Maintaining a beautiful and sustainable yard can be challenging, especially when it comes to managing water drainage issues. Water pooling in certain areas of the yard not only damages the grass but also poses a risk of waterlogging and soil erosion. Fortunately, there are eco-friendly landscaping solutions that not only help with drainage issues but also promote sustainability. One such solution is incorporating water-absorbing plants in your yard. In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of using water-absorbing plants for sustainable drainage solutions and provide a guide to the different types of plants that can help you achieve a healthy and beautiful yard. So, whether you're dealing with yard drainage issues or simply looking to create a sustainable landscape, read on to learn how water-absorbing plants can make a difference.
Softscaping Drainage: Water-Absorbing Plants, Shrubs, and Trees for Your Yard
Are you tired of dealing with a flooded and soggy yard after every rainfall? Do you want to prevent water damage to your home's foundation? If so, you've come to the right place. A Green Future your trusted yard drainage contractor in Calgary, Alberta, we provide professional drainage solutions that will keep your yard dry all year round. read more for softscape drainage in Calgary.
How to Solve Yard Drainage Issues with Water-Absorbing Trees and Shrubs
Managing yard drainage can be a challenging task for homeowners, especially in areas with heavy rainfall or a high water table. Poor drainage can lead to soil erosion, standing water, and damaged property, while also causing harm to local wildlife and the environment. Fortunately, there are eco-friendly and sustainable drainage solutions that can alleviate these issues while adding beauty to your landscape.
One of the most effective ways to manage yard drainage is through softscaping. Softscaping involves the use of plants, shrubs, and trees to absorb excess water in the soil, which can help prevent erosion and standing water. Additionally, softscaping can improve soil quality, reduce pollution, and provide a natural habitat for wildlife.
Sustainable Drainage Solutions: The Benefits of Water-Absorbing Plants for Your Yard
If you live in Calgary, there are several water-absorbing shrubs you can consider for your yard, including inkberry, summer sweet, black chokeberry, American cranberry bush, spicebush, red twig dogwood, blue elderberry, and more. These shrubs are well-suited for Calgary's climate and can help manage yard drainage effectively.
smart yard shrubs for water-absorbing and eco-friendly drainage solutions
Here are some smart yard shrubs to consider for water-absorbing and eco-friendly drainage solutions:
American Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum opulus var. americanum)
Native to prairie woodlands, this large shrub has showy white flowers in spring, edible red fruit, and red fall colour. Adaptable to all soils, it will require additional water only if the fruit is being cultivated for eating. It grows 2 to 4 meters tall and prefers partial to full sun and sandy to loam soils.
Red Barberry (Berberis thundergii) - "Rosy Glow", "Emerald Carausel"
These are compact shrubs with vibrant colour. They stand out as hedges or planted individually. They thrive in heat and full sun and prefer well-drained soil.
Cherry Prinsepia (Prinsepia sinensis)
Upright and spreading in form, it is one of the first shrubs to leaf out with small yellow flowers and red edible fruit. Very thorny, making it useful as a barrier as well as an accent plant in the back of a bed. Adaptable to sun and partial shade, as well as any soil type, it attracts birds in the fall.
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
A vigorous plant with arching branches and thin exfoliating golden brown bark that thrives in full sun to partial shade. It has deep fibrous roots and is adaptable to most soils. Many varieties are available.
Globe Blue Spruce (Picea pungens "Glauca Globosa")
A dwarf blue spruce up to 1 metre round and tall, this is fully hardy on a range of soil types. All spruces have shallow spreading root systems that compete with other plants for moisture. Prefers full sun.
Meyer's Dwarf Lilac (Syringa meyerii "Palibin")
A dense, twiggy shrub with small leaves that look like Mickey Mouse ears that requires little care. Lightly fragrant purple blooms in late spring. Grows to 4 feet high and 5 feet wide. Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo)
A large group of cultivars of varying sizes and growth habits, these shrubs typically feature dense growth with deep green needles with brown-gray scaly bark. Prefers full sun and well-drained average soil types, and may take up to five years to establish well
Here are some additional smart yard shrubs to consider for water-absorbing and eco-friendly drainage solutions:
Creating a Beautiful and Sustainable Landscape with Water-Absorbing Shrubs
Softcaping Drainage: water absorbing plants, shrubs, trees for your yards would not only solve most of your yard drainage issues, but also add an eco friendly / sustainable landscapes.
