Friendly backyard flowers for Calgary landscapes

The Calgary climate can be quite unpredictable, so it’s critical in landscaping to pick flower backyard plants that can withstand the climate. There is a wide variety of perennials at any garden center. Several grow well in Calgary. But how do you choose the right one? The first thing that you should be aware of is that Calgary moved from zone 3b – to zone 4a in 2016. Perennial plant varieties have been expanded as a result of this. Be sure to consider the zone your plant is growing in when choosing a plant from a garden center.

You should also take the time to evaluate your garden to determine the shady and sunny areas. Friendly plant selection must take into account both exposure and zoning. Sunlight of at least six hours per day is generally considered full sun. The plants in partial shade or partial sun get some morning or evening sun, or a lot of shade in the morning followed by a strong midday sun and then subdued sunlight in the afternoon.

Generally speaking, choose the tallest plant at the back, then choose a mid-height filler, and then choose a groundcover (or creeper) down in front.

Annuals

With annual flowers, you can easily add new colors and diversity to your backyard each season.

Perennials

The perennial plant dies back to its crown each year but survives through the fall/winter to grow back the following year. Once established, they add lasting beauty to your yard and reduce the amount of work you have to do.

Top 10 best flowers to grow in Calgary

1. Bearded Iris

During mid-May through mid-June, bulb plants produce flat leaves and flower stalks. They can reach a height of 16-30 inches and a width of 10-24 inches under full sunlight.

2. Bloody Cranesbill

Magnificent magenta flowers stand out against deep green, deeply lobed foliage. In addition to filling in gaps to form a lush mound, it can also soften hard edges and define pathways. Lacy foliage blooms from late spring until frost, where it turns an orange-red color.

3. Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro)

During late summer, these plants produce prickly blue globes on stalks with deeply cut leaves that are silvery-white underneath. Bees and butterflies love the plant for its prickly foliage. Featuring a deeply branching tap root system, the species prefers full sun and well-drained soils, although it can tolerate some shade.

4. Common Peony

A perennial that is beloved and infamous. Beautiful and fragrant, peonies tend to attract a lot of attention. In Calgary, you can find peonies in some of the earliest communities because they are easy to grow and trouble-free. During the fall, the leaves change color and there are many different options to choose from. This is a beautiful addition to your garden.

5. Blue flax

The flowers come in white and lavender shades. As long as it is well-drained, the blue flax can grow in all soil types. Full sun is ideal for blooming the blue flax, which can grow up to 60 cm tall. Its leaves are arranged spirally, making them distinctive.

6. Blanket flower

Butterflies are known to be attracted to this type of flower, making it a beautiful sight to behold. It is a hardy plant that can withstand very dry conditions. Flowers appear from spring to fall. There are many varieties and colors of blanket flowers, which is why you may know this flower by a different name. In addition to being native to the prairies, this plant would make a perfect addition to a flowerbed in Calgary.

7. Alpine Aster

Its daisy-like purple-blue or white flowers make this low-growing aster an excellent choice for a bed’s front. Keeping the parent plant alive minimizes the chance of self-seeding. Adapts better to drier, lighter soils, but tolerates heavier clay soils if they are well-drained. It blooms in full sun and attracts a lot of butterflies.

8. Magnus Purple Cone Flower

Coneflowers are one of the most striking flowers with vibrant pink petals that remain horizontal instead of drooping like most coneflowers. It blooms from midsummer through early autumn and is resistant to deer and rabbits.

9. Goldsturm Black-Eyed Susan

Native wildflowers are among the most popular for growing. Yellow flowers are daisy-like and will look great in any home as cut flowers. The flowers are also heat- and humidity-tolerant, as well as clay-tolerant. The flowers work well in containers, borders, or cutting gardens.

10. Hens and Chicks

Create an exotic look with a colorful mound of large succulent rosettes. This perennial’s brood of chicks is ever-expanding as its colors vary. You can remove the chicks and transplant them elsewhere in plants that add texture, drama, and interest to the container, border, rock garden, or at the center of a perennial mass.