Weed Wise Gardening in Alberta: A Gardener’s Guide to Non-Invasive Plants

1. Avoid This: Avoid This: Avoid This: Avoid This:
Are you Himalayan Balsam Oxeye Daisy Common Common Tansy
Weed Wise?
(aka Himalayan Orchid, Policeman’s Leucanthemum vulgare
Baby’s Breath Tanacetum vulgare
Weedin Alberta
Wise
Helmet, Poor Man’s Orchid) European origin. Widespread invader in Gypsophila paniculata Perennial. Reproduces by seed and
Impatiens glandulifera
North American pastures and natural short rhizomes (creeping roots).
Ornamental perennial used in floral
Fast growing, introduced annual. areas. Classic white daisy. Lower leaves Forms dense stands. Pungent, aromatic
arrangements. In winter, stems break
Can reach an impressive size, rapidly toothed, upper leaves have wavy foliage used medicinally, as an insect
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off, blowing around in the wind,
out-competing other plants, especially margins. Reproduces by seed, or by repellant, and historically was used for
No gardener in Alberta knowingly plants invasive plants. Like the dandelion, other plants from other parts of the globe, like tumbleweeds, spreading seed to
in riparian areas and along shorelines. shallow rhizomes (creeping roots). Single embalming. Contains compounds toxic
originally introduced as garden flowers, for landscapes, or for CAUTION: Oxeye Daisy pastures and natural areas. Widespread
Having deep respect for the natural environment, they are Orchid shaped flower resembling a plants quickly become large patches. to humans and livestock, if consumed
Gardening
seeds are often found in infestations across Canada and
diligent to keep their gardens weed-free – going to great lengths, their medicinal or food value, have jumped the garden fence to British policeman’s helmet. Very brittle Unpalatable for grazing by livestock or in large quantities. Unpalatable to
http://bullwood.org
Wildflower mixes. Shasta northern United States.
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become invasive in the natural environment. For some, the seeds seed capsules explode upon contact, wildlife, giving it a competitive advantage. grazing animals, gives it a competitive
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and expense, to weed any pesky plants out. Daisy should also be avoided
have arrived as stowaways on shipments, hitchhiked along traffic catapulting seeds 6 metres or more. Has become a serious invasive problem advantage in natural areas and
Shallow root system makes it easily in Wildflower mixes. in natural areas. Some cultivars sold as rangelands.
The best known invasive plant is likely routes, or floated down waterways, managing to survive, thrive,
the dandelion. Originally from Eurasia controlled by hand-pulling. (See: Wildflower Mixes) ‘Shasta Daisy’ are in fact Oxeye Daisy.
and dominate, in the wild.
and cultivated for a variety of medicinal
A GARDENER’S GUIDE TO
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Instead Try: Instead Try: Instead Try: Instead Try:
purposes, it arrived in North America Accidental or intentional, these invaders cause not only
NON-INVASIVE PLANTS with the earliest settlers. Today it is the environmental and ecological degradation, but social
bane of gardens, lawns, boulevards and
and economic loss as well.
open areas across the continent. Husker’s Red White Alpine Aster German Statice Fine-leaved Goldenrod
www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com
http://wisplants.uwsp.edu (Joanne Kline)
Their growth and rapid spread is detrimental to native Beard-Tongue
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(Aster alpinus var. albus) Goniolimon tataricum Solidago graminifolia aka Euthamia
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graminifolia
plants and damages natural areas, rangelands and Penstemon barbatus ‘Husker’s Red’ Branching stems, single daisy-shaped, Prickly heads of tiny white flowers.
watersheds. They threaten the biodiversity of our native clear white, yellow-eyed flowers on low Low rosettes of leathery green leaves. Native Albertan wildflower. Excellent
Attractive maroon-red foliage with
clumps of bright green leaves. Blooms in Branching heads of flowers bloom July - for borders or meadow gardens.
habitat and can also, ultimately, endanger wildlife. dark green underlay. Forms upright
Upright, spreading clump of feathery,
clump. Pink tinged white flowers on late spring/early summer. Grown in rock August. For rock gardens, xeriscaping,
Ht. 75-90 cm gardens or used for edging. Self-seeds Ht. 20-30 cm edging or containers. Excellent as fresh grass-like green leaves. Many small
While relatively few introduced plants actually become invasive strong stems. Blossoms early summer.
