but well worth growing for the fuzzy white leaves (variable from seed, I have some that are greener) that are always nice in a lowish mound, to 15-20cm or so; flowering stems somewhat decumbent or weak, ascending, 30-40cm +/- Native bees seem unbothered by the inconspicuous flowers, and visit them enthusiastically.
Prenanthes purpurea / Purple Lettuce / Rattlesnake Root
(medicinal? edible? lettuce cousin; some plants in the genus are used as greens, I haven't tested it); 40-60cm? likely more in a more encouraging spot; open woodland/edge plant-- shows some inclination to scorch? although the bed it is in can be fairly dry, in part day sun it is fine, it seems to me it may not be fond of full sun, or it may be a water issue; rhizomatous-- apparently can spread too well in some (milder? wetter?) places-- here it has very gently been forming a nice little patch over a number of years; subtle plant with medium green leaves, pretty but tiny dangling deep pink flowers, with upturned petals; interesting fall colour in the gold/brown/black shades.
Prunus tomentosa / Nanking Cherry
from garden plants, presumably cultivars; I notice no clear difference in the seed grown plants, but their could be minor differences in the fruit; small, textured, ribbed and velvety leaves, almost pink flowers, loads of delicious tart fruit. Small tree/bush, can be pruned heavily (the moose do it here, over winter) for compact shape. Plus: fruits do not detach as easily this year I saw crows on the bush for the first time!), giving more of a chance to harvest.
Pulsatilla patens / Anemone patens / Prairie Pasqueflower (don't call it Crocus ;) )
Native; Lots of common names, and debate about placement in Anemone or Pulsatilla, etc; Early spring sees the exquisite golden hair covered buds emerge first, opening to lovely lavender blooms, near white inside with darker outsides; finely dissected leaves emerge later.
Pulsatilla vulgaris etc- mixed/ Pasqueflower
Indispensable in the spring garden-- fuzzy leaves and buds emerge early and develop together; from plants growing from garden seed-- Pulsatillas are notorious hybridisers; variations in size, leaf shape and flower colour and shape from blue-lavender through violet and red-violet. early flowers, substantial mounds of divided leaves later on the larger plants.
Saponaria lutea / Yellow Alpine Soapwort
European sub/alpine of rocky/grassy places; happy so far in my rock garden in fairly average conditions; low spreading plant, bright green leaves, loose clusters of pale yellow flowers; not flashy but a nice textural plant with subtle colour.
Scabiosa ex S japonica Ritz Blue/Pink
edible; Bought as the cultivar Ritz Blue, but there may have been two seedlings together-- one blue, one pink...; about 20-30cm tall in flower, compact, deep green, mostly basal foliage; long flowering season, many heads. Beginning to seed nearby, haven't yet seen what colour the seedlings flower. So far, I have it growing in gravelly clay, bit of humus, a spot that probably doesn't get very dry, but have not tried it elsewhere. I've read it can take some shade.
Solidago sp small (smaller multiradiata or simplex? AB Rocky Mtns)
My original collection was at a fairly high altitude, but early in my newer garden building (2008?) and I did not keep proper records! This one has stayed very small in the garden, 10-15cm tall with a fewerect linear flower stems. It is in a very gravelly spot, shallow soil, so I don't know if it will grow larger in better soil, though recent slight reworking of the area did not change it.
Solidago multiradiata / Mountain Goldenrod / Northern Goldenrod / Alpine Goldenrod
Native; edible/medicinal/dye? (ex AB foothills and higher)
Medium size goldenrod-- 40cm or so tall in the garden; showy; linear leaves, stems green or reddish; from a couple of wild sources in the foothills and higher, these tended to be few stemmed, modest plants in habitat, and are generally taller and more robust in the garden, especially in richer/looser soil, making good sized clumps of many stems. Like any composite, they can spread by seed, not problematically so far, though I collect most of the seed; I have not noticed them spreading rhizomatously beyond the clump, I see no sign after several years of them trying to take over. For a smaller, tougher plant, try for very lean rocky soil and/or hard clay. Much loved by pollinators, esp small brown butterflies here.
Symphyotrichum boreale / Aster borealis /Northern Bog Aster / Rush Aster
Native; a sweet delicate species, slender stems, narrow leaves, white to slightly lavender flowers; grows in open to partly wooded grassy wetland areas here; late summer/fall flowering and often good fall colour. I haven't tried it in the garden yet, but I expect it to be adaptable to fairly ordinary conditions, as the moisture in its habitat is quite variable. Single to few stemmed in habitat, likely to be fuller in the garden.
