Tag: Colorado Native Plants

Book Review: The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World

Posted on | Book Review, Colorado Native Plants

Review by Kristine Johnson I had the privilege of hearing a conversation between beloved author and Indigenous scientist Robin Wall Kimmerer and renowned Colorado poet Camille Dungy about Kimmerer’s new book, The Serviceberry, at a reading in Boulder in December. I have been thinking about the book ever since, thrusting my copy onto others to […] Continue reading "Book Review: The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World"

Plant Spotlight: Rocky Mountain Juniper

Posted on | Climate Change, Colorado Native Insects, Colorado Native Plants, Native Landscape Planning & Design

By Karen Vanderwall and Kristine Johnson I know, just the thought of planting a juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) on purpose in or near your garden of all places seems unlikely–or at least way down on the list of interesting plants you’re “pining” for. But you may want to give the humble native juniper some consideration. Juniperus […] Continue reading "Plant Spotlight: Rocky Mountain Juniper"

Compost and the Native Plant Garden

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants, Ecological Services, Maintenance, Sustainability

By Kristine Johnson What is compost? Compost is the “managed, aerobic (oxygen-requiring) biological decomposition of organic materials by microorganisms.” While we know that everything living eventually breaks down and returns nutrients to the earth, the process of composting can speed up decomposition, benefit certain decomposers, conserve nutrients, and yield a uniform product useful in gardening.   […] Continue reading "Compost and the Native Plant Garden"

Your Landscape Actions Can Actually Save the Planet!

Posted on | Advocacy, Climate Change, Colorado Native Plants, Ecological Services, Native Landscape Planning & Design, Sustainability

(Or at least help, a lot) By Kristine Johnson The Wild Ones mission statement focuses on native plants for healthy ecosystems, and the Front Range Chapter speaks to landscaping for a climate-resilient future. Why is this important, and what can sound gardening techniques anchored on native plants provide beyond this? Many people know that we […] Continue reading "Your Landscape Actions Can Actually Save the Planet!"

A Colorado Pocket Prairie

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

By Deb Lebow Aal As we approach the winter solstice, I am taking time to pull back, pull inside, reorganize, and yes, already think about my landscape for next year. We gardeners don’t only find solace and joy in working in our gardens, but planning them as well, and as a respite from the tumult […] Continue reading "A Colorado Pocket Prairie"

Remember the Five Senses in Your Native Plant Garden

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants, Flower Interest

By Vicki Saragoussi Phillips  So, you’ve planted your native plant starts and sowed your native plant seeds, what’s next? Remember the five senses? Don’t forget to take some time to immerse yourself and celebrate your contribution to caring for the planet by creating a sustainable biodiverse habitat in your own landscape. As your garden is […] Continue reading "Remember the Five Senses in Your Native Plant Garden"

Tips and Tricks for Gardening with Native Plants on the Front Range

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

Compiled by Karen Vanderwall This month we thought we would update something we’ve done before and ask our Chapter Board of Directors for nuggets of wisdom from their experience planting natives in their own landscapes—passing on tips, and tricks that will help you establish and enjoy your native garden in the diverse and complex climate […] Continue reading "Tips and Tricks for Gardening with Native Plants on the Front Range"

Garden Thugs

Posted on | Colorado Native Plants

By Deb Lebow Aal Jonathan Sciarcon in his article “Consider Rewilding Your Yard with Aggressive Native Plants” has made a great case for strategically placing what he calls aggressive native plants, and what I call garden thugs, in your yard. I heartily agree with his arguments and have a few more to add to the […] Continue reading "Garden Thugs"

Consider Rewilding Your Yard With Aggressive Native Plants

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

By Jonathan Sciarcon Based on online posts in the Colorado Native Plant Gardening room on Facebook and in-person conversations with Wild Ones members, it appears that most gardeners, even ones who advocate planting native plants, want well behaved flora in their yards or gardens. This makes sense as many gardeners’ aesthetic preferences tend towards some […] Continue reading "Consider Rewilding Your Yard With Aggressive Native Plants"

Native Plants for Hummingbirds

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

By Kate Hogan* I started my home garden native plant conversion back in 2015 – I foolishly decided to attempt to replant my entire front and back garden beds to exclusively Colorado and New Mexico native plants while on maternity leave with my second child, which happened to be September of that year.  We had […] Continue reading "Native Plants for Hummingbirds"