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CLIMBERS AND TRAILERS

Finding climbers or vines for the north involves a lot of searching through catalogues. Most nurseries carry the tender ones such as Clematis Jackmanni but few carry the hardy ones. Some of the more hardy vines are:

  • Vitis riparia (Riverbank Grape) indigenous
  • Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper)
  • Celastrus scandens (Bittersweet)
  • Clematis ligusticifolia (Western Virgin's Bower)
  • Clematis tangutica (Chinese Clematis)
  • Clematis serratifolia (Korean Clematis)
  • C. ligusticifolia X C. serratifolia (Grace Clematis)
  • Menispermum canadense (Canada Moonseed)

BULBS AND TUBERS

Most bulbs can be grown in the colder areas except for Hyacinth, Daffidols and various Narcissi unless they are given extra care. These bulbs are best grown indoors. Most tubers such as Dahlias are very successful in the north. The main difficulty with the early spring bulbs is the planting time. Quite often the weather becomes unsuitable for planting before the bulbs arrive. When planning on planting bulbs in the fall, prepare the ground ahead of time and mulch to prevent freezing.

ROCK GARDENS

Rock gardens can be grown very successfully in the north. The climate is more suitable to the alpine plants often used in the rock garden. Alpine plants are conditioned to intense light, dry air, long winters and sudden changes in climate. Snow cover is essential, though, and evergreen boughs should be placed over the plants to help trap the snow.

Rock gardens should only be established where they will look natural. Use rock native to the site for the proper effect.

PERENNIALS

When given a well prepared site and some winter protection, most perennials will thrive in the north. The secret is to protect them from the freeze-thaw cycles with a mulch or adequate snow cover. Peonies, lilies, Maltese Cross, Delphinium, and Shasta Daisy do not require any protection, even in the north. Anemones, Arabis, and Astilbe are not recommended for the north. Even in zone 0, perennials provide some welcome color to the landscape. At Yellowknife, N.W.T., most of the common perennials can be grown. Oriental Poppy is variable in hardiness and it is recommended that it be grown from seed in the north rather than purchased as plants which may not be hardy. This will reduce to cost to the grower. The best source of information on perennials is "Canadian Garden Perennials" by A.R. Buckley and which is available from Agriculture Canada.

ANNUALS

Almost all annuals can be grown in the north. Some requiring a longer season are best started indoors. For a longer season of bloom, select annuals that will withstand a few degrees of frost. This will ensure that those late spring frosts will not wipe out all your work and the plants will survive the first fall frosts to give you color after the more tender annuals are gone. The annuals that will survive minor frosts are Alyssum, Snapdragons, Asters, Calendula, Dusty Miller, Nicotiana, Pansy, Phlox, Schizanthus, Wee Willie, Strawflowers and Petunias. Pansies, Violas, and even Wee Willies will often survive the winter to give you an early spring show.

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This page by Pat
updated August 18, 2000

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