Beyond Gravel

If you’ve ever walked through a well-designed botanical garden, you know that plants don’t just sit there—they create movement, contrast, and emotion.

That’s what the Living Canvas Approach is all about: using layers of texture, bold plant shapes, and unexpected color combinations to create a xeriscaped garden that looks more like a piece of art than a backyard.

How to Design a “Living Canvas” Xeriscape in Calgary

• ✔ Play with Layers: Combine low-growing groundcovers, medium-height perennials, and architectural statement plants for a multi-dimensional look.
• ✔ Choose Drought-Resistant Color Pops: Try golden yarrow, deep-purple Russian sage, or fiery-red blanket flower to add vibrancy.
• ✔ Use Contrasting Textures: Pair the soft, flowing look of blue oat grass with the sculptural sharpness of yucca or agave.
• ✔ Think About Year-Round Beauty: Mix in evergreen elements like juniper or creeping thyme to keep things visually interesting in winter.

Best Plants for a “Living Canvas” Xeriscape in Calgary

· Purple Coneflower (Echinacea) – Stunning blooms, pollinator-friendly, thrives in dry soil.

· Sedum (Stonecrop) – Comes in tons of varieties, from groundcovers to chunky succulents.

· Ornamental Grasses (Blue Fescue, Karl Foerster Grass, Blue Oat Grass) – Adds movement and texture.

· Russian Sage – Looks like lavender, smells amazing, drought-tolerant.

· Red Yucca – A sculptural, spiky beauty that thrives in dry conditions.

💡 Pro Tip: Xeriscaping doesn’t mean boring. The key is to think like a designer—use bold colors, varied heights, and unexpected plant pairings to create a visually stunning, water-efficient yard.

👉 Looking for a custom xeriscape design? Check out our landscape design services.

Instead of forcing your yard into a structured, high-maintenance landscape, why not embrace the wild beauty of Alberta’s native prairie ecosystem?

The “Wild Prairie” xeriscaping method mimics natural landscapes, using a mix of grasses, wildflowers, and native plants that thrive with little intervention.

How to Create a Wild Prairie Xeriscape

• ✔ Ditch the Traditional Lawn: Instead of grass, use native groundcovers like buffalo grass or blue grama grass.
• ✔ Mix Tall & Short Grasses: This adds a natural, flowing aesthetic while reducing erosion.
• ✔ Add Pops of Wildflowers: Alberta-native wildflowers like black-eyed Susans and blanket flowers provide seasonal color.
• ✔ Let It Evolve Naturally: Unlike traditional gardens, this style allows plants to spread and grow freely.

Best Plants for a Wild Prairie Xeriscape in Calgary

· Blue Grama Grass – A low-water alternative to traditional turf grass.

· Buffalo Grass – Soft, drought-resistant, and naturally weed-resistant.

· Black-Eyed Susan – A classic wildflower that thrives in poor soil.

· Wild Bergamot (Bee Balm) – Beautiful purple blooms that attract bees and butterflies.

· Blanket Flower – Bright red and yellow flowers that bloom all summer with minimal water.

💡 Pro Tip: The wild prairie look isn’t about “neglect”—it’s about smart, intentional planting. The right plant choices will create a lush, effortless-looking landscape that works with nature, not against it.

👉 Curious about a low-maintenance, native landscape? Let’s design one.