Flower Gardens

Plant self-sowing annuals

• • Annuals add color and bloom for weeks or months, but reseeding saves time and money.
  • They reseed where they want, not necessarily where you want.
  • Favorite self-sowers: tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis*), flowering tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris), purple perilla (Perilla frutescens* cvs.).

Mulch, then mulch some more

• • Mulch dresses up beds, conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and insulates soil.
  • One spring application is enough; mulch breaks down and reduces soil amendments and fertilizer needs.
  • Best practice: buy mulch from a local nursery in spring (often cheaper and less work than hauling bags).
  • How much: two square yards to layer 2–3 inches over beds in a typical Calgary yard.
  • On types and price: vary by region—experiment to see what you like best.

Buy tried-and-true perennials

• • Foundation of an easy-care garden helps you handle new plants without big risks.
  • Easy performers to look for: ‘Aureola’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, Zones 5–9), ‘Goldsturm’ black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivanti ‘Goldsturm’, Zones 4–9), mildew-resistant ‘David’ phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘David’, Zones 4–8).
  • How to find reliable local performers: drive around your neighborhood and see what looks good in real yards.
  • Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum, Zones 3–9) is a neighbor favorite for a carefree late-summer show.

Plant winterproof containers

• • Heavy containers can be a spring and fall headache.
  • In Calgary, use sturdy options like concrete and quality fiberglass (pictured) for all-season durability.
  • Keeping containers on the patio allows winter interest with evergreen boughs and berries.
  • Practical note: helps save time lugging pots up and down stairs.

Rethink your lawn

• • If mowing feels endlessly mundane, try:
    • Expanding garden beds to reduce lawn area, or
    • Hiring someone to mow (with clear guidelines to protect prized plants).
  • If you hire help, give them a quick garden tour and set expectations to avoid surprises on Saturdays.

Invest in bigger plants

• • Starting from seed or buying small starts is time-intensive and risky.
  • Bigger, more mature plants fill in faster and require less constant care.
  • When you fall in love with a plant, choose the biggest available.
  • Larger plants are less likely to suffer from neglect and fill in quickly.

Add a permanent structure

• • A well-placed garden structure can hide flaws and add interest.
  • Options: obelisk, birdhouse, arbor, or tuteur.
  • Even a quirky touch (antique bicycle or painted bamboo canes) can distract from bare spots and provide winter appeal.

Make your garden self-watering

• • Watering is inevitable, but you can simplify it.
  • Use soaker hoses for perennial borders and a patio system for containers.
  • Set on a timer and adjust for weather; the right system still needs some attention but saves far more time than lugging watering cans.

Choose shrubs that don’t need pruning

• • A tidy hedge is great, but it’s easy to run out of time for trimming.
  • If you replace a hedge, consider shrubs that stay compact with minimal pruning:
    • Green Mound boxwood (Buxus ‘Green Mound’, Zones 6–9) ≤ 3 feet tall and wide
    • Doublefile viburnum (Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum and cvs., Zones 4–8, pictured)
    • Spirea (Spiraea spp. and cvs., Zones 4–9)
    • Pittosporum (Pittosporum spp. and cvs., Zones 9–11)
    • Ceanothus (Ceanothus spp. and cvs., Zones 4–10)

Lower your standards

• • Dandelions are common; your neighbor might even turn them into wine.
  • The only person who notices every flaw is you.
  • If you focus on loving your garden and the time you spend in it, perfection isn’t the goal.
  • It’s a work in progress, like life.

Plant names included above:

• Verbena bonariensis
• Nicotiana sylvestris
• Perilla frutescens
• Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’
• Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivanti ‘Goldsturm’
• Phlox paniculata ‘David’
• Eupatorium purpureum
• Joe Pye weed
• Green Mound boxwood (Buxus ‘Green Mound’)
• Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum
• Spiraea spp.
• Pittosporum spp.
• Ceanothus spp.

