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Blog

Extending the Season of Bloom to Support the Local Web of Life

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants, Flower Interest, Maintenance, Native Landscape Planning & Design

by Cynthia Reiners Phenology: the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life. — from Oxford Languages “In 1492 Columbus did not so much discover The New World as begin to make A New World” [italics added]    — Charles Mann, 1493 “Knitting together the seams of Pangea”    — Alfred Crosby, The […] Continue reading "Extending the Season of Bloom to Support the Local Web of Life"

Plant Profile: Liatris Punctata

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants, Flower Interest, Native Landscape Planning & Design

Jan Midgley, a board member of Wild Ones Front Range Chapter, is developing a series of plant profiles for common perennials of the Colorado Front Range. Below is just an excerpt from the first in this series. For a more in-depth dive, head to our website.  By Jan Midgley In Colorado, Liatris punctata (Dotted blazing star) is […] Continue reading "Plant Profile: Liatris Punctata"

Pollinator Garden Tips

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants, Maintenance

by Jenifer Health  In my reading and experience I’ve come across several ways to boost the value of my yard for pollinators. This article provides my favorite tips and tricks to enhance the value of your pollinator garden.   Gardens that help pollinators are very important ecologically. Even a small space, like an apartment patio, balcony or deck, […] Continue reading "Pollinator Garden Tips"

Native Seed Collection and Cleaning

Posted on | Propagation

Colorado native plants evolved in tough soils and climates. Even in natural areas with no supplemental water many are producing fertile seeds this year. Prior to collecting, it’s a good idea to review the Colorado Native Plant Society’s collection protocols. Front Range Wild Ones follows ethical seed collection protocols. In fact, we are a little […] Continue reading "Native Seed Collection and Cleaning"

All Native Plants are NOT Created Equal

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants, Ecological Services, Native Landscape Planning & Design

By Deb Lebow Aal If you are reading this, you have some familiarity with, and/or, some interest in, native plants and native insects. You probably have planted some native plants in your landscape, or are intending to do so. This article is to remind you that not all native plants are created equal. Some native […] Continue reading "All Native Plants are NOT Created Equal"

Introducing the Greenverein Garden: A Haven for Nature in Downtown Denver 

Posted on | Chapter Updates, Colorado Native Plants, Flower Interest, Garden Tours, Native Landscape Planning & Design

By Lisa Olsen Residents of the North Capitol Hill neighborhood in Denver have noticed a lot of activity at the Denver Turnverein. Founded in 1865, the Denver Turnverein is a member-supported non-profit focused on the educational, social, and physical benefits of dancing. Built in 1920, Denver’s premier dance hall is celebrating its hundredth anniversary this year. […] Continue reading "Introducing the Greenverein Garden: A Haven for Nature in Downtown Denver "

BALANCE…and Soil

Posted on | Climate Change, Colorado Native Plants

by Deborah Lebow Aal with help from Jan Midgely and Carla DeMasters This is a particularly odd time to be talking about native plants and gardening. As we continue to grapple with systemic racism in our country, and truly around the world, and the ever-present global pandemic, it’s a hard time to focus on non-human issues. […] Continue reading "BALANCE…and Soil"

Rain Gardens

Posted on | Native Landscape Planning & Design

Building a Rain Garden in Colorado CSU and the Colorado Stormwater Center present this how-to guide on designing, constructing and planting a rain garden. Colorado Rain & Edible Forest Garden Plant List is an extensive list of various trees, shrubs, and perennials (native and non-native) that grow in constructed rain gardens. List was compiled by Jason Gerhardt of Real […] Continue reading "Rain Gardens"

Low Water Native Plant for Colorado Gardens Booklets

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants

Created by the Colorado Native Plant Society, Denver Botanical Gardens, Wild Ones Front Range Chapter and others, these are comprehensive and easy to use booklets about native plant gardening in Colorado. Comes complete with plant lists that cover everything from a plant’s habit to its ecological value and provides nice visuals of plants and landscapes! […] Continue reading "Low Water Native Plant for Colorado Gardens Booklets"