Balloon Flower
(Platycodon Grandiflorus)
(Platycodon Grandiflorus)
Balloon flowers are perennials that are native to east asia. Their name comes from their balloon shaped buds that pop open into star-like blue, pink, or white blooms. These low maintenance plants thrive in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Once they are established, they are drought-tolerant and ideal for borders or rock gardens.
Woodland Sage
(Salvia x Sylvestris)
(Salvia x Sylvestris)
With tall, upright stems with narrow opposite leaves and blue tubular flowers, they bloom throughout the summer.
A perennial herb with vibrant blue flowers, popular for attracting pollinators such as butterflies. Native to North America, it is particularly suited for prairies, meadows, and open woodlands.
A perennial herb with vibrant blue flowers, popular for attracting pollinators such as butterflies. Native to North America, it is particularly suited for prairies, meadows, and open woodlands.
Bearded Iris
(Iris x Germanica)
(Iris x Germanica)
Bearded Irises are hardy perennials native to the Mediterranean region. They produce elegant, ruffled flowers in a wide range of colors atop sword-like foliage, typically blooming in late spring. The name refers to the fuzzy "beard" on their lower petals. Bearded irises thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and benefit from division every few years. Used in borders and cutting gardens, they are also valued for their rhizomes, which have historically been used in perfumery (orris root).
Borage
(Borago Officinalis)
(Borago Officinalis)
A herb native to the Mediterranean, this annual is known for its bright blue, star-shaped flowers and hairy stems. It attracts pollinators like bees and is edible, with a cucumber-like flavour. Borage likes full sun and well-drained soil, readily reseeding, making it a great companion plant in vegetable gardens.
Columbine
(Aquilegia)
(Aquilegia)
Columbine is a genus of flowering plants that are known for their unique, spurred petals and fern-like foliage. They are popular as ornamental plants, and are often used in borders, rock gardens and woodland gardens.
This plant is attractive to pollinators, but all parts of the plant, especially the seeds and roots can be toxic if ingested.
In our gardens, we have many varieties of Columbine, such as Angel Dwarf.
This plant is attractive to pollinators, but all parts of the plant, especially the seeds and roots can be toxic if ingested.
In our gardens, we have many varieties of Columbine, such as Angel Dwarf.
Cuthbert Grant Rose
(Rosa x Cuthbert Grant)
(Rosa x Cuthbert Grant)
This rose is a Canadian-bred shrub rose that is known for its dark red and fragrant blooms, which it produces from early summer to fall.
It is a part of the Parkland series, named after the prominent Métis leader, Cuthbert Grant, who was also a fur trader for the Northwest Company (NWC).
It is a part of the Parkland series, named after the prominent Métis leader, Cuthbert Grant, who was also a fur trader for the Northwest Company (NWC).
Day Lilly
(Hemerocallis)
(Hemerocallis)
The Station gardens have several varieties of Day Lily, ranging from the oldest species to new dwarf varieties. The variety in this garden is Purple D’Oro. It is a compact, vigorous plant that has profuse blooms (up to 25 buds), over a long blooming period.
Day lilies are well adapted from dry, sunny locations, as they are very drought-tolerant.
Day lilies are well adapted from dry, sunny locations, as they are very drought-tolerant.
Creeping Juniper
(Juniperus Horizontalis)
(Juniperus Horizontalis)
A low-growing, evergreen shrub valued for its spreading habit and blue-green foliage that turns plum purple in the fall and winter.
This plant prefers full sun to partial shade, and is adaptable to various soil types and pH levels. Junipers grow on the sides of coulees and cliffs throughout Alberta.
This plant prefers full sun to partial shade, and is adaptable to various soil types and pH levels. Junipers grow on the sides of coulees and cliffs throughout Alberta.
Grape Hyacinth
(Muscari Spp.)
Grape Hyacinths are small, spring-blooming bulbs with tight clusters of blue, purple, or white bell-shaped flowers that resemble bunches of grapes. Native to Eurasia, they grow well in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. These easy-care plants naturalize readily and are used in borders and rock gardens. While not used culinarily, they’re valued for their early bloom and ability to attract pollinators.
Larkspur
(Delphinium Consolida)
Larkspur is an annual or short-lived perennial known for its tall spires of deeply lobed flowers in blue, purple, pink, or white. It blooms in early to mid-summer and prefers full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Larkspur is used in cottage and cutting gardens. Though beautiful, all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested. Traditionally, it was used in folk medicine and even to repel lice and other pests.
Potentilla Bush/Shrubby Cinquefoil
(Potentilla Fruticosa)
This plant is a popular cold-hardy, and versatile flowering shrub. It is known for its long blooming season, vibrant flower colors (Orange Whisper variety), and compact growth habit.
These flowers are beneficial for gardens, especially in the prairies, as they are great pollinator attractors and versatile in landscaping uses.
These flowers are beneficial for gardens, especially in the prairies, as they are great pollinator attractors and versatile in landscaping uses.
Yellow Bed Straw/Lady’s Bedstraw
(Galium Verum)
Yellow bedstraw is a perennial herb native to Europe and Asia, known for its bright yellow, honey scented flowers. It is found in sunny areas like road-sides, fields, and pastures. This plant has a wide history of uses, such as a flea repellent, cheese-making, or dyes.