Category Archives: List 7

Echinacea purpurea, purple coneflower

Echinacea purpureaEchinacea purpurea, purple coneflower

Family: Asteraceae

Description:

This member of the aster family has recognizable blooms of soft, purple or pink ray petals extending from a central cluster of orange composite flowers. Flowers are in bloom for several months, after which the central head will persist until the flower dies in winter. Echinacea purpurea takes 1-2 years to grow 40 cm across, expanding laterally. Typically it will start to decline in the second or third year of growth. It is a self-seeder, making for a predictable return each year.

Growing conditions:

Echinacea purpurea requires dry, well-drained soil and cannot tolerate shade or excess moisture.

Suitable uses:

This is an ideal plant for hot, dry location. It is low maintenance and drought tolerant, allowing for flowering interest in an institutional setting. It is useful for attracting bees and butterflies as well as provides food over winter for small birds, if seed heads are not removed.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/50697352@N00/14507154768/in/photolist-o6WXG5-a25Qka-79s3ed-fix33k-o6g5fB-9e52Zj-8bdaur-ooptWu-8bdaep-cpjPvd-8bdaxt-8bdaa8-8bgr9s-8bgr6m-hMwHk1-a25Rtk-av3KEz-8bgqRQ-8bdacx-8bgqVd-8bgreU-8bdaB2-emNdsM-sWFkK9-7voZok-oh3Gdi-CYLun3-3eNi2-PLdMv-6zrbfo-6ud5zG-av6bE5-e3knwM-sWHUQL-cqecsy-a28MP7-8bgrcq-6zn5jP-8vWqiu-iLM8m-6GwgZM-3eNib-ooHyUG-fix1nr-7pcnAq-ooa5ft-DuX5d9-chSQnb-dDmWte-8wgfRp

CC Image courtesy of F. D. Richards on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnshortland/5451343659/in/photolist-9iHyxM-oeT588-csxHQQ-gpSX8y-5boqvQ-pGs8MC-79vde5-ciPZg7-ciPZKw-5boqcb-bAjk36-bscrBD-oFpkKh-79rmd2-pw3FHf-bnpqTU-ewZ64Q-5bj8iT-5mjZJD-a2tw95-8npUvp-3D3UQ-FbmWDF-ftmwUn-9wPMkH-oSGzDP-p3uieV-f4vB1Y-9ZXvs9-o6WxyL-pwpstc-PjriJ-fqGUzA-o6WVnh-G4kj9W-ooqB6s-6MHZYu-cqe8UU-cjYW7s-eixuve-csxJj5-6FW15r-coiZkm-eGgHXg-ompQsf-e3ZKjo-oopFkS-8npUGg-pwpLwX-dDskiw

CC Image courtesy of john shortland on Flickr

Polystichum munitum, western sword fern

Polystichum munitumPolystichum munitum, western sword fern

Family: Dryopteridaceae

Description:

This evergreen fern is a commonly found native plant in the Vancouver region, and is one of the most abundant ferns in North America. Sword-shaped fronds are singularly pinnately compound, with each leaflet alternating along the stem. Fronds form in a clump and radiate outward. Spore cases on back of leaves are very regular.

Growing conditions:

This species is highly adaptable. Growing best with some shade and continuous moisture, this plant can also withstand summer drought. With access to moisture, Polystuchum munitum can tolerate full sun.

Suitable uses:

As one of the toughest native plants, this species is extremely useful in the Vancouver region. It works well in a woodland setting and as an evergreen ground layer. It is useful for filling in large open space. This species also thrives in shallow soil conditions, making it versatile for urban locations.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jmaughn/24008075846/in/photolist-CzvEwb-HwLsMp-oePheZ-nVxGSw-2WC2sy-74AP19-4CQjAi-8pEJVU-9LGm7S-9LDxpr-2WxCva-2WxB8c-2WC4GL-2WxALR-2WC3E5-2WxBuk-uduVX-eeBQUh-bScoHa-oHk8d-bSckqZ-ebgPeH-8tptiU-5fh2vG-5saMtc-79mgi-8tmtp4-eYcicp-8tptVY-7YuAnw-2WC49w-dVDYWb-2WxBTx-c7pZqL-rN9Zg2-2Wxz94-2WxAjT-2WxzrH-2WxAZr-2WC4wS-2WC25Q-2WC2Xd-fyECYn-2WxzJM-rtVpin-8twknP-ebgNB8-5f86a6-tNq9j-ayn86U/

