Best Shrubs For Edmonton’s Ever-Changing Climate

Ideal Selection of Shrubs for Edmonton (and why)

best shrubs for Edmonton, Alberta

Amidst the ever-evolving tapestry of nature, shrubs stand as silent artists, painting landscapes with their myriad hues and graceful silhouettes. Their presence transforms ordinary spaces into enchanting realms, offering a symphony of colours and textures. However, ensuring the enduring beauty of these plants requires more than mere admiration; it demands the guidance of an Edmonton tree arborist. As guardians of your greenscape, these specialists bring a wealth of expertise in nurturing and preserving the vitality of your trees and shrubs, elevating them from mere vegetation to living, breathing works of art. Not only do they understand every local native plant, but they can help pick the best shrubs for Edmonton homes and commercial spaces.

In the heart of Edmonton’s greenery, Trusty Tree Services stands as the beacon of expertise when it comes to planting everything from trees to shrubs. With a team of seasoned professionals deeply rooted in the local ecosystem, Trusty Tree Services understands the unique demands of Edmonton's climate and soil. Our dedication to the art and science of planting is unparalleled, ensuring that each plant and tree not only survives but thrives, becoming an integral part of your landscape's enduring beauty. Our certified professionals don't just plant shrubs; we craft living masterpieces, infusing every garden, whether in your home or commercial space, with a touch of magnificence and ensuring a legacy of lush, thriving greenery for years to come.

Trusty Tree Services is your ultimate partner for expert guidance and unmatched service in planting the best shrubs for Edmonton’s pivotal climate. Read on to learn how our experts at Trusty Tree Services transform your landscape into a flourishing oasis.

Green Guardians: The Best Shrubs For Edmonton That Will Transform Your Local Landscape

Edmonton, a city of changing seasons, demands resilient yet stunning plants that stand the test of time. From winter's unforgiving cold to summer's sizzling sun, finding the right one is crucial for a vibrant, year-round landscape. In the local challenging climate, finding the best shrubs for Edmonton can be challenging. But these eight options stand out for their resilience, adaptability, and visual appeal:

  • Siberian Peashrub (Caragana arborescens): Known for its extreme cold tolerance, it can easily withstand harsh snow in winter and acts as an accent shrub. Its delicate, beautiful foliage and bright flowers that look like yellow foliage from afar add aesthetic value to any landscape.
  • Common Purple Lilac (Syringa vulgaris): Rapid growth of leaves and stunning purple blossoms make this shrub perfect for those seeking quick privacy. Its fragrance and ability to form dense hedges that can climb several feet tall add both beauty and seclusion to the landscape.
  • Wintergreen Boxwood (Buxus microphylla): Ideal for year-round greenery, this evergreen shrub maintains its lush appearance even in Edmonton's harshest winter conditions. Its versatility and ability to thrive even in the shade make it popular for border plantings.
  • Dogwood (Cornus alba): This shrub offers year-round interest with its striking red winter stem colour. Its hardiness, vibrant colour, and adaptability to different soil types make it an attractive addition to Edmonton landscapes.
  • Tatarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica): The ability to endure harsh conditions, coupled with its colourful and fragrant flowers, makes this one a great choice for almost any landscape. It attracts wildlife and adds ornamental value to gardens.
  • Canadian Buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis): A native shrub, it offers drought tolerance, making it suitable for Edmonton's climate. Adorned with lush green leaves and red berries, it provides a pop of colour and attracts birds, enhancing the landscape.
  • Mugo Pine (Pinus mugo): While not a typical shrub, its compact size and evergreen nature make it an excellent choice for Edmonton's landscapes. Its tolerance to cold and adaptability to various soil types add to its appeal.
  • Common Juniper (Juniperus communis): Known for its hardiness and ability to withstand harsh conditions, the Common Juniper thrives in Edmonton. Its evergreen foliage and adaptable nature make it a valuable addition to beautiful gardens.

Each of these best shrubs for Edmonton showcases a variety of characteristics, making any of them well-suited for our local unique climate. Any of them is an excellent option for year-round greenery, privacy, visual appeal, and adaptability to challenging weather conditions.

