A well-planted property looks great and works with the land — and in Lake Country's zone 7a climate, plant selection matters. The wrong plants struggle through the Okanagan's 35°C July heat; the right ones thrive with minimal irrigation and hold their value through the growing season. Cool Runnings has been planting and landscaping across the Okanagan since 2017, helping Lake Country homeowners choose and install plants suited to local conditions: drought-tolerant shrubs, ornamental grasses, foundation plantings, privacy hedges, and feature trees that perform year after year. We handle design, installation, and cleanup — you get a finished result, not a construction site.
Lake Country sits between Kelowna and Vernon with a residential feel, large lots, and a mix of agricultural and suburban properties. Wineries and orchards define the landscape, and homeowners here tend to have larger properties that benefit from professional ongoing maintenance, seasonal cleanups, and xeriscaping to manage irrigation costs.
Oyama · Winfield · Carr's Landing · Okanagan Centre
Free estimates · No contracts · No hidden fees
Call or text (250) 307-9220
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.
Based on your soil type, sun exposure, and zone 7a hardiness, we recommend plants that will actually thrive here — not die in their second summer.
We prepare planting beds properly: removing existing vegetation, amending soil, and ensuring drainage before a single plant goes in.
Plants go in at the right depth, spacing, and orientation. Trees and large shrubs are staked where needed.
All new plantings get mulched to retain moisture through the first critical summer — especially important in Lake Country's dry growing season.
We haul away all soil, packaging, and debris. You get a clean finished property and watering guidance for the new plants.
Lake Country homeowners often face a unique set of challenges when it comes to planting and landscaping. With larger lots and a strong agricultural heritage, there's a drive for aesthetically pleasing properties that also demand practical, low-maintenance solutions. The semi-arid climate means our summers are regularly 35C+, putting immense stress on non-native or poorly chosen plants. Water restrictions are a constant concern, making drought-tolerant and native plant selections critical for long-term success and managing irrigation costs.
Many properties here, especially older ones in areas like Okanagan Centre or those transitioning from orchard land in Oyama, require significant soil remediation before new plantings can truly thrive. The terrain can vary dramatically, from flat benches to steep, rocky hillsides, each demanding a specific approach to plant selection and installation. Getting plant establishment right during the hot, dry summers requires deep local knowledge and careful watering guidance to ensure survival beyond the first season.
Across Lake Country, the soil composition varies significantly. Benchlands in areas like Winfield and Oyama typically feature sandy to silty glacial till, which drains well but struggles with water retention. Near the lake, particularly in pockets of Carr's Landing or Okanagan Centre, you can encounter heavier clay soils that compact easily and impede root growth and drainage. Hillsides, common throughout the district, are often rocky with thin topsoil, necessitating the import of quality soil and careful planting for slope stability.
The 175-day growing season in Lake Country dictates our planting schedule. Spring, following the last frost in late April, is ideal for planting as the soil warms and plants can establish roots before the intense summer heat. Watering is critical during this period. Summer is challenging; new plantings need diligent care to survive the regular 35C+ temperatures, often under water restrictions. We focus on deep, infrequent watering. Fall, typically from late September until the first frost in mid-October, offers another excellent window for planting, particularly trees and shrubs, allowing them to settle in before the winter dormancy and benefit from natural moisture.
In Oyama, with its orchard influence and two lakefronts, clients often seek plantings that complement the rural aesthetic while offering privacy without obstructing views. Winfield, being the main commercial/residential hub, sees a mix of larger residential properties focused on curb appeal, privacy hedging, and family-friendly low-maintenance gardens. Carr's Landing, with its premium lakefront homes, often involves more intricate designs, specimen trees, and sophisticated drought-tolerant plantings that enhance the stunning views. Okanagan Centre, characterized by established homes, frequently requires garden rejuvenation, including removal of overgrown or invasive species and thoughtful replanting to refresh older landscapes.
A typical planting and landscaping project for a client in Okanagan Centre might involve revitalizing an existing 2,000 sq ft front yard. This would include removing old, tired perennials and shrubs, amending the existing compacted soil with several yards of local compost, and installing new, drought-tolerant plant material. We often use a mix of Karl Foerster grass for vertical interest, groupings of lavender and Russian sage for color, and a few strategically placed dwarf junipers for year-round structure. After planting, we'd apply 2-3 inches of bark mulch, stake any larger shrubs or small trees, and provide a detailed first-season watering schedule. The timeline for such a project, from initial soil prep to final mulching, usually runs 4-5 days.
Lake Country sits in hardiness zone 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 Lake Country's 175-day growing season and dry July and August.
Spring planting should begin after the last frost risk passes — typically late April in Lake Country. 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.
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 Lake Country to know what works where.
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.
This is one of our specialties. With Lake Country's hot, dry summers, drought-tolerant design using rock mulch, drip irrigation, and low-water plants dramatically reduces maintenance costs and keeps your property looking great even through August. We design and install xeriscaping solutions that look intentional, not neglected.
We can handle plant supply, or install plants you've already purchased — whichever you prefer. We source from reliable local suppliers and can advise on the best nurseries in the Lake Country area if you'd like to choose plants yourself.
Given our hot, dry summers and common drought restrictions, we highly recommend focusing on xeriscape principles. Excellent performers in Lake Country include lavender, potentilla, spirea, various junipers, ornamental grasses like Karl Foerster, blue fescue, Russian sage, and sedum. Kinnikinnick is a fantastic native groundcover that thrives here once established.
Direct planting into compacted, poor soil is a recipe for struggle in Lake Country. We always recommend significant soil preparation. This means tilling in generous amounts of organic matter like compost, particularly for Winfield's typical sandy-silty glacial till, to improve structure, drainage, and water retention. For areas with clay, we focus on breaking it up and amending to prevent root suffocation.
For optimal establishment in Lake Country, the best times are early spring, right after the last spring frost in late April, or in the fall, from late September to mid-October, before the first hard fall frost. This gives plants time to establish roots before the intense summer heat or the deep winter cold. With our 175-day growing season, proper timing is key.
"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!"
"Ramoy and his helper did a fantastic job cleaning up my scrubs"
"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."
⭐ 5.0 stars · 31+ verified Google reviews
Free estimates, honest pricing, no hidden fees. Call or text in Lake Country today.
📞 Call (250) 307-9220