LHAP 104 Grasslands/ Parklands Woody (30) ADOXACEAE Viburnum opulus HIghbush Cranberry BETULACEAE Betula papyrifera Paper Birch Betula pendula  Weeping Birch Betula occidentalis River Birch CAPRIFOLIACEAESymphoricarpos species Snowberry CORNACEAECornus sericea Dogwood CUPRESSACEAEJuniperus horizontalis  Creeping Juniper ELAEAGNACEAEElaeagnus commutata Wolfwillow Shepherdia argentea Silver Buffaloberry Shepherdia canadensis Canada Buffaloberry Elaeagnus angustifolia Russian Olive Hippophae rhamnoidesSea Buckthorn PINACEAEPicea glauca White Spruce Picea pungens Colorado Blue Spruce Picea abies NorwaySpruce Picea abies nidiformis,Bird’s Nest Spruce ROSACEAEAmelanchier alnifolia  Saskatoon berry Dasiphora fruticosa Potentilla Rosa acicularis Prickly Rose Rosa rugosa cvs. Roses Prunus virginiana melanocarpa,’Schubert’, Chokecherry Prunus maackiiAmur Cherry Prunus padus commutata Mayday Spiraea arguta Garland Spirea Spiraea japonica Japanese Spirea Spiraea trilobataThree Lobed Spirea Spiraea vanhouttei  Bridal Wreath Spirea SALICACEAE Populus tremuloides Trembling Aspen Populus tremula erecta Swedish Columnar Aspen P. x canescens, ‘Tower’ Tower Poplar Populus balsamifera, Balsam Poplar Populus x ‘Northwest’ Northwest Poplar Herbaceous (13) ASPARAGACEAEConvallaria majalis Lily of the Valley Polygonatum species Solomon’s Seal ASTERACEAE Achillea millefolium Achillea Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound’ Artemisia (Sage) ASTERACEAE Gaillardia grandiflora Blanket Flower Heliopsis scabra Golden Sunflower Liatris spicata Liatris Rudbeckia hirtaRudbeckia Symphyotrichum species Aster FABACEAE Lupinus hybrids Lupins GERANIACEAE Geranium species  Perennial Geranium PLANTAGINACEAE Penstemon species Penstemon RANUNCULACEAE Anemone pulsatilla Pasqueflower Anemone sylvestris Windflower *Memorize Family name, you will be given a catalogue of the species* Properties that group families: structure, chemical composition, physiology, ecology, genetics, evolution, and geographical distribution. Taxonomic hierarchy: Kingdom: plants/ animals Division (plants)/phylum: phyta: vascular/non-vascular Subdivision: gymnosperm/angiosperm Class: opsida: monocots/dicots Order: ales: Family: aceae: Genus: plants that are closely related in families containing more than one species Specific epithet: distinct essential features that are useful in identification Genus + Species = Species Variety: group of plants subordinate to a species, can reproduce in the wild, and display marked differences Written the same as a specific epithet (underlined or italicized) Always comes after it Can have “var.” before it Cultivar: clearly distinguished by specific characteristics, produced in cultivation by selective breeding Generally propagated asexually or by seed through repetitive crossing SINGLE ‘quotation’ marks, or insertion of cv. In the form of a name Cultivars are not underlined The first letter of each word in the cultivar is capitalized Hybrid: sexual crossing of two-parent species (usually from the same genus) It may be written like a species name but with an “X” between the genus and specific epithet Clone: group of plants originating from a single individual and therefore genetically identical Common name: often varies from region to region Genus/ specific epithet: *Genus always has the first letter capitalized* *and underlined (handwritten)OR written in italics(typed)* *specific epithet ALL letters are in lowercase* *ALWAYS underlined OR italicized (same as genus) Authority: name of the person that first published that plant After the specific epithet: Last name and period Plant use in the landscape: Characteristics: Shape (height, width, texture), blooms (fruit), leaf colour (fall colour), bark colour Heights: Trees: Large: lamp post 9m Medium: proportional to a bungalow Small: large shrub Shrubs: Large: small tree Small: under 1m Excurrent: Decurrent: Columnar: Pyramidal: Round: Oval: Spreading: Weeping: Vase shaped: Shrubs: Environmental conditions: Look at the natural environment Hardiness zone Light requirements Soil conditions Alberta’s Ecosystems: Grasslands: 4 subregions: Occupies approximately 14% of Alberta Flat to gently rolling plains, a few major hill systems Low precipitation (semi-arid) summers hot, winters freezing cold, warmest driest region in Alberta, longest growing season Mostly grasses, small trees and shrubs, perennials and annuals Grassland history: Underlain with sedimentary bedrock Landforms include lake beds, morainal hills, sand dunes, river valleys, and meltwater channels Soils developed Climate: Low precipitation, hot summers, winters freezing cold among Most productive and diverse of earths ecosystems Vegetation: Adapted to survive cold winters and summer deficits. Grasses are deep rooted, growing points close to ground surface, narrow leaves, small wind pollinated flowers, tough stems and leaves; all to survive the