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Planting & Landscaping — Okanagan Valley, BC

⭐ 5.0 (31+ reviews) ✓ 9 years experience ✓ 9 cities served ✓ Free estimates

Professional planting & landscaping throughout the Okanagan Valley and Salmon Arm. 9 years experience, free estimates, fair pricing. Call Cool Runnings at (250) 307-9220.

Rock and shrub landscaping with Okanagan hills background — Cool Runnings planting installationDecorative white gravel garden with planted shrubs and juniper, Okanagan property

What's Included

  • Property consultation and plant selection advice for zone 6a/7a
  • Soil preparation and amendment for healthy root establishment
  • Shrub, perennial, ornamental grass, and tree installation
  • Foundation plantings, privacy hedging, and feature beds
  • Weed barrier installation where appropriate
  • Bark mulch application over all new plantings (2–3 inches)
  • Staking of trees and large shrubs
  • All debris and packaging hauled away
  • Watering guidance and first-season care advice

How It Works

1
Site Walk & Consult

We walk your property and discuss your vision — what you want it to look like, how much maintenance you're comfortable with, sun exposure, drainage, and budget.

2
Plant Selection

Based on your soil type, sun exposure, and zone 6a/7a hardiness, we recommend plants that will actually thrive here — not die in their second summer.

3
Soil Preparation

We prepare planting beds properly: removing existing vegetation, amending soil, and ensuring drainage before a single plant goes in.

4
Installation

Plants go in at the right depth, spacing, and orientation. Trees and large shrubs are staked where needed.

5
Mulching

All new plantings get mulched to retain moisture through the first critical summer — especially important in Kelowna's dry growing season.

6
Cleanup & Handover

We haul away all soil, packaging, and debris. You get a clean finished property and watering guidance for the new plants.

Why Okanagan Homeowners Choose Cool Runnings

  • Deep local knowledge — we know what survives Okanagan summers without babysitting
  • Full-service: we plan, supply, install, and clean up
  • Honest plant advice — we won't sell you high-maintenance plants that will struggle here
  • Soil prep done right — proper amendment before installation means better results
  • We work with your existing landscaping, not against it
  • Free consultation and estimate — walk your property with us before committing

Okanagan Tips

  • In Kelowna's zone 6a/7a, lavender, potentilla, spirea, juniper, and ornamental grasses are among the most reliable performers — they handle summer heat and are naturally drought-tolerant.
  • Plant in spring after late April, or in fall. Fall planting lets roots establish while temperatures are moderate — often better results than a heat-stressed spring transplant.
  • The single biggest mistake in Okanagan landscaping: planting without mulching. Without 3 inches of mulch around new plantings, summer soil temperatures can exceed 50°C and kill roots.
  • Drip irrigation on new plantings dramatically improves survival rates through the first Okanagan summer. Even a basic system pays for itself in plant replacement costs.

Common Questions

What plants grow well in Kelowna's climate?

Kelowna sits in hardiness zone 6a/7a, which supports a wide range of plants. Reliable choices include lavender, spirea, potentilla, ornamental grasses, cedar, juniper, dogwood, and many drought-tolerant perennials. We recommend plants that look great and survive Okanagan summers without constant irrigation — especially important with Kelowna's 170-day growing season and dry July and August.

When is the best time to plant in Kelowna?

Spring planting should begin after the last frost risk passes — typically late April in Kelowna. Fall (September–October) is also excellent for trees and shrubs, as cooler temperatures give roots time to establish before winter. We plant in both seasons and can advise on the best timing for your specific project.

Do you do full garden design, or just installation?

Both. We can work from your own plan or develop a planting design with you during the consultation. Most homeowners prefer to walk the property together, discuss options, and let us recommend a layout — we've planted enough in Kelowna to know what works where.

How much does landscaping cost in Kelowna?

Every project is different. A basic foundation planting job might start at a few hundred dollars; a full front and back yard overhaul with soil prep, plants, mulch, and edging runs considerably more. We provide free, detailed estimates with itemized pricing so you know exactly where your money goes. Call (250) 307-9220 to book your estimate.

What Customers Say

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"One of the best things that happened to me this fall was getting a recommendation to have Cool Runnings finish my fall cleanup. Exceeded my expectations! Clean, professional, efficient and priced fair. Highly recommend!"

— Karen Cleland
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Ramoy and his helper did a fantastic job cleaning up my scrubs"

— Darlene Jaeger
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Ramoy and his team do excellent work! Highly recommended -- I am amazed by the careful and thorough efforts they put into clearing the yard before winter."

— Rollen Lee

Planting & Landscaping — Select Your City

Serving 9 communities across the Okanagan Valley and Shuswap.

Kelowna

Zone 6a/7a

170-day growing season · First mow late April

Kelowna is the largest city in the Okanagan Valley and the heart of Cool Runnings' service area. With hot, dry...

Planting & Landscaping in Kelowna →

West Kelowna

Zone 7a

185-day growing season · First mow late April

West Kelowna sits on the west bench of Okanagan Lake with a slightly milder microclimate than central Kelowna....

Planting & Landscaping in West Kelowna →

Lake Country

Zone 7a

175-day growing season · First mow late April

Lake Country sits between Kelowna and Vernon with a residential feel, large lots, and a mix of agricultural an...

Planting & Landscaping in Lake Country →

Peachland

Zone 7a

195-day growing season · First mow mid-April

Peachland is a small lakefront community on the west shore of Okanagan Lake with one of the mildest microclima...

Planting & Landscaping in Peachland →

Summerland

Zone 6b/7a

195-day growing season · First mow mid-April

Summerland is a lakefront community south of Peachland known for its orchards, vineyards, and residential prop...

Planting & Landscaping in Summerland →

Penticton

Zone 7a

200-day growing season · First mow mid-April

Penticton has the longest growing season in the Cool Runnings service area — nearly 200 days between Okanagan ...

Planting & Landscaping in Penticton →

Vernon

Zone 6a/6b

165-day growing season · First mow late April

Vernon is the northernmost major Okanagan city with a slightly shorter, cooler growing season than Kelowna. Mo...

Planting & Landscaping in Vernon →

Armstrong

Zone 6b

165-day growing season · First mow mid-April

Armstrong is a small agricultural community in the North Okanagan with a cooler, wetter climate than the south...

Planting & Landscaping in Armstrong →

Salmon Arm

Zone 6a

155-day growing season · First mow early May

Salmon Arm is in the Shuswap region — technically north of the Okanagan Valley but within Cool Runnings' servi...

Planting & Landscaping in Salmon Arm →

Ready to Transform Your Property?

Free estimates, honest pricing, no hidden fees. Call or text today.

📞 Call (250) 307-9220