Main Yard Details

We go counter clockwise through the main yard starting at the front in the South-East corner, then North-East, North-West and our orchard. Finally our heart-shape bed and vegetable yard. With the exception of the vegetable yard, we use mainly shrubs and trees.

Our environment

Before we give some details of what we are growing on our acreage, it is important to understand the environment. We live outside of Calgary in the North-West at an elevation of 4,250 feet or 1,295 meters. Our lot measures 70 meters North-South and 120 meters East-West. On average we have frost from September 15 until May 23, which gives us a 3½ month growing season. The ground heats up pretty slow as the land predominantly slopes towards the North. Our highest point is the South-West corner where we have our picnic table for that beautiful wide view. From there it slopes down to the North and the East. The lowest point is indeed on the North side where we have a seasonal pond. An ideal place for ducks and plovers.

Our main goals for the yard

• Attractive for ourselves and for others looking at our yard.
• A heaven for birds.
• Low maintenance, i.e. minimum of annual planting, trimming, watering, mowing, etc.
• Perennials, shrubs and trees suitable for zones 3 or 2, and only a few zone 4 plant material.
• First choice is always plant material suitable for Alberta's Chinook type climate.

Legend

Zone	Indication of hardiness, i.e. minimum winter temperatures the plant can endure: 2 -- North Alberta: -46°C to -40°C (-50°F to -40°F) 3 -- South Alberta: -40°C to -34°C (-40°F to -30°F) 4 -- further South: -34°C to -28°C (-30°F to -20°F)
Height, spread	Approximate maximum size under ideal conditions.
Divide	Indication of how many years after planting the perennial should be divided: A -- large perennials, use shovel, about three stems per piece with lots of roots B -- small perennials, use knife, at least one growing point with some roots C -- easily separated perennials, pull apart, must have own stem and roots

Main Yard, South-East (20-Jun-2007)

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	area: N.A. topography: level sun: whole day soil: poor, dry Mainly grass with beds of roses and lilacs. In the far corner young Colorado Spruce, and along the driveway Double Flowering Plum. In July 2005 a young Burr Oak is planted between the Lilacs and the Plums; should be a sight in 20 or 30 years from now.
	Colorado Spruce (evergreen) (Picea pungens 'Glauca') zone: 2 height: 12 m, 40 ft spread: 4.5 m, 15 ft foliage: green to blue Pyramidal evergreen, planted as seedlings, and are after 6 years about 125 cm (4 ft) tall. Put together in the far corner as a group of 17.
	Common Lilac, Miss Canada Preston Lilac (shrub) (Syringa vulgaris, Syringa prestoniae 'Miss Canada') zone: 2/3 height: 3 m, 10 ft spread: 2.5 m, 8 ft flower: mauve to white, fragrant This flowerbed contains 10 Lilacs. They have been struggling as the soil is pure clay, but finally after 6 years and a wet summer they are coming around. Fertilize with bonemeal in fall to promote flowering next spring. Notice our garden Pinocchio made from ordinary fence posts.
	Hedge Rose (rose) (Rosa woodsii) zone: height: 1.5 m, 5 ft spread: 1.5 m, 5 ft flower: small, single, pink We have 4 flowerbeds with these roses along the East side of our property. These Hedge Roses have a tendency to sucker, which is fine with us as it fills up the flowerbed. In late summer the flowers make place for the rose bottles.
	Double Flowering Plum (shrub) (Prunus tribola 'Multiplex') zone: 2 height: 2.5 m, 8 ft spread: 3 m, 10 ft flower: pink, double pruning: rigorously after blooming to promote new growth for next year 10 of these Double Flowering Plums line the South side of our driveway. Pruning is very important as flowers are formed in early spring on wood that grew the year before.
	Burr Oak (tree) (Quercus macrocarpa) zone: 3 height: 10 m, 33 ft spread: 10 m, 33 ft Large lobed leaves, corky bark and large acorns. This oak is of the hardy variety and drought resistant.

