backyard
Rocky Mountain Junipers (Juniperus scopulorum various cultivars) Woodward Rocky Mountain Juniper There are many clones of Rocky Mountain Juniper which are suitable for use as screen plants, very drought tolerant once established and reliably cold hardy. While they do lack the smoother more refined texture of arborvitae they offer a wider range of foliage colors. The cultivar ‘Woodward’ is upright selection with dull green foliage which has a strong central leader and is less prone to damage from snow loading than other upright cultivars. It may be difficult to find but it’s worth the search. Selections such a “Gray Gleam”, “Cologreen” and “Moonglow” all have more gray-green or blue-green foliage and are more commonly available at nurseries and garden centers.
Scarlet runner bean, Phaseolus coccineus, is a tender herbaceous plant native to the mountains of Mexico and Central America, growing at higher elevations than the common bean. By the 1600’s it was growing in English and early American gardens as a food plant, but now is more frequently grown as an ornamental for its showy sprays of flowers. Unlike regular green beans (P. vulgaris) this is a perennial species, although it is usually treated as an annual. In mild climates (zones 7 – 11) it a short-lived perennial vine, forming tuberous roots from which new shoots sprout annually in areas with frost where it is not evergreen. In Mesoamerica the thick, starchy roots are used as food.
Baby Blue Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus var. nauseosus). Similar in appearance to potentilla, this indestructible native shrub offers multiple season interest, growing 16-28 inches high and 20-30 inches wide. It grows best in full sun to part shade in sandy, clay or loam soils. It endures wind and cold and is very drought tolerant. It features needle-like, vivid blue leaves and is more compact and dense than the standard variety. Very attractive to butterflies, bright yellow flowers cover it in late summer and extend well into November. It is best to water as needed the first year to get your plant established. Past that point, it will need no additional moisture, but can tolerate moderate water conditions. If it receives too much water, it will likely need pruning to maintain a nice shape. It is hardy up to 8,000 feet elevation.
Baby Blue Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus var. nauseosus). Similar in appearance to potentilla, this indestructible native shrub offers multiple season interest, growing 16-28 inches high and 20-30 inches wide. It grows best in full sun to part shade in sandy, clay or loam soils. It endures wind and cold and is very drought tolerant. It features needle-like, vivid blue leaves and is more compact and dense than the standard variety. Very attractive to butterflies, bright yellow flowers cover it in late summer and extend well into November. It is best to water as needed the first year to get your plant established. Past that point, it will need no additional moisture, but can tolerate moderate water conditions. If it receives too much water, it will likely need pruning to maintain a nice shape. It is hardy up to 8,000 feet elevation.
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) comes in many different varieties and makes an amazing lawn replacement. This "steppable" groundcover not only gets by on minimal amounts of water, but is about as low maintenance as you can get! Hardy and drought resistant, creeping thymes produce small but attractive and prolific flowers June, July and/or August (depending on cultivar). Though unsuited for heavy traffic areas, thyme lawns stand up very well to light to moderate traffic. Many different varieties of thyme can be used to create a lawn - you can go with a monoculture, as is pictured here, or mix different cultivars to create more visual interest. "Reiter", "Pink Chintz", "Coccineus", "Albus", "Wooly" and "Elfin" are varieties that work very well in this application.
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) comes in many different varieties and makes an amazing lawn replacement. This "steppable" groundcover not only gets by on minimal amounts of water, but is about as low maintenance as you can get! Hardy and drought resistant, creeping thymes produce small but attractive and prolific flowers June, July and/or August (depending on cultivar). Though unsuited for heavy traffic areas, thyme lawns stand up very well to light to moderate traffic. Many different varieties of thyme can be used to create a lawn - you can go with a monoculture, as is pictured here, or mix different cultivars to create more visual interest. "Reiter", "Pink Chintz", "Coccineus", "Albus", "Wooly" and "Elfin" are varieties that work very well in this application.
