Perennials or Annuals – The Best Plants for Your Garden This Year
Gardening season is among us and thus far we have had a wonderful balance of rain and sun. Our lawns look hearty and the plants are in full bloom but if you’re still on the fence about what plants you should be planting in your garden this year; we have your comprehensive guide.
In general, there are two types of plants, perennials and annuals. Perennial plants are plants that return for two or more years in a row, without replanting. Annual plants have to be planted every year.
When considering your plants, you need to start with the condition of your garden. What are the sun and soil conditions like? Below you will find the four general conditions and the plants that are suitable for each environment. All of these plants have been hand-picked for what lives and thrives best in the Calgary climate.
Shaded and Dry
Goat’s Beard: this tall perennial plant will bloom in late June or July with little white flowers. It thrives best in shady gardens and doesn’t need too much sun.
Jack Frost: we love this gorgeous little blue flowering perennial, it grows well in the shade and blooms early in the season.
Stella d’Oro Daylily: this easy-growing perennial plant flowers all summer long and has pretty yellow bell-shaped flowers.
Shaded and Wet
Foxglove or Digitalis: this perennial plant will re-seed year after year when planted in the right location. It loves shade and moist soil. Be careful though, this plant is poisonous!
Bleeding Heart: this arching heart shaped perennial plant, is a gorgeous option for damp and shady spots in your garden.
Solomans Seal: This perennial is another elegant option for moist but rich shady soil.
Sunny and Dry
The Artemisia or Silvermound: this flowering perennial foliage needs little attention but lots of sun. You do have to prune this plant periodically, it can become very dense and overgrown.
Blazing Star or Gayfeather: this perennial plant blooms all season long until the fall and prefers the full sun. This plant can thrive in a planter or in a garden.
Peonies: peonies are incredibly beautiful and versatile perennial plant that will thrive year after year when planted in the at the proper depth.
Veronica Whitleyi: this versatile plant covers the ground and will bloom a few times a year with little blue or white flowers. It grows well in full sun and is tolerant of dry soil.
Fleabane: this annual plant works well in a variety of soils but thrives to its full potential in full sun.
Sunny and Wet
Summer Phlox: This gorgeous plant comes in every colour imaginable and blooms in bunches. Typically, the phlox will bloom from July through to September and thrives in moist soil in full sun.
Bee Balm: this lemon-scented perennial plant is very versatile and will thrive in full sun and/or full shade. This sweet plant attracts plenty of bees and hummingbirds.
Blue Camassia: this pretty plant is the exception to the rule. The bright blue flower falls under the lily family and thrives in moist soil and sunny conditions.
