Gardens are especially exciting in the early spring. While much of the landscape remains dormant, bulbs erupt in vibrant displays of life that fill us with anticipation of the transition of seasons. Spring in Colorado is erratic, often filled with wintry weather and deceivingly warm days. Months before it is safe to plant tender annual flowers, there are bulbs that flourish in the chaos of our spring. </p> Rock gardens provide a perfect sanctuary for these determined little flowers, and there are bulbs that thrive in every habitat, from dry and exposed gritty spaces to shaded woodland environments. </p> Lenten rose, snowdrops, dwarf iris, cyclamen and crocus all begin to bloom late in winter. These are followed in the early spring by daffodils, hyacinths, anemones and pasqueflowers. Eventually we see ornamental onions, grape hyacinths and tulips. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it does include a few of my favorite varieties blooming this time of the year:</p> Helleborus angustifolius</em>. The dark, evergreen leaves are a foundation plant in the rock garden. Its pale green flowers bloom throughout the late winter and cool spring. It reseeds sporadically throughout the garden, which is a welcome gift for an ever-changing garden. Typically, 1 to 1.5 feet tall and wide, it is large for a rock garden plant, but smaller than most woody foundation plants, and offers a different color and texture than other evergreens in the rock garden. It performs best in shade to part-shade areas that hold a bit more moisture. </li> Iris reticulata</em>. Most of the dwarf cultivars come from the reticulate species of Iris</em>, but there are many similarly early flowering and dwarfed species. These bulbs perform exceptionally in well-drained, sunny locations. They’ll bloom for several weeks in February or March depending on the weather. Beloved by bees, these flowers also hold up in snowstorms. </li> Tulipa humulis</em>. The best tulips for rock gardens are called species tulips. Tulipa humulis</em> is just one of many ‘species tulips’ that are perfect in a rock garden. They are later blooming, in April and May, when the threat of snow and frost still looms. </li> </ul> Bulbs inspire the feeling that spring has come, offering a new and fresh start. Hold on to that inspirational feeling; the bulbs you see in the early spring are best planted in fall. Not much else in gardening is as satisfying as experiencing the bulbs you planted last year emerge and signal the transition of seasons. </p> </p> This article was contributed by Erik Howshar</strong></em>, </strong>horticulturist at Chatfield Farms.</em> </p>
When designing your own garden, the practical considerations are the most important decisions. The creative aspects of your design are more nuanced and may be where you need the most help. Here are some design principles to keep in mind. You certainly do not need to use all these concepts, but they’ll give you some food for thought.</p> Primary Design Principles </h4> Style, atmosphere, surroundings</strong>: What style/feeling are you aiming for? A low-stimulus and relaxing retreat, an inspiring entertaining area or a diverse habitat for pollinators? Are you in the city or the mountains? What style harmonizes with your surroundings?</p> Lines: </strong>Do you want straight lines or curves for your garden beds? A combination? If you are going to do curves, make sure they are strong, purposeful curves, not arbitrary wiggly edges. Sight lines are important in a garden—you don’t want your eye drawn straight to a utility box!</p>
There’s no better way to beat the winter blues than by dreaming of this season’s garden! Before choosing your plants consider garden size, location, soil and amount of daylight it receives. If your space is cool and shady, it’s not worth the agony of trying to grow peppers and tomatoes in Denver’s short growing season. Instead, stick with hearty greens like spinach and kale or roots like radishes and potatoes. If you have a sunny spot on a porch or a patio you can grow a container variety of tomatoes where they’ll have a better chance.</p> Small gardens can produce more than you might think. Consider putting your tallest plants on the north side of the bed so they don’t shade other plants. Interplanting or companion planting is a great option for dense gardens. Try growing basil under tomatoes or transplant lettuces and then seed carrots around them. By the time the lettuce is ready to harvest the carrots will be up and ready for the extra space. Herbs and edible flowers add variety and attract beneficial pollinators to your garden.