W. 30-60 cm to produce successive generations. W. 20-30 cm or dried flowers. Popular for wreaths. clusters of bright yellow flowers.
— only about 10% — effective action needs to be taken to avoid 1996 Perennial of the Year. Ht. 25-40 cm
Attracts butterflies. CAUTION: All plant Blooms late summer to early fall. Terrific Ht. 60-120 cm
W. 30-45 cm W. 60-90 cm
planting — or to “weed” out — the ones that do. Choosing
suitable alternatives can help prevent future spread and serve to
Gas Plant White Opal Aster parts poisonous if eaten. for cutting. Does not cause allergies.
Attractive to butterflies.
Dictamus albus var. purpureus (Aster novi-belgii ‘White Opal’)
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protect and preserve Alberta’s natural environment.
Long-lived, unique perennial. Lemon Fall blooms. Favorite for autumn color. Sea Lavender Morden Eldorado
scented, glossy green leaves. Bushy, Plants form a bushy clump, bearing Limonium latifolium
AIPC’s goal is to ensure that the gardeners Garden Mum
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upright clumps. Spikes of spidery- loads of small daisy flowers. A dwarf Bears upright, branching heads of tiny,
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looking mauve-pink flowers. Flowers selection with yellow-eyed white pale-blue flowers. Produces multiple Chrysanthemum x morifolium aka
of today don’t unintentionally plant the early summer. Worthwhile for cutting. blossoms, may have the slightest touch flowering stems. Great perennial for Dendranthema x morifolium
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Ht. 60-90 cm Ht. 25-30 cm
Attracts butterflies. of soft pink during cooler weather.
dandelions of tomorrow! W. 45-60 cm
Excellent for cutting.
W. 30-45 cm use as cut flower or for drying. Attracts
butterflies.
Masses of large, bright, double golden
flowers. Blooms late summer to late fall.
Ht. 60-75 cm
W. 60-70 cm Tolerates light frost. Among hardiest
Pink Sensation White Pavement Rose types of Mums available. Ht. 45-60 cm
The ornamental plants featured in this brochure are grown
Monkshood (aka Snow Owl) Filigran Russian Sage
W. 38-60 cm
in gardens around Alberta because of qualities valued by
gardeners, e.g. beauty, hardiness, rapid growth, prolific
flowering, or medicinal properties. They have escaped and
LEGEND DROUGHT TOLERANT Aconitum carmichaelli ‘Pink Sensation’
Unusual, soft powder-pink flower on
Easy maintenance ground cover.
Fragrant. Pure white, semi-double
Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Filigran’
Gold Coneflower
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1995 Perennial of the Year. Upright bush.
invaded, or are threatening to invade, various areas of LOW WATER spikes. Blooms July/August. Plants blossoms. Good spreader. Repeater. Fragrant, grey-green foliage. Lavender (aka Black-Eyed Susan)
FULL SUN have deeply cut green leaves. Forms an Strong grower. Tolerant of extremes in
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Alberta. Suitable alternatives are suggested. blue blossoms. Flowers July to October. Rudbeckia spp.
upright clump. Outstanding cut flower. temperature. Highly salt tolerant. Good for cut flowers/dry arrangements.
MODERATE WATER Prefers cool, moist location, away from Ht. 1 m
Bushy, upright clump. Profuse display
Attracts butterflies.
Avoid This
of brown-eyed, golden-orange daisies.
Also consider...
thirsty tree roots. CAUTION: Use gloves W. 1.5 m
PARTIAL SHADE Ht. 90-120 cm Ht. 80-100 cm
Blooms July to October. Good winter
REGULAR WATER W. 45-60 cm
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to handle; harmful to skin; toxic if eaten. W. 60-90 cm
Showy Aster Fleabane (Eurybia conspicua aka Aster conspicuous) – Native to AB Also consider... interest. Outstanding for mass planting
Also consider... and for cutting. Bright gold-flowered
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Instead Try FULL SHADE HIGH WATER
Blue Boy Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘Blue Boy’)
Smooth Fleabane (Erigeron glabellus) – Native to AB
Showy Fleabane (Erigeron speciosus) – Native to AB
Hewitt’s Double Meadow Rue (Thalictrum delavayi ‘Hewitt’s Double’)
Threelobe Spirea (Spiraea trilobata)
R. fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ was 1999
Perennial of the Year.
Ht. 60-75 cm
W. 45-60 cm
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