Category: Colorado Native Plants

Wild Ones Front Range Chapter Plant of the Month: Pinus aristata (Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine)

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants

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)"

Colorado Native Plants for Caterpillars and Birds

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

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"

Celebrate Local Plants Through Food: Fir Tree and Ginger Ice Cream Recipe

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants

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"

What combination of drought tolerant native grasses and sedges would you recommend as a “green mulch” between masses of flowering plants?

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

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’ve been hearing/reading a lot about using a combination of native […] Continue reading "What combination of drought tolerant native grasses and sedges would you recommend as a “green mulch” between masses of flowering plants?"

Should I add mycorrhizae to the soil when I plant native plants?

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants

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. ANSWER: While at least one study has found that in extremely degraded […] Continue reading "Should I add mycorrhizae to the soil when I plant native plants?"

Seed Collecting Pop Ups!

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants, Native Plant & Seed Swaps

Our Swaps Committee is hosting multiple seed collection and cleaning events to prepare for the fall swaps. Email Swaps Chair Peggy Hanson if you are interested in participating! Curious to learn more about transforming your garden into a habitat with Colorado native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees? Check out our native gardening toolkit, register for an upcoming […] Continue reading "Seed Collecting Pop Ups!"

Colorado Native Plant Landscaping | Southeast Denver Member Garden Crawl

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants, Garden Tours

Thanks to members Deb, Donna, Vicki, Rick and Kristin for hosting tours of their southeast Denver gardens. Each host shared their successes, challenges, and learnings from their experiences (so far!) with native plant landscaping. Nearly 30 people came out to learn from the tour. Our last stop included light refreshments, Colorado native plant seedlings, and […] Continue reading "Colorado Native Plant Landscaping | Southeast Denver Member Garden Crawl"

Colorado Native Shrubs for Bird Habitat

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants, Ecological Services

By Jenifer Heath I have spent several years transforming my yard and specifically building low-water (xeric) and mostly native plant habitat for pollinating insects, and only incidentally for birds and other creatures. This winter I decided that I’d like to make a bigger effort to support birds specifically. Bird habitat should provide water, food, shelter […] Continue reading "Colorado Native Shrubs for Bird Habitat"

Colorado Native Plant Propagation | Propagation Committee Gathering

Posted on | Chapter Updates, Colorado Native Plants, Propagation

Members of the Propagation Committee gathered at Brian & Eileen’s property to explore their land adjacent to Roosevelt National Forest and swap native plant seedlings that weren’t quite ready for the June swaps. It was a great day spending the day together, particularly since our Propagation Committee members are spread out along the Front Range. […] Continue reading "Colorado Native Plant Propagation | Propagation Committee Gathering"

Colorado Native Plant Landscaping | Jefferson County Xeriscape, Native & Plant Select Demonstration Gardens

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants, Garden Tours

During our hot Colorado summer, twenty-five Wild Ones participants were gifted with a wonderfully cool and comfortable morning to explore two public gardens in Jefferson County: Jefferson County Fairgrounds CSU Extension Native Plant & Plant Select Demonstration Gardens, and Lakewood’s Kendrick Lake Park Xeriscape Demonstration Gardens. The native gardens are easily accessible and worth visiting […] Continue reading "Colorado Native Plant Landscaping | Jefferson County Xeriscape, Native & Plant Select Demonstration Gardens"