What to Plant Where: Annuals, Perennials & Growing Smarter in Calgary

The garden centres are buzzing, the sun is finally feeling like it means it, and we’re all itching to get a little dirt under our nails. But if you’ve gardened in Calgary for any amount of time, you probably know this one by heart:

Don’t plant your annuals until after the May Long Weekend.

Yes, even if it feels like summer. Yes, even if Costco’s already stocked with hanging baskets. Calgary weather is a wildcard, and a surprise frost is still very possible. Waiting a couple more weeks gives your garden a real head start—warmer soil, stronger roots, and fewer frost-bitten regrets.

In the meantime, use this planning window to map your space, improve your soil, and get to know your yard’s conditions. Success in Calgary gardening starts before the first trowel hits the ground.

Annuals vs. Perennials: What’s the Difference and When to Use Each

If you’ve ever wandered through a garden centre and wondered whether to choose petunias or peonies, your question is really annual or perennial? Here’s the difference:

Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in a single growing season. You plant them in spring, they bloom their hearts out all summer, and they die off in fall. They offer instant colour, fast growth, and flexibility—you can change up your garden’s look every year.

Use annuals where you want bold colour, seasonal variety, or container-friendly beauty.

Perennials, on the other hand, come back year after year. Once established, they’re lower maintenance and more cost-effective over time. They might take a bit longer to shine, but they bring reliable structure, foliage interest, and natural rhythm to your garden.

Use perennials to build the foundation of your beds, fill in borders, and create long-term texture and flow.

For most Calgary gardens, a mix of both gives you the best of all worlds: structure and consistency from perennials, with seasonal vibrancy and fun from annuals. Perennials do the groundwork; annuals keep things lively.

Light Matters: A Deeper Look

Not all sun is created equal, and understanding how sunlight moves through your yard can completely change the way your plants perform.

Start by observing your garden at different times of day. Take photos or make notes in the morning, midday, and late afternoon. Over a few sunny days, you'll start to see clear patterns of full sun, dappled light, or full shade.

Here’s how to interpret what you see:

  • Full Sun (6+ hours): These areas receive direct, unfiltered sun for most of the day, typically south- or west-facing spots. They're ideal for heat- and drought-tolerant plants that can handle intense exposure. In Calgary’s dry, elevated climate, full sun really means full sun, and not all plants can take it.

  • Partial Sun / Partial Shade (3–6 hours): These areas may receive morning sun and afternoon shade, or vice versa. East-facing beds, spaces shaded by trees, or parts of the yard that catch late-day rays fit here. These conditions are ideal for plants that like warmth but appreciate a break from the harsh midday heat.

  • Full Shade (<3 hours): These spots are in the shadows for most of the day, often due to buildings, fences, or large trees. While it’s tempting to ignore shady areas, there’s a surprising range of plants that thrive in lower light and still bring colour and life.

Matching plants to these light conditions means fewer losses and healthier, longer-lasting growth, especially in Calgary’s climate, where summer sun can be intense and unforgiving.

What to Plant Where: Matching Plants to Light in Your Calgary Garden

Once you’ve figured out how much light each area of your yard gets, you can start choosing plants that will actually thrive—not just survive.

Full Sun (6+ hours/day)

These spots are perfect for the classics: petunias, zinnias, marigolds, and geraniums for fast-growing, vibrant annuals. For a longer-term payoff, plant echinacea, blanket flower, or Shasta daisies—all tough perennials that love the heat and handle dry spells well.

Partial Sun to Partial Shade (3–6 hours/day)

This is the sweet spot for adaptable blooms like snapdragons, begonias, and calibrachoa. In the perennial department, try daylilies, astilbe, or coral bells—great texture and reliable performers in morning or dappled light.

Full Shade (less than 3 hours/day)

Shady doesn’t mean boring. Impatiens, coleus, and fuchsia add life to dim corners, especially in containers or under trees. For perennials, hostas, ferns, and brunnera bring structure and calm, thriving in cool, low-light zones.

Calgary-Specific Challenges (and How to Work With Them)

Calgary’s climate is beautiful, but it’s also unpredictable. That means local gardeners need to plan with resilience in mind.

Soil: Much of the city’s soil is clay-heavy and slow-draining. Work in compost or a quality garden mix to improve structure and air flow. In containers, always use fresh potting mix to avoid root rot.

Wind: Frequent gusts—especially in newer developments—can dry out soil, topple tall plants, and make growing conditions harsh. Look for low-profile or sturdy plants, or shelter delicate blooms with shrubs, fencing, or grouped containers.

Containers: An excellent choice for Calgary gardeners. They warm up faster, allow for better drainage, and give you the flexibility to chase sun, dodge frost, or swap things out with the seasons.

While You Wait for May Long...

This “shoulder season” is for preparation, not impatience. Here’s how to use it:

  • Watch how the light shifts across your yard

  • Prep beds by loosening soil and adding compost

  • Clean containers, sharpen tools, and top up supplies

  • Sketch your layout, noting sun and shade zones

  • Start plant shopping, but protect tender ones until the frost risk passes

Need Help Pulling It All Together?

If you’re feeling unsure about what will thrive where, or just want to skip the guesswork, Bloom Culture can help. We design gardens built for Calgary’s unique rhythm, from compact patios to sprawling yards.