Paintbrushes are believed to be semi-parasitic as they have few root hairs with which to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. 

White Thistle / Hooker's Thistle

The species name commemorates Britsh botanist Sir William J. Hooker (1785-1865), director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.  Between 1829 and 1840, he made numerous plant collections across Canada and the US.

This is one of my favorite thistles.  It is beautiful. 

This is fairly common in my neck of the woods.  You only have to be observant at the right time to see it.  There is a particular plant close by that climbs 20 feet on a poplar tree and has formed a nest of blooms.  It is quite something to see.  

Bunchberry

A member of the dogwood family.  These are found throughout almost all of Alberta.  Moist woods, often under evergreens, and that's where I find the best crops of them.  Like other cornus seeds, they are difficult to clean.  

Red-osier Dogwood

Found all over Alberta.  Native peoples in northern Alberta used the outer bark to make a dye and tanning solution for hides.  The stems were woven into birch baskets to add colour. Also, original native dreamcatchers were made from the young branches of the Red-osier dogwood.

SOLD OUT

Beaked Hazelnut or Beaked Filbert

I found these on my favorite lease not far from home.  Judging from the incredible abundance of this shrub, I would guess that it is easy to grow!  Can't wait to go back in the early spring to see the flowers.  This shrub is one of the earliest flowering plants in Alberta. 

Beaked hazelnut is a member of the birch family.

I suspect I may regret offering these for sale, they are going to require some heavy gloves to clean the nut.  Update, heavy leather gloves & a dental tool makes quick work of it.

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Potentilla fruticosa

Finding this seed up past Rocky Mountain House was one of those 'Stop the Truck' moments. Seeing a favorite plant growing in its natural habitat is so rewarding. Went back to that area on several occasions to ensure that I was able to collect the seed at its prime. The last trip up I was met with clear cut forest (see the blog for that trip). Managed to find enough seed to offer, plus spread some through the ditches where it had been growing. Let's hope it takes hold again up there for future generations.

Fairybells    

Found in moist deciduous and mixed wood forests.  Blooms May to June.  Berry is a deep orange / red with a velvety surface.

Seed is moist packed in vermiculite. 

Best if started in a cold frame over the winter.  Not the easiest to get going in the garden, germination can be erratic.  Worth the effort though.

Starts to bloom end of May beginning of June here in central Alberta. 

I've noticed that these can grow up to 60 cm in a garden setting.

Yellow Mountain Avens

This is more a trailing shrub that forms dense mats.  It is a sight to see when there are fields of it growing.  Showtime is when dryas is 'in seed'.  Is that how one would describe it?  Mile after mile of fluffy seed heads. 

Be patient when starting, germination is normally slow.

Available in larger quantities, but pre-order by June is required.