Over winter, many Calgary yards lose much of their curb appeal. Often, landscaping design and details will focus solely on creating a beautiful oasis throughout spring and summer, leaving autumn forgotten and winter barren and dreary. But lifeless, dormant yards aren’t an inevitable reality of fall in Calgary. Working with the right Calgary landscaping team, your yard can continue to be full of colour and texture well past the first frost.

Gorgeous Grasses.

It’s not uncommon for lawn grass to fall dormant before mid September, but Alberta is prairie country, and Calgarians are not limited to a single variety of grass. Long, ornamental grasses bring height and elegance as they sway gracefully in passing gusts of wind. Choose local varieties, like Variegated Reed Grass, that are naturally adapted to Alberta’s climate, and you’ll be able to plant and forget it.

Stunning Shrubs.

Another great alternative to lawn grasses for ground cover are fruit bearing shrubs. In particular, we love the Highbush Cranberry. Boasting whimsical white flowers in the spring and striking scarlet fruits in fall, this shrub is a magnificent north american native cranberry that can easily cover an 8 foot spread and stretch 10 feet up. As an added bonus, the fruits are edible.

Marvelous Mulch.

There’s no rule that says you have to mulch in spring. In fact, the cooler temperatures can make it easier to complete this labour-intensive chore. Mulch supports your gardening efforts with added colour and texture, while protecting more delicate plants from fluctuating temperatures. A fresh layer of fall mulch will help ensure your yard keeps its maintained and tidy appearance into the cold season.

Elegant Evergreens.

Nothing breaks up the endless red and yellow foliage or a blanket of white snow quite like a thriving evergreen. This pillar of life offers year-round privacy and is a gorgeous reminder that life can weather the worst conditions. Position them carefully to prevent too much shade in the winter, and take advantage of their brilliant green as a beautiful backdrop for bright perennials or shrubs.

Power Perennials.

A bright pop of colour is just what your yard needs to stand out this autumn. There are countless perennials to choose from, but Fireworks goldenrod, Sedum ‘Maestro’, Windflowers, and Purple Sage offer some of the most vivid flowers and are hardy enough to take our crisp Octobers.

We understand why many Calgary homeowners focus on summer when choosing plants for their yard. But summer is short. To get the most out of your garden and landscaping, it’s integral to include plants that provide colour and interest deep into autumn. Our professional Calgary landscapers can help you choose and position the best fall plants, so your yard is a beautiful season after season after season.