</p> If you’re planting densely, particularly with heavy feeders like broccoli, corn or melons, you’ll want to make sure the plants have enough nutrients. Cover crops keep soil covered between crops, and the leftover debris boost your organic matter and feed the microorganisms that are so important to soil health. Including legumes like peas or beans in your cover crop naturally adds nitrogen to your soil. Adding compost is another way to give your soil a natural boost. Try using a natural mulch between rows or beds to retain moisture and exclude weeds.</p> If you have heavy clay or thin, rocky soils you don’t want to try growing foot-long carrots. Use raised beds or opt for a shorter variety. Sandy soils drain water and lose nutrients quickly, but clay soils retain water and hold nutrients much longer. Consider this when adding amendments and planning your garden watering. Smaller seeds like lettuce or carrots will germinate more evenly if they have consistent overhead water but beans, squash and tomatoes don’t like their leaves being wet because they are more susceptible to disease. Once your seeds are up or plants are in the ground set up soaker hoses or drip irrigation so you’re only watering the soil and not the leaves. </p> Nutrient-dense produce comes from plants grown in healthy soils in harmony with nature. Avoid spraying herbicides or pesticides as these negatively affect the soil and water and therefore you. Instead, encourage birds and predatory insects to control any pest problems and pull weeds by hand. Additionally, heirloom varieties tend to have more flavor, ensure genetic diversity and have been bred to grow in specific climates. Search for local seed companies to find the best option for your area. Not only does this support a local farmer, but you’ll be also able to save your own seed!</p> </p> This article first appeared in the March issue of Life on Capitol Hill.</em> </p>
Now is the time to make plans for your garden before the frenzy of spring arrives. How do you begin designing your own home garden? Or updating one you inherited? All the decision-making can be overwhelming. Simplify by breaking the process down into steps, saving the best for last (the plants). </p> Start with Inspiration</strong></p> Browse magazines, books, social media and websites for gardens that you love. Go for a stroll in your neighborhood, go for a hike or meander through Denver Botanic Gardens. Even art museums or galleries offer garden inspiration. Once you find something that strikes your interest, try to pinpoint specifically what you like about it: Is it the sculptural impact of dense shrubs and cacti? Does it bring back fond memories of childhood? Is it the protective feeling of a shaded seating area? Often, it’s just the feeling that the garden evokes, not necessarily the specific plants that draw you in. Once you have a general idea of the style or feeling you want to create you can move to the next step.</p> Consider Architecture</strong></p> If you are designing for your house, it’s important that the style and layout marry with the building. Is it adobe with rounded corners and soft curves or Victorian: symmetrical and angular? Begin by looking at the footprint of your house and drawing lines out from major architectural points (either on paper or spray paint out in the yard). This can lay the foundation for the shapes of the garden beds or hardscaping. </p> Plan for Function</strong></p> Decide which shapes on your plan should become planting or hardscaping. This is where practical considerations are paramount. How will theses spaces be used? Maybe the space will be a seating area or offer an unobstructed view. Consider materials that are regionally appropriate and relate to your house. Maybe red sandstone pavers fit best—or perhaps grey, crushed gravel.</p> Think Green</strong></p> Now you can get creative with plants. There are many ways to design a planting scheme. Here’s a simple option. Research three plants indicative of your chosen garden style. Make sure they grow well in your area and look nice together. Next, choose a couple companion plants that share some commonalities with your main three, such as similar leaf shape, same fuzzy texture or same color bark. In the gallery below, Heuchera pulchella, Schizachyrium scoparium</em> and Sedum spurium </em>‘Red Carpet’ </em>all share hints of maroon coloring and prefer dry, sunny gardens. Don’t be afraid to keep the palette simple and repetitive. Remember, you can always change it!</p> I hope you feel inspired to start your garden design. Leave a comment below and let me know what your design ideas are or if you have any questions. </p> Schizachyrium scoparium</em> photo: Andy Mabbett</a> </p>