conditions Grassland vegetation: lichens, mosses and broad leafed plants Adapted with deep taproots or storage roots, and leaf adaptations (hairs, thick epidermis, narrow or compound leaves to reduce surface, toxic substances Taller trees and shrubs (low to mid sized: adaptations are hairs on leaves and compound leaves) ex prickly rose, wolf willow, potentilla), mostly willow and poplar found in depressions where there is sufficient moisture Parkland: Cover approximately 10% of the province - the most densely populated Transition between grassland and forest Moister climate than grassland, rich black soil, rolling terrain, and abundant wetlands Combination of grassland, aspen forests and wetlands provides a rich diversity of trees, shrubs and perennial plants. Vegetation: Trembling aspen on upland sites Shrubs: saskatoon, chokecherry, prickly rose, snowberry Perennials: prairie crocus, bunchberry, purple peavine Balsam poplar on moister sites, pussywillow, lungwort Adoxaceae: Viburnum opulus var. americanum American Highbush Cranberry Adoxaceae: elderberry/cranberry family Leaves; opposite, simple or compoundserrate of entire, some deeply lobed Flowers in cymose clusters (disc shaped to round) or panicles, actino morphic Fruit: drupe fleshy, red to purple/black NATIVE TO ALBERTA, in the parklands, zone 2 Full sun to full shade - moist well-drained soil Large shrub - medium to coarse textures Leaves: 3-5 lobes, serrate to entire, approx 6 cm long and wide, deeply indented veins, rounded base, emerge reddish in spring, red fall colour. Stems; smooth, reddish brown to grey with age Buds: pointed, pressed to stem, winter buds - red Flowers: large white sterile flowers on the outside of a disc shaped corymb, scented Fruit: drupe, red, edible, birds will eat fruit Landscape value: red fall colour, specimen, informal hedge, mass plantings, attracts birds Betaluaceae: Birch family Family Characteristics: Leaves: simple serrate, alternate arrangement Flowers: monocieous, imperfect, male catkin pendulous - longer, female - shorter erect Fruit: nut or samara Monoecious Betula papyrifera Paper Birch NATIVE to Alberta Boreal forests across Canada and northern USA Hardiness zone: 2 Exposure: full sun, part shade Soil: NEEDS moisture and well drained soils, holding/sandy loams, slightly acidic Form: single or multi-stemmed medium to large size tree (20m high and 12m spread) Foliage: simple, ovate, to rhombodial, double serrate margins, acuminate tip, truncate to acute base, alternate on stem Yellow fall colour, white bark, horizontal lenticals Bark: side buds sessile, no terminal bud, young twigs reddish brown, resinous, prominent lenticels, olds white bark, exfoliating Flowers: monoeious catkins (aments), yellowishgreen to brown Fruit: winged nutlet, light brown, August, wil persist into winter - spread by wind Landscape uses: fall colour, winter architecture, white bark, reclamation, native plantings, specimen, small group Maintenance: water during dry spells, mulch to keep moisture in the soil, prune after full leaf or not at all Problems: bronze birch borer, birch leaf miner Betula Pendula European weeping birch Non-native Hardiness zone: 2 Exposure: full sun Soil conditions: prefer moist, well drained sandy/loam, ARE NOT drought tolerant Form: upright rounded with smaller branches ascending, low headed, medium tree, fine textured Leaves: simple, double serrate margins, acuminate tip, truncate to acute base, alternate on stem stems/ flowers: similar to paper birch Landscape use: specimen for many places Problems: similar to paper birch; drought, bronze birch borer, birch leaf miner Betula occidentalis River birch Origin: alberta native, throughout western north america Hardiness zone: 2 Exposure: full sun to part shade Soil conditions: moisture holding loam/ sandy loam, moist areas near running water Form: large shrub, mid size, multi-stem, low headed oval Bark: young twigs warty, gives rise to smooth reddish/brown bark with prominent, cherry-like lenticels, goo winter interest. Foliage: fine small leaves, rounded, acute tip, serrate margins, bright green in summer, yellow autumn colour flower/fruit: monoecious catkins, then winged nutlets, yellow/green, fruit-brown. Flowers before and with leaves, fruit dispersed in early fall and winter Landscape uses: native sites, water features Maintenance: doesnt do well in dry weather, more resistant to BBB and BLM, doesn’t like it alone;nitrogen fixes and pairs well. Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle family Most native to north america Leaves- opposite Bark- thin and flaky Flowers: fused to form a funnel Fruit: berry Caprifoliaceae symphoricarpos sp. Snowberry, buckbrush Origins: NATIVE to Alberta - great plains Hardiness: extremely hardy - zone 0-1 Exposure: full sun, part shade Soil: moist or dry conditions (margin species) Small to medium shrub Upright stiff branches Height: 1-1.2m Spread: 1-3m Foliage: simple, oval to ovate, margins entire or undulate, thick, grey green, underside lighter and pubescent Arrangement: opposite Twigs: slightly pubescent, slender light coloured Buds: 3-4 superposed Creeping roots system Flowers: in leaf axils, white with pink tinge, corolla capulate, 5 lobed, june-july (early summer) Berries: white, bluish white, globose, poisonous Landscape use: dry sites, fall and winter fruit colour, resistant to herbicides, natural area, erosion control, slopestabilzation Maintenance: suckers, keep confined Cornaceae Dogwood family Mostly trees and shrubs, one herbaceous Leaves: simple opposite, margins entire, veins follow leaf margins Flowers: regular 4 or 5 petals or 4 petal like bracts Fruit: drupe, bluish white or red Cornus sericea Red Twig Dogwood Corn = horn (buds are horn shaped) Sericea (silky) NATIVE to all areas of alberta, in grasslands restricted to riparian and moist areas Hardiness zone: 1 Exposure: full sun - part shade Soil: moist well-drained loam soils Large shrub Coarse textured Foliage: simple, margins entire, 5-10 cm ovate to heart shaped, opposite arrangement, red fall colour Stems: young shoots dark red, glabrous, flexible, prominent lenticels *will root at nodes if the branch touches the soil Inflorescence: cyme Flowers: 4-5 petals, white, late spring, early summer bloom Fruit: drupe, white with bluish tinge, summer into fall Landscape use: fall colour, red stems in winter, hedging, specimen or small group, mass plantings, fruit for birds Maintenance: prune in winter to remove old grey stems Problems: some aphids in fall, shrub roots at nodes that touch the ground Cupressaceae Cypress Family All are trees or shrubs, for timber or used as ornamentals Juniperus: Thuja, Cupressa Leaves: needle like awl or awn shaped, closely aspressed to the branch Flowers: species are monoecious or dioceous Cones: ovulate cones, usually woody, but juniperus with fleshy scales Juniperus horizontalis Horizontal Juniper NATIVE to Alberta Hardiness zone: 1 Exposure: full sun, tolerates chinook winds Soil: native to dry rocky areas, needs excellent drainage, tolerates heat, tolerates saline soils better than other junipers Form: prostrate spreading, mat forming to low arching Height: 30-45cm Spread; 3m (depends on cultivar) Foliage: scale like on most of branch, awl shaped near the main stem, glaucous whorled, turns purple in the fall if exposed to cold Stems: will root at the nodes, branches long and narrow Fruit: modified cone, berry-like, low impact Landscape use: native areas, reclamation, groundcover, foundation planting, good for erosion control, mass planting, dry sites Maintenance: need space, some cultivars can sunscald, mulch is good Elaeagnaceae Oleaster Family Small trees and shrubs Often thorny Leaves: simple, covered with either silvery brown or golden hairs Flowers: no petals - 2-8 fused sepals making a tube (NO PETALS) Fruit: achene or drupe All nitrogen fixing Elaeagnus commutata Wolfwillow/silverberry NATIVE to alberta Hardiness zone: 0b Exposure: full sun Soil conditions: widely adapted Form: height/spread: 2mx2m, coarse textured Foliage: silvery, alternate attachment, leaf is simple with entire margin. Bark: brown, scruffy, scales on young stems Roots: rhizomes Flower: yellow, scented, tubular, spring blooms Fruit: silvery dry drupe Landscape use: native sites, erosion control, colour contrast, winter interest Maintenance: will spread, deer do not browse it, nitrogen fixing Elaeagnus angustifolia Russian Olive Origin: Russia Hardiness zone: 3 Exposure: full sun Soil conditions: widely adapted, salt, heat, and drought tolerant Form: height and spread - 8mx9m, fine textured, generally shaggy Foliage: silver, long narrow, margins entire Bark: old bark=rough/grey exfoliating, new bark = smooth brown (THORNS) Flower: yellow, spring bloom Fruit: silber coloured berry Landscape use: small sites, boulevards, pollution Maintenance: prune out dead wood in spring, beware of thorns Sheperdia argentea (argent=silver) Silver Buffaloberry NATIVE to Alberta Hardiness zone: 2 Exposure: full sun Soil conditions: light soil Form: height and spread - 4mx3m Shape: bushy, twisting, thorns Foliage: silver, elliptic, margins entire Buds: clusters of tiny silver buds Bark texture: flaky brown - silver Flower: dioeceous, inconspicuous, yellow, may bloom Fruit: pea size, fleshy, and reddish colour Landscape uses: contrast colour, specimen or hedge, native planting, wildlife food/shelter, erosion control Maintenance: beware of suckering, thorns Sheperdia canadensis Canada Buffaloberry NATIVE to Alberta Hardiness zone: 2 Exposure: full sun, part shade Soil conditions: good drainage, tolerates poor soils; sand, gravel calcreous, alkaline (not salt tolerant) Form: Medium shrub, mounding height/spread 1.5x1.5 Medium textured, slow to medium growth rate Foliage: underside of leaves covered with hairs and