Read on to learn more about the best flowering shrubs for Edmonton’s landscape. Whether you are looking to boost your home's curb appeal or add a level of professionalism to your commercial space, there are many options to consider.

Best Flowering Shrubs For Edmonton

In the local climate, finding native species of flowering shrubs that are renowned for their stunning blooms and adding vibrancy and brilliant colour to any of your landscapes can be challenging. From mass plantings to rock gardens or tall hedges that measure more than 6 feet in height, there are several options to consider. Some of the best shrubs for Edmonton residents that offer a bounty of colourful foliage are:

Common Purple Lilac (Syringa vulgaris): The Common Purple Lilac is a favourite for its exquisite and fragrant light and dark purple blossoms. These clusters of flowers create a captivating sight and fill the air with a delightful aroma. Known for its rapid growth, it’s not only visually stunning but also ideal for quick privacy hedges as well as becoming a butterfly magnet.

Tatarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica): Also called bush honeysuckle, this shrub dazzles with vibrant and fragrant flowers ranging from pink flowers to red-hued blossoms. Its bark is smooth and green, turning greyish-brown with age. Its colourful blooms attract pollinators, making it a visual delight and a boon for the local ecosystem.

Caragana (Caragana arborescens): The Caragana shrub, with its delicate yellow eye-catching flowers, adds a touch of elegance to gardens. While not solely a flowering shrub, its bright blossoms amid its fine green foliage create a charming visual impact.

Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius): This shrub adorns gardens with clusters of fragrant, white flowers resembling orange blossoms, emitting a sweet, citrusy scent. Its ornamental value and aromatic blooms make it a popular choice for Edmonton landscapes.

Prickly Rose (Rosa acicularis): Alberta's floral emblem; this is a drought-tolerant small, beautiful shrub with fragrant pink flower blooms and eye-catching rosehip flower buds that persist through winter. Flowers in spring bring a visual appeal to any space from spring through summer.

These flowering shrubs bring constant blooms and a range of beautiful colours but also larger varieties of fragrances and charm to Edmonton's landscapes, making them standout alternatives for those looking to add a floral touch to their outdoor spaces. Being mindful of winter dieback and the need for extra winter protection will help these greeneries thrive for years to come.

Read on to understand how to pick the best options for your space and how our experts can help expertly plant and maintain your beautiful landscape all year long.

How To Know Which Are The Best Shrubs For Edmonton

Choosing the best shrubs for Edmonton homes or businesses involves considering several key factors to ensure their suitability and success in your local climate.

Climate Compatibility:

Edmonton's climate can be extreme, with cold winters and fluctuating temperatures. Look for shrubs known for their cold hardiness, such as Siberian Peashrub, Wintergreen Boxwood, or Tatarian Honeysuckle. These shrubs are adapted to withstand Edmonton's harsh conditions.

Space and Purpose:

Consider the space available and the intended purpose of the shrub. If you need a privacy hedge, shrubs like Common Purple Lilac or Dogwood with rapid growth and dense foliage can be suitable. For ornamental features, shrubs like Mock Orange or Caragana offer beautiful flowers or elegant foliage for more sheltered locations.

Maintenance Requirements:

Assess the level of maintenance you're willing to commit to. Some shrubs, like Common Purple Lilac, may require regular pruning to maintain their shape, while others, like Wintergreen Boxwood, are more low-maintenance and only need annual pruning. Deciding between an informal hedge and a formal hedge helps determine the amount of pruning each plant will need.

Water Requirements:

Depending on the location and requirements, some shrubs are not moisture tolerant, whereas others are more able to stand excess moisture but not standing water. Picking an option that suits your availability to water or not. Flowering shrubs tend to require more frequent watering, but year-round selections require considerably less.

Soil and Light Conditions:

Understand your soil type and the light conditions of your space. Different shrubs thrive in varying soil types, sunny site exposure, and light shade conditions. For instance, the Canadian Buffaloberry does well in dry conditions, while the Wintergreen Boxwood is versatile in terms of light requirements.

