LHAP 304 - Sunny 1

1. LHAP 304 - Sunny

• Taller and more Organic Soils

Presentation by E. Kawahara in conjunction with W. Daley and D. Morton

2. The ASTERACEAE Family

Review

What types of plants are in this family?

What are their flower structures?

Which plants do we know from this family?

3. Echinacea purpurea - Echinacea/Coneflower

Origin: Eastern North America (Canadian Native) Hardiness Zone: 3

Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Conditions: Well drained or dry soil.

Significant Features...

4. Echinacea purpurea - Echinacea/Coneflower

5. Echinacea purpurea - Echinacea/Coneflower

• Identifying Features

FOLIAGE

Texture - mid texture, bristley on stems as well as upper leaves, coarse textured veins below.

• Colour - dark green

Other - 2 types: upper and lower. Species stems have purple notes.

6. Echinacea purpurea - Echinacea/Coneflower

FORM

Height and Spread - 50 - 75 cm x 30 - 60 cm

Root Type - Fibrous Shape - Oval

7. Echinacea purpurea - Echinacea/Coneflower

• Identifying Features

Flower

• Type - Head

Colour - pink and white, beware of other cultivar colours (hardiness) One green/purple (Green Twister) is good

Season of Bloom - Late summer to Fall.

8. Echinacea purpurea - Echinacea/Coneflower

Landscape Use

Mid - Back of bed Naturalized / native plantings

Fresh cut or dried flowers Attracts pollinators English Cottage, Medicinal, Sensory

Maintenance Considerations

• Possibly leave standing for Winter Interest

9. Green Twister Echinacea back right…

10. While we’re on the ASTERACEAE family, let’s do one more

While we’re on the ASTERACEAE family, let’s do one more...

11. Leucanthemum x superbum

• Shasta Daisy

Origin: HYBRID Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Conditions: Well drained, moist, fertile soil

Significant Features...

12. Leucanthemum x superbum

• Shasta Daisy

13. Compared to some common weeds:

• Scentless Chamomile
• Tripleurospermum inodorum

“Flat top, no smell” Oxeye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare

Oxeye daisy is not native to Alberta and hybridizes with Shasta daisy readily.

• Pineapple weed
• Matricaria discoidea

“Disc top, smells” Flat top prior to ligulate floret formation

14. Leucanthemum x superbum - Shasta Daisy

FOLIAGE

Texture - Smooth margin to Coarsely toothed, foliage glossy

• Colour - Green

Other - large masses of basal foliage with petiolate base leaves and sessile uppers.

15. Leucanthemum x superbum - Shasta Daisy

Flower

Type - Radiate Head / Capitulum Colour - White

Season of Bloom - Early to mid summer - a “cross over plant” (like Periwinkle). Usually finishing around end of July.

16. Leucanthemum x superbum - Shasta Daisy

FORM

Height and Spread - 30 - 75 cm x 30 - 60 cm

Root Type - Fibrous Shape - Mounding

17. Compare form with the Oxeye daisy:

Upper left photo, 2024 unmown lawn in Olds.

Right Photos, 2019 - oxe-eye in mountain meadow

18. Leucanthemum x superbum - Shasta Daisy

Landscape Use

Mass planting, or specimen Classic in English Cottage or “Meadow” gardens

Must NOT be planted near any areas that may allow for hybridization / naturalization

19. Leucanthemum x superbum -

• Shasta Daisy

Maintenance Considerations

May need to remove woody centre every few years Can pinch to keep compact if desired

Best not to allow it to go to seed

20. Note flower time - mid to late season

Note flower time - mid to late season: Poppies are done, Salvia has been going for a long time, Asters are in full bloom…

21. … and another ASTERACEAE…

22. Eutrochium species - Joe Pye Weed

Origin: E. Maculatum Native in parts of Canada and the US

Hardiness Zone: 3 Exposure: Full Sun/Part Shade Soil Conditions: Well drained, not wet soils

23. Eutrochium species - Joe Pye Weed

FOLIAGE

Texture - Medium textured, lanceolate, attached in whorls of 3-5

Hairy upper leaf, coarse textured veins beneath.

Colour - Mid toned Green FORM

Height and Spread - 1m x 0.8 m dwarf species available.

Growth Habit - Clumping Shape - Oval

24. Joe Pye Weed growing in part shade - distinctly fewer flowers than...

Joe Pye Weed growing in part shade - distinctly fewer flowers than if it was in the sun.

Note size against the Ligularia beside it.

Photo taken Late September 2019.

