Cedar shrubs and trees are attractive choices for landscaping your properties in Calgary. You have many different options ranging from small and compact cedar shrubs to quite tall cedar trees. Cedar shrubs are beautiful and a fine addition to your property. However, many cedar shrub types and types of cedar trees do not do well in and around Calgary. The same cedar tree that struggles in a windswept part of your property would do well in British Colombia with a milder, moister climate. So, why are there cedar trees for sale in Calgary? If you know how to plant cedar trees and small cedar shrubs and where to place them on your property, they will be a beauty and joy for years and years.
Best Cedar Shrub Types for Calgary
You do not need to engage in trial and error to find the best cedar shrub types for Calgary. We have experimented with various types of cedar trees and shrubs and can recommend – the ones that grow the best in Calgary. The Holmstrup Cedar is our top choice for this area. However, you will need to choose a protected area in your yard, choose the right cedar shrub fertilizer, and consider planting close to your home so that the roots of the plant will enjoy the relative warmth of your foundation, grow deeper, and establish themselves better.
The Holmstrup Cedar can grow to as tall as fifteen feet in an ideal, sheltered location and with the best care. The most challenging time for a cedar shrub or cedar tree in Calgary is the first year or two as the plant is establishing its root structure. It also helps if the first winter is not historically cold! Watering well and right up until the ground is frozen will commonly help cedar trees and shrubs survive a harsh winter. The problem for the plant is not so much the severity of the weather above ground but the lack of moisture in the soil that exposes the Cedar to near-desert conditions!
Choosing the Right Location to Plant Cedar Trees in Calgary
At Tazscapes, we usually assess your property before starting any landscape design process. We look at rainfall, wind, sun exposure, and the ability of the soil to retain or drain moisture. Thus, we can tell you where the right places will be to plant cedar trees on your property. Cedar trees and shrubs do best in organic, rich soil that is well-drained. We avoid planting them where the soil is sandy or always dry. We also avoid overly moist clay soils. Cedar needs full sun so make sure the location where you plant cedar trees and shrubs gets at least six to eight hours of full sun every day.
How to Care for Cedar Shrubs and Trees in Calgary
After choosing the best cedar variety for our climate and the best spot on your property to plant, you still need to care for these plants correctly. One way to moderate root temperature for Cedar is with mulch. Mulch also helps control weeds. But, make sure to keep the mulch at least three inches distant from the base of the tree. When you plant cedar trees, or shrubs add bone meal (handful) to each hole. Make sure to use a Because cedars, like other conifers, need lots of light, prune them routinely. Only prune the soft, new green growth. Prune two to three times each year if you are growing a hedge. Because pruned areas stay green and the non-pruned regions turn brown, prune routinely and in such a way as to provide as much light as possible for the plant. The best fertilizer for cedar hedges, trees, and shrubs is a well-balanced one. Avoid fertilizers that are almost all nitrogen. You will get a flush of green but end with a weaker plant!
Care and Feeding of a Cedar Hedge
Rather than having stand-alone cedar trees and shrubs, consider planting a hedge. If you plant in the right location with lots of sun, well-drained soil, and protected from the severest weather, your hedge could last for a long as sixty to eighty years! As with cedar trees and shrubs, routine care is essential. Water periodically and deep. Use a balanced fertilizer. And, prune your hedge two or three times every year to maintain a fresh green appearance. The best fertilizer for a cedar hedge is a balanced one, never applied after August.
Junipers as a Substitute for Cedars
If your property does not have a sufficiently sheltered location for growing cedar trees, shrubs, or a hedge, we commonly suggest Juniper as a hardier alternative. In addition, Calgary Carpet Juniper is an excellent ground cover. Other choices for somewhat larger plants include Skyrocket, Medora, Wichita, and Moon Glow. If you are still interested in cedar trees or shrubs for our property, talk to us at Tazscapes for help choosing a location on your property and a variety of Cedar.