Local Expertise:

Consider consulting with our local tree specialists in Edmonton. We have expertise in the area's unique conditions and can provide recommendations tailored to your specific needs and the local environment.

Purposeful Selection:

With a wide variety of selections, choose the best shrubs for Edmonton that serve multiple purposes, such as providing privacy, attracting wildlife, adding a pop of colour, or offering year-round beauty. For instance, shrubs like Tatarian Honeysuckle serve ornamental purposes and attract pollinators.

By considering the plenty of sizes of backdrop plants, accent plants, or a bush with plenty of flower colour, your options are vast. Research specific shrub characteristics, how winter hardy they are, and how soil adaptable they are will help you make an informed choice on the one that best suits your space. Consulting with our local professional arborists and considering the specific requirements of your space will ensure a thriving and visually appealing landscape that is filled with beautiful plants and shrubs.

Evergreen Elegance: Let Trusty Trees Nurture Your Landscape With The Best Shrubs For Edmonton

In the vivid canvas of Edmonton's landscapes, choosing the perfect shrub is more than mere greenery—it's a commitment to enduring beauty and resilience. When you count on Trusty Tree Service and our certified arborists, your unique outdoor space will be transformed into a haven of vibrant, hardy, and visually captivating greenery with the best shrubs for Edmonton homes and businesses.

Make an informed choice that not only enhances your surroundings but also stands resilient against our city's challenging climate.

Connect today with our local experts and let your green oasis thrive, season after season. Elevate your landscape—choose wisely, plant purposefully, and create a thriving outdoor haven that mirrors the strength and beauty of our local diverse ecosystem. Contact our local expert arborists today and watch your landscape bloom and flourish with vitality.


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Preethy Thomas
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Left us a 5 star review

Preethy Thomas
October 8, 2023

What a fantastic crew!!! Sarah & Shane came and trimmed my rather large tree. Such a professional, knowledgeable, caring, capable and courteous crew. Very well done from beginning to end.They did a fabulous job!

Greg Demuynck
October 4, 2023
Brenda Moore
September 25, 2023

Trusty Trees did their magic at my Mothers house in Fort Saskatchewan. Mikex2 we’re on time, organized and knew their business. Gave the trees a good haircut as they had a lot of dead areas. Very pleased with their service, would definitely recommend them! Much thanks Mike and Mike.

Dwayne Thiessen
September 10, 2023

We had a crew from Trusty tree services to come and remove 6, 40 foot aspen trees. They did an awesome job. They were very knowledgeable and very considerate of our property and our neighbours property. They had our yard and neighbours yards totally cleaned up when they were finished. I would highly recommend Trusty Tree Services

Ron Tkachuk
August 22, 2023

We had a crew from Trusty Tree Services trim three trees on our property a few weeks ago, sorry for the late review. Couldn't be happier with the whole process. From the estimate to the final clean up, everything went very well. I contacted other companies for estimates, didn't even get a call back. Thanks again Trusty Tree for a great job!

Matt H
August 4, 2023

Trusty Tree Services came out and pruned our Amur Cherry tree in Fort Saskatchewan and did a great job. The technicians were knowledgeable and gave me tips on how to better take care of our tree. The technicians were friendly and polite and cleaned up before they left. I would definitely recommend Trusty Tree Service!

Sarah Wilson
July 25, 2023

Excellent job! I highly recommend this company. I will be calling again this fall! I am very happy.

Cindy Grier
July 7, 2023

We had an amazing experience with Trusty Tree. They gave a prompt estimate for some very difficult trees in our campground. They arrived on time and began work immediately. Their expertise shone through as they brought down the trees on point! Friendly, informative, professional and outstanding workmanship. I would recommend them in a heartbeat. Shout out to Colton, Joe and Adrian - great work!