What kind of insects do you cheer for, where you come from? the Gnat inquired. That playful Lewis Carroll line lands well here, because bees are exactly the sort of insects we want buzzing through our Calgary gardens. Pollinators are essential for the food crops and ornamental plants we enjoy, and native bees are often as good or better at pollination than honeybees.

Why bees matter

Three-quarters of the plant foods we eat require pollination to make seeds, whether we eat them directly or rely on crops for the following year. Virtually all our annuals, ornamental fruits and many perennials depend on viable seeds. It isn’t just honeybees that perform this vital function. Native bees—bumblebees, mason bees, leafcutter bees and other types—do the job too, and in some cases even more effectively. With honeybee numbers declining due to Varroa mites, colony collapse, and pesticide drift, native bees play an even bigger role in Calgary gardens. We can help them by choosing bee-friendly plants and providing good forage throughout the season.

Nectar and pollen: how bees keep us fed

For seeds, fruits, nuts and berries, pollen transfer from flower to flower (cross-pollination) is essential. A bee may visit up to 2,000 flowers in a day, gathering pollen for protein and fats. Their pollen-streaked bodies rub pollen onto the next flower’s pistil, enabling fertilization and seed production.

Bees also need nectar for energy, especially from flowers with long floral tubes. Nectar-rich blooms attract other pollinators too, but bees stay faithful to feeding and, in turn, help our gardens produce fruit and seed. Calgary gardens benefit from a steady succession of both good pollen producers and good nectar producers, from late winter through the growing season. Here are some plants particularly good at attracting bees.

Late Winter to Spring

This is a critical time for overwintering bees, when few plants are blooming. Willows (as low as Zone 3) can be lifesavers, producing abundant pollen. The profuse catkins of alder and hazel trees (both as low as Zone 4) are welcome, too.

For smaller Calgary spaces, these late-winter options are attractive and practical:

• Mahonias (as low as Zone 2)
• edible and flowering currants (Ribes spp., as low as Zone 2)
• Winter flowering heaths (Erica spp., Zone 5 for many varieties) — these draw hungry bees on sunny days
• very early-blooming bulbs like snow crocuses, snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) and winter aconites (Eranthis spp.) — hardy to Zone 3
• Cotoneasters, especially rockspray cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis)
• The Calipetite/calipette calibrachoa series (Calibrachoa) — these small flowers bring quick bee visits
• Heucherella alba ‘Bridget Bloom’ — the small, pale-colored flowers are abuzz with native bees

Even in compact Calgary gardens, these plants help feed early bees. Keep in mind: crocuses are particularly good for giving early-season forage.

Spring to Summer

As spring progresses, fruit tree blossoms become a major bee magnet, and our fruit crops rely on bees visiting these blooms in droves. If you’re planning for bloom timing, consider adding ornamental types such as flowering crabapples. Small fruits—strawberries, raspberries and blackberries—also offer spring flowers that attract bees.

Many shrubs, vines, perennials and bulbs help create a varied diet for bees:

• Privet hedges (Ligustrum spp., Zone 3) and cotoneasters (Zone 4) pull in bees in late spring
• Rockspray cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) again for heavy bee activity
• Lilacs (Syringa spp., Zone 3) and California lilacs (Ceanothus spp., Zone 7) are classic bee magnets
• Lavender (Lavandula) is a dependable mid-season lure
• Wall germander (Teucrium chamaedrys, Zone 5) is a non-stop bee magnet through its long flowering season
• In the vine category, honeysuckles and clematis (blue or purple-flowered cultivars) shine
• Bulbs such as irises, alliums and dahlias are attractive to bees
• A large group of perennials that attract bees includes anise-hyssop (Agastache foeniculum, Zone 2), globe thistle (Echinops ritro, Zone 2) and native lupines (Lupinus spp., Zone 3)
• Bees especially love blue or purple flowers, so plan for blue/purple varieties (and, as a reminder, they’re less drawn to red)
• Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea, Zone 2), hardy geraniums, and Monarda didyma (bee balm, Zone 3) are reliable bee magnets
• Heucherella flowers (often white, pink or cream) can also draw native bees

