Shady spots in the garden don’t have to mean a lack of colour or interest. While it's easy to default to greenery, there are plenty of annuals that thrive in low light and still offer showy blooms or striking foliage. In this post, we’re sharing five of our favourite shade-loving annuals that do especially well in the Edmonton area.
We’ve already shared our top picks for sun and shade-loving perennials — now it’s time to shine a light on annuals! These five favourites are well-suited to the Edmonton area and offer big, beautiful colour with minimal upkeep. Whether you’re filling containers, garden beds, or borders, these tried-and-true annuals are sure to brighten your space all season long.
Designing a stunning container is easier than you think! With just a few simple steps, you can create a professional-looking arrangement using the Thriller, Filler, and Spiller Method.
If you've been following along, you know we're diving into a series focused on easy-to-grow plants in the Edmonton area. While I've mainly been addressing new gardeners, this series is for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned pro tackling a new shade garden or someone who's recently moved and is planning your first perennial bed, we've got something for you. No matter your experience level, we'll highlight some fantastic plants for Edmonton's climate and share essential care tips to help you thrive in your gardening journey. All five of our top picks are cold-hardy and low-maintenance — perfect for Alberta’s climate. For the best results, we recommend enriching your soil with quality compost before planting to boost nutrients and support healthy growth.
As a new gardener, it can be difficult to know where to start. In my first year, I was extremely ambitious, filling my cart with whatever plants caught my fancy. I didn’t consider the level of care each plant required, and before long, I was dealing with a garden full of pests and crispy plants. The next year, I found myself more tentative to begin. I didn’t want to repeat my previous mistakes, but I wasn’t quite sure which plants were best for my yard and how to properly care for them.
If you can relate, let me help you out with some practical tips: start small, and begin with what’s tried and true. Once you gain more knowledge and confidence in your gardening skills, you can gradually explore a wider variety of plants.
In the next few blogs, I’ll walk you through some tried-and-true plant options for the Edmonton area and the basics of caring for them. All the plants below are cold hardy and relatively low maintenance making them perfect for Edmonton and newer gardeners. Let’s start with sun-loving perennials that thrive in our region’s climate.
Get a head start on your greenhouse shopping by browsing our 2025 collection of new trees and shrubs and start planning your garden today.
Explore our latest perennial selections for the 2025 season! With exciting new varieties and vibrant colours, now’s the perfect time to start planning your garden. There’s something for every green thumb to fall in love with.
We’re excited to share our brand-new 2025 Annuals Catalogue with you! Inside, you’ll find a handpicked collection of our favourite plants for the season – from totally new varieties to fresh colours we’re buzzing about.
Take a peek and get inspired for your next planting season – we think you’re going to love what’s in store!