Deanna Craig
July 5, 2023

We had Trusty Tree out this year to shape and thin 4 trees and 3 Mugo Pine shrubs. I was impressed with a quick appt for the quote and then quick response for booking. Our trees were pruned earlier in the season as this was the recommended timeframe, and the Mugo Pine shrubs pruned later in the spring after the new growth appeared. I'm pleased with the crew that came out, they were polite, professional and experienced. We are happy with how our trees and shrubs look and feel the price was fair. We would definitely recommend Trusty Tree and will have them back in the future. Thanks for taking extra time with us to talk about proper pruning too!

Mark stime
June 26, 2023

Very professional and courteous crew. Difficult tree to cut down with bucket truck given clearances.

christine Maclean
June 22, 2023

I am a new widow and my yard work is so overwhelming, I called Trusty tree to come over and give me a quote. Because my husband who has slways been in love with taking great care of our home,has passed I am here to do it alone.Trusty tree are the most professional people I dealt with..And they actually had the most professional quote,they took pictures of my Tree to elaborate on what needed to be done,and explained why everything had to be done in a certain way...after 3 other companies coming out I realized that Trusty Trees quote was extremely fair. So when the Trusty Tree crew arrived to prune my beloved tree, they were ready, and really understood the sentimental value of my tree that my late husband and I used to sit under every night. The crew members Joe and Shane collaborated beautifully brought down the required amount of my tree..They had a fantastic chipper on site and they also cleaned up the yard so beautifully after the cutting was done...If anyone reads this review,please understand how much that tree meant to me and my late husband. Joe and Shane gave it a loving and caring trim, and they where not only hard working but very informative of the process,and very just great guys,they included their sense of humor to make the trimming process easier on me. THEY were so compasionate and understanding . I thank them for that..... If you are thinking of pruning your gorgeous beloved tree, Trusty Tree has got be your only choice. THESE GUYS ARE THE BEST!!! My name is Christine and if anyone wants to contact me about what a great job this crew did..please do!!!

Sarah Whyte
June 22, 2023

Trusty Tree is a great place to work. Management is caring and hardworking. Equipment is of high quality and maintained professionally. Smooth operation and always great communication between management and team members.Looking for a place to work? This is the place.

Carla Hanak
May 26, 2023

I highly recommend Trusty Tree Services! From start to finish everything was handled promptly, professionally and courteously! They are very knowledgeable and efficient. I really liked how they explained things. We will definitely have them back for some fall work. Thanks to everyone!

Darryl Edinga
May 23, 2023
Karli Butler
May 19, 2023

We were sad to see our tree go, but it wasn’t well and bigger and bigger branches were breaking off; however our Trusty Tree Arborists did a great job. Thanks to @Sarah and @Michael and thanks for the excellent service Trusty Tree.

gary hnatko
May 17, 2023

Excellent, prompt, efficient and professional service. Team was very pleasant to work with. In and out in no time. Clean worksite. Would definitely recommend.

Linda Lankoff
May 11, 2023

The services provided were both reasonably priced and work done was excellent!

Marylyn Reed
May 5, 2023

Very fast professional and thorough work done on both my experiences with Trusty tree Service. Good cleanups and answered all questions. They made valid suggestions which I appreciated. Thank you.

Stephen Davidson
May 4, 2023

Excellent experience. Very knowledgeable experienced crew. Safety is a priority .Highly recommend . Great Job!

Darci White
May 3, 2023

Very speedy and clean-up was amazing. Thanks guys

Gordon Sandberg
April 28, 2023

Thanks to Mike and the crew for doing a great job on Grenfell Ave St Albert. Very professional service.

Colleen Butler
April 27, 2023

Fantastic! The team did an excellent job pruning and shaping our trees. Thank you

Paul Whattam
April 27, 2023

This was the second time I've used this company for mature tree removal. This time 4 fully grown columnar Aspen trees located close to fencing, a deck and between 2 houses were successfully removed with no damage to the aforementioned structures but also nearby concrete curbing. Work was done as scheduled, quickly and neatly. Very satisfied with the work.

