Alberta-Hardy Plants Designed to Thrive in Calgary's Climate
Softscapes & Planting
About This Service
Calgary’s Trusted Softscapes & Planting Experts
The plants and gardens in your yard are what make it feel alive. All The Moore Landscaping designs and installs softscapes that are genuinely built for Calgary, using plants selected for Alberta's climate, soil conditions, and the specific exposure of your yard. We don't just plant what looks nice at the nursery. We plant what will actually thrive through our winters and hot, dry summers.
Calgary sits in hardiness zone 4a, which means we regularly see temperatures of -30C or colder in winter and hot, UV-intense summers with relatively low humidity. This climate eliminates a lot of plants that perform well in other Canadian cities. We have spent years learning which plants genuinely thrive here, which ones look great at the nursery but struggle after their first Calgary winter, and how to prepare soil and position plants so they establish quickly and perform long-term. That knowledge is the core of every planting plan we create.
Full Scope
What’s Included
Options & Materials
Softscape and Planting Services We Provide
Garden Bed Design and Installation
A well-designed garden bed does more than hold plants. It creates visual structure, directs foot traffic, frames hardscape elements, and adds year-round interest through layered plant selection. We design beds with attention to mature plant sizes, seasonal colour sequencing, and the practical maintenance requirements that fit your lifestyle. Every bed installation includes proper soil preparation and amendment before anything gets planted.
Tree and Large Shrub Planting
Proper tree planting in Calgary requires attention to species selection, correct planting depth, soil amendment, and initial staking for larger specimens. We source trees and large shrubs from Alberta nurseries that grow stock in our climate zone, which dramatically improves establishment success compared to trees imported from milder regions. From ornamental trees like Amur cherry and crabapple to evergreens and shade trees, we select and plant for your site conditions.
Perennial and Native Plant Gardens
Perennials that reliably come back every year form the backbone of low-maintenance Calgary gardens. Native and near-native perennials like coneflower (echinacea), black-eyed Susan, prairie sage, and ornamental grasses are particularly well-adapted and support local pollinators. We design perennial gardens that look good from spring through fall, with attention to bloom sequencing so something is always in flower during the growing season.
Sod Supply and Installation
A new lawn or lawn replacement starts with proper base preparation: raking and grading, soil amendment where needed, and a level surface for the sod to lay flat against. We supply and install quality turfgrass sod appropriate for Calgary's climate and lay it with proper seam alignment and edge treatment. After installation, we walk you through the critical first-season watering and mowing requirements for successful establishment.
Drought-Tolerant and Xeriscape Plantings
Calgary's relatively low annual precipitation and frequent summer dry spells make drought-tolerant planting design increasingly popular. Xeriscape-style gardens use plants that require minimal irrigation once established, reducing your water use and maintenance burden. We design and install xeriscape plantings using proven Alberta-hardy species including sedum, ornamental grasses, lavender, yarrow, and native wildflowers.
Mulching and Ground Cover
Quality mulch is one of the most cost-effective investments in a new or refreshed garden. A 75mm layer of shredded bark or wood chip mulch suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, moderates soil temperature through Calgary's temperature swings, and gradually improves soil structure as it breaks down. We apply mulch to all new garden installations as a standard step and offer standalone mulch refresh services in spring.
How We Work
Our Process
Site & Soil Assessment
We assess your soil, sun exposure, drainage conditions, and existing plants to understand exactly what will perform well in your specific yard.
Plant Selection
We select Alberta-hardy plants proven to perform in Calgary's climate. We'll show you options and discuss mature sizes, maintenance requirements, and visual impact.
Soil Prep & Amendment
Proper soil preparation is the difference between plants that barely survive and plants that thrive. We amend and condition the soil before anything goes in.
Planting & Installation
Trees, shrubs, and perennials are planted at the correct depth and spacing. Sod is laid with proper base prep and seam alignment.
Mulching & Protection
A proper layer of quality mulch is applied to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and protect roots through Calgary's temperature swings.
Why All The Moore
Why Calgary Homeowners Choose Us for Softscapes & Planting
We Only Plant What Works in Calgary
This sounds obvious but it's not universally practised. We select plants specifically for zone 4a hardiness, your soil conditions, and your yard's specific sun and wind exposure. We don't use plants that look good at the nursery but fail after their first Calgary winter. When we plant something, we expect it to be there in 10 years.
Soil Preparation Before Anything Goes In
Calgary's soils range from heavy clay that drains poorly to sandy, nutrient-poor soils in newer developments. Both extremes need amendment before planting. We assess and prepare the soil before anything gets planted, because a plant in good soil establishes in one season and a plant in poor soil struggles for years. This step is what separates thriving gardens from struggling ones.
We Source From Alberta Nurseries
Plants grown in Alberta nurseries have been conditioned in our climate. They're hardened to our temperature swings, our UV levels, and our humidity patterns. We prioritize local and regional nursery suppliers because Alberta-grown stock consistently outperforms imported plants in establishment speed and winter survival.
Design That Accounts for Mature Size
One of the most common problems in residential planting is plants that were placed too close together based on their nursery size. Within five years the bed is overcrowded and plants are competing for space and light. We design with mature sizes in mind, which means beds may look a bit sparse initially but develop into exactly the right density over time.
Post-Planting Care Guidance
We don't plant and disappear. Every installation comes with clear guidance on first-season watering requirements, which plants need particular attention in the first year, and what to watch for. Chris and Nick are available by phone when you have questions about your new plants, and we treat your garden's success as a reflection of our work.
Mulching Done Properly From Day One
Mulch is not cosmetic. A proper layer at two to three inches suppresses weeds, retains moisture through Calgary's dry summers, moderates soil temperature swings, and breaks down to improve soil health over time. We apply mulch as a standard part of every planting installation, with the right material for the application and the right depth to actually do its job.
Our Work
Project Gallery
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What plants actually grow well in Calgary's climate?
When is the best time of year to plant in Calgary?
Do you source locally grown plants?
How do I care for newly planted trees and shrubs?
Can you design a low-maintenance garden for my yard?
What is the right mulch depth for Calgary gardens?
Do you plant sod or seed for new lawns?
Can you help with a planting plan if I want to do the work myself?
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Contact Chris and Nick for a free, no-obligation quote on your softscapes & planting project in Calgary or surrounding communities.