Water Absorbing shrubs Calgary:
Inkberry
Summer sweet
Black chokeberry
American Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum opulus var. americanum)
Native to prairie woodlands, this large shrub has showy white flowers in spring, edible red fruit and red fall colour. Adaptable to all soils, will require additional water only if the fruit is being cultivated for eating. Grows 2 to 4 meters tall. Prefers partial to full sun and sandy to loam soils.
Spice bush
Red twig dogwood
Blue elderberry
Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
A native to the eastern prairies, this species of Viburnum has long slender branches that forms a tall open shrub with shiny oval leaves that turn a beautiful purple/red in fall. White flowers in spring mature to purple black berries in fall that appeal to birds. Adaptable to all soil types and while preferring open sun tolerates partial shade.
Nest spruce (Picea abies "Nidiformis") - Also known as Norwegian Spruce
A small, dense evergreen shrub that develops a depression in the centre. Colour is green to lime green. Four feet tall. Plant in full sun to partial shade. Does not tolerate standing water.
Potentilla or Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora floribunda)
Native to the prairies, this tough bushy shrub has grey-green small compound leaves and five petal yellow flowers that bloom right up till a killing frost. Requires full sun and adapts to all well-drained soil types.
Preston Lilac (Syringa prestoniae)
Various types are available such as Royalty. Blooms later than many other lilacs with fragrant, long-lasting blossoms. Grows up to 12 feet high with up to 12 feet spread. Prefers full sun.
Prickly Rose (Rosa acicularis)
Native to Alberta-Our Floral Emblem- is the earliest flowering prairie rose with a flush of fragrant single pink flowers, followed by bright red oval hips that persist throughout the winter. It is adaptable to all soil types as long as it is on a well-drained site, and has an extensive root system that may sucker under stress. Grows 30 to 150 cm tall. Requires partial shade to sun.
Red Elder (Sambucus racemosa)
A fast-growing large shrub that may be trained as a small tree. Has compound leaves, white flowers in spring and clusters of red berries attractive to birds. Adaptable to partial shade as well as full sun, it does well in all soil conditions.
Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum)
Native to the Rocky Mountains, these plants form large conical shrubs with soft, feathery bluish-grey foliage. The species is a host to cedar-apple rust so should be avoided if Hawthorns or Apples are planted nearby. Grows up to 20 feet tall and six feet wide. Prefers full sun and all soil types.
Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) A native to the prairies that is favoured for its sweet dark purple fruit. A large shrub with white fragrant flowers in early summer, it should be grown in full sun on well-drained soil, and may only require additional water when berries are maturing to ensure plump fruit.
Savin Juniper (Juniperus Sabina)
Native to Europe, this species features arching green foliage in a spreading vase shaped form. Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Silver Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea)
A large upright native shrub with attractive silvery lance shaped leaves and red berries on female plants. They are admirably adapted to drier soil conditions, with extensive root systems that sucker to form thick plantings for the back of the garden. Grows to eight feet high and wide. Requires full sun.
Sister Justina Lilac (Syringa x hyacinthiglora "Sister Justina")
Provides fragrant white flowers in spring. Bluish green foliage turning a deep purple colour in fall. Twelve feet tall with nine-foot spread. Requires full sun.
Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) A native to the prairies that is favoured for its sweet dark purple fruit. A large shrub with white fragrant flowers in early summer, it should be grown in full sun on well-drained soil, and may only require additional water when berries are maturing to ensure plump fruit.
Snowberry (Symphoricapos alba)
A native of the prairies, fully hardy to our area and adaptable to both deep shade as well as open sun. It has many slender upright stems with bluish-green oval leaves and small white/pink flowers followed by large white berries in fall. This is a useful plant for under eaves or informal groups where its tendency to sucker and form thickets will be an advantage. Attractive to birds. Prefers dry to moist, sandy soil.
Eco-Friendly Landscaping: Water-Absorbing Plants for Sustainable Yards
in Calgary, Alberta | A Green Future Landscaping Company
Perennials: Beauty and Sustainability for your Calgary Garden
Looking to create a stunning and sustainable garden in Calgary? Smart Landscaping Yard Calgary perennials are the perfect place to start! These beautiful plants thrive in our local climate, benefitting the environment while adding lasting color and character to your yard.
What are Smart Landscaping Yard Calgary Perennials?
Smart Landscaping Yard Calgary perennials are a selection of carefully chosen plants that are:
Beautiful: A variety of perennials offer stunning blooms in a wide range of colors and shapes, bringing life to your garden throughout the season.
Calgary-adapted: These plants are chosen to flourish in Calgary's specific climate, ensuring they'll thrive in your yard.
Environmentally friendly: Smart Landscaping Yard Calgary perennials promote biodiversity and require less water once established, making them a sustainable choice.
