https://www.pinterest.com/pin/472385448396580528/

Class summary: Finely divided, deeply toothed. Sub shrub, woody base, terminal flowering at tips of branches. Purple calix. New growth is whitish. Mildly evergreen. Tall perennial, 1m or more. Open form/massing is different. Good for Medians/cars. Looks great seen at a distance too.

Site/Notes: Full sun, well drained soil that is average to dry. Zone 5 to 9. Up to 5 ft tall, 4 ft wide. Drought, air pollution tolerant. +Will tend to flop in anywhere that does not have full sun+ Originally from Western China. Long blooming purple flowers.

Aesthetics/Notes: This provides a beautiful light purple colour that could be contrasted against darker purple tones. It’s a substantial sub-shrub that adds good size and colour to the garden. The fact that it can handle a bit of heat/air pollution from cars, makes it ideal for public landscapes.

http://wildflowerfinder.org.uk/Flowers/H/Holly(NewZealand)/NewZealandHolly(OleariaMacrodonta)_2010_06_22_GrangeOverSands_135p0.jpg

Class notes: Southern hemisphere plant. From New Zealand. Only plant in the Asteraceae family that is woody. Evergreen leaves. Looks good with Hebes. Rounded texture. Osmanthus like. Zone 8, only near the ocean side.

Site/Notes: Full sun, in fertile, well drained soil. Evergreen + hardy. July and August flowering. Flowering site, hedge or windbreak. Suitable for ocean gardens and can handle salt laden air. Up to 2.5 metres to 2-4 metres wide. Dense white flowers.

Aesthetic/notes: This shrub is striking with its dark foliage and bright creamy white flowers. Its abundance of flowers and soft curved form make it quite beautiful. Despite having a tenderness issue here. I think it would look great on a woodland edge near various types of greenery – somewhere close by the ocean.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ErM2nHRW_OI/UVMZwk2oxLI/AAAAAAAAcdY/yxkREAGoIUE/s1600/Aruncus+dioicus+09a.jpg

Class notes: seperate female/male plants. Thus, male plant is much more showy. Adaptable, likes shade. Grows around the hemisphere. This variety is more showy and upright than found in nature. Doesn’t form as much as a colony. Tri-pinnately compound/strong form. Fern-like appearance. Long lived flowers – 4 weeks – then turns brown afterwards. Leans over. Common name Goat’s beard.

Site/Notes: Partial to full shade. Deep shade = less blooms. It will tolerant full sun only if it is kept moist. Soil should be rich, moist and full of humus. Looks natural growing along edge of woodland garden or open forest. It can be used as a back of a border of alongside stream/pond. Thick root mass/hard to divide. 180 tall, 120 wide. Clip after flowering b/c it self seeds plus it will contribute to long blooming period. Kneiffii is a miniature version. Blooms in the summer.

Aesthetic: Hazy effect, contrast in mixed border. Brighten up a dense green space in shade. Good along a pond for interesting reflection. Can be used for a naturalized effect too.

http://luirig.altervista.org/cpm/albums/bot-030/thalictrum-lucidum24173.jpg

Thalictrum lucidum – shining meadow rue – Ranunculaceae

Class notes: Tiny sepals. Shine to them/Shiny texture. Likes to be near shrubs/Needs a support. Attracts a variety of pollinators.

Site/Notes: Average to moist soil/rich humus. Dappled shade, partial shade. Tolerant of humid summers. Will tolerant full sun if kept moist. Zone 4-5. Mid summer blooming (June to July). Soft creamy yellow flowers. Sunny, border in the back. Up to 150 cm in height. Shimmering hazy effect, good in woodland gardens, near ponds or meadows. (Wetlands meadows, floodplain forests, or coast scrub in eastern Europe/Asia). ***lacks nectar producing glands – no nectar** Relies on wind pollination. Greenish white flowers, alternate leaf arrangement.

Aesthetic: I think this plant is magnificent in its height and hazy effect. I could potentially see this having a blending effect in a mixed border/meadow or brightening up a dim place since it has a bright/creamy/yellow-green look to it.

http://www.wildstaudenzauber.de/Stauden/thalictrum_lucidum.html

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/166/337381360_6bd0b8b8bd_b.jpg

http://www.pflanzenversand-gaissmayer.de/article_detail,Bauerngartenstauden-Oenothera+biennis+-+Gemeine+Nachtkerze,D545D741E0A94F73A59F020C0B807128,753B4E6C34F1424CA6C7B2881C8873C8,de.html

Oenathera biennis – evening primrose – onagraceae family

Class summary: Oil from primrose is good for a variety of ailments. Mood disorders in women. Flowers open up at midnight – attracting moths. This is a biennial plant. Likes a sunny, well-drained site. Tube is characteristic of family (tubular, with ovaries at the end). Yellow flowers. Mostly attracts humming birds and moths because of characteristics. You can find dry seeds on the highway and easily propagate. Fragrant flowers. Hairy stems that are reddish.

Site & Facts: Attracts ‘hawk’ moths, humming birds, bees, ‘Japanese beetles’ and other birds enjoy the seeds. Prefers open dry sunny sites with gravelly/rocky, well drained soil. Drought tolerant. Usually, found along highways, railways, waste sites and open woody areas. Alternate leaf arrangement. Yellow flowers open by night and closes at noon. 4 petals flowers, that last only 1-2 days. Edible roots. Biennal, roset in first year, taller in second year. Can be invasive in certain areas – especially rich, fertile soil. 2-6 ft tall.

