Native Gardening

Planting native gardens provides native bees and other pollinators with food and habitat. Pollinator gardens should include a diversity of flowering plants of different shapes, colors, sizes, and bloom times. Double-check wildflower mixes to ensure they do not contain invasive weeds.

Recommended wildflowers include:

• Giant Hyssop
• Blanket Flower
• Bergamot / Beebalm
• Smooth Blue Beardtongue
• Bearberry / Kinnikinnick
• Nodding Onion

For a full list or for more information, visit Native Plant Resources — Alberta Native Bee Council.

Due to changes in the climate, the risk of drought in Parkland County is expected to increase. Planting drought-tolerant native species can help your garden thrive while contributing to water conservation.

Drought-tolerant plants include:

• Nodding Onion
• Wild Chives
• Bunchberry
• Woodland Strawberry
• Northern Bedstraw
• Three-flowered Avens / Prairie Smoke
• Richardson's Alumroot
• Meadow Blazing Star
• Wild Bergamot / Beebalm
• Blue-eyed Grass
• Smooth Aster
• Early Blue Violet
• Western Canada Violet
• Heart-leaved Alexanders

For a full list, see: Native Roots: Drought Tolerant Native Plant Species for the Alberta Region (resilientrurals.com)

As the climate changes, rainfall events are expected to become more unpredictable and intense. Prepare your garden for heavy rain and flooding by planting these flood-tolerant species:

• Wild Chives
• Fireweed
• Bunchberry
• Creeping Fleabane
• Spotted Joe-pye Weed
• Northern Bedstraw
• Three-flowered Avens
• Common Tall Sunflower
• Meadow Blazing Star
• Blue-eyed Grass
• Heart-leaved Alexanders

For a full list, see: Native Roots: Flood Tolerant Native Plant Species for the Alberta Region (resilientrurals.com)

Flood-tolerant trees:

• Pincherry*
• Chokecherry*
• Paper Birch
• River Alder
• Tamarack
• Balsam Poplar
• Green Alder

Drought-resistant trees:

• Pincherry*
• Chokecherry*
• Jack Pine
• Green Ash
• Rocky Mountain Juniper
• Saskatoon

*Susceptible to black knot disease.

Looking to grow native plants on agricultural lands or large properties?

AWES Native Agroforestry Species Database provides information on the growth characteristics and site preferences of native trees and shrubs. This tool is intended to help landowners and managers select well-adapted, functional species for agroforestry projects such as shelterbelts, Eco-Buffers, riparian buffers, woodlot enhancements, alley cropping, silvopasture, or food forests. Parkland County exists in the Parkland and Boreal natural regions.

Additionally, the City of Edmonton has recommendations on native perennials for acreages/large properties. 

To maximize water conservation:

• Place plants with similar water requirements close together.
• Increase the soil’s water retention by adding compost
• Add a layer of mulch around the base of trees and shrubs to reduce weed growth and water evaporation.
• Purchase a rain barrel to collect rainwater from your roof.
• Don’t overwater - Your lawn and garden cannot store water for a long time.
• Use a drip irrigation system. This system is the most effective because it directs water to the root zone.

For more ways to conserve water, see Water Conservation - Parkland County.

The risk of wildfires is expected to increase in Parkland County due to changes in the local climate. Keep your property safe by integrating FireSmart Landscaping

• Keep a 1.5m perimeter of non-combustible surface around the house
• Within 10 meters, plant a low density of fire-resistant plants and shrubs; Avoid the use of woody debris, including mulch, in this area.
• Prune the lower branches of coniferous trees up to 6 feet

Characteristics of fire-resistant plants:

• Moist, supple leaves
• Accumulates minimal dead vegetation
• Water-like sap with little odour
• Low amount of sap or resin material

For more information, see Yard and Landscaping | FireSmart Canada