When it comes to landscaping and outdoor living, Calgarians have a lot of options to choose from, both in terms of features and the latest products. CREB®Now talked to two leading Calgary companies to find out a few of the hottest trends in luxury landscaping.

How to take pieces of your garden with you when you move

If you want to move your entire garden when you sell your home, think again. First, it's illegal, and second, plants ripped out randomly in summer wilt and die unless pampered.

But what if you have a sentimental piece of grandma's peony, a special perennial plant or a friend's perfect poppy? Taking bits and pieces of your garden with you without changing the look of the yard is possible with these tips:

How eco-therapy can warm the soul during the holidays

Whether you believe in gift giving or not this is the time of year to be thankful for your garden and for nature. And the physical benefits gained aren't limited to things we have to buy.
Here is a seasonal selection of garden gifts to ponder:

Winter

Chelsie was at the landfill in late November when she noticed someone else had left large birch branches behind. Knowing these could be striking additions to her seasonal garden containers, she swapped out her waste for someone else's, and happily left with a few striking white branches. Later, she included them in her seasonal outdoor pots and planters.

First traditional hotel in town in 20 years 

The Town of Canmore has approved plans for a 124-room hotel and conference centre at Spring Creek.

Following a year of record-breaking tourism, the Malcolm Hotel will help address accommodation for the increasing number of visitors to the town.

Located in the heart of Canmore, it will be the first traditional hotel built in the town in 20 years.

Plants may not wear a watch, but they know what time it is

It's March and days are ripe and sunny enough for a patio lunch downtown. Other days bring wind and snow and winter boots out of the closet. Seriously, is there really anything a newbie gardener can do outside this early in the season?

Sarah found out by accident that there is plenty you can do early. She attempted to plant her spinach in May with her other garden crops a couple of years ago and then found out, by surprise, that spinach could tell time. Perhaps not time the way people measure minutes but certainly plant time, as dictated by the sun and the moon.

When the days got longer close to summer solstice on June 21, Sarah's spinach, barely four leaves old, suddenly bloomed and went to seed. She was devastated because spinach is one of her favorite foods and it was finished for the season before July.

It's a snowy start to the New Year in Calgary.

As the snowflakes fall today, we at CREBNow thought we'd share a few images from summer in the city to warm you up on this chilly day.

Some options for swinging away on a summer's day

Summer has finally arrived and it's always best to be outside on a beautiful day. Of all the outdoor furniture pieces on my "must-have" list, the hammock remains my No. 1 choice. What could be better than swinging away on a lazy afternoon with a cool drink and a good book?