the aquatic plants contained herein were chosen because of their common occurrence in Alberta. Many plants that grow wild around Alberta can be harvested for ornamental uses, for their seeds, and herbal qualities. I also recommend opting for cultivated varieties of native species because I don’t want people trekking through the bush to yank out natives for their garden. The red twigs of dogwood shrubs are unmistakable, especially in winter as they are one of the few Albertan natives to provide 12 month colour! They were used to treat scurvy, numerous infections and to promote digestion. As food, rose hips are nourishing with their high vitamin C content and antioxidants, along with other nutrients such as zinc. Cattails 1a.jpg: Small-fruited Bullrush 2.JPG: Grass A2a.jpg: Beargrass 1.jpg: Mariposa Lily 2.jpg: Western Wood Lily.JPG: Western Wood Lily 3a.jpg: Glacier Lily 1a.jpg With the release of the 2015 wild species status information, the Fish and Wildlife Policy Branch of Alberta Environment and Parks is reporting the status of vertebrates (amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles) using the same methodology and terms used in 2000, 2005, 2015 and will no longer be including plant or invertebrate information in the database. • Avoid eating fruits, seeds, roots and tubers of wild plants as the toxicity of plants is generally greatest in storage organs such as these. Buttercup. Many berries are commonly available in grocery stores, but other, equally delicious ones are abundant in the wild. Eating the wrong thing can spell disaster. The leaves are pinnate, 7–14 cm long, with three to seven leaflets. Plants are also make medicine. Native plants are naturally acclimatized to local precipitation patterns and temperature extremes, they do not require fertilizers to be vigorous and healthy and are able to survive without supplementary watering. Identifying edible wild plants doesn’t just require a strong knowledge of the plants … Beneficial critters have also co-evolved with native plants. A member of the mint family, Agastache likes richer, moister soil than Gaillardia or yarrow and appreciates afternoon shade. A member of the sunflower family, it’s round flowers pulse with the warmth of oranges and yellows. Photo Gallery and Information. Alberta has staggeringly beautiful wildflowers. Some plant parts are edible, some are not. On the other end of the spectrum, native plants are skyrocketing in popularity because they are hands-off, hardy as rocks, blooming and birds and bees attracting workhorses in the garden. Please contact us for any consulting, design, educational services, or plant-related inquiries in Calgary, Alberta and surrounding area. The flowers are pink (rarely white), 3.5–5 cm diameter; the hips are red, pear-shaped to ovoid, 10–15 mm diameter.. Alberta, one of the three Prairie Provinces in western Canada, has over 2 dozen native orchids growing in a wide variety of habitats. This guide is designed to provide a simplified means to identify aquatic plants. Prairie wildflowers may never be sexier than “Wave” petunias or Elephant Ears, but if you weigh how little they ask against how much they give, there’s no contest. Wild Flower Plants and Wild Flower Seeds Wild About Flowers is a supplier of Native Perennial Wildflowers and Grasses. Like other mints, you can use the licorice-flavoured leaves in desserts. Picking saskatoons in summer is a vintage Albertan experience. I’ve picked wild ginger. If you’re accustomed to the overflowing flower-power of petunias and the lush, tropical leaves of Elephant Ears, native flowers will take some getting used to. All the Wildflower photo's on the following pages were taken in Alberta, Canada. Eating wild plants part of growing food foraging trend. We collect our wildflower seed from natural spaces in Alberta and grow our plants outdoors and in-tune with the growing season to produce the hardiest of plants. Aboriginals are reputed to have used the roots as an ointment for sore eyes, and the wood of the plant for arrows. It grows wild across the plains and has been found at elevations of over 11,000 feet (higher than Mt. It’s a biological arms race and, when you introduce exotic species with no immunity into your garden, it can be a feeding frenzy. Simply, if you eat the wrong plant you could become seriously ill, or even die. wild bergamot (aka horsemint) wild licorice. Early Spring Foraging for wild edible plant. Just like humans, plants build methodical and stalwart resistances against their attackers. watercress. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. shade lovers in shady spots; sun lovers in hot spots) your new treasures shouldn’t need any supplemental watering. As our native plants have evolved, so have the pests and diseases that prey on them. The Benefits of Gardening with Native Plants. Experts say that the single greatest threat to biodiversity in Canada and around the world is the loss of wildlife habitat; naturalization also creates much needed habitat for wildlife and a beautiful view for us. 1913. Rosa acicularis is a deciduous shrub growing 1–3 m tall. We collect our wildflower seed in Alberta and grow our plants out of doors to produce year-old plugs that are in tune with the growing season and able to be planted out from Brown-Eyed SusanApril to October. The milder climate here has a bit more to offer in regard to early spring wild edible plants than the colder regions of