By: Illeane Podolski, Colorado Master Gardener (Reprint from NoCo Bloom)

There are many preconceived ideas and myths about xeriscaping. These myths highlight some of the most common misconceptions of xeriscaping in Colorado.

By Katie Collins, Fort Collins Utilities

Native plants are the stars of the water-wise garden. With careful planning and diligent establishment watering, natives can save water (and time spent watering!) for years to come.

Q: Can I mix natives with non-native plants in the garden?
A: Certainly–this is where planning is crucial. Just as full-sun plants are grouped with other full-sun plants in a design, place plants with similar water needs together. This is known as ‘hydrozoning.’ A hydrozoned landscape prevents under- and over-watering.

Q: Do I need to water new native plants?
A: Absolutely! Any freshly planted plant–whether tree or grass, native or not–needs regular watering in the first year, no exceptions. In year two, it is critical to gradually reduce frequency of watering. 

Q: How much should I water my established native plants?
A: Do a little research to understand where the native plants originated. For example, native plants found near bodies of water indicate a need for more supplemental water in the home landscape. That doesn’t mean digging a pond in the backyard; instead, consider placing moderate water users in spots where moisture is more abundant, such as near downspouts or not far from a hose spigot. Native plants that originated in dry locations are adapted to dry conditions and may not need any supplemental water once established.

By: Kelly Kellow, Horticulturist, the Gardens on Spring Creek (Reprint from NoCo Bloom)

One of the best sights to see in the springtime are active honeybees buzzing around, hopping from flower to flower and collecting pollen for their upcoming broods. It means that summer is coming, and the bountiful smells and brilliant colors of perennials await. Even the most novice gardener can help create foraging and nesting sites for many pollinators by selecting plants that butterflies and moths, beetles, and even flies, love. When selecting the elements of your garden, it’s best to include plants of varying shapes, sizes and species to cater to all pollinators. Perennials are one of the more important plants to integrate into your garden to provide an ongoing source of food for pollinators. Sea holly (Eryngium planum ‘Blue Cap’) is a perennial that provides bountiful flowers for a long bloom season. Sea holly has open umbels of prickly steel blue flowers that can reach 36 inches in height. A very hardy species with a Hardiness Zone of 4-9, it’s perfect for Northern Colorado gardens in that it tolerates hot, dry sites and poor soils, even those high in salts. If you have areas that are rich and moist, Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum) and swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) are also great selections. As Colorado native plants, both create a naturalistic look to any garden. Joe Pye weed can grow up to six feet tall with strong stems that hold crowned clusters of bright pink flower in late summer and are magnets for dozens of species of butterflies. Swamp milkweed grows upright about two to three feet with slender, willow-like leaves topped with round, pink-to-rose-colored flower clusters. This perennial variety is known to attract many native butterflies and bees and is important in feeding Monarch caterpillars.

Annuals and herbs are season extenders for many gardens and can be planted among perennials and in containers. When selecting annuals to attract pollinators, consider sweet alyssum, torch tithonia (also called Mexican sunflowers), zinnia, Verbena bonariensis and cleome. These annuals perform best in full sun and well-drained soil. Herbs are not only great culinarily plants, but their long-lasting flowers provide a great food source for pollinators. Add sage, different types of mint, oregano and dill into a perennial herb garden. Dill is great for pickles and is a food source for swallowtail caterpillars.

Basil, lemon verbena and pineapple sage are tender annual herbs that provide long bloom times and abundant flowers for extended foraging periods. While these species will over winter, but they could be dug up and brought inside for winter color and flavor. There are many more annuals, herbs and perennials that pollinators love – especially those with bright flowers. By working to intentionally incorporating these into your garden, you will create a long season of blooms for pollinators of all kinds.