Annuals and herbs for continuous bloom

Among annuals, pinkish-purple or white forms of cosmos, petunias and sweet alyssum are good bee plants. Marigolds (yellow) also attract bees, and calibrachoa remains exceptional for providing continuous small blooms in many colors. The new Calipetite series in pink, red, yellow, white and purple is especially valuable because it forms non-stop mounds that hold up to sun, heat and humidity.

Herbs are excellent for attracting bees, especially those with blue or white flowers. Plant rosemary, thyme and sage, plus the bright blue flowers of borage. The small, pale blue flowers of winter savory (Satureja montana, Zone 5) are a dependable spreading perennial that bees love.

Midsummer to Fall

Mid-season bloomers keep nectar and pollen flowing:

• Butterfly bush (Buddleja spp., Zone 5)
• Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea, Zone 3)
• Bellflowers (Campanula spp., Zone 2)
• Sunflowers and zinnias provide bold forage through late summer

As fall approaches, keep a steady supply of blooms:

• Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus, Zone 5) and asters (Zone 2) extend forage into hard frost
• Ceratostigma plumbaginoides (plumbago) adds true blue late-season color
• Caryopteris x clandonensis (bluebeard, Zone 5) provides mauve flowers that attract bees into autumn

End of the season

The growing season winds down, but bees may still forage into the season’s end. Some bees will die with the falling leaves, others will overwinter as pupae or in hibernation. If we gardeners cooperate, they’ll return with the first wan sunlight of late winter.

If you’re allergic

Most foraging bees are docile, but stings can trigger serious reactions in some people. If you’re severely allergic, use this guide to avoid planting the most bee-attracting species near you, and share this information with neighbors who garden. Bees forage widely, so they may visit other gardens at a distance.

Calgary & Bees

Calgary’s gardening season is short, but with careful planning we can provide a continuous tapestry of forage—from late winter willows to frosty fall asters. By incorporating a mix of native bees’ favorites and well-loved ornamentals, you’ll see bees visiting from early spring through autumn, helping your gardens thrive while supporting pollination for crops and ornamentals alike.

Calgary’s climate asks a lot of its garden decor. Short growing seasons, bright sun, dry air, and fierce winds mean our ornaments need to be sturdy, weather-ready, and well placed. Beyond mere decoration, the right pieces tell a story about our landscape and become focal points that look right in every season—from snow-dusted winters to sun-soaked summers. Here’s how Calgary gardeners can choose ornaments that inspire without worrying about the forecast.

Durable Materials for our Climate

When selecting ornaments for Calgary, durability is the first criterion. Look for materials that stand up to freeze–thaw cycles, wind, and strong sun.

• Metal: Galvanized steel and corten (weathering steel) hold up well in our winds and stay visually interesting as they age. They won’t crack in cold weather, and their patina can add texture to a winter-still yard.
• Stone and concrete: Classic and almost indestructible, these materials resist frost and last for decades with minimal upkeep. Moss and lichen can give them a timeless, integrated look.
• Weatherproof wood: Cedar and other rot-resistant woods can work, especially when sealed for outdoors. Be mindful that some woods may weather unevenly in our dry climate.
• Durable pottery and planters: Frost-proof ceramic or concrete planters keep their shape and color after a cold night, though glazed ceramics should be checked for frost resistance to avoid cracking.
• Avoid plastic where possible: Plastic items often look out of place in a Calgary garden and can be overwhelmed by wind and sun. If you do use plastic, opt for high-quality, textured options and keep them to a few restrained pieces.

Placement: Space, Wind, and Seasonal Interest

In Calgary, where wind can feel relentless, placement makes or breaks an ornament’s success.