25. South facing application - Full sun for most of the day

South facing application - Full sun for most of the day. Photo taken in October 2020 (note the fall colour of deciduous behind it and powdery mildew on roses)

26. Eutrochium species - Joe Pye Weed

Flower

Type - Tube florets - officially described as “Corymbose” in Flora of Alberta

Colour - Pink Season of Bloom - Mid summer - frost

Other - attracts butterflies. Fruit is achene with pappus

27. Eutrochium species - Joe Pye Weed

Landscape Use

All parts Poisonous (or is it “medicinal?”) Mass Planting

• Cut Flower

Back of Bed/Vertical interest (Leave for winter interest)

• Butterfly garden
• Mask white vinyl fences with it…

28. Eutrochium species - Joe Pye Weed

Maintenance Considerations

May collapse/lean over Leaf Scorch in dry soils Powdery mildew in shade (like everything)

29. DIPSACACEAE

• Family

30. Family

• Characteristics

Flowerhead has many florets Fruit Achene 12 genera worldwide

Class - Magnoliopsida - includes Asterales and Dipsacales

31. Scabiosa columbaria - Scabiosa / Pincushion

Origin: Mediterranean, Eurasia, East Africa Hardiness Zone: 3

Exposure: Full sun

Soil Conditions: Moist, well drained soil - ok in non irrigated beds

32. Scabiosa columbaria - Scabiosa / Pincushion

FOLIAGE

Texture - Narrow, basal rosette with leafy stem - opposite attachment

Colour - mid-light green Other - Dense cluster at base.

FORM

Height and Spread - Foliage, 30 cm, flowers much taller x 30 cm

Growth Habit - Clumping Shape - round with airy flowers.

33. Scabiosa columbaria - Scabiosa / Pincushion

Flower

Type - Capitulum!

Colour - typically blue, sometimes pink or white

Season of Bloom - Summer - Freeze (crossover plant)

Other - Note the developing blooms - profuse and potentially not attractive.

34. Scabiosa columbaria - Scabiosa / Pincushion

Landscape Use

Butterfly & Bee Gardens Medicinal?

• Cottage Garden
• Cut flowers
• Rock Garden

35. A partial shade location - what do you recognize around it?

36. Scabiosa columbaria - Scabiosa / Pincushion

Maintenance Considerations

Can look a bit messy/unkempt (not good for formal gardens)

• Important to ID finished flowers correctly

37. “The Blues”

38. PLANTAGINACEAE

• Family

39. Family

• Characteristics
• Flowers spikes
• Fruit sticky
• Basal foliage

40. Veronica spicata - Veronica/Speedwell

Origin: Northern Europe and Asia Hardiness Zone: 2

Exposure: BEST in Full Sun Soil Conditions: Widely adapted - prefers organic soils.

41. Veronica spicata - Veronica/Speedwell

FOLIAGE

Texture - Mid - Fine Textured plant, margin serrate

• Opposite attachment

Colour - Green FORM

Height and Spread - 1m (when in flower) x .75m Growth Habit - Clumping/slowly spreading

42. Veronica spicata - Veronica/Speedwell

Flower

Type - spike. 5 fused petals. Stamens longer.

Colour - Purple/Blue, pink, white Season of Bloom - Summer or Late Summer

43. Veronica spicata - Veronica/Speedwell

Landscape Use

• Vertical accent

Attracts butterflies and bees Winter Interest Cottage style gardens

44. Veronica spicata - Veronica/Speedwell

Maintenance Considerations

Cut back in mid summer to promote second flush of growth (if it collapses - newer cultivars may be better).

45. LAMIACEAE

• Family

In Review

Primary Characteristics?

Other Plants in this family?

46. Salvia sylvestris - Salvia/Woodland Sage

Origin: Central Europe/West Asia Hardiness Zone: 3

Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Conditions: Widely adapted (drought tolerant)

47. Salvia sylvestris - Salvia/Woodland Sage

FOLIAGE

Texture - medium texture, rugose (visually and tactile), margins lightly serrate (almost scalloped)

• Colour - Mid - dark Green

Other - Leaves aromatic when crushed (LAMIACEAE) - described as earthy, perhaps bitter

48. Salvia sylvestris - Salvia/Woodland Sage

FORM

Height and Spread - Mid Height (25-60 cm x 30-45 cm by cultivar)

Growth habit - Fast clumping spread when in good growing conditions.

Shape - Round to Oval.

49. Salvia sylvestris - Salvia/Woodland Sage

Flower

Type - Spike-like raceme, flowers in whorls with short internodes.

Colour - Blue or Pink Season of Bloom - Summer: re-blooms with shearing.

50. Salvia sylvestris - Salvia/Woodland Sage

Landscape Use

Attracts Bees, Butterflies/Hummingbirds Rabbit and Deer resistant

• Salt tolerant

Dry & Cut Flowers Medicinal? Or Toxic… Mediterranean style (“Xeriscape”) garden

• Sensory (smell only - leaves)

51. Salvia sylvestris - Salvia/Woodland Sage

Maintenance Considerations

Low Maintenance!

