Tending and nourishing the plants that have been planted in previous years -discovering which native and non-native plants can thrive here - developing a plan to cultivate drought-resistant and native plants - looking for ways to capture rainwater, however possible.
This is a great spot for xeriscaping. It's hilly, sandy, with intense southern sun exposure. Over the years, different attempts have been made to grow plants here; a few irises are doing ok. Someone may have thrown wildflower seeds that are now coming up, but it's the end of April and too early to tell if they're wildflowers or weeds. There's lots of weeds, especially cheatgrass. I'm in the process of removing all the cheatgrass. 4/29/24
Went to coffee at CSU.org on May 4, really informative. Lisa suggested the first thing to do would be to plant some shrubs to stabilize the ground, after that some ground cover. She also suggested a climber plant might work to cover the chain link fence. If we choose to scatter wildflower packets, best to do that in the fall.
Native Plants Growing Wild in the Experimental Garden
The images below are not from the garden. I used an app to identify the plants, then grabbed images from the web so that we would have an idea of what they look like when they come to maturity. The app I use is called "Picture This", it's not 100% accurate but its at least a place to start in my identification journey. The iris pictured above is from the garden. Five irises bloomed this spring.
Cuman ragweed was used for medicinal purposes by American Indians. Pueblo women in New Mexico drank a tea made from Cuman ragweed during difficult labors at childbirth, and the Cheyenne of the Central Plains used it to treat intestinal problems and colds
Western Spiderwort, Tradescantia occidentalis is native to savannas and drier prairies. Western Spiderwort has foliage that is long and leafy, which also resembles that of the day lily. The beautiful blue green leaves of this plant make it very attractive. It is heat and drought tolerant.
Scabland, Penstemon deustus is a species of penstemon known by the common names hotrock penstemon and n. It is native to much of the United States. It is a perennial herb with upright branches approaching (16 in) in maximum height. The thick leaves are lance-shaped to oval or round, and are sharply toothed.
Missouri goldenrod (S. missouriensis var. fasciculata). Leaves on the lower part of stem have 3 main veins for most of the blade length. Resembles Gattinger's goldenrod, but note the creeping rhizomes (not short, branched roots), 7–13 (not 5–8) ray florets, and small clusters of leaves in the axils of the main leaves in the middle and upper portions of the flowering stem. Blooms July–October.
Red hot pokers (Kniphofia) are herbaceous perennials. They are also commonly known as torch lilies, and though they do share some characteristics they are not true liliesBeing rhizomatous, red hot pokers can be aggressive growers in favorable conditions; they are even considered invasive in some areas. They are attractive to hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies but, fortunately, not to deer. These plants like full sun and well-draining soil.
American plum is a small tree that is native throughout much of the central United States. It produces 1”, reddish-purple plums that are best suited for jams or jellies. Though it does grow fruit, this tree is typically planted for ornamental and wildlife value.
Lewis Flax A poultice of fresh crushed leaves has been used to treat eye problems. A tincture of the entire plant is used in the treatment of diarrhea. The fresh herb is boiled and taken internally for the treatment of rheumatic pains, heartburn, colds, coughs and dropsy.
Sunset Crater Beardtongue, one of our very best Western species, blooms most of the summer with spikes of beautiful pink flowers. A willing re-seeder it makes colorful colonies of big, showy plants. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).
Rocket Larkspur, adds bright color to gardens and meadows. Gorgeous spikes of blue, pink, white and purple add unique color and texture to the summer garden or meadow, and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Rocket Larkspur is extremely easy to grow.
Narrow Leaf Stoneseed, Leaves are alternate, 2-4 inches long with rolled edges, larger near the base. Tubular, lemon yellow flowers with conspicuously fringed lobes are in clusters at the end of stems which are 6-12 inches long. They are trumpet-shaped with 5 petal-like lobes which open to 1 inch across, with crinkled margins.
Helpful Plants that Fix Nitrogen in the Soil
Yellow Sweet Clover: Fixes nitrogen in the soil. Besides producing a large amount of forage under these growing conditions, sweet clover also provides very nutritious forage if managed properly. It is a legume, so similar to alfalfa and other clovers, it is high in protein. Unless sweet clover is allowed to get tall with heavy stems, it is easily digested by livestock and is a good source of energy. It also provides good food for mule deer, elk, and antelope and good nesting habitat for pheasants, grouse, and other upland birds. Sweet clover is extremely attractive to pollinators such as honey bees, and in fact, its scientific name, Melilotus, comes partly from the Latin word Mel, which means “honey.”
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), also called lucerne, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. It is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as well as a green manure and cover crop. Fixes nitrogen in the soil.
Non-native Plants Growing Wild in Experimental Garden — On Proabation
Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis, is a species of bindweed in the Convolvulaceae native to Europe and Asia. It is a rhizomatous and climbing or creeping herbaceous perennial plant with stems growing to 0.5–2 metres in length. It is usually found at ground level with small white and pink flowers.
Salsify, Tragopogon porrifolius is a plant cultivated for its ornamental flower and edible root. It also grows wild in many places and is one of the most widely known species of the salsify genus.
Creeping bellflower is a common edible weed in yards and gardens. It spreads quickly, but thankfully, it's edible and tastes good. In this post I'll tell you all I know about harvesting and cooking the plant.
Bladder Campion, The young shoots and the leaves are sometimes used as food in some countries of the Mediterranean region.[6] The tender leaves may be eaten raw in salads. The older leaves are usually eaten boiled or fried, sauteed with garlic or in omelettes.
Pinapple Weed It may be small, but it packs a big flavor. Pineapple weed, or wild chamomile as many call it (it's technically not) is a great wild herb anyone can learn to use. Like the name implies, it has a taste reminiscent of pineapple and chamomile. Most know it as an herb to use for tea, but there's a lot you can do with this plant.
Hairy False Goldenaster This plant has a bright yellow flower with 20-30 rays that are rounded on the ends atop a 10 inch stem. The plant is covered in coarse hairs, giving it its name. The stem has a purplish hue. Leaves are also hairy and twisted erratically.
Narrowleaf Gumweed Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates poor soils. Plants will self-seed in optimum growing conditions.
Plants that We Might Introduce to the Experimental Garden
Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, commonly known as yarrow or common yarrow, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Growing to 1 metre tall, it is characterized by small whitish flowers, a tall stem of fernlike leaves, and a pungent odor.
Catmint Walker's Low catmint is a perennial flower that thrives in hot, sunny areas. Growing as a soft mound of grey-green fragrant leaves, it produces spikes of small tubular lavender flowers in early summer. It is bigger than Little Trudy catmint.
Chieftan manzanita is a low, broadleaf evergreen that can become quite wide at maturity. Its large, round leaves make this plant very valuable in serving as a backdrop in summer and a welcome evergreen shrub throughout fall and winter.
Plants that Are Not Welcome
Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila) is a non-native tree that has been planted as an ornamental but has escaped and is now found in many disturbed areas. Colorado is considering adding it to the state's Noxious Weed List in fall 2022.
Horseweed is a native but it looks like a weed and is invaisive. The Zuni people insert the crushed flowers of E. canadensis var. canadensis into the nostrils to cause sneezing, relieving rhinitis. Other Native Americans have used a preparation of the plant's leaves to treat sore throat and dysentery.
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) originated in Europe or Eurasia and was introduced to the U.S. in the mid- to late-1800s as a contaminant in seed and straw. It germinates in the fall and early spring, and grows rapidly and in high numbers, making it highly competitive with native species.