Prairifire Crabapple (Malus × 'Prairifire'). Unlike the Redbud, which looks great in early spring, Prairifire offers what all gardeners seek but seldom find - true 4 season interest! Growing to 20' x 20' with a rounded crown, this tree prefers full sun and does well in most soil types. In midlate April, new foliage emerges a deep red color. Within a week or so after that, spectacular vibrant pink blooms emerge, lasting 2 to 3 weeks. Once the blooms fade and drop, the leaves begin to change to green with a reddish cast and the small crabapples (well favored by birds) begin to develop. These shiny red fruit last all summer long and provide vibrant color and interest well into late winter.
Prairifire Crabapple (Malus × 'Prairifire'). Unlike the Redbud, which looks great in early spring, Prairifire offers what all gardeners seek but seldom find - true 4 season interest! Growing to 20' x 20' with a rounded crown, this tree prefers full sun and does well in most soil types. In midlate April, new foliage emerges a deep red color. Within a week or so after that, spectacular vibrant pink blooms emerge, lasting 2 to 3 weeks. Once the blooms fade and drop, the leaves begin to change to green with a reddish cast and the small crabapples (well favored by birds) begin to develop. These shiny red fruit last all summer long and provide vibrant color and interest well into late winter.
Panchito (evergreen) Manzanita (Arctostaphylos x coloradoensis) instead! This outstanding native broadleaf evergreen can be planted as a specimen feature, or in groups as a groundcover. Small pink flowers appear February to early April on this shrub that has a height of 10 - 15 inches, and a spread of 24 - 36 inches.
Goldflame Honeysuckle (Lonicera × heckrottii). The flowers and fragrance of this vining honeysuckle are outstanding. Rose-pink tubular buds open to very pale tangerine colored petals - the outside and edges of the petals are pale pink. Bloom time is June-September. Be sure to plant this vine where the Gardenia-like fragrance can permeate the air and drift your way, preferably in full sun.
Prairie Winecups – Callirhoe involucrata Prairie Winecups is a Colorado native perennial that grows in a low mound of trailing stems covered in round dark-green leaves. The plant produces a large number of cup shaped wine-red colored flowers from late spring through summer. Because this is a native plant it is well adapted to our local climate and requires little maintenance.
Mojave Sage – Salvia pachyphylla Mojave Sage is a large shrubby perennial that produces an abundance of striking purplish-blue flowers throughout the summer. The silver-green foliage really stands out too, growing up to 3 feet tall, and persisting as a semi-evergreen throughout the winter. If you are looking for a plant to add structure and backdrop in your garden, Salvia pachyphylla or Mojave sage may be just the plant for you. Mojave sage stands 24″ or better in the garden with a width of at least the same. It usually takes a couple of growing seasons for it to gain this stature. An outstanding feature of Mojave sage is the beautiful, intensely aromatic silvery-green foliage, topped with densely whorled bracts of lovely smoky mauve-purple that surround delicate violet-blue flowers. This sub-shrub perennial is native to the higher altitude of the California hills and prefers a full sun location, with good drainage being essential. The semi-evergreen foliage adds wonderful winter interest to any garden. Mojave sage is hardy in Zone 5, but dry conditions are a must for over wintering. Once this salvia is established, a good fall pruning after flowering helps maintain its shape ...
Penstemon – Penstemon ssp. Penstemon is another group of Rocky Mountain native perennials that requires little watering once established, preferring well drained soils. Penstemons are available in just about every color. These plants are small in size which makes them ideal for filling in between other Xeriscape plants. They provide an abundance of colorful blooms that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Zinnia The sweet blooms of Zinnia make it a common favorite among Colorado homeowners. They are a natural plant to grow and provide a lot of flowers in a short amount of time. Zinnia comes in many beautiful colors including deep red, yellow, pink, and fuchsia. This variety makes an excellent option for cut flowers as single blooms sit on top of straight stems. Plant Zinnia seeds along walkways or in containers where they will be most appreciated in the garden.