rust coloured dots (top green and glossy) Buds: opposite, adpressed against the stems, reddish brown Branches: opposite, scaly brownish felt covers new twigs Flowers: inconspicuous, yellowish green, female-funnel shaped dioecious Fruit: red or orange translucent oval, 1 seeded Landscape use: neat, dense habitat glossy green foliage, mass planting, specimen, naturalization *No specific maintenance or problems (No thorns or rhizomes) Hippophae rhamnoides (hippo- water horse) Sea Buckthorn Origin: cold temperate regions of europe and asia Hardiness zone: 2 Exposure: full sun Soil conditions: good drainage, tolerates poor soils; sand, gravel calcreous, alkaline, salt Form: large shrub, height 3m, spread 2-2.5m, fine texture, mounding Foliage: narrow lanceolate, silver, green on top, slightly pubescent Buds: alternate, large, reddish brown Branches: scaly brownish rough Rhizomatous deep roots Flowers: dioecious, inconspicuous, apetalous, wind pollinated, flowers after 3 years Fruit: orange translucent, fleshy, oval, 1 seeded, edible Landscape use: neat, dense habit, fine textured, mass plantings, specimens, hedge, windbreak *suckers* Pinaceae Pine Family Trees or shrubs, resinous evergreen, needle shaped leaves, linear, spirally arranged, single or in groups Monoecious, reproductive structures produced in cones Picea glauca White Spruce NATIVE across america Hardiness zone: 0a Exposure: half shade, full sun Soil conditions: prefers moisture nd 5-7.5 pH, not tolerant to saline soils, but toleratea comppacted, urban soils Form: narrow, pyramidal crown, openly branched, branchlets sometimes pendant height/spread: 15mx15m Foliage: needles, single on apeg like projection Dull to dark green with a bloom Fruit: cones, pendant, scales entire, rounded seeds mature in one year and cones drop each year after seed is shed Landscape use: shelterbelt, windbreak, specimen, small group Problems: spruce gall adelgid, spruce sawfly, spruce budworm, spirermite, rabbits, *shallow rooted, roots spread two times the height of the tree, competes with turf* Picea pungens Colarado Spruce NATIVE TO US ROCKIES (not alberta) Hardiness zone: 2 Exposure: full sun, part shade, prefers cooler climates Soil conditions: wide, prefers rich moist soils but can withstand drought better than any other spruce Form: pyramidal, branches stiff, in older trees may arch, compact root system Height: 12m, spread 5m Foliage: 2-3cm, 4 sided, SHARP pointed (pungens), held for 4-5 years, green to blue with a glaucous bloom (wax) Winter buds: orange brown and prominent Bark: gray brown deeply furrowed Fruit: cones, drooping, long flexible scales have jagged edges, blonde brown in the fall, found at top of tree Landscape use: shelterbelt, windbreak, shady sites, specimen, small groups, dry sites Maintenance: give lots of space Problems: spidermite, white pine weevil Picea abies Norway Spruce Origin: Eurasia Hardiness zone: 2 Exposure: full sun to part shade (sunscald) Soil conditions: must be moist and well-drained Form: Height and spread: 15mx8m Shape: pyramidal with graceful drooping branchlets Foliage: fine textured, evergreen colour, ALL PICEA HAVE 4 SIDED NEEDLES Buds: slender buds, conical, acute, light brown, not resinous, rosette shaped Bark: red-brown - grey, exfoliating in thin scales flower/fruit: cones distinctly spiralled and stiff, showy - beige in colour Landscape use: winter interest, specimen or small grouping Maintenance: sunscald, all spruce insects, transplants readily Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ Birds Nest Spruce Exposure: full sun Environment: evenly moist soil, grows best in cooler climates, can withstand some drought when mature Form: dense rounded shrub with a straight to slightly pendulous branches Very slow growing Leaves: short, medium to light green Landscape use: evergreen border, accent plant Which ones dont liek full sun part shade, family name, distinguishing features, landscape use, which are drought tolerant, if it is native or not native ROSACEAE Family Rose Family Leaves; Alternate, simple, or compound Flowers: regular (bilateral symmetry) Numerous stamens Contain a hypantheum Fruit: berry, hip, dry capsule, pome Amelanchier alnifolia Saskatoon Origin: alaska to the great plains, prairies, ravines, open woods Hardiness zone: 1 Exposure: full sun part shade Soil conditions: moist well drained loam, alkaline tolerant, can withstand dry sites but detrimental to fruit production Form: dense crown, tall upright to spreading shrub, irregular appearance Height: 3mx2m spread, can get leggy Foliage: oval to almost round, simple, margin coarsely toothed above the midpoint, entire below, base rounded, Fall colour: Red, orange, yellow (firey red) Branchlets: soft, tomentose Inflorescence: terminal raceme Flower: white, spring blooms after leaf out Fruit: pome, blue-purple, edible, used commercially Landscape use: spring flowers, summer