There is a new fenceline now that ash is gone. Its a sunny east facing spot. Without irrigation and with poor soil, the plants must be xeric. So although I like switchgrass, it might not like just how dry the site could end up. I intend to give them a good mulching in case. Switchgrass… Continue reading Fall planting the fence and more
Category: Garden Use
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Oligoneuron rigidum – Stiff goldenrod
Oligoneuron rigidum Stiff Goldenrod (F,DM,A,A) 3 – 5 ft H x 2 – 3 ft W. Flat-topped yellow flower clusters in late summer. Multi-stemmed with long basal leaves and progressively shorter lanced shaped leaves near the crown. Hairy leaves (pubescent) feel velvety to the touch and have a nice sheen. Leaves may turn red in… Continue reading Oligoneuron rigidum – Stiff goldenrod
The garden is recovering well.
With a destructive, late spring snowstorm, booked weekends, and rain — the garden is holding its own guite beautifully. Untidy yes, the charm of nature, for sure. Two trees may have to go. Its unfortunate but both will suffer greatly if Emerald Ash comes knocking. We need the trees to have health and be able… Continue reading The garden is recovering well.
Andropogon gerardii – Big Bluestem
Originally posted 5/2019 Andropogon gerardii Big Bluestem (F,D,Md,A,N) 4-5ft w x 4-8 feet h. Native warm-season perennial clump grass. Found int both short and tall grass prairies. Grayish green stems in spring, turning a copper red in fall. drought tolerant. Base of plants are often purple. In the gardne bed it tends to flop, best… Continue reading Andropogon gerardii – Big Bluestem
March Propagation
Any seed packet that says to start your plants indoors 8 weeks before last frost should be started in March in Colorado. Sowing vegetables in Colorado usually requires you be ready come March to get your grow on. If you want to know a less expensive way to start seeds indoors, check out, 3 essentials… Continue reading March Propagation
A focal point tree for the patio
I need a tree that has star quality. It must also be happy in my Colorado garden. This tree will keep watch over the pond and be a focal point from the new patio. It will have a backdrop of prairie flowers from the patio view. That is not the only direction the tree will… Continue reading A focal point tree for the patio
Echinacea purpurea Purple coneflower
Echinacea purpurea Eastern purple coneflower (Su,M,A,N) 2 – 3 ft H x 1 – 2ft W. Pinkish purple daisy-like blooms in mid summer on single flowering stocks. Flower center is burnt orange spikes that become dark seed heads in fall. Dark green leaves and stems have course hair. Stems remain upright throughout winter and seed… Continue reading Echinacea purpurea Purple coneflower
2021 A Colorado fall to remember
September 2021 As fall begins to settle in I have time to reflect on the highlights of the year’s garden. Side-oats grama is blooming with little red blossoms and big bluestem’s turkey feet soar above the darkening seedheads of Echinacea purpurea. Every year is different in Tidy Chaos. This year so much changed as I… Continue reading 2021 A Colorado fall to remember
Actaea rubra – baneberry
Actaea rubra – Baneberry (Sp,M,CL,N) Blooms Spring (Sp) Soil moisture is medium to wet (M) Grows in loamy soils (CL) Native – feeds birds and mammals Poisonous to humans A nice plant for the woodland garden it has white flowers in late spring and fruits in red or white. Actaea rubra is an understory herbaceous… Continue reading Actaea rubra – baneberry
Cotinus coggyria – European Smoke Bush
Purple Smoke bush or Purple smoke tree – This is a variety from Europe that is from the Anacardiaceae (Sumac) family. This large bush / small tree can be pollarded to produce a multi-trunked specimen.