Rob Butler
April 25, 2023

Great service by the guys at Trusty Tree Services. Very professional and knowledgeable. They really knew their stuff about how to properly prune each type of tree in our yard. Our trees look so much better now and will have the opportunity to thrive. Good care for our garden ornaments and great cleanup afterwards.Thank-you

Darvin Mills
April 24, 2023

Mike And Shay trimmed 11 trees in and around our complex this morning and did an amazing job. They were professional and punctual. Arrived on time, very efficient and ensured that all branches were clean up before leaving. Very pleasant to work with and we look forward to working with Trusty Tree Service over the summer and fall.

Lionel Grobel
April 22, 2023
Judith Hum
April 20, 2023

The gentlemen took down a long dead tree YAY !!!! Professional, honest and did a super job THX !!!!

Shelley Honey
April 18, 2023

Thank you Sarah for all of your help!

Sherry Honey
April 17, 2023

Sarah was very knowledgeable and walked us through the options of our tree removal. The team was friendly and overall a great experience. Would highly recommend Trusty Tree Services.

Paul Cairns
April 13, 2023

I look for three things when it comes to service: 1) friendly attitude, 2) timeliness, and 3) efficiency. The crew were excellent in all three scores. It was great to see a clean truck, maintained gear, and use of personal protective equipment as well. This is a great choice for tree care. Done in less than an hour!!!

Dean Mason
April 12, 2023

Mike’s crew did an amazing job for us - pruned trees & removed every visible black knot fungus. They picked up every twig & left our yard tidy. Very personal & professional crew - would strongly recommend their services ! 👍

Bea & Randall Huisman
April 12, 2023

Sarah and crew were here this morning and did one terrific job of trimming all of our trees. I highly recommend them to everyone needing any tree services done.

A P
April 11, 2023

Sarah and Danny did a great job removing a large tree from the front of my yard. I was impressed with the time efficiency and clean up. I would recommend.

Christina Colenutt
January 19, 2023

When Trevor came to quote my yard at my new house, he helped me identify all the trees and shrubs, and clearly explained what work needed to be done. When the day came to do the work, Kolton and Carl were friendly and also walked me through what they were doing and why (I'm interested in these things and was asking questions). They did their best to save my cherry that is infected with black knot. Looking forward to having them come back to continue tree maintenance in the future.

Jenn C
September 26, 2022
David St. Jean
April 6, 2022
Ed Clarke
January 25, 2022
Lisan Maclean
September 15, 2021

We had trusty trees! Cut down our tree and put all new grass down in our back yard and it's absolutely beautiful 😊 Also the crew are very friendly and extremely hard workers! Thank again ❣️

Matthew Hudon (Matt SH)
July 6, 2021

Excellent value for the work they provide. Our crew was very professional and cleaned up the area they chipped in, right down to the pavement.

Trevor Small
June 13, 2021

Trusty Tree is great. Had them remove two trees with cleanup and shredding. looks great and would use again!

Jessy Yau
June 8, 2021

We had a tree in our yard that had died a few years earlier and wasn’t sure who to call. We called Sunstar who recommended Trusty Tree to us. Trevor came out to look at our tree. We didn’t realize we had another Tree that was diseased. He sent us a quote very quickly. He was able to book a time for tree removal, stump grinding, as well as planting our new trees. The project was done in the timeline provided. The crews showed up on time or earlier than expected which was amazing! They were very professional. I would hire Trusty Tree again!

Renee Pelech
June 7, 2021
keith b
June 5, 2021

Professional, courteous and reasonable pricing. Keep it local folks!

Rick McBryer
June 4, 2021

Excellent service. Good response time and automatic communication / payment system. Work was done effectively and efficiently.

Jay Lewis
June 4, 2021

Fantastic experience, staff was friendly and prompt. Left our acreage clean and tidy. Defiantly recommend Trusty Tree.

Graham Wyllie
June 3, 2021

They were on time did a great job & would recommend them any time.

David Provost
June 3, 2021
Sales Tech Patrol
June 2, 2021

Great service, Always happy to please. The team is great excellent at cleaning up and making everything look great. Highly recommend Trusty Tree.

Roger Crispin
June 2, 2021

Well done. Good service.

Lisa Johnston
June 2, 2021

Trusty tree has been doing work for a condo association for the last few years. They are always reliable, and thorough and easy to deal with.