Langside Learning Garden

Visibility within the garden was an important safety concern to the community. The Langside Learning Garden takes this into consideration with its open design plan and the use of solar lights to outline the path.

Accessibility was fundamental to the design of the garden. It was designed to provide an accessible environment that offers older adults, and people with disabilities or medical conditions the opportunity to participate fully in garden activities.

The community was interested in preserving and increasing biodiversity in the neighbourhood. This was accomplished by selecting perennials native to Manitoba that would add to bird, bee, and butterfly populations.

The garden was designed with input from community members. The community explained the need to ensure that the site respects the land it exists on and is constructed as a space for reflection and action towards decolonization and reconciliation.

The Langside Learning Garden is designed to be used as a community educational resource and is available for educational events, research projects, workshops, and classes.

Rudbeckia hirta

Wezaawi-waabigwan(iig) "Yellow-flower" Mangishkiinzhigwe(wag) "Big eye"

Found in open areas, fields, and along roadsides, Black-eyed Susan attracts birds, pollinators, and butterflies. Known for its bright yellow petals that surround a black centre, this biennial grows to 30 to 90 centimetres in height and blooms from summer to fall. Black-eyed Susan prefers partial shade to sun and is deer and drought resistant. [1] Research suggests the roots of Black-eyed Susan are even more effective than echinacea at supporting the immune system. Zone: 4

Anemone canadensis

Midewijiibik(ag) "Mide-root"

Found in meadows, moist woodlands, and along shorelines, Canada Anemone is a perennial with white flowers that bloom in the spring. Ranging in height from 30 to 60 centimetres, Canada Anemone prefers partial shade to sun and damp soil. Note, it can be toxic and spreads easily. [1] Zone: 2 Traditional Uses:

The roots of Canada Anemone have many different uses. They can be applied to wounds or used to relieve sores. Roots are also eaten to clear the throats of singers in medicine lodge ceremonies and other ceremonies. [5,7] An eye wash of Canada Anemone can be used for eye twitches and crossed eyes.

Veronicastrum virginicum

Wiisagijiibik(ag) "Bitter-root" 

Culver’s Root is a long-blooming perennial found in meadows and open areas. Ranging between 90 to 180 centimetres tall, it attracts butterflies and pollinators and has white flowers. Culver’s Root prefers damp soil and partial shade to full sun. [1] Zone: 3 Traditional Uses:

The root of Culver’s Root can be used as a blood cleanser and a purgative. [5]

Thuja occidentalis

Giishkaandag(oog) "Giishk-evergreen" Giishkaatig(oog) "Giishk-tree" (both in reference to the tree) Giizhik(ag) (for the small cedar boughs or in general)

A member of the evergreen family, Eastern White Cedar attracts birds and mammals, and serves as an important food source during the cold winter months. Found in swampy areas, Eastern White Cedar has green needles and can grow to be 3 to 12 metres tall. It prefers partial shade to sun and damp to wet soil, however, it can be damaged by salt. [1] Zones: 1 to 8 Traditional Uses:

Cedar is very important in Indigenous culture. It is used as a source of purification and a way to attract positive energy, feelings, emotions, and balance. It also has many different medicinal uses. Cedar is high in vitamin C and was used to help prevent scurvy during the winter. [8] A mix of branches and other herbs can be used to treat various health issues. A mixture of branches can be used to treat pneumonia and a mixture of leaves can be used for headaches. Eastern White Cedar can also be used as a blood purifier, cough medicine, the leaves can be steeped for tea, the bark can be used to make fibre bags, and the wood can be used for canoe frames. [5]

Agastache foeniculum

Wezaawanashk(oon) " Yellow/brown-stem"

Found in prairies and dry thickets, Giant Hyssop is a tall perennial and a member of the mint family. It attracts butterflies and is a particular favourite among bees and hummingbirds because of its fragrant foliage. Giant Hyssop has purple flowers that bloom throughout the summer. It prefers partial shade to full sun and is drought tolerant. [1] Zone: 4 Traditional Uses:

Giant Hyssop has both medicinal and nutritional uses. Mixtures of roots can be used for colds or chest pain and mixtures of leaves and stems can be used as a treatment for coughing up blood. The leaves of Giant Hyssop are also used as flavouring and sweeteners, and are steeped to make tea. [5] Tea from Giant Hyssop can help the immune system and act as a blood purifier.

Campanula rotundifolia

Ziiginise(wag) "Pouring"

Also known as Bluebell, Harebell is a perennial whose blue flowers bloom from summer through fall. Found in meadows and rocky areas, it can grow to 75 centimetres tall and attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators. It prefers partial shade to full sun and is deer resistant. [1] Zone: 2 Traditional Uses:

The roots of Harebell have medicinal properties. Roots can be chewed to relieve heart problems and mixtures of roots can be used as a treatment for lung troubles. [5,9] Harebell can also be used to fight inflammation, flu, and bacterial infections, and can be taken as heart medicine for irregular heart beats and angina.

