To give the new patio by the pond some privacy I want to employ ornamental grasses. They must manage a three season showing including winter. While prairie grasses are a part of the yard, ornamental varieties tend to have better structure than their native species. The space will only accomodate about 3 feet of depth… Continue reading An ornamental grass hedge
Category: Winter
Winter Interest
Give nature a blanket in winter
and you’ll see habitat everywhere you look Dried leaves as blankets I freely admit I’m not neat or tidy, or organized. But I like beauty and that usually requires some tidiness or organization. For most suburbanites the fall tidy up means a clearing of dead leaves. But imagine if we treated our bodies the same… Continue reading Give nature a blanket in winter
Back Yard Plant List
The plants I track in my Colorado garden. Zone: 5 Light: 2020 – 30% sun, 35% part-shade, 35% shade. Looking out my patio I face northwest and the majority of the yard is shaded by numerous trees throughout the day. A large maple was removed in 2019 at the southwestern edge that has created more… Continue reading Back Yard Plant List
The Peach Tree Espalier
Originally posted on 5/15/2016. I will be planting two of my peach seedlings along a back fence. This has been a long forgotten part of the yard. But one that would lend well to small fruit trees. My seedlings are ready for their permanent home and while that part of the yard is not in… Continue reading The Peach Tree Espalier
Going from 60 to freezing in a few hours
In November we had a cold snap come in at a furious pace, and the temperature dropped greater than 40 degrees in a matter of hours. Plants that were enjoying a warm fall were instantly frozen, making for some interesting winter interest. We will see how long they last. … Continue reading Going from 60 to freezing in a few hours
Add Color into Winter Gardens
Colorado is often pictured as a snow covered winter wonderland. Although our mountains may have snow from October to May, the Front Range often sees extended cold and dry conditions. Here dry means a drab grey landscape in a sea of brown grass. To beat the blahs, look to these bright beauties for a winter… Continue reading Add Color into Winter Gardens
Plants for winter interest
Interesting Winter Plants for Colorado. Winter lasts a good four to five months in the high plains of Colorado. So you can imagine that a garden’s looks in winter are as important as summer’s. Unfortunately I’ve tended to forget all about winter when choosing my plants during the growing season. Then come January I’m berating… Continue reading Plants for winter interest
Evergreens with winterburn
So how did the garden fare over the 2010 winter? Well not so great. From July through December, only 4.8 inches of snowfall was recorded at the official DIA weather station. This is the second lowest half season snowfall on record, and a dry winter can take its toll on non-native plants. For more… Continue reading Evergreens with winterburn
Spring plans – backyard
This year I want to keep spending down, yet be able to continue to add to the gardens. I don’t know if the roses planted in the planters will survive this very cold, dry winter. My boxwoods are showing the affects freeze with yellowing leaves. They also need more water than I’ve given them, so… Continue reading Spring plans – backyard