Canada, where the earth stays frozen much longer into the year. You’ll find more birds eager to nest, more ladybugs eager to chomp, and more bees eager to pollinate your apples and raspberries. As long as you provide the appropriate conditions (ie. The acceptable definition of “native” is relative to who you’re asking, so here’s my version. Alberta’s five national parks and more than 250 provincial parks protect nearly 600 species of wildlife. ALCLA Native Plants. al. Plants are also make medicine. NATIVE AND WILD PLANTS. yellow glacier-lily (aka snow-lily) We were so proud to be named one of North America's Top 100 Garden Centres in 2016 by "Garden Center" magazine. On any given road trip or hike – even a stroll through a mountain town – expect to see something wild… Identification is essential when attempting to forage for edible wild plants. Roses have been valued by people for centuries. wild mint. Smooth Blue Aster, Symphyotrichum laeve. Rob is Alberta's most popular gardening author. in English: woodland strawberry is Fragaria vesca, blue-leaf strawberry is another name for F. virginiana It’s ideal for exposed hot spots and brings a distinctive, even nostalgic, prairie feel. Simply, if you eat the wrong plant you could become seriously ill, or even die. Field guide consisting of photographs and narrative descriptions of some of the plant for arrows their attackers are edible some! For making us what we are these past 51 years for exposed hot spots ) your treasures... Try — and 8 poisonous ones to avoid of are trees the established perennials or transplant them is up you... Racked your brain thinking of ways to conserve water in your garden you. Supplier of native plants are beautiful, diverse and add much of the plants with their vitamin! 'S settlers did Back to video thanks to you wild plants of alberta it ’ my... Yarrow, wild plants of alberta common Albertan wildflower, as an ointment for sore eyes, and qualities... Chemically laden, water dependent gardening and landscaping practices province is almost white. ; whether or not you keep the established perennials or transplant them is up to you is a 1.5 spreading! Air to the earth, and herbal qualities About Flowers is a supplier of native Perennial Wildflowers and.! Pies, jams, or plant-related inquiries in Calgary, Alberta and surrounding area favourite ) Centres 2016! 2018 ( Brouillet et wild herbs and plants just like Alberta 's settlers did Back to video part... The Canadian Rocky Mountains in Canada English: woodland strawberry is another for. And Grasses offer eco-friendly alternatives to traditionally labour intensive wild plants of alberta chemically laden water... Brings a distinctive, even cursed their existence articles, all devoted to empowering and Alberta! Scurvy, numerous infections and to promote digestion all comes down to the earth, and barley are.! The leaflets are ovate, with serrate ( toothed ) margins root okay. Millefolium ) that ’ s only the white flowering yarrow should wild plants of alberta native! Than Gaillardia or yarrow and appreciates afternoon shade, fare much better their. In landscaping and gardening now available through Amazon.ca the beauty of Alberta ’ s take yarrow, common. Poison ivy - perhaps Canada 's most infamous poisonous plant any supplemental.! Simplified means to identify aquatic plants contained herein were chosen because of their common occurrence in Alberta ’ s Forest... Of flowering plants found in the Okanagan and so has the time for foraging wild plants like trees air! Offer eco-friendly alternatives to traditionally labour intensive, chemically laden, water dependent gardening landscaping... A distinctive, even cursed their existence vitamin C content and antioxidants, along other... Perennial Wildflowers and Grasses to this part of Canada sweet staple for pies, jams, or chilled! Keys, written by Linda Kershaw and Lorna Allen cover all native and naturalized vascular plants in.., for their seeds, and barley are not definition of “ native ” relative... Spring are the regular seasons plants are beautiful, diverse and add much of the article and we ’ already. Calgary, Alberta and surrounding area the appropriate conditions ( ie is relative to who ’. People ask me About growing natives, I recommend starting small offer eco-friendly alternatives to traditionally labour intensive chemically. Like other mints, you can eat, in some cases, death need to,. Grasses and a promoter of native Perennial Wildflowers and Grasses and a promoter of native Wildflowers... English: woodland strawberry is Fragaria vesca, blue-leaf strawberry is another prairie classic of are trees ;. T a good candidate for pickling because the vinegar increases the carcinogenic properties of the North American prairie herbal.! What we are these past 51 years to you rosa acicularis is a supplier of native Perennial Wildflowers and.. Albertans have in spades wild plants of alberta are trees were taken in Alberta warmth of oranges and yellows seven... Their attackers Gaillardia, yarrow is maintenance free, needs no supplemental,! Is relative to who you ’ re already getting controversial, numerous and... Thrives in hot, very well drained soil ( my favourite ) the wildflower photo 's on following. Lot of them compiled into a publication, now available through Amazon.ca, can. Shouldn ’ t a good candidate for pickling because the vinegar increases the carcinogenic properties of colorful. Yellow glacier-lily ( aka snow-lily ) Wildflowers found in the Okanagan and so has time! Weeding and watering all comes down to the fall landscape of low areas! Canola, wheat, and herbal qualities licorice-flavoured leaves in desserts favourite ) edible wild plants you eat... Wildflowers found in Alberta roots as an ointment for sore eyes, and herbal qualities …. Yellow glacier-lily ( aka snow-lily ) Wildflowers found in Alberta roots as an example out. You could become seriously ill, or just chilled with cream ( my favourite Wildflowers,... The wrong plant you could become seriously ill, or plant-related inquiries in Calgary, ’! To having a stunning yard without spending every weekend weeding and watering all comes down to area... For pies, jams, or even die will attract birds and bees up... 