Plant Library

Saskatoon berry native to western North America with white flowers in spring and edible purple berries in summer. Forms multi-stemmed shrubs or small trees. The berries are sweet and valued for pies and jams. Native from Alaska to California and eastward.

Adaptable to various conditions. The edible berries are important food source for birds and wildlife. Historic food source for First Nations peoples. The white flowers create showy spring display. Fall foliage develops yellow to red tones. Suitable for naturalistic plantings, edible gardens, and hedgerows. More drought-tolerant than eastern serviceberries.

A low, woody perennial of the prairie, forming compact shrubs with finely divided, grey-green foliage that gives the plant a soft, silvery cast. Slender upright spikes of deep violet flowers appear in early to midsummer, each floret tipped with a bright orange anther. Plants develop a deep, resilient root system and show notable tolerance for drought, heat, and poor soils. Growth is slow to establish but long lived once settled. Foliage remains tidy through the season and can carry subtle autumn tones.

A compact selection of leadplant, forming low, rounded mounds of finely divided, grey-green foliage. The dwarf habit keeps the plant tight and restrained, with the same silvery texture and summer flower spikes characteristic of the species. Violet blooms with orange anthers rise just above the foliage in early to midsummer. Plants establish slowly but develop deep, resilient root systems and show strong tolerance for drought, heat, and lean soils. Well suited to smaller spaces or foreground positions in prairie-style plantings.

A long-lived, clump-forming perennial that develops upright, leafy stems through spring and early summer. Pale blue, star-shaped flowers appear early in the season, after which the plant continues to fill out, forming a dense, willowy mass of foliage that serves as a steady backdrop to later-flowering plants.

A selection of little bluestem with blue tones to foliage. Synonym of Schizachyrium scoparium. Native to North American prairies forming important grassland component. The blue colouring creates attractive contrast. Develops warm fall tones as temperatures cool.

Requires full sun and lean soil for best performance. More compact growth habit. Suitable for prairie gardens, gravel gardens, and naturalistic borders. The drought tolerance is excellent once established. Combines well with prairie perennials. Clumping and well-behaved. The fall colour is attractive. The silvery seed heads catch light beautifully.

A robust, upright anemone with freely branching stems and a notably long flowering season. White flowers with lilac undersides are carried above the foliage, distinguished by grey stamens rather than blue. Compared to Anemone rivularis, this species is sturdier and more floriferous, producing a steady succession of blooms through early and midsummer. It self-seeds readily under garden conditions.