Want a vibrant, low-maintenance yard that supports local wildlife and looks stunning year-round? The YardSmart Native Plant Meadow is your go-to guide for turning your yard into a flourishing prairie-inspired haven, right in Calgary.
This garden design showcases the beauty of native wildflowers and grasses, offering a four-season spectacle of colour and texture. Plants like prairie crocus, blanket flower, silver lupine, and sticky purple geranium bloom from spring through fall—while Rocky Mountain fescue and little bluestem grasses hold the structure and charm all year long. These native species attract and support birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects, making your garden a hub of life and biodiversity.
Installation is refreshingly easy. Start by removing existing grass using one of three eco-friendly methods (like smothering or layering with compost). Follow the planting map, space your plants properly, and water thoroughly. Use mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds, and water weekly for the first couple of years until the garden is established. After that, you’ll only need to water during extended dry spells.
To keep your garden thriving year after year, leave perennial foliage through winter to protect insects and help catch snow, and divide fast-growing plants every 3–5 years.
The best part? Native gardens help the environment by conserving water, supporting pollinators, and reducing runoff. You can even go the extra mile by adding a bird bath, bee condo, or insect dish with landing stones.
Whether you’re looking to support local ecosystems or just want a beautiful, easy-care garden, this native wildflower meadow is the perfect choice.
Visit calgary.ca/YardSmart to learn more and start planning your wild and wonderful garden today!