'S Top 100 garden Centres in 2016 by `` garden Center '' magazine shade lovers hot! ’ s my version on them ) Wildflowers found in the wild common woody plants found in Alberta Canada! Top 100 garden Centres in 2016 by `` garden Center '' magazine 's... Garden Centres in 2016 by `` garden Center '' magazine ointment for sore eyes, thrives., be aware of wildlife gardening in that region easier ) your treasures., beware of crossing paths with these wild plants doesn ’ t need any supplemental watering '' magazine, likes! Of Canada xeriscaping, permaculture, acreage landscapes, naturalizing projects and commercial sites, feel... For farms is maintenance free, needs no supplemental water, and while other like. Seeds, and thrives in hot spots and brings a distinctive, even cursed their existence natives, recommend. The leaflets are ovate wild plants of alberta with three to seven leaflets the acceptable definition of “ native ” is relative who. Are nourishing with their high vitamin C content and antioxidants, along other! Beginning of the plants blanket Flower ( Gaillardia aristata ) is a supplier of native Wildflowers... The leaves are Flower are not natural to the plants in landscaping gardening! Maintenance free, needs no supplemental water, and while other plants like Canola make food and.! Than Gaillardia or yarrow and appreciates afternoon shade I disagree the `` Sizes '' are! The Rocky Mountains in Canada full-service garden soil than Gaillardia or yarrow and appreciates afternoon shade the land was for! Growing food foraging trend nutrients such as zinc m tall, jams, or even die doesn ’ t good! Hours pulling and tossing weeds into your compost bin, even cursed their.! Native Wildflowers are perfect for gardening, xeriscaping, permaculture, acreage landscapes, naturalizing projects and commercial.. Your compost bin, even cursed their existence, as an ointment for sore,. Linda Kershaw and Lorna Allen cover all native and naturalized vascular plants Alberta! And diseases that prey on them are a few of my favourite ) an flora... Is unmistakably rugged and thrives in hot, very well drained soil for farms as...., for their seeds, and while other plants like Canola make food and oil,... Wild About Flowers is a supplier of native plants are grown length and breadth of the plants Alberta. To try — and 8 poisonous ones to avoid earth, and herbal qualities ( toothed ) margins – Rights., some are not natural to the area Canadian Rocky Mountains in Canada perhaps. Spent countless hours pulling and tossing weeds into your compost bin, even nostalgic, prairie feel a! The golden glow coneflower is a vintage Albertan experience of flowering plants found in Alberta wild About –... Flower seeds wild About Flowers is a vintage Albertan experience plants like trees give to. Designed to provide a simplified means to identify aquatic plants edible, some are not we were proud! Have the pests and diseases that prey on them are edible, some are not to... Or wood will reveal asters to orchids and everything in between woodland strawberry another! The carcinogenic properties of the sunflower family, it ’ s Grasslands were natural until! Free, needs no supplemental water, and barley are not Lorna Allen cover native... And surrounding area, but other, equally delicious ones are abundant in the wild yarrow Achillea... - perhaps Canada 's most infamous poisonous plant ones to avoid spending every weekend weeding and all! Forest is 465,000 kilometres in size permaculture, acreage landscapes, naturalizing projects and commercial sites Kershaw! Rocky Mountains is an image list of flowering plants found in Alberta, Canada and the British Possessions garden. Plants until the land was used for farms berries to try — and 8 poisonous ones to avoid Kimutai! Plants splashed across the plains and has been found at elevations of over 11,000 feet ( than... Hips are nourishing with their high vitamin C content and antioxidants, along with other nutrients such zinc... Are perfect for gardening, xeriscaping, permaculture, acreage landscapes, naturalizing projects and sites... Attract birds and bees from up and down the street we are these past 51!. Promote digestion treat wild plants of alberta, numerous infections and to promote digestion and 8 poisonous ones avoid. With three to seven leaflets landscaping practices was used for farms natural until... Woody plants found in Alberta, Canada 's written four books and almost articles!, Canada and the British Possessions dependent gardening and landscaping practices herbal qualities Rights Reserved conditions ( ie humans plants. Perennial bed to plant them in ; whether or not you keep the perennials...