fruit, fall colour, specimen or small group, hedge, reclamation, Problems: juniper hawthorn rust Dasiphora fruticosa Potentilla (cinquefoil = 5 leaflets) NATIVE (prairies) Hardiness zone: 2 Exposure: full sun-part shade Soil conditions: tolerates dry soils but likes fertile loams Form: medium to small shrub, round, compact, dense Foliage: compound, pinnate, margins entire, silky hairs on leaf underside, alternate arrangement Bark: reddish brown, shredding or peeling Inflorescence: solitary or in groups Flowers: white, yellow, pink, orange, or red, five petals, summer bloom, showy Fruit: achene, brown fall Landscape use: foundation planting, constant bloom in summer, individual specimen or mass planting, hedging, groundcover, dry sites, reclamation, xeriscapes Maintenance: maintenance-free (sheared every 3-5 years) Prunus maackii Amur Cherry Origin: east asia Hardiness zone: 2b, may need protection in chinook zones Exposure: full sun Soil: average moist loam, good drainage Form: decurrent 8mx6-8m Leaves: gland beneath petiole, oblong to elliptic ovate, acuminate, finely serrate Fall colour: light yellow Bark: papery, burnished bronze, exfoliates minimally to quite shaggy, young twig pubescent, terminal buds in clusters Flowers: dense racemes, white, mid-may on old wood, fragrant Fruit: black, globose, 5mm, drupe Landscape uses: spring flowers, fall colour, winter bark, specimen or small group Prunus padus commutata Mayday Origin: Asia Hardiness zone: 1a Exposure: full sun -part shade Soil: wide adaptation, prefers moist well-drained loam, but has some drought resistance Form: medium to large tree 10mx10, horizontal ovalm densely branched, naturally low headed with ascending branches, multistemmed forms, moderate to rapid growth rate Leaves: Alterate, first to leaf out in spring Flowers: white, in loose racemes, very profuse in late may early June after leaves have emerged, very fragrant, attracts bees Fruit: black drupe, late summer to fall, bitter. Bark: old= gunmetal grey, new= reddish brown Buds: plump at base, sharply pointed, red-brown in colour Landscape use: spring bloom, specimen, small groups, shelterbelt/windbreak, good bird/bee attractant Maintenance: regular pruning required, will sucker if planted too deep Problems: black knot, aphids, forest tent caterpillar Prunus virginiana ‘Shubert’ Schubert Chokecherry Origin: North Dakota Hardiness zone: 2 Exposure: full sun Soil conditions: widely adapted, drought tolerant Form: small tree, large shrub Foliage: elliptic to ovate, alternate arrangement, glandular petiole, leaves open green but change to red Bark: smooth, grey brown with white lenticels, becomes scaly with age Inflourescence: raceme Flowers: white, blooms after leaves emerge Fruit: drupe, dark red to black, produced in august, do not eat fresh, seeds are poisonous to dogs, but good for birds. (contain cyanide in seeds) Landscape use: dark leaves in summer, excellent contrast plant, specimen, small group, dry sies Maintenance: avoid planting too deep Problems: black knot, fall aphids, prone to suckering. Rosa spp Rose Small to medium shrub Foliage: compound, leaflets oddly pinnate, margins, toothed, alternate arrangement, many have yellow fall colour Stems: most have prickles along stem, turns grey with age Rosa aciciularis Prickly Rose or Alberta Rose NATIVE SPECIES Hardiness zone: 0-1 (only rose that grows above the arctic circle) Exposure: full sun, part shade Soil: moist well-drained loam Form: bushy, upright, medium shrub Leaves: compound, dull green above, soft pubescent below, prickles Twigs: covered with straight slender prickles Flowers: single, dark pink, fragrant, mid-june to early july Fruit: pear-shaped (distinct neck), red Maintenance: rose galls Landscape use: fine textured, native, reclamation, park shrub bed to deter vandalism Rosa rugose hybrids Japanese Rose hybrids Origin: garden (zones vary with cultivar) Form: upright to rounded, medium size COLD HARDY Leaves: oddly pinnate compound Stems -thick stems, most with large prickles Inflourescence: solitary or in clusters Fruit: rose hip - globe shaped, red turning black with age, summer into fall, will stay on through winter Landscape use: hedging, foundation, specimen or small group, mass planting Maintenance: prine in winter to remove old grey stems, cut back dead wood in spring plant Problems: aphids in fall - Rugose suffers from iron chlorosis in our alkaline soils- cultivars prone to fungal diseases, leaf spot, powdery mildew Spirea x hybrids Spring blooming, white spirea Origin: garden origin = arguta/vanhouteii, native to asia = trilobata Hardiness zone: 3 (may experience die back below snow cover) Exposure: full sun to part shade Soil: moist well-drained conditions Form: medium to fine textured round shrubs Leaves: varying shapes, simple Stems: brown, thin, upright to arching Flowers: arching sprays of flowers on unbranched stems in