Solidago missouriensis

Waasakoneg(wag) "Shining" Giizisomashkiki(wan) "Sun-medicine" Ajidamoowaanow(ag) "Squirrel-tail (also refers to yarrow)"

Low Goldenrod, also known as Missouri Goldenrod, is found in prairies and open areas. Blooming throughout the summer with bright yellow flowers, Low Goldenrod grows to 30 to 60 centimetres in height. It attracts butterflies and prefers full sun and sandy soil. [2]

Traditional Uses:

In general, Goldenrod species are usually considered wild and nutritional food. They can provide antioxidant support, are good for allergies, and can be used as kidney cleansers.

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae Bakwenezigan

Bakwenezigan(an) "Smoker" Wiinizikens(an) "A comparison to other plants by the name wiinizik, used for Seneca root and black birch" (or Waanizikensiwang(in))

New England Aster can be used as a food preservative. A mix of its roots can also be used to treat diarrhea. [7, 10]

With vibrant purple flowers that attract birds, mammals, pollinators, and butterflies, New England Aster blooms from summer through fall. This perennial can reach heights of 1 to 2 metres and prefers damp soil and partial shade to sun.[1] Zone: 3 Traditional Uses:

Galium boreale

Found in open woods and along woodland edges, Northern Bedstraw is a perennial that has smooth leaves and white flowers. Blooming from late spring through summer, it grows to be 30 to 60 centimetres in height and prefers damp or rocky soil. [2] Zone: 2 Traditional Uses:

Northern Bedstraw has many uses. It can be used in poultice form to stop bleeding and swelling. The plant juice can be used as a salve to heal skin problems such as sunburn, cuts, insect bites, eczema, ringworm, and rashes. Northern Bedstraw was also used as a bed stuffing by early settlers and a mixture of its roots can be used as red dye for porcupine quills. [5, 10]

Artemisia frigida

Mashkodewashk(oon) "Prairie-plant" Mashkode-wiingashk(oon) "Prairie-wiingashk (a comparison with sweetgrass)" Bizhikii-wiingashk(oon) "Bison-wiingwashk" Nookwezigan(an) "Smudge"

Pasture Sage, or Prairie Sagewort, is found in open, elevated areas. A perennial with grey-green leaves and yellow flowers, Pasture Sage blooms throughout the summer, ranging in height from 30 to 45 centimetres. It prefers full sun, dry soil, and is drought tolerant. [2] Zone: 3 Traditional Uses:

The leaves of Pasture Sage have many uses. They can be used to relieve headaches associated with fevers. Pasture Sage can also be used as a trap lure and plant bunches were used as towels. It is a ceremonial plant and the leaves are burned as a disinfectant and smudge. [5]

Pulsatilla patens

Gogeda’ojiibik " root"

Manitoba’s provincial flower, Prairie Crocus is a perennial with mauve petals that surround a yellow centre. The first to bloom in spring, Prairie Crocus is specially adapted to cope with cold Manitoba weather. Soft white hairs cover the entire plant, which grows to be 15 to 30 centimetres in height, to protect it from frost. The plant’s shape allows it to capture heat and attract pollinators. [1] Zone: 2 Traditional Uses:

All parts of Prairie Crocus are poisonous. However, Prairie Crocus can be applied externally as a counter irritant for rheumatism, sore muscles, and aches. [9]

Rosa arkansana

Ogin(iig) Oginiiminagaawanzh(iig) (Ogin refers to the berries, the rosehips, but is also often used as a reference to the whole plant as well.) (specifically the plant)

Found in dry prairies and woodland openings, Prairie Roses are pink flowers that bloom throughout the summer. They grow to be 50 centimetres tall and attract many birds and mammals. The Prairie Rose prefers dry soil and full sun. [1] Zone: 3 Traditional Uses:

Prairie Roses have many different uses. The rose hips are high in vitamins and nutrients, especially vitamin C, and can be used to make jams, jellies, syrup, soups, sweeteners, and teas. Rose petals can also be used to make tea and jam or can be eaten raw or candied. The hips were an important food source during famines. However, rose hips can cause digestive irritation. [5, 7, 9, 11]

Artemisia ludoviciana

Mashkodewashk(oon) "Prairie-plant" Mashkode-wiingashk(oon) "Prairie-wiingashk (a comparison with sweetgrass" Bizhikii-wiingashk(oon) "Bison-wiingwashk" Nookwezigan(an) "Smudge"

Prairie Sage is a silvery perennial with fragrant foliage that attracts butterflies. Reaching a height of 30 to 45 centimetres, Prairie Sage prefers full sun and dry soil, and is deer and drought resistant. [3] Zone: 3 Traditional Uses:

Prairie Sage is very important to Indigenous ceremonies and cultures. Used to purify and drive away evil spirits as well as cleanse the body, Prairie Sage is used for smudging. The leaves and stems can also be dried and crumbled for use in soups, stews, and poultry dressing. Furthermore, the plants can be used in mixtures to treat sore throats, diarrhea, and can be used as horse medicine. [5, 7, 8, 11]

Echinacea angustifolia

Giizisobagoons(an) "Little-sun-leaf" (tall coneflower)

Purple Coneflower, also known as Narrow Leaf Purple Coneflower or Prairie Purple Coneflower, is found in dry prairies. Ranging in height from 30 to 90 centimetres, it attracts butterflies, birds, and pollinators. Purple Coneflowers bloom throughout the summer and prefer full sun and dry to damp soil. [1] Zone: 3

Traditional Uses:

Purple Coneflower can be used as an immune and energy support, and can be applied topically to help with arthritis.