Symphyotrichum ciliolatum / Aster ciliolatus / Fringed Aster / Lindley's Aster
Native; (local, wild, in and out of garden beds)
Our most versatile aster, growing and flowering from full sun to deep shade, moist to dry; Like most things, densest growth and flowering will be in good light, but it flowers well even among large trees here. Some slight variation in colour, but tending to bluey-lavender, smallish/medium flowers generally in large numbers. As a species (not individual plants) has a long flowering season from mid-summer beyond deep frost. Slightly rhizomatous, but places where I've left them in garden beds, they haven't shown much tendency to spread. They are also in many mowed areas here, will flower when cut quite low, and have good fall colour from gold to deep reds.
Taraxacum pseudoroseum / Pink Dandelion
edible/medicinal
Pale pink outer ray flowers (they are not petals ;) ) yellow centres; foliage more or less like common dandelions, small if kept starved, they can get to nearly a couple of feet tall in flower in good conditions; Transplant carefully- I've had no problem with seedlings, but moving adult plants is not so easy as for the weeds!
Taraxacum rubifolium / Taraxacum faeroense / Red Leaf Dandelion / Faeroe Islands Dandelion
edible/medicinal; from boggy places (wet, rocky?) in the North Atlantic region (British and Faeroe Islands); a beautiful small dandelion (regardless of soil, I have not seen this get larger as many other spp will do) with dark green to red-black leaves(varying a bit through the year and with sun exposure), red flower stem, deep yellow flowers; seems to prefer regular moisture-- mine are at the base of rock beds, where they cosy into the clay among the rocks and never dry out; they probably would be fine with average moisture as long as the taproot can reach down. Full sun in cool places-- they don't mind some shade, but will have better colour in more light; hot summer places might need some shade, or at least rocks to cool the roots..
Townsendia leptotes / Slender Townsend Daisy
low growing perennial, tiny greyish green leaves, stemless daisy flowers, slightly pinkish white; small rosettes gradually spreading into a nice patch-- by seed, and maybe root? but gently and locally only. Shots of this in full flower get some of the biggest wows of any of my garden photos. For rock gardens or troughs.
Tulipa dasystemon / Tulipa neustreuvae earliest yellow
Haven't been able to pin a definitive name on this one from commercial bulbs (I know nothing about Tulipa, but have asked advice from those who do-- the problem with some of these plants that have been in cultivation a long time is that they may be long separated from any knowledge of where the original plants came from, and could have formed garden hybrids along the way; the names used in the trade are often incorrectly applied or totally invalid); could be what is called dasystemon (in horticulture) or a hybrid of neustreuvae, or something else! In any case, a favourite, as it is very early, around the same time as Crocus here, and well ahead of tarda (hort); flowers are solid yellow, with dark markings on the outside, smaller than tarda (hort) with longer stems, which elongate more in seed.
Tulipa tarda (hort) / Tulipa urumiensis
what typically is called tarda in gardens (likely wrong name in general use, the truth is not clear); early small tulip, yellow with white tips and violet on outside of flowers; flowers are larger than the above, and short stemmed; red border on leaves. Can spread by seed to form a nice patch-- maybe too much in some climates, not here.
Tulipa turkestanica / Turkestan Tulip
This botanical tulip *may* have a less controversial name than the others. White flowers with yellow in the centre, multiple flowers per stem-- this one has been getting better each year.
Xanthisma coloradoense /Aster coloradoensis / Colorado Tansyaster
very limited
Small plant with reclining stems, light/medium pink flowers; My plant is young, so I can't comment on ultimate form (I'm assuming it will form a loose mat; my understanding is that this is a leafier/longer stemmed variant of the species), but it is a nice colour to have in the garden with most of the fleabanes and asters I have being either white or lavender/blue
Zigadenus elegans / Anticlea elegans / Mountain Death Camas
Grdn ex B.C.? many years ago-- very limited
attractive clusters of glaucous leaves increase over time, as do the number of flowering stems, 40-60 cm in flower, fairly dense (compared to some other species) spikes of creamy flowers with green centre markings. Effect is like a small yucca; Moist-mesic in the wild here, but I think they are not too particular about moisture.
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