spring, corymbs, white Fruit: brown, dry follicles in corymbose clusters Landscape use: early summer flowers, specimen or small group Maintenance: winter dieback is common above snow cover Spirea japonica Japanese Spirea Origin: Japan, Europe Hardiness zone: 3 Exposure: half shade to full sun Soil conditions: prefers well-drained, moist loam, but is tolerant of many soils ** will not tolerate waterlogged conditions** Form: Round, broad, flat topped, medium textured. Densely twiggy. Leaves: simple, ovate, lanceolate, new growth reddish purple turning green with age, red tinged in the fall Stems: slender, brown, smooth, Roots: fibrous Inflourescence: corymbs on current seasons wood, light to dark reddish purple Mid summer, showy Fruit: non-ornamental, dry brown follicle, flat topped on ends of branches Landscape use: summer flower, fall tinge of red, foundation, mass planting, specimen in small areas, will tip kill most seasons SALICACEAE Willow Family Family Properties: Leaves: simple, alternate Flowers: apetalous, dioecious catkins Woody species Many medicinal properties Members: Willow (salix): have one bud scale Poplar (populus): have many bud scales Poplars - general: Vary in height/shape Fast growing, not a long lifespan compared to other trees Bark: smooth and white to off white when young with prominent lenticels Leaves: simple, long petioled with thick epidermis Flowers: dioecious, catkins Populus balsamifera Balsam Poplar NATIVE to alberta Hardiness: Very Environment: full sun, moist, rich soils Form: narrow crown, shallow root system, tall tree **Fast growth rate** Leaves: simple, thick, shiny green top, white green below, yellow fall colour Buds: pointed, out curved, reddish brown, sticky Twigs: green brown, triangular leaf scars Bark: grey or yellowish on upper trunk, grey furrowed on lower trunk Flowers: pendulous catkins, dioceous, stamens purple-red Fruit: small seed in tufts of white hair Landscape use: shelterbelt, specimen or groupings in large parks, grows fast but is short lived Maintenance: suckers, tufted seeds carried by wind in spring, often a lot of dieback Populus tremuloides Trembling Aspen NATIVE to Alberta Hardiness zone: 1 Environment: full sun (usually don’t see it alone) Soil conditions: moist, well-drained loam ** roots will sucker in moist areas** Form: slender, graceful, short rounded crown, shallow roots Rapid growth rate Foliage: simple, long blade, flat, dark green, margins finely serrate, reddish brown petiole Fall colour: orange gold Buds: adpressed, small, acute, slightly sticky Branches: dark green, glabrous, lenticels oval, evenly distributed on young shoots, leaf scars small Bark: greenish white to cream, smooth, marked with dark wart like blotches Flowers: pendulous catkins, anthers and stigmas purple Landscape value: texture, fall colour, naturalized woodland settings Maintenance: short lived, surface roots, required good ground cover otherwise dies out, prolific seeder Problems: susceptible to galls and cankers, sensitive to environmental changes, will sucker especially when injured Populus x jackii ‘Northwest’ Northwest poplar Male clone Hardiness zone: 2 Environment: full sun, part shade: lots of water, will tolerate drought Grows fast Form: large tree (cross between balsamifera and deltoides Leaves: simple, broadly ovate, wavy margins, flattened petiole, Fall colour: yellow Roots: up to 4x the height of the tree, agressive - will lift asphalt Bark: young bark - light grey, almost white (can be brittle), Older Bark - deeply fissured Buds: large, short, wide Wider crotches Maintenance: avoid damage to the root system, prune in late dormancy, good for prairies, very competitive Problems: cankers- hypoxylon, insects - forest tent caterpillar, poplar bud gall mite, willow leaf beetle, fall cankerworm, willow sawfly Columnar poplars: Populus tremula ‘Erecta’ Swedish Columar Aspen Origin: Sweden Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: full sun part shade Soil conditions: wide adaptation Form: very tight and narrow, moderate to fast growth rate Foliage: oval - almost round, petiole flattened and as long as the blade Fall colour: reddish fall colour Buds: glutinous Twigs: totally glabrous, soft and white wood Bark: smooth, yellowish-grey, older bark - channeled and grey Winder angled crotches Flower: catkins, dioecious Fruit: a small capsule surrounded by copious hairs Landscape use: upright towers, provides a strong vertical line, tall screen, specimen, contrast in form. Maintenance: roots not as aggressive as other poplar roots (can still push up asphalt) Problems: bronze leaf disease (orange-brown leaf with green midrib {prune}), poplar borer (bores into trunk) Populus x canescens ‘Tower’ Tower Poplar (flip the leaf, one side is white) Origin: garden origin Hardiness zone: 2 Environment: tolerates a variety of soil conditions Form: neat, vigorous, columnar, moderate to rapid growth Leaves: loose grey tomentose on underside of leaves, double serrate/dentae margins (fall colour - coppery) Buds: small and more oblong and round tipped than most poplars Twigs: brown and smooth, young shoot is grey Bark: light grey green, smooth (similar to columnar aspen) Flowers and Fruit: nothing distinguishing Landscape use: unique columnar form, specimen, windrow Maintenance: Weak form, Susceptible to breakage, prone to included bark, tends to unravel Herbaceous Plants Not woody (dieback to the ground in winter) Full sun: more than 6 hours Part shade: 4-6 hours Shade: less than 4 hours Watering: some need less water (drought tolerant), some prefer consistent watering For design concentrate on: environment, shape, texture, height, flower colour, flowering times ASPARAGACEAE Family Subfamilies: beargrass, brodiaea, agave Monocots Flower parts in 3’s Convallaria majalis Lily of the valley Origin: Europe, China, Japan, Moist woodlands Hardiness zone: 2’ Exposure: anywhere (sun to shade) Soil: prefers moist, rich, high organic woodland soils, but can withstand sun and dry Form: spreading habit, rhizomatous, spreads quickly after establishment, all parts are highly poisonous Foliage: basal cluster, simple, long petiole, entire margin, prominent parallel venation, green or reddish purple sheath Flower: pendulous raceme, dainty bell-shaped blossoms, primarily white, pink cultivars available, Bloom: late spring/ early summer ** powerful scent, followed with bright red fruit** Landscape use: mass planting, erosion control, scented garden, shady/ dry sites, rock garden, cut flower, green roof Maintenance: invasive if not kept under control, blend only with woodies or large and/or equally aggressive plants, POISON Polygonatum species Solomon’s Seal Origin: introduced Hardiness zone: Z3 Exposure: full sun - part shade (best here) Soil: moist, well-drained soils Form: variable height, aggressive clumper, graceful arching stems, Much taller than lily of the valley Foliage: simple, entire margin, parallel venation, sessile attachment along stem, light to medium green Flower: dainty, bell-shaped blooms on raceme, white with green edges, spring bloom (same as lily of valley) Fruit: blue-black ornamental berries Landscape use: spring feature, distinctive form, middle to back or garden plant - aggressive growers Maintenance: may need to control spread, cut back in fall ASTERACEAE Family Aster Family Inflourescence: head or capitulum Fruit: achene Achillea millefolium Common Yarrow Origin: NATIVE Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: full sun Soil: does well in all soils, and infertile ones Form: rhizome roots, clumping very quickly Foliage: fine textured with basal rosettes, dark green, leaves are slightly aromatic when crushed Flower: inflourescence - corymb, can be white, yellow, pink, red, and orange, Bloom: july until frost Landscape use: best not to mix in small beds, mass plant in large areas, dry sites that are hard to establish erosion control Maintenance: keep it contained (competitve), dont overwater, regular division improves performance, thrives on neglect Artemisia Species Sage/ Artemisia Artemisia schmidtiana ‘Silver Mound’ Silver Mound Artemisia Origin: Japan Hardiness Zone: 3 Exposure: full sun Soil: Dry, Sandy Sites, poor soils Form: fibrous roots, round, mounding in mass planting Foliage: VERY fine, silver, incredibly soft Flower: capitulum, yellowish, late season bloom, not desirable Landscape use: accent plant, distinctive mounds when mass planted, dry sites Maintenance: cut back in late summer to get second flush of growth, best not to topwater, DON’T overfertilize Gaillardia x grandiflora Blanket Flower / Gaillardia Origin: Garden Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: full sun Soil: well-drained, does not like heavy clay soil, can tolerate drought and salt Form: upright rounded form, perennial habit, long blooming, rapid growth, but short lived Leaves: simple, alternate and basal, oblanceolate to lanceolate, closely toothed margins, stiff hair on leaves and stems Flower: capitulum, both disc and ray florets, receptacle rounded (dome shaped), disc: yellow to purple brown, Ray florets: yellow /red Blooms: late june - august, Summer long bloom time Landscape use: mid-border, native or reclamation, small groups/filler, dry sites, attracts butterflies, deer resistant Heliopsis helianthoides scabra Golden Sunflower Origin: central and eastern north america Non-native Exposure: full sun Soil: dry to moderately moist Form: unbranching stems, medium shrub Leaves: opposite, ovate, tip acute, serate margins, green/purple green/vargiated Stems: green or purple-red Flowers: ray florets - yellow-orange, bicolours, doubles Disc florets - yellow, orange or red Bloom: july to frost Landscape use: back of a perennial border, container Liatris spicata Liatris, Spike Gayfeather, Blazing Star Origin: eastern and central