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In the wild, plant communities make life possible for its members. The plants within these communities live compatibly, providing shade or sharing space, water and nutrients with other plants. Their physical characteristics and needs are intricately interwoven with the land on which they live.
One inspiring example of this interdependence can be found at Rotary Park by Horsetooth Reservoir. The site conditions include full sun most of the day, with a little morning shade. The backbone of this community is a Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa.) Its canopy of evergreen limbs provides some windbreak and a little shade. Three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata) and golden currant (Ribes aureum) are robust and healthy both with beautiful spring flowers.
The sumac has tiny chartreuse flowers that bloom before the leaves. The currant will get profuse clusters of bright yellow ones later in the spring. Shiny green leaves make them the perfect foil for perennial displays all summer long. The currant will have small red berries and the sumac will get fuzzy red ones that birds and furry critters love to eat. Autumn cloaks both in red, orange or rose dappled colors.
Spring begins with little bluebells (Mertensia sp.) and fringed sage (Artemisia frigida) growing side by side, providing the first bursts of spring color. The bluebells rely on the protection of the shrubs (or rocks and grasses), but need the sunlight that still filters through the lightly leafed twigs. As the leaves fill out, the bluebells will have already died back..
All throughout this plant community, grasses, ground covers and perennials will happily coexist this summer. They are not visible now since it is only April. But in early summer penstemon will be visible with their purple stalks of tubular bells shining in the intense sun tempting hummingbirds and bees. Rose-hued cranesbill (Geranium sp.) will creep around the base of shrubs and boulders where more moisture lingers. Random blanket flower (Gaillardia sp.) will dot the trails complimented by yellow, gold and orange mallow (Sphaeralcea sp.). Gayfeather (Liatris sp.) with its lavender spikes will send fluffy white seeds into the air this fall guaranteeing its continued existence in this hot, trampled, exposed area.
Each of these plants took root on its own. Seeds were carried by deer, bird droppings, wind and man. Just the right amount of sun and water helped them sprout. The clay soil had the nutrients each needed to grow. They live together in these plant communities ,balancing their needs with the physical characteristics of the site.
Native plant communities are great examples of what we can bring into
our own yards for a sustainable attempt at landscaping without all the
extra maintenance efforts. Natives feed the animals that were here
before us, inviting their songs, whistles, color and chatter. Our
landscapes come alive and thrive like the open spaces of Colorado . . .
right in our own yards!
Q: Is it risky to plant trees and sod at the same time?
A: Yes. Because newly- laid sod must be so heavily irrigated, the potential for drowning your tree is very high. It is better to plant your trees as soon as possible after the sod has been established, but before the heat wave of high summer.
Q: I'm itching to start my first vegetable garden. What can I plant now?
A: The last frost is usually mid-May, so focus on cooler season crops like lettuce, spinach, and peas. Warm season crops such as tomatoes, basil and eggplant can be started indoors and transplanted after the last frost.
Q: What are some good grass choices for naturalized wildflower gardens?
A: Blue grama and side-oats grama are good. They are clump forming
natives that grow well in our conditions and will not choke out the wild
flowers.
Tune up the lawnmower - sharpen the mower blades. A dull mower blade will shred the leaf blades instead of cutting them cleanly and will give the lawn a brown appearance. Clean and sharpen shovels, hoes and pruning shears if you didn't have time to do it last fall.
Remove tree wrap for the summer to prevent harboring insect and disease organisms. Prune summer flowering shrubs before buds break. Prune spring flowering shrubs after they have finished blooming.
Plan a vegetable garden on paper first or check out the new landscape and gardening programs available for your computer. Choose a spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight each day and is protected from our drying winds. Choose vegetables that your family will eat and pick varieties that are suitable for our short growing season and cool nights.
Asparagus, horseradish and rhubarb are perennial garden vegetables that
do well in Colorado - even in gardens up to 10,000 feet elevation.
One year old crowns of asparagus and roots of rhubarb and horseradish are
usually available to plant. Since these vegetables will remain in
the same spot for several years, it is wise to amend the soil with organic
matter and test the soil fertility before planting.
The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and are Master Gardener volunteers for Larimer County.
Fact Sheets are available at the Larimer County Extension Office, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado, telephone (970) 498-6000, or contact us by e-mail at larimer@coop.ext.colostate.edu
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