The Best Flowers for Calgary’s Climate

They say Calgary’s climate is a dream of a gardener and a challenge at the same time. The climate there is relatively cool, unfriendly to most plants due to occasional frosts and a generally dry climate. The correct choice of flowers for this climate zone is crucial in creating a successful garden. When selecting flowers, it is important to select those that will thrive in Calgary current climate thus ensuring a colourful and lasting picture.

An overview of climatic conditions of Calgary

However, before choosing flowers, the climate of the city of Calgary should be taken into account. The climate in this city has a short vegetation period, cool summers, and long winters. It freezes during spring as well as during the autumn, and the weather is dry, so the plants should be drought-enduring. That being said, there is an ability to have beautiful and best flowers in Calgary if the right knowledge and flowers are chosen.

Top Perennials for the Calgary Climate

Annuals are not ideal for Calgary gardens because they are planted and replanted each year, whereas perennials grow back year after year. This is the reason why the plant choices should be strong perennials that can withstand cold winters and light frost.

Daylilies

It is also easy to grow and hardy, and therefore the reason why many people in Calgary love to cultivate daylilies. It is available in many different colors and therefore is suitable to be used in gardens. Daylilies require good drainage and full sunlight, two aspects that the city’s summer offers in generous portions.

Coneflowers

They bear pretty coneflower-like heads that are not only attractive to eyes; they are also very rugged. These flowers are pollinated by bees and butterflies besides being drought- and winter-hardy. Their flowers are bright pink, purple, and white, which can be a delightful addition to any designed garden.

 Hostas

Hostas are perfect if you have a shaded garden. Though the primary focus is their leafiness, a few of them will also bear flowers, though not your average, big-blooming flowers. Hostas are quite hardy, and the varieties that we can get today are suitable for the cooler climate in Calgary, and they do well in shaded areas.

Annuals for Quick Color or Quick Change

Annual flowers are pretty and can brighten up your garden but need to be sown or planted again each year. Fortunately, there are a number of specific annuals that adapt to the climate of Calgary.

Petunias

Petunias are one of the most recommended flowers by local garden stores in Calgary for gardeners who want best flowers that will bloom continuously and in different colors. It is often found in a wide exposure to the sun and moderately water-expandable, which is suitable for the hot summer in the city.

 Marigolds

The marigold is an easy plant to take care of, which blooms in bright colors of orange and yellow, perfect for the summer seasonal climate of Calgary. They are also ornamental and useful in that they are not attractive to certain pests, so the flowers can act as an organic pesticide.

 Snapdragons

Snapdragons are another good choice, providing interesting, brightly hued flowers, which do well in cooler weather. Some of these flowers can be grown in the early spring so that even during the often unpredictable weather of Calgary, the gardener gets to view the flowers.

The Native Flowers for the Gardens of Calgary

Planting native flowers in your yard is a wonderful option that will help the local fauna and flora and is well adapted to Calgary’s climate. Native plants come with the added bonus of being hardy and able to withstand the local soil, water, and climate, which makes them an environmentally friendly option for development.

Wild Roses

Wild roses are the chosen provincial flower of Alberta, and they are ideal for the Calgary gardens. These plants are drought resistant and have attractive pink flowers that are also attractive to bees.

 Prairie Crocus

This flower blooms pretty early and is therefore among the first to signal the arrival of spring in Calgary. The prairie crocus is a low-maintenance plant characterized by delicate purple petals that grows best in well-drained soils.

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

Gaillardia is also known as blanket flowers, which are bright and have rather low water requirements, which are fitting for the climate in Calgary. The red and yellow colors of the flowers make the plants warm and lively to have in a garden.

Best Flowers for Calgarian Pots and Hanging Garden Beds

Container gardening is favored in Calgary, as the containers can be placed in any area of the house, and the soil and water can be controlled more easily.

Geraniums

Some of the best plants to be grown in containers and hanging baskets include geraniums. These plants require little water and can produce flowers of different colors; they therefore are ideal for the garden of Calgary.

Begonias

For shaded areas, begonias are most suitable to be planted in the flowerpots to be used at home. It grows well in the region of low temperatures and has spectacular flowers of red, pink, and white color.

 Fuchsias

Other good choices for shaded containers are fuchsias. Their flowers are long and drooping, giving them a very classy appearance in any garden or lawn.

Flower gardening in Calgary is very popular, and people have many ways to do it. Here are some of the tips.

Tips for Flower Gardening in Calgary:

• Choose the Right Soil: The soil in Calgary tends to be on the clay side, so it’s a good idea to work in organic matter or plant in raised beds with great topsoil.
• Water Wisely: Allow the plant to drink copiously but not very often in order to maximize root development. Make use of mulch to conserve water and soil moisture, especially during very dry periods.
• Plant at the Right Time: Do not plant too soon in the season to prevent your flowers from being damaged by late frost. WAIT for weather and plant after the frost; the term whereby temperatures are still low is over.
• Provide Protection: When a bout of cold weather is unexpected, the flowers that are tender should be covered with frost cloches.

Conclusion

For people living in Calgary, the weather may be sometimes harsh; however, with the proper approach to choosing the best flowers and the way of gardening, the outcome can be rather beautiful and hard-wearing. There is no shortage of choices either—many plants will grow well in this environment, ranging from hardy perennials to bright annuals or even native species.

Get beautiful flowers for your garden that grows well in Calgary weather! Call Calgary Florists now and speak to one of our floral specialists and order stunning floral services from us.