Shear when finished flowering to promote rebloom

• Powdery Mildew in Fall

52. Same time of year, same planting area (Wetlands Gazebo hill, July 2021)

Salvia and Speedwell together July 31 2025- Calgary

53. Another from the LAMIACEAE Family

54. Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Sage

Origin: Central Asia - High Elevation Hardiness Zone: 3-5

Exposure: Full Sun

Soil Conditions: Tolerates dry sites, pollution, and clayey soils

55. Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Sage

FOLIAGE

Texture - Opposite attachment, deeply incised/feathery. Appears soft (good contrast)

• Colour - Grey/Green

Other - Leaves aromatic when crushed (LAMIACEAE) - a minty but earthy scent

56. Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Sage

FORM

Height and Spread - 1.25 m x .75 m (Z3) Growth Habit - slowly spreading

• Shape - Messy Upright oval

57. Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Sage

Flower

Type - Connate; arranged in whorls. Sepals covered in soft hairs. Style longer than petals (long tongue!)

Note the long internodal spaces between whorls.

Colour - Blue Season of Bloom - Late Summer/Fall

58. Perovskia atriplicifolia - Russian Sage

Landscape Use

• Hummingbirds/butterflies Deer resistant Cut/Dried flowers

Sensory (aromatic leaves - not touch, hairs rub off)

Drought and Salt tolerant - Mediterranean planting

Winter Interest (leave standing) Maintenance Considerations

Low maintenance plant, well adapted to sites where it will be neglected.

59. LAMIACEAE FAMILY

60. Nepeta racemosa - Catmint

Origin: Dry areas - mediterranean Hardiness Zone: 2

Exposure: Full Sun

Soil Conditions: Widely adapted - tolerates dry soils. Must be well drained.

61. Nepeta racemosa - Catmint

FOLIAGE

Texture - Simple, opposite, scalloped margins 1-2 cm

Colour - Green. Tomentose hairs give leaves greyish hue.

Other - aromatic leaves attracts cats FORM

Height and Spread - 30-75 cm x 30-90 cm

Growth Habit - Loosely clumping Shape - Loosely round

62. Nepeta racemosa - Catmint

Flower

Type - Raceme. Flowers connate, small and irregular (2 lipped LAMIACEAE flower)

• Colour - Purple

Season of Bloom - Early Summer to Early Fall (Crossover plant)

• Other - Bees love it

63. Nepeta racemosa - Catmint

Landscape Use

• Textural accent

Pollinator garden - Bees Sensory Garden - smell

64. Nepeta racemosa - Catmint

Maintenance Considerations

Considered low maintenance plant in areas with good drainage.

May shear to promote second flush of growth

May be mauled by local cats. Broken stems will need to be pruned out individually

65. Talk about putting the “cat” in Catmint…

66. The PAEONIACEAE Family

Characteristics Include

Compound, deeply lobed leaves Large, often fragrant flowers

• Flowers white, yellow, pink, or red

67. Paeonia - Peony

Origin: Tibet to China Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Full Sun (better) to part shade

Soil Conditions: Well Drained, Organic soil preferred

Significant Features...

68. Paeonia - Peony

Note: Dicentra eximia in front (size comparison)

69. Paeonia - Peony

FOLIAGE

Texture - Medium texture, alternate attachment, compound, deeply incised leaves. Fernleaf is extremely fine textured/slender leaflets.

Colour - emerges purple pips and purple stems. Green in summer.

Other - Can have good Fall colour

70. Paeonia - Peony

Flower

• Type - Solitary

Colour - Fuchsia (original colour) White, Pink, Yellow, and blends of these. Fernleaf is true red.

Season of Bloom - Early summer - mix species to get a longer bloom time

Other - Can be single, semi double or double

71. Paeonia - Peony

FORM

Height and Spread - 1m x 1m Root Type - Fleshy tuber root

Shape - Rounded - heavy heads cause the plant to sprawl a bit.

72. New growth with purple stems (begins with purple pips). Purple fall colour showing

73. Paeonia - Peony

Landscape Use

Mid - Back Specimen Fall colour Cut or dried flowers

• Fragrance

Seed heads / ornamental supports = winter interest

• Cottage Gardens

Large sites - large flowers = focal point

74. Paeonia - Peony

Maintenance Considerations

• Peony Rings
• Deadhead spent flowers

(not just a one time visit) Ants Botrytis

75. The PAPAVERACEAE Family

Order: Ranunculales Subfamilies: Poppies and Fumatories

(subfamilies are further divided into tribes) Plants with laticifers - yielding a milky juice

Alternate leaves, usually deeply incised MANY stamens in 2 whorls

Fruit is a capsule (1 chamber many seeds)

76. Papaver species - Poppies

Origin: Montane ecosystems Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Full sun/part shade

Soil Conditions: Prefers moist/well drained soils. Drought tolerant once established.

