annuals, perennials, and more!

It’s spring! I know you’ll be ready to hit the garden centres soon.  I thought I would share some info in order to help any beginner gardeners with the trip to the garden centre.

Typically in the garden centre plants will be divided in to three main sections: trees and shrubs, perennials and annuals. There are some variables to this but knowing this will help you navigate the best.

Annuals are plants that won’t over winter here in Lethbridge. Typically you’ll find them in a covered green house sort of space at the garden centre. They may grow all year round in other places of the world but here they just can’t make it.  Annuals are typically grown to add sparkle and continuous color to the landscape. They are used to fill in planting beds or in planter pots.  They are grown for one season then taken out.

Perennials are plants that will come back every year but die down to the top of their roots (crown) over the winter. They are usually planted in the ground but sometimes I use them in pots too :)The leaves from last year typically die and can be removed either spring or late fall as they will never come back. They come up in the spring from the roots and re-grow leaves and flowers each season. Typically they will grow larger from year to year and can be divided into more plants after 3 or 4 years.

 Trees and Shrubs are plants that, not only survive the winter, but they will leaf out from where they grew in years past and continue growing from that spot. Their stems become woody and are cared for by pruning. Trees and shrubs are really the backbone of your landscape. In order to maximize the space and use of your landscape your trees and shrubs need to be carefully planned because they will live the longest and grow the largest.

As a general rule your perennials, trees and shrubs need to be hardy to a zone 3 or lower in order to grow well in Southern Alberta.  Sometimes in sheltered location you can grow zone 4 plants, but if your not sure and don’t want to take any chances, try sticking to the Zone 3 plants.   MAKE SURE to read the labels. Remember: just because they are being sold here does not mean they will grow here!

Happy Gardening!

Kirsten Hironaka