Antennaria parvifolia

Gaagigebag(oon) "Everlasting-leaf" (probably in reference to the winter, other plants like Labrador tea and wintergreen are also referred to as gaagigebag)

Small-leaf Pussytoes are short perennials found in open areas such as plains and forest clearings. They bloom throughout the summer, with a flower colour of white, red, pink, green, or brown. Small-leaf Pussytoes attract butterflies and prefer dry soil.[2] Zone: 4 Traditional Uses:

Small-leaf Pussytoes are an important indicator of prairie health. When there are dense populations, it is an indication of overgrazing. [12] They can also be used to treat swelling. [5]

Eupatorium maculatum

Meskwaanagak(in) "Red-barked"

Spotted Joe Pye Weed is a towering perennial that can reach a maximum height of 1.8 metres. Found in meadows, moist thickets, and along shorelines, it has pink flowers that bloom from summer through fall. It prefers full sun and damp or wet soil. [1] Zone: 2 Traditional Uses:

A mixture of the roots of Spotted Joe Pye Weed can be used to treat joint inflammation. [5] Spotted Joe Pye Weed was also used to treat extreme fevers and was used during early epidemics.

Solidago rigida

Waasakoneg(wag) "Shining" Giizisomashkiki(wan) "Sun-medicine Ajidamoowaanow(ag) "Squirrel-tail" (also refers to yarrow)

Stiff Goldenrod attracts a multitude of wildlife including bats, birds, butterflies, mammals, and pollinators. Found in dry prairies and woodland openings, Stiff Goldenrod has yellow flowers that bloom from summer through fall. Growing 60 to 150 centimetres tall, it prefers full sun and is drought tolerant.[1] Zone: 3 Traditional Uses:

The leaves of Stiff Goldenrod can be used to place meat on. [5] In general, Goldenrod species are usually considered wild and nutritional food. They can provide antioxidant support, are good for allergies, and can be used as kidney cleansers.

Asclepias incarnata

Zesab(iig) Bagizowin(an) "Swiming"

Found in moist thickets, swamps, and along shorelines, Swamp Milkweed attracts pollinators and is one of the main butterfly larval plants. Blooming throughout the summer, Swamp Milkweed has pink flowers and can grow to be 120 centimetres tall. It prefers full sun and damp to wet soil, however it is considered toxic in some areas.[1] Zone: 3 Traditional Uses:

Swamp Milkweed has many uses, although it is poisonous in large quantities. The flower buds on Swamp Milkweed can be used as a sweetener or meat tenderizer. Steeped roots can be used to relieve coughs and fevers, and the milk from the plants can be used to cure warts, calluses, and corns. [7]

Hierochloe odorata

Wiingashk(oon) "Sweet-plant" Wiingwashk(oon) "Compare wiingipogwad ‘it’s delicious'"

Known for its sweet fragrance, Sweet Grass is found in meadows and along shorelines. It typically blooms during the spring and prefers full sun and damp to wet soil. Sweet Grass can reach a height of 60 centimetres. [1] Traditional Uses:

Sweet Grass is important in Indigenous ceremonies. It is braided to symbolize the interconnectedness between mind, body, and spirit. It is burned as an incense and protective smudge in religious ceremonies to increase the presence of good spirits. [5, 8, 11] Sweet Grass can also be used as a calming tea.

Petalostemum candidum

Baasibagak(in) "Tiny-leafed" (The name for purple prairie clover which looks similar) Note: the other name for clover is nisoobag ‘three-leaf’, which is inappropriate here because this species does not have that distinctive three leaf pattern

Found in the prairies and plains, White Prairie Clover, which has white flowers that bloom throughout the summer, can reach a height of 50 centimetres. It attracts pollinators and prefers shade to sun and dry to damp soil.[1] Zone: 3 Traditional Uses:

The leaves of White Prairie Clover have many medicinal uses. Teas can be made out of dried and steeped leaves to prevent diseases and cure fevers associated with the measles. Bruised, steeped leaves can be applied to wounds. Roots can be chewed because of their pleasant taste and the stems of White Prairie Clover can be used to make brooms. [7, 9]

Chelone glabra

Mikinaak-oshtigwaan(an) "Snapping-Turtle-head"

A white flower that attracts pollinators and butterflies, White Turtlehead blooms from summer through fall and is found in marshes and along river banks. Ranging from 60 to 120 centimetres tall, it prefers moist to wet soil, and can be susceptible to slugs and snails. [1] Zone: 2