Posts By

Laura Elsner

Laura Elsner lives the garden life! She is a certified master gardener and has been gardening professionally for over 15 years. When she’s not out in the dirt running her own gardening business (Calgary Gardener), she can be found reading and writing about gardening, out in her own garden, or fussing over her houseplants. Laura specializes in growing lush and visually stunning gardens, focusing on bloom times and plant choice.

zone 4 perennials

Ornamental Gardens

21 Perfect Perennials For Hardiness Zone 4

If you live in USDA hardiness zone 4, finding the perfect perennial can be a challenge because of the colder temperatures. But there are still plenty of perennials that can grow quite well in this hardiness zone with proper care. In this article, certified master gardener Laura Elsner walks through her favorite perennials plants for zone 4 gardens.

Coleus Blanketing Garden

Shrubs

Is Coleus an Annual, Biennial or Perennial Plant?

Want to start planting some coleus this season, but aren't sure if it's an annual, biennial, or perennial plant? The answers to these questions will largely depend on your geographic location. In this article, certified master gardener Laura Elsner breaks down the life cycle of the coleus plant.

deer hostas

Shrubs

Do Deer Eat Hostas? Will They Attract Deer to My Garden?

Are you thinking of planting some hostas this season, but want to make sure they won't end up as deer chow before you start? In this article, certified master gardener and hosta enthusiast Laura Elsner walks through what you can expect from your local deer population if you decide to start adding hostas to your garden this season.

begonias in containers

Flowers

15 Tips For Growing Beautiful Begonias in Pots or Containers

Are you adding some begonias to pots or containers this season, but aren't quite sure where to start? Begonias can grow amazingly well in both pots and containers, if you provide them with proper care. In this article, certified master gardener Laura Elsner takes you through her top tips for beautiful begonias in containers this season!

peony blooming tips

Flowers

11 Tips For Beautiful Peony Blooms This Season

Did you plant some peonies this season, but want to find out how to get the most out of their blooms? These prolific bloomers can be the star of any garden, with proper care. In this article, certified master gardener and peony enthusiast Laura Elsner walks through her top tips for big, beautiful, and blooming peonies!

deer resistant perennials

Flowers

27 Deer Resistant Perennial Plants For Your Garden

Thinking of adding some perennials to your garden, but live in a place where deer roam freely? Fear not! There are are actually a number of different perennials that deer will avoid. In this article, certified master gardener Laura Elsner shares her favorite deer-resistant perennials that you can add to your garden!

plant containers

Gardening Tips

What Plant Containers Are Best For Container Gardens?

Not sure what type of containers to use in your container garden this season? There are many choices to choose from, so it can be difficult to pick if you don't know where to start. In this article, Certified Master Gardener Laura Elsner shares everything you need to know about picking the right containers for your container garden this season.

lungwort

Flowers

How to Plant, Grow and Care For Lungwort

Looking to add some Lungwort to your garden? These beautiful perennials can make a wonderful shade garden addition, or low-growing ground cover plant. In this article, certified master gardener Laura Elsner shares all you need to know about growing Lungwort in your garden, including plant maintenance and care tips.

shade garden containers

Shrubs

17 Tips For Container Gardening in The Shade

Thinking of using some containers in your shade garden but aren't quite sure where to start? Using containers or pots in shady areas can be a great way to transform lesser used spaces. In this article, certified master gardener Laura Elsner gives you her top tips for using pots or containers in the shade this season.

Monkshood flowers

Flowers

How to Plant, Grow and Care For Monkshood

Monkshood flowers are strikingly beautiful, and can be the star of almost any shade garden. In this article, certified master gardener Laura Elsner teaches you everything you need to know about Monkshood flowers, including tips for both maintenance and care.

Begonia Varieties

Flowers

Begonia Varieties: 49 Different Types of Begonia You’ll Love

Begonias are a favorite plant of many, and with good reason. Their hardy nature and beautiful blooms can transform any outdoor or indoor garden space. In this article, certified master gardener and begonia enthusiast Laura Elsner examines some of the top begonia varieties for your indoor or outdoor garden space.

hosta container companions

Shrubs

11 Great Container Companion Plants For Hostas

Thinking of planting some hostas in pots or containers, but aren't sure what to plant them with? Hostas can companion plant well with many different options, but which ones will perform in a tight space like a pot, or container? In this article, certified master gardener Laura Elsner walks through her favorite hosta companions when container planting in your garden.