Landscaping In Canada: Perfect Gardens for the Canadian Climate
Landscaping in the sometimes harsh Canadian climate presents some unique challenges for Canadian homeowners. A tropical garden is simply not going to thrive in the Canadian climate, and attempting to cultivate a garden of plants that are too delicate to survive in your particular geographic location will be an exercise in frustration. However, there are many beautiful plants that are hardy enough to thrive in any Canadian climate, and building a garden out of the right greenery can not only add to the beauty of your home but also make maintenance a breeze!
The key to choosing the correct plants for your garden is knowing what grown best in your particular geographic location. Luckily, a great deal of research exists on exactly what grown best and where in Canada.
The West Coast
The mildest and wettest of all the Canadian climates, the widest varieties of plants can be grown on the West Coast. Deciduous trees with broad leaves thrive in this environment, as do more delicate vines and flowers. Exotic plants like calla lilies and butterfly bushes can add splashes of colour and sophistication to your garden.
The Prairies
Home of abundant wildflowers and tall grasses, the prairies are suited to hardy plants that can survive summer storms and long, freezing winters. Hardy trees like birch, juniper and Siberian crabapple do extremely well, as do strong flowers like daffodils, tulips and lily-of-the-valley. Let the landscape inform your gardening choices, and go for a look that is more organic and natural.
Central Canada
The climate varies greatly in this part of Canada, from the chill of Northern Quebec to the warm and temperate weather in Southern Ontario. This area is home to many of the most iconic Canadian trees, such as cedar and the symbolic maple. There are also many fruit trees, such as plum and cheery trees, that flourish here. Choose a garden that is as lush as your particular climate allows.
The East Coast
The eastern coast of Canada is infamously cold in the winter, with punishing winds coming off the ocean. This is also a climate of great beauty and richness. It is wise to choose a garden that will do well in the shallow, rocky soil that characterizes much of the Maritimes, including Christmas rose and silver grass. Aspens and pines are lovely trees that do well here, and the beloved sugar maple also survives well in this climate.
No matter where you live in Canada, with a little careful research you will be able to put together a garden that is as hardy as it is beautiful.
