Globe Flower Publishers

Author: Elizabeth Erasmus Every plant mentioned in this article is from my own garden and personally planted by me over the years through trial, patience, and love for gardening. Gardening in Zone 3 is not for the faint of heart. Our growing season is short, and our winters are long and harsh. When I first started gardening, I was full of excitement and optimism. I visited garden centers in spring, filling my cart with beautiful blooms, not realizing many of them weren’t suited to our climate. Year after year, I spent money and energy planting flowers that never came back after winter. It was disappointing—not just emotionally, but financially. Over time, I learned through trial and error which plants can truly thrive in Zone 3. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve also come to understand something else: my garden needs to not only be beautiful, but also manageable. As a senior , I can’t work as long or as hard in the garden as I used to. So, my choices now are guided by two things—resilien...

Image Credit: Charles J Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Lilies are a cherished addition to our Zone 3 gardens here in Northern Alberta. With their vibrant colors and graceful blooms, they establish well, thrive through our short growing season, and best of all—they’re tough. Unlike many other bulbs, lily bulbs don’t need to be dug up each fall. They endure the harsh winter and even multiply, rewarding gardeners with more beauty each passing year. But with beauty comes the beast— the red lily beetle ( Lilioceris lilii ). First Signs of Invasion Last year, I noticed these striking but destructive beetles on my lilies, along with their unsightly larvae. That’s when the war began. These beetles may look pretty in their brilliant scarlet armor, but they’re anything but welcome. As soon as you approach the plant, they drop to the ground and lie on their backs, becoming nearly invisible against the soil. Sneaky and frustrating. The red lily beetle lays tiny red eggs in neat...

  What I Wish I Knew When I Started Gardening in Zone 3 Ten years ago, I started my garden without much knowledge of what would thrive in Zone 3. I’ve made plenty of mistakes—planting the wrong varieties, overstuffing beds, underestimating how aggressive some perennials can be. But with time, trial, and some stubborn plants that refused to die, I’ve learned which ones not only survive but thrive. If you're in a colder climate and want a garden that’s both beautiful and easy to manage long-term, here’s what I’ve learned—no fluff, just what works. Perennials Over Annuals—Especially as You Age When I started, I leaned heavily on annuals. The bursts of color were tempting, but replacing them every year became exhausting—and expensive. Perennials are a smarter investment. They come back every spring, often stronger, and once they’re established, they need less maintenance. As I’ve gotten older, I appreciate that I can enjoy a full garden without replanting half of it every year. It’s...