Container gardening in Calgary can be an enjoyable way to bring life and color to your yard, but it does come with its own set of challenges. Cold temperatures, sun exposure and soil requirements are all factors to consider when choosing plants for your container garden. With the right knowledge and a little effort, you can find the perfect plants for your garden and enjoy beautiful blooms and fresh vegetables for years to come.
Overview of Container Gardening in Calgary
Container gardening in Calgary is an ideal way to enjoy the outdoors and tend to your own plants and vegetables. Depending on the type of container plants chosen, gardening can be done in any space, no matter how small.
With a bit of care and planning, anyone can have a container garden that is both beautiful and practical. When selecting container plants for gardening in Calgary, it’s important to consider the climate. Look for plants that are hardy enough to withstand temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius.
It’s also important to consider the amount of sun exposure the plants will receive, and choose plants that will tolerate the amount of light available in the area.
Make sure to select container plants that require the soil type and nutrients available in the area. Some of the best container plants for gardening in Calgary include ornamental trees, flowering shrubs, perennial and annual flowers, and vegetables. Ornamental trees such as lilac, maple, and spruce are all cold-hardy, and can add beauty and shade to your garden.
Flowering shrubs such as azalea, hydrangea, and rhododendron bring a splash of color.
For perennials and annuals, consider options like columbine, daisies, dianthus, and petunias. And for a delicious harvest, choose vegetables such as lettuce, radishes, carrots, tomatoes, and peppers. With a bit of planning and care, any gardener can put together an attractive, successful container garden in Calgary.
Benefits of Container Plants
Container plants have many benefits for those looking to garden in Calgary. For starters, container gardening is a great option for those with limited space, or for those who live in apartments or other confined dwellings. Container gardening also provides versatile options for plant placement; you can easily move the plants around for optimal sun exposure or to better suit your aesthetic.
Container plants are less prone to disease and pest infestations than their in-ground counterparts, making them a great choice for those looking to avoid the hassle of dealing with pests. Container plants can be a great way to add color and life to any outdoor space, making them the perfect choice for small patios and balconies.
Choosing Container Plants for Gardening in Calgary
When it comes to choosing container plants for gardening in Calgary, cold-hardiness is key. Temperatures can drop as low as -30 degrees Celsius, so pick plants that are able to withstand these temperatures, like evergreens such as juniper, spruce and fir trees, and flowering shrubs like lilac, viburnum and winterberry.
You’ll want to consider sun exposure and soil requirements when selecting container plants. Look for plants that are suited to the amount of sun your outdoor space receives. You’ll also want to make sure the soil you’ll use for your container plants is well-draining and contains plenty of organic matter.
When it comes to selecting recommended container plants for gardening in Calgary, you have plenty of options.
Ornamental trees like Japanese Maples, Flowering ornamental cherry trees, and Dwarf Alberta Spruces are all good options. Flowering shrubs like Forsythia, Mock Orange, and Coralberry are ideal for adding color to your outdoor space, and perennial flowers like Black-Eyed Susan, Sedum, and Rudbeckia are perfect for naturalizing areas and attracting pollinators. If you’re looking for something more colorful, annual flowers like snapdragons, marigolds, and petunias are sure to brighten up any outdoor space. Vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and beans can be grown in containers for a delicious harvest.
Cold-Hardiness
When it comes to selecting plants for container gardening in Calgary, cold-hardiness is an important factor to consider. Calgary can experience temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius, so it’s essential to choose plants that can withstand the cold. Many flowering shrubs, perennials, and annuals can thrive in Calgary’s cold climate and provide plenty of color throughout the season. Be sure to research the hardiness of your chosen plants before planting, and consider keeping a few winter-hardy varieties in containers for added protection.
Sun Exposure
When choosing the best container plants for gardening in Calgary, it is important to consider the amount of sun exposure they will receive. Plants that prefer full sun may need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day in order to thrive, while plants that prefer partial shade may need some protection from the intense summer sun. Planning ahead and selecting plants that will grow well in either direct or indirect sunlight will ensure that your garden will be successful.
It is also important to remember that containers placed in direct sunlight will become significantly warmer than the surrounding environment, so it is important to ensure that your plants are able to handle the extra heat. If the container is placed in an area with intense sun exposure, it may be necessary to water more frequently in order to prevent the plants from drying out. Make sure to consider the size of the container and the amount of soil that it can contain – plants with larger root systems may need a larger container to accommodate them.
Soil Requirements
Soil requirements in Calgary vary depending on the container plants you choose to plant. If you are looking for trees to plant, it is best to use a loamy, well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. This will ensure that your trees have the nutrients they need to thrive.
For flowering shrubs, you should use soil that is slightly acidic, as this will provide the proper pH balance for your plants.
When selecting perennial flowers, look for soil that is slightly alkaline so that the plants can absorb nutrients more easily. If you are planting annual flowers, use soil that has been enriched with fertilizer to ensure that the plants will have all the nutrients they need. No matter what container plants you decide to plant in your Calgary garden, make sure to choose soil that is well-drained, as this will help prevent root rot and other diseases.