77. Papaver species - Poppies

Flora of Alberta how they’re the same:

• Herbs with Milky juice

Pinnately dissected leaves Flower buds nodding Flowers large, solitary, perfect.

Sepals 2, Petals 4 (normally) Stamens many, Stigmas united in flat radiate crown

Fruit = many seeded capsule opening by small pores near margin of stigmatic disc.

78. Papaver species - Poppies

79. Papaver species - Poppy

Flora of Alberta Key - how they are different:

Cauline Leaves Present or Absent Capsules glabrous or hispid (rigid, bristly hairs)

Plant height, flower size Flowers red; yellow - orange or pink

Leaves glabrous, setose (bristles) - hispid; or densely hirsute (coarse, spreading hairs)

All bloom in late spring/Early Summer - some may rebloom, or bloom later because the seeds come up that season.

80. P. orientale - Oriental Poppies

Differences

Large Flower/Tall plant (50 cm x 50 cm) Black accent on petals

Colour orange, red, pink Very hairy - bristle like on leaves, stems, buds

Mature leaves deeply incised and serrate Leaves can go dormant after blooming

81. Before blooming, in spring…

82. P. nudicaule -

• Icelandic Poppies

How they’re different:

Shorter - 30 cm x 30 cm

Colours variable orange, yellow, salmon, gold, coral, white

Foliage more smooth to touch Typically yellow center

83. Papaver species - Poppies

Landscape Use

• Winter interest
• Dried flowers
• Drought tolerant
• Alpine Gardens
• Cottage gardens (Oriental)

84. Naturalistic, montane application (July 2024) - these poppies will not germinate or...

Naturalistic, montane application (July 2024) - these poppies will not germinate or spread in wood mulch!

85. Papaver species - Poppies

Maintenance Considerations

May cut back to prevent spreading, or to control size.

Poppy seeds spread! (especially T nudicaule et al)

• Tap rooted - tough to transplant

86. The RANUNCULACEAE

(Buttercup) Family POISON!!!

• Plant contains poisonous or toxic compounds

87. Showy flowers, medium to large in size to attract pollinators

• Many stamens

Petals may evolve into spurred nectaries Petals may evolve into hoods

• No Hypanthium

Often leaves are lobed or highly incised / fine(er) texture

88. Trollius x cultorum - Globeflower (noted by cultivar)

Origin: Hybrid Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Conditions: Prefers moist but well drained; drought tolerant when established. Tolerates wet, heavy clay.

89. Trollius x cultorum - Globeflower (noted by cultivar)

FOLIAGE

Texture - Palmate, deeply incised, serrate Colour - Medium green

Other - Basal leaves petiolate, stem leaves sessile

FORM

Height and Spread - .5 m x .5 m Growth habit - Clumping

• Shape - Round

90. Note season of bloom on this species is earlier than T

Note season of bloom on this species is earlier than T. chinensis - grasses are all very small still - this is flowering in early summer.

91. Trollius x cultorum - Globeflower (noted by cultivar)

Flower

Type - Double petals, solitary on long stem. 5 petal like sepals. 2.5 cm diameter

Colour - Yellow or Orange (cv specific) Season of Bloom - Early Summer

Other - Very bright - especially in shade

92. Trollius x cultorum - Globeflower (noted by cultivar)

Landscape Use

Shade site - bright colour - good mixer (adapts to many exposures)

• Cut flower

Deer and rabbit browse resistant Textural contrast

• Rock gardens/Cottage style

93. Trollius x cultorum - Globeflower (noted by cultivar)

Maintenance Considerations

Roots thick and fibrous - does not need frequent division

May not bloom the year it is divided Tough to grow from seed (hybrid)

94. Trollius chinensis - Globeflower

Origin: Europe to Asia Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Conditions: Prefers moist but well drained; drought tolerant when established. Tolerates wet, heavy clay.

95. Trollius chinensis - Globeflower

FOLIAGE

Texture - Palmate, deeply incised, serrate Colour - Medium green

Other - Basal leaves petiolate, stem leaves sessile

FORM

Height and Spread - 1.25m x .5m Growth habit - Clumping (polite, doesn’t spread)

• Shape - Oval

96. Trollius chinensis - Globeflower

Flower

Type - Single, solitary on long stem. 2.5 cm diameter - more open blossom with upright, fringe like petals.

Colour - Orange Season of Bloom - Summer (later than T. cultorum)

Other - Very bright - especially in shade

97. Trollius chinensis - Globeflower

Landscape Use: (same as T x cultorum)

Shade site - bright colour - good mixer (adapts to many exposures)

• Cut flower

Deer and rabbit browse resistant Textural contrast

• Rock gardens/Cottage style

98. Trollius chinensis - Globeflower

Maintenance Considerations

Roots thick and fibrous - does not need frequent division

May not bloom the year it is divided