A well-planted property looks great and works with the land — and in Summerland's zone 6b/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 Summerland 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.
Summerland is a lakefront community south of Peachland known for its orchards, vineyards, and residential properties with stunning Okanagan Lake views. The near-200-day growing season means there's a long window for landscaping work, and the mild microclimate supports a wide range of ornamental plants.
Downtown Summerland · Trout Creek · Prairie Valley
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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 6b/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 Summerland'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.
Summerland's hot, dry summers demand water-wise landscaping, making drought-tolerant plants and efficient irrigation critical. Intense sun and prevailing winds, especially on benchlands, can stress plantings. Deer browsing is common near natural areas, requiring resistant choices or protection. Varied terrain necessitates thoughtful design for erosion control and plant stability.
Soils are typically sandy to silty loams, often well-draining but low in organic matter and sometimes alkaline. Rocky subsoil is common. Terrain ranges from flat (Downtown, Trout Creek) to sloping benchlands (Prairie Valley), impacting design.
Best planting times are spring (late April-June) and fall (September-October), allowing roots to establish before extreme temperatures. Summer focuses on irrigation and maintenance. Winter is for planning, dormant pruning, and bed preparation.
Downtown Summerland suits compact designs and vertical gardening. Trout Creek properties feature mixed borders and privacy hedging, considering lake views and wind. Prairie Valley's larger lots allow expansive gardens, native plantings, and food production, where slope management and deer resistance are key.
A Trout Creek homeowner wants a low-maintenance, water-wise front yard. Scenario: Replace 500 sq ft lawn with a xeriscape garden. Materials: Drought-tolerant perennials (Lavender, Sedum), ornamental grasses, a small shrub, drip irrigation, weed barrier, decorative gravel mulch. Timeline: 2-3 weeks (consultation, design, site prep, installation).
Summerland sits in hardiness zone 6b/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 Summerland's 195-day growing season and dry July and August.
Spring planting should begin after the last frost risk passes — typically mid-April in Summerland. 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 Summerland 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 Summerland'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 Summerland area if you'd like to choose plants yourself.
Lavender, Sedum, Coneflower, Ornamental Grasses, and native Penstemons thrive, requiring minimal water once established.
Choose deer-resistant plants like Boxwood or Lavender. Fencing is most effective; repellents are temporary.
Often, yes. Amending sandy, heavy, or alkaline soils with compost improves water retention, nutrients, and drainage, vital for root growth.
"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."
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📞 Call (250) 307-9220