• Give each piece its own space: Avoid crowding; a single focal ornament often reads more clearly than a crowded vignette.
• Consider wind lanes: Position taller pieces where they won’t act like sails in the strong gusts, and anchor larger sculptures with a stable base.
• Use the landscape as a backdrop: A sculpture can echo the rhythm of the hills or trees behind it. Place pieces so they relate to shrubs, evergreens, or rock features that provide a winter silhouette.
• Think in seasons: Plan for winter interest. A bare silhouette in snow can be just as striking as a colorful display in summer. Evergreen textures behind a sculpture can maintain visual appeal year-round.

Design Principles That Work in a Calgary Yard

The way you balance elements matters as much as what you choose.

• Balance without rigidity: A slightly asymmetrical mix of heights and textures often reads more natural and inviting than a perfectly symmetric arrangement.
• Storytelling with texture: Pair rough stone with smooth metal, or a weathered wooden piece with a sleek plant arrangement. The contrast makes both elements feel intentional.
• Tie to the prairie landscape: Look for motifs and forms that echo mountains, grasslands, and the local fauna. Subtle echoes—like a deer silhouette tucked into a planting bed or a bird sculpture near a birdbath—can feel native rather than imported.
• Lighting for long Calgary evenings: Add warm solar lanterns or low-voltage lighting to create a soft glow after dark. A well-lit focal point can be the garden’s nighttime heartbeat.

Inspiration Ideas for Calgary Gardens

• Talk to the land, not over it: A tall steel silhouette against a winter sky can become a striking focal point when backed by evergreens or a rock garden framed with native grasses.
• Repurpose with intention: A weathered wheelbarrow filled with drought-tolerant annuals or winter greens can be a focal piece that changes with the seasons.
• Prairie rustic meets refined: A combination of a rugged iron sculpture, a stone birdbath, and a simple cedar bench can feel both grounded and welcoming.
• Native-inspired accents: Integrate wildlife-friendly elements—stone planters that mimic natural outcrops, or a carved wood piece that echoes local wildlife—so the ornament feels part of the landscape rather than added on.
• Practical greenery partners: Place a sturdy planter near a seating area or walkway. Choose plants that provide seasonal color but also survive our cold snaps, such as native perennials, ornamental grasses, and evergreen accents.

Repurposed and Found-Object Charm

Calgary gardeners often celebrate items with a story. A repurposed sun sculpture, a reclaimed metal gate turned trellis, or an old farm implement repurposed as a garden sculpture can ground a space with character. If you go this route, make sure the piece is structurally sound, free of hazardous sharp edges, and securely anchored so it doesn’t become a wind-blown liability.

Maintenance and Winter Readiness

• Secure every piece: Use stable bases, anchors, or weights so ornaments don’t topple in Calgary winds.
• Prepare for freeze–thaw: Check for cracks or splits in stone, ceramic, or concrete and repair before the winter. Seal wood if it’s rated for outdoor use.
• Store or cover for the off-season: Heavily decorative pieces that aren’t winter-friendly should be moved to a sheltered area or covered to prevent weathering. Consider designing a small winter storage plan so you’re not scrambling in spring.

Where to Find Calgary-Friendly Ornaments

• Local garden centers and garden shows: Look for weather-tested pieces and Calgary-friendly sizes. Seek out segments that highlight durable metals, stone, and wood.
• Local artisans and blacksmiths: Commissioned pieces tailored to your space can deliver a unique Calgary vibe—mountain-inspired silhouettes, prairie motifs, or contemporary forms that weather well.
• Thrift and salvage shops: With a careful eye, you can find sturdy vintage items that, with some restoration or a weatherproof finish, become standout garden art.

A Final Note: Let Your Yard Tell Its Story

There’s no universal rule for garden ornaments in Calgary—only what speaks to your space and your climate. Choose pieces that feel native to the land, that weather gracefully, and that invite quiet moments of reflection after a brisk Chinook day or a fresh snowfall. Start with one well-placed focal piece, add a few textured companions, and let your garden evolve as the seasons remind you of the landscape you call home. Your Calgary garden will thank you with texture, soul, and year-round character.