Benefits of Smart Landscaping Yard Calgary Perennials
Reduced workload: Perennials die back in the fall and return year after year, saving you time and effort on planting each season.
Water efficiency: After the initial two years of establishment, Smart Landscaping Yard Calgary perennials require minimal watering, thanks to Calgary's natural rainfall patterns.
Long-lasting beauty: Enjoy a vibrant garden year after year with these resilient and colorful plants.
Building Your Smart Landscaping Yard Calgary Perennial Garden
Perennials can be an investment, so consider building your garden over time. Here's how to get started:
Plan your garden: Sketch out your desired layout, considering sunlight exposure and mature plant sizes.
Start small: Choose a few Smart Landscaping Yard Calgary perennials each year, focusing on varieties with different bloom times for continuous color.
Fill in with annuals: While you establish your perennials, incorporate colorful annuals for a vibrant garden throughout the season.
Ready to Get Started?
Smart Landscaping Yard Calgary Perennials
This list provides a variety of Smart Landscaping Yard Calgary perennials to consider for your Calgary garden, categorized by flowering plants, groundcovers, and ornamental grasses. Each description includes details on bloom time, light preference, and special needs.
Flowering Perennials
Alpine Aster (Aster alpines): Low-growing with purple-blue or white daisy-like flowers. Prefers full sun and drier soils. Attracts butterflies.
Bearded Iris (Iris spp.): Bulb plant with flat leaves and blooms mid-May to June. Full sun.
Blazing Star or Gay Feather (Liatris spicata): Native with purple flowers. Full sun, well-drained soil. Attracts butterflies.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Cheerful yellow flowers. Tolerates sun to part shade and poor soil. Attracts butterflies.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata): Native with cheery summer blooms. Full sun, dry conditions, well-drained soil.
Blue Flax (Linum perenne): Sky blue flowers. Full sun, well-drained soil. Self-seeds readily.
Bluebird Clematis (Clematis macropetala): Climbing vine with small blue flowers. Prefers partial shade and sheltered location.
Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.): Low-growing mounds with colorful foliage and delicate flowers. Tolerates sun, shade, and wind. Well-drained soil.
Cranesbill (Geranium x): Clusters of delicate flowers throughout summer. Full sun, works well in borders.
Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva): Grassy foliage with brownish-orange blooms. Partial shade to full sun, average soils. Many varieties available.
False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides): Yellow flowers bloom all summer. Drought tolerant, full sun.
Gas Plant (Dictamnus albus): Pink or white flowers with lemony fragrance. Full sun, slow-growing, drought tolerant when established.
Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro): Large plant with silvery-white leaves and blue flower globes. Full sun, average soil, tolerates light shade. Attracts bees and butterflies.
Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia or carpatica): Purple bell-shaped flowers bloom all summer. Full sun to part shade. Avoid creeping bellflower, which is invasive.
Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum spp.): Succulent rosettes. Great groundcover for dry areas with full sun and well-drained soil.
Iceland Poppy (Papaver nudicaule): Self-seeding poppy with orange, yellow, and cream flowers. Full sun, drought resistant.
Jack Frost' Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla): Showy plant with silver and green leaves and purple-blue flowers. Prefers shade.
Lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina): Silver-blue plant with soft, fuzzy foliage and purple flowers. Full sun.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis): Shade-loving plants with colorful foliage and pink flowers. Good for dry, shady areas.
Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris): Early spring bloomer with purple petals and yellow centers. Prefers average, well-drained soil. Partial shade to full sun.
Peony (Paeonia cvs.): Long-lived with single or double flowers. Full to part sun, well-drained soil.
Purple Cone Flower (Echinecea purpurea): Native with pink-purple petals. Full sun to part shade, adaptable to most soils. Attracts butterflies and bees.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): Lavender blue flowers in late summer. Full sun, dry soil.
Sea Holly (Eryngium spp.): Thistle-like plant with blue flowers. Full sun, well-drained soil, drought tolerant. Attracts butterflies.
Sea Lavender (Limonium latiflora): Lavender flowers in late summer. Full sun, well-drained soil, drought tolerant.
Silver Mound Artemisia (Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound'): Feathery silver foliage. Full sun, well-drained soil.
Speedwell (Veronica teucrium 'Crater Lake Blue'): Compact plant with blue flowers. Full sun, fertile, well-drained soil. May need support.
Stonecrop or Sedum (Sedum spp.): Variety of succulent plants. Part shade to full sun, well-drained soil. 'Autumn Joy' is a popular fall bloomer.
Yucca (Yucca glauca): Native with creamy-white flowers. Full sun,