Source Bronze Fennel This edible herb is an excellent addition to your garden given its unique texture of wispy leaves. Bronze Fennel is great to use in the back of a border landscape since it grows up to four feet tall and wide. You can clip the leaves and use them in cooking, which provides a sweet licorice flavor to any dish. This plant enjoys well-drained soil and full sun as well.
Rocky Mountain Columbine It’s no wonder so many homeowners plant the official state flower of Colorado. The Rocky Mountain Columbine is a perfect match to the unique climate and flourishes just about anywhere. This blue-hued bloom loves high altitude and is also found in shades of yellow, red, violet, and white. Rocky Mountain Columbines prefer partly sunny spots in lower elevations but can handle full sun above 7,000 feet.
Cheyenne PrivetIf you’re looking for a solid wall of privacy, look no further than Cheyenne Privet. This cold hardy shrub is fast growing and is often trimmed into hedges. Its dark green leaves stay year-round but turn slightly yellow come fall. This plant does take a little more maintenance as it needs trimming to keep from getting out of hand. Cheyenne Privet can handle varying soil conditions as well as exposure to wind. Privet has glossy green foliage and sweet smelling white flower clusters in spring that make it a great plant for a dense backdrop to a perennial garden, a screening plant between neighbors, or even to cover up a chain link fence.Cheyenne Privet is a fast-growing, hardy privet that can be pruned to any shape. This plant loves to be manicured into a dense and formal hedge which can be kept from a 2 foot plant to about an 8 foot plant.The outstanding feature of this shrub is its ability to be pruned to almost any desired shape. Whether you have a small spot between buildings you'd like to fill, or space for a privacy hedge around your pool, this hardy shrub can do the job.You don't even have to worry about the right time of year for pruning. This shrub acc...
red leaf ninebark
Red leaf ninebark
saskoon serviceberry
Saskatoon serviceberry fruit production
Colorado Tansy aster, Machaeranthera coloradoensis.
Apache Plume. Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa) “performs in such a wide range of sites, is completely xeric and requires absolutely no care once established,” Hayward says of this Southwest native that’s in Plant Select’s program. What makes this shrub a superstar is how well it plays with others; mix it with other purple-leaved shrubs, trees or other perennials and the purple in the plumes pops. 4 to 6 feet tall and wide; moderate to dry; not fussy about soil; sun to part shade.
Fernbush. also a Plant Select species, keeps native pollinators buzzing with happiness. Like Apache Plume, once established it’s xeric and has the bonus of naked buds, giving it the appearance of keeping little leaves on all winter. Its aromatic leaves are perfect for sensory gardens. Hayward loves this plant for bees, so if you’re building a backyard habitat, pop this in. 3 to 5 feet tall and wide; xeric once established; sun to part shade; clay or sand.
Potentilla fruticosa
Potentilla fruticosa
groundcover. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Prairie Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis)
Missouri Goldenrod (Solidago missourienses)
Missouri Goldenrod (Solidago missourienses)
Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata var. ampla)
Upright Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera)
Narrowleaf Penstemon (Penstemon angustifolius)
Lambert Crazyweed (Oxytropis lambertii)
Tufted Evening Primrose (Oenothera caespitosa)
Pony Beebalm (Monarda pectinata)
Blue Flag or Wild Iris (Iris missouriensis)
New Mexican Hop (Humulus lupulus americanus) Beer???
Showy Vervain (Glandularia bipinnatifida formerly Verbena ambrosifolia)
Common Perennial Gaillardia (Gaillardia aristata)
Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)
Western Virginsbower (Clematis ligusticifolia)
Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)
Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Left
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) The grass in the middle with the seed heads.
Mountain Muhly (Muhlenbergia montana)
Sand Dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus)
Another personal fave
This was in one of my personal ideabooks. I love it.
swing bed
metal edging
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