Adding Some Winter Interest to your Alberta Yard: Choose Trees That Provide Something Interesting this winter…
Winter in Alberta doesn’t have to be a season of monochrome landscapes and freezing temperatures. With strategic planting, your yard can become a vibrant canvas of colors and textures, turning the cold months into a period of lively garden beauty. Here’s how you can inject life into your Calgary or Okotoks yard with hardy trees that thrive in the prairie climate and defy the starkness of winter.
The Evergreen Essentials
Evergreens are the stalwarts of winter landscaping in Alberta. While other trees shed their foliage, species like the Colorado Blue Spruce and White Spruce keep their needles, offering a splash of green against the snow. These trees are ideal for creating privacy screens and windbreaks, maintaining their lush appearance throughout Calgary’s harsh winters. Their resilience makes them essential for both aesthetic and functional landscaping around Okotoks and beyond.
Berry Bright: The Mountain Ash
The Mountain Ash becomes a winter spectacle with its clusters of vivid orange-red berries. These berries not only brighten up the landscape but also attract birds like waxwings, bringing life to your garden during the quiet winter months. This tree is particularly suited to the Calgary climate, offering both a visual feast and a wildlife haven.
Golden Willow: A Touch of Warmth
The Golden Willow stands out with its golden-yellow bark that offers a striking contrast to the typical winter whites. This tree’s glowing branches are especially breathtaking when planted near reflective surfaces or along water features in Okotoks, where they can shine even on the gloomiest winter days.
More Hardy Trees for Winter Interest
Expand your winter garden palette with other durable species. The Red Twig Dogwood features deep red branches that stand out against snowy landscapes, perfect for adding depth to your Calgary garden. The Paper Birch with its stark white bark offers a dramatic contrast, making it a focal point in any winter yard in Okotoks.
Planning Your Winter Garden
When planting for winter interest, consider how these trees will interact with your existing landscape. Think about the heights, textures, and colors they bring. Place them strategically to break the monotony of winter and draw the eye through your property. Winter planting not only prepares trees for spring growth but also ensures they are well-established when the cold sets in.
Conclusion: Brightening Alberta’s Winters
With the right choice of trees, your Okotoks or Calgary yard doesn’t have to succumb to the winter blues. Hardy evergreens, vibrant Mountain Ash berries, and the warm tones of the Golden Willow can transform your property into a haven of winter beauty. Plan now and plant these resilient varieties to create a winter garden that stands out in Alberta’s coldest months. Embrace the colder season with a landscape that’s as vibrant and lively as any summer garden.