Main Yard, North-East (15-Jun-2007)

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	area: N.A. topography: level sun: whole day soil: poor, moist Mainly grass with a bed of Dogwood to hide a transformer in the far corner. Around the seasonal pond are beds of Elder and Cotoneaster, and various trees to give the pond more definition. Mountain Ash line the driveway on the North side.
	American Mountain Ash, Showy Mountain Ash (tree) (Sorbus Americana, Sorbus Decora) zone: 2 height: 6 m, 20 ft spread: 5 m, 17 ft flower: white, scarlet fruit: red berries in fall foliage: orange in fall These Mountain Ash line the North side of the driveway. Cedar Waxwings love the berries. Problem is that deer love the leaves.
	Hedge Rose (rose) (Rosa woodsii) zone: height: 1.5 m, 5 ft spread: 1.5 m, 5 ft flower: small, single, pink We have 4 flowerbeds with these roses along the East side of our property. These Hedge Roses have a tendency to sucker, which is fine with us as it fills up the flowerbed. In late summer the flowers make place for the rose bottles.
	Redosier Dogwood (shrub) (Cornus stolonifera) zone: 3 height: 2 m, 7 ft spread: 1.5 m, 5 ft flower: white cluster fruit: ice blueish Features blood-red stems which is very decorative in winter. Foliage has burgundy-red fall colour.
	Red Elder, Golden Elder (shrub) (Sambucus racemosa 'Pubens', Sambucus canadensis 'Aurea') zone: 3 height: 2.5-3 m, 8-10 ft spread: 2-2.5 m, 7-8 ft flower: white cluster fruit: red, golden Likes moisture. Takes several years to get going.
	Sienna Glen Maple (tree) (Acer x Freemanii 'Sienna Glen') zone: 3 height: 19 m, 63 ft spread: 10 m, 33 ft foliage: will turn yellow-orange in fall We have been looking for years for a maple suitable for our area and soil conditions. We planted this one in Jun-2007 and will see how it goes.
	Cotoneaster (shrub) (Cotoneaster acutifolia) zone: 2 height: 2 m, 7 ft spread: 1.5 m, 5 ft flower: pink fruit: dark foliage: red in fall A very reliable base shrub.
	Quaking (trembling) Aspen (tree) (Populus tremuloides) zone: 2 height: 20 m, 66 ft spread: 10 m, 33 ft flower: catkins foliage: not very dense The leaves makes a very pleasant trembling sound when the wind moves through them, hence the name "quaking". produces cotton fluff.
	Cutleaf Weeping Birch (tree) (Betula pendula 'Youngii') zone: 3 height: 3 m, 10 ft spread: 4 m, 13 ft flower: catkins foliage: not very dense Takes a few years before it is established. Loves water, hence we have it next to the pond. Bark whitens with age.
	Poplar Brooks #6 (tree) (Populus 'Brooks #6') zone: 2 height: 15 m, 50 ft spread: 12 m, 40 ft flower: catkins foliage: very dense, large leaves The Brook #6 is non-suckering, fast growing tree.
	Siberian Elm (tree) (Ulmus pumila) zone: 2 height: 15 m, 50 ft spread: 11 m, 16 ft foliage: small, green leaves, yellow in fall Fast growing spreading tree with fine branching. Brittle wood breaks easily, which could be a problem in open land and when ice forms on its branches in the winter. We planted it Jun-2007 and will see how it does. Right now it looks a bit small next to the 6 meter (20 feet) tall poplars. We would have loved to plant an American Elm, but we settled for the Siberian Elm as it is resistant to Dutch elm disease. However, play it safe, and prune dead/sick branches immediately and destroy. Also pull seedlings unless you like to start a nursery.