Recommended Container Plants for Gardening in Calgary
If you are looking to start container gardening in Calgary, you have come to the right place. Container gardening provides a great way to add variety, colour and texture to your outdoor spaces.
There are a number of plants that are well-suited to Calgary’s cold climate, so there are plenty of options for creating a beautiful garden. Ornamental trees like the Japanese Maple, Amur Maple and Redbud are great for adding height and structure to your garden.
For colour and interest, try flowering shrubs such as Hydrangeas, Lilacs, Forsythias and Dogwoods. Perennial flowers like Iris, Columbine and Daffodils are great for adding blooms throughout the spring and summer, while annuals like Marigolds, Petunias and Zinnias can give you colour all season long. For a vegetable container garden, consider cold-tolerant vegetables like Lettuce, Spinach and Arugula. With a bit of planning and some effort, you can create a stunning container garden in Calgary that you can enjoy all year round.
Ornamental Trees
If you’re looking for a way to add a bit of nature to your container garden in Calgary, ornamental trees are the way to go. Trees are a great source of colour, height and structure, and they bring a special feeling of being connected to the natural world. They’re also a great choice for smaller spaces, as they can be grown in containers, while still providing all the great benefits of trees.
When it comes to choosing ornamental trees for your Calgary container garden, go for cold-hardy varieties that can handle temperatures down to around -30 degrees Celsius.
It’s also important to make sure your tree will get enough sun – 6 to 8 hours a day is ideal. The soil needs to be well-draining, and amended with a good fertilizer. With these considerations in mind, some great ornamental trees for Calgary container gardening include varieties of maple, crabapple, and winterberry.
Flowering Shrubs
When it comes to container gardening in Calgary, flowering shrubs are a great choice. Not only are they beautiful and create an interesting look, they are also hardy and are capable of surviving Calgary’s cold winters.
Many flowering shrubs are also quite easy to care for and will provide a vibrant look to your garden for a long time. When selecting a flowering shrub for your container garden, make sure to check the cold-hardiness of the plant. It should be capable of surviving temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius.
Make sure to choose a flowering shrub that requires the amount of sun exposure that your garden receives; some flowering shrubs may require full sun while others may prefer partial shade. Make sure you select a flowering shrub that is compatible with the soil in your container garden.
Popular flowering shrubs for container gardening in Calgary include arctic fire dogwood, bluebeard shrub, and mugo pine.
Arctic fire dogwood is known for its bright red foliage in the summer, and its white and pink blooms in the spring. Bluebeard shrub is a small, compact shrub that produces beautiful blue flowers in the late summer and fall. Mugo pine is a classic evergreen shrub that is incredibly hardy and produces soft, yellow-green needles throughout the year. With the right combination of cold-hardiness, sun exposure and soil requirements, your flowering shrubs can add a beautiful, vibrant look to your container garden.
Perennial Flowers
Perennial flowers are a great choice for container gardening in Calgary. With a wide range of varieties available, you can have a beautiful garden that lasts through the cold weather. Perennials are resistant to cold temperatures and can handle the windy conditions that come with living in Calgary.
Be sure to select varieties that are right for your climate, as some may not survive the cold. When planting perennials, make sure to provide them with a deep, well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine to help them thrive. With the right care, your perennial flowers will come back each year and provide you with a stunning display of colour.
Annual Flowers
Annual flowers are a great way to add a pop of colour to your garden. They are versatile, low maintenance, and come in a wide array of colours and sizes.
They last for one season and can make a big impact in the garden in a short amount of time. When choosing annuals for your Calgary garden, it’s important to select varieties that are cold hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius. Consider planting things like petunias, marigolds, and cosmos, which are all colourful, easy-to-care-for, and cold-hardy.
When planning your garden, it’s important to position sunny-loving annuals in an area that’s exposed to at least six hours of direct sun per day, and shade-lovers in areas that are more sheltered. Depending on the type of annuals you’re planting, you may also need to adjust the soil pH and nutrient levels.
Soil testing is a great way to determine the best course of action. Keep in mind that annuals need consistent watering to thrive.
Aim to water them every day and make sure they’re getting enough nutrition by applying a slow-release fertilizer. With a bit of TLC, your annuals will be sure to add a burst of colour to your garden all season long.
Vegetables
Vegetables are a great choice when container gardening in Calgary. Not only are they nutritious and delicious, but they also come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. If you’re looking for something interesting to grow in your containers, look no further than your local garden store.
Just keep in mind that some vegetables may require more effort and patience than others, so choose your vegetables wisely. When selecting vegetables for your containers, look for ones that are cold-hardy and can withstand temperatures down to -30° Celsius.
Some popular vegetables to grow in Calgary include cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, Swiss chard, beets, radishes, and carrots. If you’re looking to add a little color to your containers, consider tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
For best results, you should use a soil-based compost in your containers. Make sure the compost you use is well-draining and allows for good root development.
It’s also important to water your containers regularly, and to make sure the soil doesn’t dry out. With a little bit of care and attention, your container garden will be flourishing in no time!