If you’ve got a yard in Calgary, Alberta, you know our springs can be quick and unpredictable, summers can bake, and our soil—often clay or dry and dusty—can use a little help. Leaf mulch is an easy, effective, and almost magical way to boost your soil’s health with materials you already have: fallen leaves. It’s an organic soil amendment and mulch that couldn’t be simpler to make, and it shines in our Calgary climate.

What is leaf mulch, and why should Calgary gardeners care?

• Leaf mulch is basically aged, decomposed leaves. It’s not a nutrient-rich fertilizer on its own, but when mixed into soil, it makes the ground looser and more sponge-like. That means better moisture storage for dry Calgary days and better air flow for roots.
• When used as a mulch on the soil surface, leaf mulch helps moderate temperature swings, keeps the soil surface loose so water penetrates easily, and slows evaporation to lock in moisture—very handy in our windy, dry season.
• Leaf mulch also stirs up soil biology, creating a microbial environment that helps keep pests in check and promotes healthier roots.

How to use leaves:

• Leaves: Collect deciduous tree leaves (maple, elm, birch, poplar, ash, and others common in our neighborhoods). If you have a mix, that’s great. Do not add evergreen needles. (They decompose too slowly)
• Build a containment ring: A simple 6-foot-diameter ring with 3- to 4-foot-tall wire fencing works well. You can skip the enclosure, but it helps keep the leaves contained and the pile compact.
• The process: Dump leaves in, pack them down as you add more. Over roughly two years, the pile will shrink as the leaves break down into rich, crumbly leaf mulch. In Calgary’s climate, you may notice the pile take longer to reduce in winter; that’s normal.
• Location: Choose a shady, sheltered spot to slow evaporation in the dry air, and to keep the pile moist through hot, windy days.

Using leaf mulch: where and how

• In the garden: Mix leaf mulch into the top 6 to 12 inches of soil to loosen clay-heavy areas and improve structure. It’s especially beneficial around vegetable beds and perennial borders.
• As mulch: Spread leaf mulch on top of the soil as a mulch. It’s both attractive and functional, delivering moisture retention and a more stable soil environment for flowering plants and shrubs. No need to dig it in at season’s end—just add more on top as needed.
• In pots and containers: When sieved through a half-inch mesh, leaf mulch makes an excellent organic amendment for potting soils, improving aeration and water retention. You can substitute it for peat moss in potting mixes by mixing it with equal parts soil and perlite, or for soilless mixes use equal parts leaf mulch and perlite.

Weed considerations

• Leaf mulch is essentially weed-free. Occasional tree seedlings may appear, but they’re usually easy to pull. A few seeds can sneak in at the edges or from birds, but this is a minor issue, easily managed. Bigger piles help: the edge is a smaller percentage of the total mass, so weed contamination is less of a factor.

Shred the leaves

• Shredding increases surface area and speeds decay. If you have a shredder, it helps. If you’re mindful of energy use, shredding isn’t strictly necessary—you can still make great leaf mulch with whole leaves; it’ll just take a bit longer.

Calgary-specific tips to get the most out of leaf mulch

• Dry, windy days make moisture management critical. A shaded, partially sheltered location helps; consider a ring that’s easy to access from multiple sides for turning and watering.
• Winter considerations: Decomposition slows in freezing temps. That’s normal; your pile will still work when it thaws. Bigger piles retain heat longer, so sizing your pile thoughtfully can help sustain microbial activity through cold snaps.

A quick call-out for Calgary gardeners Leaf mulch is a simple, efficient, and climate-smart way to improve Calgary soils, boost moisture retention, and reduce the need for irrigation during dry summers. It’s a long-game amendment, but once you start accumulating it, you’ll have a steady supply to reuse year after year.