Main Yard, North-West (3-Sep-2006)

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	area: N.A. topography: level sun: whole day soil: good, moist Mainly grass with more trees around the seasonal pond and our "senior" swing. Further a bed with Dogwood and Silver Buffalo Berry, and in the far corner young Colorado Spruce. Along the whole West side of the property a hedge of yellow Potentilla.
	Shubert Chokecherry (tree) (Prunus virginiana 'Shubert') zone: 3 height: 4.5 m, 15 ft spread: 3 m, 10 ft flower: white, fragrant fruit: black cherries foliage: new leaves are green and then mature purple Excellent ornamental accent tree.
	Siberian Larch (evergreen) (Larix siberica) zone: 2 height: 8 m, 25 ft spread: 3.5 m, 12 ft foliage: turn bright yellow in fall; water regularly A unique deciduous conifer that sheds its soft clusters of needles in winter. Likes a moist place.
	May Day (tree) (Prunus padus commutata) zone: 3 height: 6 m, 20 ft spread: 4.5 m, 15 ft flower: showy white fragrant fruit: black, bitter The fruits attract birds.
	Chinese Weeping Willow (tree) (Salix babylonica) zone: 2 (??? others say suitable for zone 4 ???) height: 12 m, 40 ft spread: 9 m, 30 ft Ideal for a big yard, close to a pond or stream. Those weeping branches, almost touching the ground, appear to be inviting you, "Please come under my branches, I will protect you." Planted in 2006 and survived the mild 2006/2007 winter. Area around the tree is constantly flooded.
	Dolgo Crapapple (tree) (Malus x 'Dolgo') zone: 2 height: 5 m, 16 ft spread: 3 m, 10 ft flower: white fruit: red, edible Requires proper pruning to shape the tree. The fruits are excellent for jelly.
	Makamik Crapapple (tree) (Malus x 'Makamik') zone: 2 height: 8 m, 27 ft spread: 3 m, 10 ft flower: pink fruit: purple Requires proper pruning to shape the tree.
	Colorado Spruce (evergreen) (Picea pungens 'Glauca') zone: 2 height: 12 m, 40 ft spread: 4.5 m, 15 ft foliage: green to blue Pyramidal evergreen, planted as seedlings, and are after 6 years only about 50 cm (2 ft) tall due to the open exposure to the North-West dry wind in the winter. Put together in the far corner as a group of 12.
	Silver Buffaloberry (shrub) (Shepherdia argentea) zone: 2 height: 3.5 m, 11 ft spread: 3.5 m, 11 ft flower: yellow on female plants fruit: red berries Drought resistant, spiny shrub. Takes a while to establish.
	Alpine Currant (shrub) (Ribes Alpine) zone: 2 height: 1.5 m, 5 ft spread: 1.5 m, 5 ft flower: yellow
	Redosier Dogwood (shrub) (Cornus stolonifera) zone: 3 height: 2 m, 7 ft spread: 1.5 m, 5 ft flower: white cluster fruit: ice blueish Features blood-red stems which is very decorative in winter. Foliage has burgundy-red fall colour.
	Potentilla Goldfinger (shrub) (Potentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger') zone: 2 height: 1.25 m, 4 ft spread: 1 m, 3 ft flower: dark yellow Very hardy potentilla with the largest flowers. Encourage new growth by vigorous pruning in early spring. We planted (in fall 2003) some 130 potentillas (from seed) to create a hedge along the West side of our property. We also planted 20 potentillas between the Makamik Crabapple trees around the two-seater swing in 2004.

