By Jonathan Sciarcon Sedges are “grass-like plants” in that they have skinny green stems, but they are not grasses. Sedges, unlike grasses, are in the Cyperus (Cyperaceae) family, have solid, triangular stems (occasionally round). They are not jointed or hollow like grasses. When looking at the stem, you can see the leaves are in three […] Continue reading "Consider Native Sedges in Your Landscape"
The Crevice Garden:How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky placesBy Kenton Seth and Paul Spriggs This gardening book is a great fit for Wild Ones Front Range Chapter–as well asgardeners elsewhere in the state and even the world. The authors hail from Fruita,Colorado and British Columbia; they have studied crevice gardening with […] Continue reading "Gardening with Native Plants Toolkit – Book Reviews"
By Virginia Phillips [Note: Virginia was a speaker for one of our webinars this past fall on this project.] A year or so ago, it struck me that I lived in one of the best places in the world, but my yard was full of plant species not from this place. Was I really saying […] Continue reading "My Coloradoscape DIY Project"
By Deb Lebow Aal In these semi-arid parts, at least half the year your garden will not be green. It will be brown, and red, and maybe yellow, and it can be gorgeous. The beauty of a winter garden can be in its structure, but also in its color. You just have to pay a […] Continue reading "Give Your Colorado Native Plant Garden Winter Interest"
This question and answer are part of our Ask CSU Extension Anything (About Native Plants) series. We appreciate CSU Extension for answering these questions to expand our community’s knowledge of native plant landscaping. Send us your questions to the Ask CSU email account. FULL QUESTION: In a drought with significant wind erosion, are there any strategies […] Continue reading "What Drought Tolerant Plant Species Can Help Prevent Wind Erosion and Rebuild the Soil?"
This question and answer are part of our Ask CSU Extension Anything (About Native Plants) series. We appreciate CSU Extension for answering these questions to expand our community’s knowledge of native plant landscaping. Send us your questions to the Ask CSU email account. FULL QUESTION: I have 35 acres in Elizabeth. Rolling hills, native grasslands and […] Continue reading "What Native Plants Work Well as Both a Windbreak and a Shelter Belt for Native Birds and Insects?"
By Pam Sherman Why should we pay attention to this astounding tree? Character, for one. The Colorado Tree Coalition advises landscapers: “Plant as a single species in a rock garden or other well-drained site. It is not a formal looking tree. It develops ‘character.’ Can be trained as a bonsai.” Second, bristlecone provides watershed and […] Continue reading "Wild Ones Front Range Chapter Plant of the Month: Pinus aristata (Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine)"
By Deborah Lebow Aal If you are reading this, you have some familiarity with, and/or, some interest in the interdependence of native plants and native insects. Some native plants provide the ecosystem with more benefits for insects than others. The measure I am using for ecosystem benefits is how many species of caterpillars a native […] Continue reading "Colorado Native Plants for Caterpillars and Birds"
By Pam Sherman Courtesy ponce_photography on Pixabay Julia Georgallis, author of the cookbook How to Eat Your Christmas Tree from which this recipe is taken (p. 86-7), says this is “hands down my favorite recipe” from her fir tree-eating supper club. A special occasion treat to stimulate conversation on native plant gardening and guardian-ing! Georgallis […] Continue reading "Celebrate Local Plants Through Food: Fir Tree and Ginger Ice Cream Recipe"
By Christine Gust Note: You may learn more about soil biology from Christine on January 24, 2024, when she hosts a Wild Ones Front Range webinar on soils and native plants. Registration details will be published in the upcoming weeks. Plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into energy (sugars). Plants release some of these […] Continue reading "Fostering Soil Biology in our Native Plant Gardens"