Aesthetic character: I find this plant interesting because of its wild-flower appeal and the fact that it attracts moths which in turn might attract bats if it is situated in the right place. I often see this plant when I am on the west coast express train. It looks thriving in the rocky environment and the poor, hot conditions. Thus, I think this would be an adequate place for it – near a rocky/gravelly site where it looks most natural and stands out.

https://www.sanelijo.org/sites/sanelijo.org/files/images/plant_guide/Oenothera/Oenothera_elata1.jpg

http://www.biolib.cz/IMG/GAL/34331.jpg

Nectar guide of evening primrose

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/21/18/ca/2118ca95487db0c59346475129ee7940.jpg

https://www.anniesannuals.com/signs/s/images/sidalcea_hendersonii_03.jpg

Sidalcea hendersonii – Henderson’s checker mallow – Malvaceae

Site/Notes: From our region/Western North America. White/Pink flowers cluster at the top. Flowers lack anthers. Full sun to partial shade. Moist, wet or dry conditions. Regular water and well-drained soil. Blooms all summer even to fall. Attracts bees, humming birds and butterflies. It is considered endangered in the coastal/marshes/meadow areas. 1-5 ft tall, 30” wide. Native. Alternate leaves.

Aesthetics/Notes:  I think this is an nice alternative to hollyhock that’s seems very over played. It has beautiful fuchsia flowers and a delicate upright form. I could see this being paired well in a mixed border with Liatris spicata.

http://cache2.asset-cache.net/gc/123529492-mixed-border-including-geraniums-blue-cloud-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=POhcE%2FYlVJij3SGKOUXCGRKzv7IxE0RdF%2BI9pF8eeBKqFJ0%2BJFdUxME8bSEelgPr

http://www.nwplants.com/images/commons/Typha_latifolia_jko2081106.jpg

Typha latifolia – cat tail Typhaceace

Notes/Sites: North America, Europe, Asian. 3-10 zone. 6 to 6 feet tall and wide. June to July bloom period (females are green, males are yellow). Full sun to part shade in wet conditions.  Naturalize or rain garden. Attracts Birds. Showy fruit. Can be submerged 12 inches deep. Can be an aggressive colonizer, can out compete marginal plants. Keep in containers or tubs. Roots grow deep when established. Wetland, marshes, or swamps.

Aesthetic/Notes: I think this is an ideal for a naturalized look for any pond or rain garden. I could potentially see this in a bird sanctuary for food or protections.

http://www.lightscapes.info/onewithnature/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Bulrush-Typha-latifolia.jpg

Equisetum hyemale – scouring rush – Equisetaceae

Notes/Site: Rush/Sedge. From Eurasia, North America. Zone 4-9. Up to four feet in height and six feet spread. Non flowering. Full sun to part shade. Medium to wet soil. Water plant, naturalize, rain garden.  Tolerant of heavy shade and a range of soils. Will grow in 4″ of standing water. Spreads to form large colonies in the wild. Aggressive and will spread by creeping rhizomes. Definitely needs a soil barrier or something to constrict the spreading. They are categorized as a fern because it is non flowering and produces spores.

Aesthetic/Notes: It is strikingly different from many plants, thus it is an interesting feature in a garden or landscape. The fact it can be colonizing and contained along with it’s dense form, can create a continuous massing form. It needs fairly wet soil. I am not a fan of heavily irrigated landscapes, so I would place this plant low on the watertable level, where water will drain towards it in a contained rain garden/pond.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6002/5932094086_3ba9377826_b.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/63/f5/89/63f5898662efe32877eddc7b526b31ec.jpg

http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/_ccLib/image/plants/DETA-374.jpg

Juncus effusus – common rush – Juncaceae

Notes/Sites: Zone 4-9. Found in North America, New Zealand and Australia. 2-4 feet tall and wide. Blooms in June/August. Full sun. Moist to wet soils or 4 ” standing water. Clumps are slow to establish but creep by rhizomes afterwards. Best grown in containers or slabs to stop spreading. Cut back old foliage in early spring. Good for rain gardens, damp areas, naturalized areas or water.

Aesthetic/Notes: This is pretty commonly seen in rain gardens – especially the emergent layer. I think it is most appropriate there where it can reach constant water. The form is stiff and sculptural, adding structural/textural interest.

https://www.provenwinners.com/sites/provenwinners.com/files/imagecache/max_width/ifa_upload/64218.jpg

http://botanyphoto.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/chamerion_angustifolium.jpg

Chamerion angustifolium – fireweed – Onagraceae family

Sites/Notes:Rhizome-like roots, alternate leaves, flowers are rose to purple, large and stalked, 4 petals – mid summer blooming. Full sun to light shade. Slightly acidic soil. Likes a moist to fairly dry disturbed areas including clearings, roadsides, especially recently burnt areas, also found in meadows, thickets, on avalanche tracks, along river bars, abundant in outer coastal areas. Colonizing species – colonizes if there is not other competition ( forest fire). Seeds lay dormant in the soil underneath forest canopy, when there is a fire and light is abundant, they grow again. It attracts a wide range of pollinators (generalized form). Zone 4 hardiness. 90-120 cm tall.

Aesthetic/notes: I’ve seen this flower in many areas in the Fraser Valley. It is a very versatile plant and creates a beautiful purple haze in meadows. I would be interested in putting this in a contained meadow or even a rain garden. Introducing in a public space could have a interesting effect.

https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/udata/r9ndp23q/pd2/epilobium-angustifolium_004.jpg