Orchard, West (3-Sep-2006)

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	area: N.A. topography: level sun: whole day soil: good, moist Mainly grass with three rows of fruit trees and shrubs. Here an late summer picture.
	Nanking Cherry (shrub) (Prunus tomentosa) zone: 2 height: 2 m, 6 ft spread: 2 m, 6 ft flower: light pink fruit: red cherry, edible We have them since 1968, they flower, but I still have to see the first cherry. Supposedly the cherries are great for jelly.
	Heyer #12 Apple (tree) (Malus 'Heyer #12') zone: 3 height: 6 m, 20 ft spread: 5 m, 17 ft flower: white fruit: 2" to 2½" yellow-green fruit in late August Although the fruit can be eaten fresh, making apple sauce from it is a much better way of using these tart apples. In 2006 we had our best year. We picked 69 kg (152 lbs) from four trees, and converted all of the fruits into apple sauce and apple pies. The container shows what we picked from just one tree.
	Smokey Saskatoon, Pembina Saskatoon, Northline Saskatoon (shrub) (Amelanchier alniflora 'Smokey', Amelanchier alniflora 'Pembina', Amelanchier alniflora 'Northline') zone: 2/3 height: 3 m, 10 ft spread: 2 m, 7 ft fruit: Smokey: purplish/blue berries; Pembina: sweet, mild-flavoured fruit; Northline: large berry with wonderful saskatoon flavour Good for eating fresh, or for pies and jams.
	Black Raspberry Jewel, or Blackberry (shrub) (Rubus spp.) zone: height: spread: fruit: deep purple Sensitive to winter kill which is a problem as fruit develops on previous year growth.
	Dakota Gooseberry (shrub) (Ribes spp.) zone: height: spread: fruit: tard, small, yellowish fruit Not very good for eating fresh.
	Red Currant (shrub) (Ribes 'Redlake') zone: 3 height: 1 m, 3 ft spread: 1 m, 3 ft fruit: small red fruit, a bit tart Can be eaten fresh or made into jams. Sensitive to winter kill which is a problem as fruit develops on old growth.
	Black Currant (shrub) (Ribes nigrum) zone: 3 height: 1 m, 3 ft spread: 1 m, 3 ft fruit: small black fruit, very tart Suitable for jams. Sensitive to winter kill which is a problem as fruit develops on old growth.
	Buffalo Currant (shrub) (Ribes odoratum) zone: 2 height: 1.2 m, 4 ft spread: 1 m, 3 ft fruit: large black currants in the late summer Excellent for jams, juice, syrups and wine. The foliage is light green which turns yellow/orange in autumn. Will grow well in full sun or shade and is tolerant of dryer soils. The flowers smell like cloves.
	Rabbit Hill Cranberry (shrub) (Viburnum 'Rabbit Hill') zone: height: 2 m, 7 ft spread: 2 m, 7 ft fruit: tart red fruit Excellent for jelly.
	Raspberry Boyne (shrub) (Rubus 'Boyne') zone: 3 height: 1.5 m, 5 ft spread: 1.5 m, 5 ft fruit: Sweet, red fruit Good for eating fresh. Sensitive to winter kill which is a problem as fruit develops on previous year growth. Does sucker.
	Raspberry Primocane (shrub) (Rubus 'Primocane') zone: 3 height: 1.5 m, 5 ft spread: 30 cm, 1 ft fruit: Sweet, red fruit Good for eating fresh. These raspberries are also a hardy variety for the prairies. These raspberries do not require thinning or pruning. They can be mown down every year to within a couple of inches, but we prefer to cut ours down every 2 or 3 years to clean up the patch. Fruits mid summer through fall. Does sucker.

Flowerbed, heart-shape, West (20-Jun-2007)