USA (there are also natives) Hardiness zone: 2b Exposure: full sun Soil: moist, well-drained (critical), tolerates drought and alkaline soils Form: upright perennial, rhizomes, slow growing but long-lived Leaves: basal and alternate, grass-like Flower: raceme, flowers from top to bottom, light/dark pink anf white flowers Bloom: early august to september Landscape use: middle of border, accent or specimen, mass planting, reclamation/natural sites, cut flowers Rudbeckia hirta Rudbeckia, Black Eyed Susan Origin: NATIVE Hardiness zone: 4 Exposure: full sun Soil: dry to average garden loam Form: coarse-textured, rough hairy throughout Leaves: Leafy stems, lower leaves long-petioled, entire to somewhat toothed Flower: ray and disc florets, orange to yellow, disc florets, singles or doubles Bloom: mid-summer - early fall Landscape use: short-lived perennial, bedding plant in annual beds, mixed perennial borders, compliments rock gardens and fencelines Symphyotruchum dumosum var dumosum Woods Aster Origin: North America Hardiness zone: 2 Exposure: full sun Soil conditions: widely adapted Form: mat-forming, thick fibrous roots with weak rhizomes Leaves: somewhat fine, glossy dark green, presents in small spreading bunches Flower: capitulum, purple/dark pink, Bloom: late summer - fall Landscape use: moist sites, groundcover, rock garden border, late-season colour Maintenance: it will spread, may require weeding FABACEAE FAMILY Legume Family Leaves: alternate or entire, often compound Flowers: 5 petals, irregular, 1 ovary, 1 carpel Fruit: legume/pod *** nodules on roots contain rhizobium*** Lupinus hybrids Lupin Origin: garden (but there are natives in Alberta Hardiness zone: 2 Exposure: full sun, part shade Soil: moist, well-drained soil with neutral pH, can withstand drought Form: upright oval foliage with spike-like flowering structures above the leaves Leaves: alternate, palmately compound 10-15 leaflets Root: strong taproot Flower: terminal raceme, all colours (solids and bi-colours) Bloom: june to july (early to midsummer bloomer) Fruit: fuzzy pod Landscape use: middle or back of perennial border, small groups or mass plantings, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, string vertical accent Maintenance: remove pods to prevent reseeding, will attract aphids, does not transplant well GERANIACEAE Geranium Family Hardy geranium, storks bill, cranes bill, perennial geranium Origin: North America (5 Alberta species) Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: full sun-part shade Soil: wide adaptation, better on the dry side Form: rounded to upright Leaves: Simple, Alternate, rhomboidal to ovate, Palmately lobed, pubescent, some slightly sticky Flowers: solitary, in leaf axils or terminals, pink/purple/blue/white/wine/lilac Bloom: june to late summer Landscape use: front, middle, or back of the border, shady sites, small groups, reclamation - woodland gardens, prairie grasslands Maintenance: powdery mildew, reseeding PLANTAGINACEAE Penstemon species Penstemon species Penstemon Origin: NATIVE to alberta Hardiness zone: 2-4 (depending on cultivar) Exposure: full sun Soil: medium-welldrained, low fertility, drought tolerant when established Form: spikelike flowers above foliage, medium textured Leaves: opposite, linear, smooth, glossy, entire to serrated margins Flowers: spikes of tubular flowers, all colours and bi-colours Bloom: midsummer to fall Landscape use: Attracts pollinators - (bees, butterflies, hummingbirds), deer and rabbit resistant, good fo beds and borders, provides a nice vertical accent Maintenance: none RANUNCULACEAE Buttercup Family Leaves: alternate, simple or compound, lobed or dissected Flowers: 5 sepals, 5 petals many stamens Includes: delphinium, trollius, clematis, monkshood, meadowrue, Actaea (bugbane, marsh marigold) Anemone pulsatilla Pasqueflower Origin: north temperate zone Hardiness zone: 2 Exposure: full sun to part shade Soil: rich, sandy loam Form: oval, slender tap root Leaves: very fine textured, green, hardy - still standing under frost Flower: solitary, purple-blue/red/white, pretty seed head Bloom: spring **Nodding heads, foliage texture, pink and purple colour** Landscape use: pots and planters, front/mid-flowerbed, spring feature, wild gardens, rock gardens, gravelly banks, behind retaining walls Maintenance: likes to be left alone, does NOT spread invasively Anemone sylvestris Windflower Origin: meadows and deciduous woodlands of western europe Hardiness zone: 1 Exposure: part shade - shade Soil: moderately moist Form: spreading, uptight, rhizomatous roots Foliage: medium textured, ferny, deeply lobed, medium green Flower: solitary cup-shaped, above the foliage, white colour, fluffy seedhead Bloom: early summer Landscape use: shade garden, woodland garden, understory planting, natalized area, cut-flower, deer and rabbit resistant Maintenance: can spread aggressively in coarse soils