Description:

This is Colorado’s state flower.  The large, 3″  white and lavender flowers face upward.  Botanist Edwin James identified this flower while on the 1820 Long Expedition that explored Pikes Peak.  The native Columbine grows in the Foothill and Montane life zones of Colorado.  It is an important nectar plant for hummingbirds, butterflies, hawkmoths, native bees and bumblebees.  This is a short lived perennial, about 3-5 years.

Landscape Use:

Woodland Garden, Native plant gardens, Naturalized areas,

Culture:

Columbines prefer well drained moderately fertile soil that stays moist. Deadhead spent flowers as they fade to encourage reblooming and prolong their life span.

Description:

Cantab netted iris  is a low growing bulbous iris that has light blue translucent blooms in late March to early April.  Narrow grass-like leaves poke out of the ground first, followed by flowers that last about a week up here at the Courage Garden.  The leaves remain after the flower is gone and then disappear completely, waiting to reappear next spring.

Landscape Use:

Mass groupings, Rock garden, Xeriscape garden

Culture:

Plant this bulb in the fall. It looks best planted in groups. This bulb will naturalize (spread) over time. Confirm there is two inches of soil above the top of the bulb to encourage naturalizing. Netted iris prefer dry conditions when dormant so it is ideally suited for a xeriscape garden. For optimal care, the grower recommends bulb fertilizer three times a year: in the fall for the roots, when the sprouts first poke through the soil for the foliage and flower and when the flower dies for the bulb itself.

Description:

Blanket flower has large, showy flower heads that are held just above the foliage and is available in several color variations of yellow/red ray flowers.   It spreads by seed.  Goblin is a cultivar that stays compact for the front of the border.  The native Blanket flower usually has pure yellow ray flowers.  Some people may develop dermatitis when in contact with the foliage.

Landscape Use:

Border, Mass planting, Wildflower garden, Xeriscape garden, Butterfly garden

Culture:

Prefers full sun, low water and fast draining soil of low fertility. Deadhead to encourage reblooming. Goblin overwinters best when cut back in late summer to encourage a new set of basal leaves for overwintering.

Description:

Blue grama was designated the state grass of Colorado on May 20, 1987.  It is a warm season bunch grass of the short grass prairie.  The bloom looks like a tiny comb attached at a right angle to the top of the stem which curls  into an eyelash shape as it dries and matures .  It is a host plant for many satyr and skipper butterflies.

Landscape Use:

Native plant garden, Wildflower, Xeriscape, Rock garden, Informal gardens, Turf grass

Culture:

Plant in well drained soil in full sun and prune or mow in the early spring to remove dormant winter foliage. Blue grama is shade intolerant.

Description:

Give this Evergreen shrub lots of room to spread (see size).  The bluish gray-green stems of this shrub are jointed, grow upright and retain year round attractiveness.  The yellow pollen and seed cones produced in the spring are barely noticeable.   If the shrub is female, the seed cones will mature to about 1/3″ diameter bright red fleshy cones that are consumed by birds.

Landscape Use:

Specimen, Mass planting, Background border, Rock garden, Xeriscape garden

Culture:

Performs well when planted in well drained soils and tolerates alkaline and lime soil conditions. It is drought tolerant once it is established and will sucker spread if it receives too much water.

Description:

The Japanese painted fern was named 2004 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association.  New leaves of the Burgundy Lace cultivar emerge purple with silver stripes along each vein and the frond tips.  Older leaves transform into a contrasting silvery green with purple mid-ribs.  It makes a nice companion plant to other shade loving plants, such as coral bells, bleeding heart, astilbe and hosta.  The foliage is vibrant from early spring until frost when it will go dormant.

Landscape Use:

Border, Mass planting, Container, Woodland garden

Culture:

This low maintenance painted fern needs well drained, compost rich, moist soil. Can tolerate a few hours of sun. Spreads by short, branching rhizomes in optimum growing conditions.

Description:

Blue fescue is a cool season ornamental grass that blooms in late spring to early summer.  It  has a mounded growing habit and looks its best in the spring and fall.  The blades range in color from blue-green to blue-gray.

Landscape Use:

Border, Accent, Container

Culture:

Prefers well drained soil and some supplemental water. Some gardeners prefer to remove the bloom to maintain the symmetry and foliage color. Divide every three to four years.

Description:

This long blooming perennial was named 2000 Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association.   The 12″-15″ slender flower stems rise above gray-green basal foliage and bear two inch lavender blue flowers.  The nectar rich flowers attract honey bees and butterflies.  Pink Mist is the pink version of this flower.

Landscape Use:

Border, Mass planting, Butterfly garden

Culture:

Performs best in well-drained soil amended with organic matter and requires moist soil during the growing season. Deadhead regularly during the blooming season. Plant the crown to the same depth it was growing in the container to prevent crown rot. Do not cut back the basal foliage in the fall. Remove winter damaged foliage in the spring. Divide plants every few years to promote flowering.

Description:

Sometimes listed as Sedum rupestre.  This succulent mat forming evergreen sedum has upright stems with greyish blue leaves that resemble spruce needles.  Yellow star shaped flowers rise about 6 inches above the foliage on leafy, woody stems.  The flower nectar is food for ladybugs, green lacewings and other beneficial insects.

Landscape Use:

Xeriscape garden, border, Rock garden, Containers, Ground cover

Culture:

Prefers well drained soil and a sunny site. Can be divided every two or three years in the spring. Cut back any winter damaged foliage in the spring.

Description:

Bearded iris grow from tan colored rhizomes and are available in assorted colors.  Each flower stalk rises above sword shaped leaves and has three upright petals (standards) and three hanging sepals (falls) with a fuzzy middle line (beard).

Landscape Use:

Sunny beds and borders

Culture:

Bearded iris prefer good drainage. To plant the rhizome dig a hole large enough for the rhizome. Mound a pile of soil in the middle of the hole, position the rhizome so the foliage is facing outward (or all fans facing the same direction), the top third of the rhizome is above the soil surface and the roots are below the soil surface. Deadhead individual flowers then cut flower stalk to the ground after blooming. Divide every three to four years.