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	area: 32 m² (348 sqft) topography: North sloping sun: whole day soil: very good, dry The first picture was taken in 2004 after the sods were taken off and a foot of clay had been removed from underneath the good soil. After the winter 15 cubic yard (11-1/2 m3) of garden mix was added. This new bed was completed in June 2005, planted with various coloured shrubs, covered with landscaping fabric and with crystal white rocks on top. Have a good look at the second picture. Do you see the smiling face: blonde eyebrows, blue-grey eyes, red nose, pinkish cheeks and a smiling mouth with teeth?
	Sunsation Barberry (shrub) (Berberis thunbergii 'Monry') zone: 3/4 height: 1 m, 3 ft spread: 1 m, 3 ft foliage: golden-yellow The eyebrows.
	Spruce Blue Globe (evergreen) (Picea pungens 'Glauca Globosa') zone: 2 height: 1.5 m, 5 ft spread: 1.5 m, 5 ft foliage: blue The eyes. Prune in spring to maintain a globe form.
	Cherry Bomb Japanese Barberry (shrub) (Berberis thunbergii 'Cherry Bomb') zone: 3/4 height: 1 m, 3 ft spread: 1 m, 3 ft foliage: deep crimson The nose.
	Dwarf Korean Lilac (shrub) (Syringa meyeri 'Palibin') zone: 3 height: 1.5 m, 5 ft spread: 1.5 m, 5 ft flower: lavender, fragrant The cheeks.
	Mugho Pine (evergreen) (Pinus mugo) zone: 2 height: 2 m, 7 ft spread: 2 m, 7 ft The mouth. Takes about 15 years to mature. Trim 1/3 of the buds for a compacter growth.

Vegetable Yard, South (29-Jun-2008)

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area: 48 m² (517 sqft) topography: level sun: until early evening soil: very good Our annual supply of fresh vegetables for the summer and for in the freezer for the winter. Normally no fertilizers and no pesticides (herbicides, insecticides); just some compost, some water and some tender love and care. This year (2006) we use for the first time a bit of 8-12-6 fertilizer from PINK. We have three long beds of about 50" wide, separated by two paths. The whole is surrounded by chicken wire to keep gophers (Richardson Ground squirrel) and deer out. The 2006 crop was: broad bean (Broad Windsor), pole bean (Scarlet Runner & Smeraldo), radish (Cherry Bell), spinach (Long Standing Bloomsdale), Swiss chard (Rhubarb), Pea (Snowpea Snowflake), rhubarb (perennial), strawberry (Eversweet, Kent & Seascape -- perennials), bush bean (Stringless Green Pod), red beet (Detroit Dark Red), carrot (Scarlet Nantes), pea (Alaska), lettuce (Red Butterworth & Early Curled Simpson), endive (Green Curled Ruffec), and onion (Annual Bunching). The 2007 crop was: broad bean (Broad Windsor), pole bean (Scarlet Runner & Romano), radish (Cherry Bell), spinach (Long Standing Bloomsdale), Swiss chard (Rhubarb), Pea (Snowpea Snowflake), rhubarb (perennial), strawberry (Eversweet, Kent & Seascape -- perennials), bush bean (Stringless Green Pod), red beet (Detroit Dark Red), carrot (Scarlet Nantes), common green purslane (Portulaca oleracea), pea (Alaska), lettuce (Grand Rapids & Early Curled Simpson), endive (Full Heart Batavian), and Brussels Chicory (Cichorium intybus; a two-step growing process). The 2008 crop is: pole bean (Scarlet Runner & Romano), radish (Cherry Bell), spinach (Long Standing Bloomsdale), Swiss chard (Rhubarb), Pea (Snowpea Snowflake), rhubarb (perennial), strawberry (Eversweet, Kent & Seascape -- perennials), bush bean (Stringless Green Pod), red beet (Detroit Dark Red), carrot (Scarlet Nantes), common green purslane (Portulaca oleracea), pea (Alaska), lettuce (Grand Rapids & Early Curled Simpson), endive (Full Heart Batavian), and Brussels Chicory (Cichorium intybus; a two-step growing process). We do our best to rotate the crop between the beds in a three year cycle.

Rosa Explorer 'John Cabot' (rose) Rosa Explorer 'John Cabot' zone: 3 height: 2.5 m, 8 ft spread: 1.5 m, 5 ft flower: pink, double, strong fragrance Requires trellis or other support. We transplated (Jun-2007) these roses from the swing in the Northwest part of the yard to our more sheltered vegetable yard next to the garden gate. Disease resistant.