CC Image courtesy of J. Maughn on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dballentine/4861712981/in/photolist-8pBxTB-ssZpiD-gFLd2-7Huw2a-7HyrKN-mWTHdt-67i6xQ-djnLCY-4CUB3f-uPgNE-kifKUL-mi5Ded-8tpsjY-6DdBYk-8pEJ9h-ayn45h-eYcivc-7mUNRK-CzvEwb-HwLsMp-oePheZ-nVxGSw-2WC2sy-74AP19-4CQjAi-8pEJVU-9LGm7S-9LDxpr-2WxCva-2WxB8c-2WC4GL-2WxALR-2WC3E5-2WxBuk-uduVX-eeBQUh-bScoHa-oHk8d-bSckqZ-ebgPeH-8tptiU-5fh2vG-5saMtc-79mgi-8tmtp4-eYcicp-8tptVY-7YuAnw-2WC49w-dVDYWb

               CC Image courtesy of                 Debbie Ballentine on Flickr

Paris polyphylla, paris


ParisParis polyphylla,
paris

Family: Melanthiacea

Description:

This unusual plant is noteworthy for the subtle, yet distinctive form. Each stalk, reaching 3 feet in height, is a single leaf with whorled leaves below a terminal flower. While the flower has no petals, it does have elegant thread-like filaments that extend from a whorl of prominent green bracts. This perennial is long-lived and slowly spreading.

Growing conditions:

Paris polyphylla grows best in shade and requires moisture.

Suitable uses:

This plant works well in a woodland garden. It is quite expensive when commercially available. It is a good choice for a high-end client with a shaded location.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cetp/4643195348/in/photolist-85iAdd-8faahp-fmxMUs-8Q4F1G-cbdNGj-4QZeeF-H8t9C2-81VrQb-sS4rJn

    CC Image courtesy of C. E. Timothy Paine on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wlcutler/9421527566/in/photolist-85iAdd-8faahp-fmxMUs-8Q4F1G-cbdNGj-4QZeeF-H8t9C2-81VrQb-sS4rJn

         CC Image courtesy of            Wendy Cutler on Flickr

Kirengeshoma palmata, yellow wax flower


Karingeshoma palmataKirengeshoma palmata,
yellow wax flower

Family: Hydrangeaceae

Description:

This large perennial is notable for both distinctive leaves and showy flowers. Leaves are opposite and maple-like in appearance, with pronounced toothed margins and deep sinuses. Flowers are a soft yellow and waxy in texture. Petals are sturdy enough to provide a landing pad for butterflies. While this plant is normally butterfly pollinated in its native habitat, in the Vancouver region hummingbirds are also attracted to this plant. Kirengeshoma palmata can become quite large, with the Korean form reaching 3 meters. For a more modest look, the Japanese form will only reach 5 feet.

Growing conditions:

This is a typical shade loving perennial and requires moisture.

Suitable uses:

This plant works well in a woodland garden. Because Kirengeshoma palmata both grows in mass and can become quite large, it is important for this plant to be situated in an appropriately scaled site, such as a park.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/klasseimgarten/5115006541/in/photolist-aqJoY9-7YAmLw-81jY6e-9B61TQ-ao2eD3-p6DiTU-9EUaSz-oRc2vG-pseAsx-ooy8eo-8KzTx5-8KzTyf-8ovmnv-8ovmC8-8oyqYJ-oL8RvQ-oL8RSm-3cuoqr-5rC1mW-acaRBt-yeYdKZ-8MZKeX-8z9Rkv-NRXhN-5vPqnD-xXn4Pm

            CC Image courtesy of                Klasse im Garten on Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nestmaker/4849187911/in/photolist-aqJoY9-7YAmLw-81jY6e-9B61TQ-ao2eD3-p6DiTU-9EUaSz-oRc2vG-pseAsx-ooy8eo-8KzTx5-8KzTyf-8ovmnv-8ovmC8-8oyqYJ-oL8RvQ-oL8RSm-3cuoqr-5rC1mW-acaRBt-yeYdKZ-8MZKeX-8z9Rkv-NRXhN-5vPqnD-xXn4Pm

CC Image courtesy of Megan Hansen  on Flickr