Sand Lily

Written by:  Peg Zimprich

Photo by: Lisa Bird

 

 Sand Lily

Leucocrinum montanum

 

Appearance: Sand Lily is a striking native plant with a cluster of white six-pointed star-shaped flowers tucked into the middle of a mass of grayish-green grass like leaves. This perennial plant is a member of the lily family and is also known as the common star lily. This surprisingly common plant only reaches a height of 8” and may be easily overlooked unless in bloom. This plant blooms in early spring, April at lower elevations and May at higher elevations. Sand Lilies have a unique seed dispersal habit. Each spring, new floral buds push the ripened seeds from the prior year up and out of the floral tube.

 

Habitat:  Found in sunny grassland areas ranging from the plains into the foothills at elevations between 3,500 and 8,000 feet. It requires full sun and will not tolerate shade. Native plants do not require amended soil and are drought tolerant once established.

 

Landscape Suitability: Sand Lily is a great perennial plant choice for cultivated beds. It needs full sun, making it a perfect choice for those hot, dry areas where few ornamental plants will grow. A grouping can lend early spring color and interest between early blooming bulbs and later blooming ornamentals. Look for this remarkable plant in local nurseries; remember never to “wild collect.”

 

 

Sources:

Colorado Plant Database http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/coopext/intro.jsp

USDA Plant Database http://plants.usda.gov/ 

Eastern Colorado Wildflowers http://www.easterncoloradowildflowers.com/index.htm

 

Spreadfruit Goldenbanner

Written by: Carey Harrington     

Photo by: Lisa Bird                                                                               

Spreadfruit Goldenbanner

Thermopsis divaricarpa

 

Appearance:  Spreadfruit goldenbanner is a yellow-flowering perennial that grows from 12-to-36″ tall. The leaves are hairy underneath, and the bright yellow flowers occur in clusters, resembling the flowers found on garden pea plants. This plant is often found growing in large groups. Blooming can start as early as March and continue through late summer.

 

Habitat: It is found in the plains and foothills, and can be seen in a wide variety of environments, from gravelly roadsides to stream bottoms and meadows. It grows in full sun.

 

Landscape suitability:  This plant is worth trying in dry or wet sandy soils in the garden. Its bright yellow color can be an attention grabber!  Be aware that it does spread from seed and can quickly form a large patch.

 

Sources:  Native Plant Master Manual, El Paso County; Colorado State University; 2008

               Guide to Colorado Wildflowers, Volume 1, Plains and Foothills; G.K.Guennel;

                               Westcliff Publishers; 2004

 

Pasque Flower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by: Diana Picchietti                                                                                     

Photo by: Diana Picchietti

Pasque flower; Cutleaf anemone

Pulsatilla patens (L.) Miller ssp. multifida (Pritzel) Zamels

(Synonyms:  Pulsatilla ludoviciana A. Heller; P. patens (L.)

Miller ssp. hirsutissima (Pursh.) Zamels)

 

Appearance:            The pasque flower is a native, perennial plant in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae).  Cultivated versions of this plant are sold in nurseries, garden centers and catalogs.  Mature height is up to 15 inches.  Flowers are up to 2” inches across, consisting of tepals (petal-like sepals) that are arranged radially.  Flower color is lavender to purple.  It is one of the earliest spring flowering plants–March to August, depending on elevation and climate.  The flower appears before the leaves. Leaves are basal (low on the stem, close to the ground) and deeply cut or divided—hence, cutleaf anemone.

 

Habitat:            Plains to alpine ( to 11,500 feet elevation).  Pasque flower grows on hillsides, meadows, open fields, open woods, even under timberline trees.

 

Landscape suitability:            The pasque flower is a versatile plant for the home garden.  It can be utilized as an understory plant, open area, in semi-shade or full-sun.  It can be used in prairie gardens.  It will do well in moist or dry, well-drained soil.  Its water requirements are moderate, once established. 

 

Toxicity:  Domestic sheep have died from feeding on this plant.

 

Sources:           Native Plant Master Manual: El Paso County, Colorado State University, Colorado State University Extension, 2008

                        Guide to Colorado Wildflowers: Plains to Foothills, Vol. 1, Guennel, G. K. , Westcliff Publishers, 1995

                        Colorado Flora: Eastern Slope, Weber, William A. & Wittmann, Ronald G., University Press of Colorado, 2001, 3^rd Edition

                        Rocky Mountain Flora, Weber William A., University Press of Colorado, 1976, 5^th Edition

 

Wild Onion

 

  

Written by :   Lisa   Bird                                                                                           

Photo by: Lisa Bird

 

Wild Onion

Allium textile

 

Appearance:  Wild Onion is a dainty native flower related to the giant garden alliums in the bulb catalogs.  This 12” high charmer has white bell-like flowers in a rounded cluster above a slender leafless stalk.  The gray-green, grass-like leaves usually form at the base, two to a flower stalk.  It is one of the earliest wild flowers to bloom, starting in April and blooming to June.

 

Habitat: Found in the plains and foothills at elevations between 3,500 and 8,000 ft.   Commonly seen along trails on dry slopes or hillsides, it grows in sun or in partial shade.

 

Landscape suitability:  Wild Onion is perfect for rock gardens.  Its airy flowers give a lacey appearance to the front of a border or when grouped in a naturalized area.  Drought tolerant, once established, it grows well in most soils with good drainage, but will tolerate some clay.

 

Sources:  Native Plant Master Manual, El Paso County; Colorado State University; 2008

               Guide to Colorado Wildflowers, Volume 1, Plains and Foothills; G.K.Guennel;

                               Westcliff Publishers; 2004

               Plants for Natural Gardens; Judith Phillips; Museum of New Mexico Press,

                              Santa Fe; 1995

 

Johnny Jump-Ups

Johnny Jump-ups - Viola tricolor

Appearance

They’re jumping up all over the place—miniature flowers with elfin faces, surrounded by petals of yellow and purple. No wonder we call them Johnny Jump-ups! The petite plants, sporting elongated heart-shaped leaves, must have started growing as soon as the ground thawed, to be in bloom this early.

Cultivation

These short-lived members of the violet family are not particular about soil, exposure, or water. However, for maximum bloom, grow them in full sun, and don’t let them get too thirsty. Skip the plant food, as too much fertility will encourage leaves at the expense of flowers. For a mid-summer repeat performance, trim back leggy plants. Prolific self-seeders, new plants quickly replace those that succumb to old age, and they will form a solid mat in a year or two.

Landscape Use

Often used as edging plants, Johnny Jump-ups are perfect naturalized under trees or as a ground cover for spring-blooming bulbs. They also do well in containers.

Contributed by Leslie Holzmann, Colorado Master Gardener. Photograph also by Leslie Holzmann.

For answers to your horticultural questions, contact the Master Gardener Help Desk at 719.636.8921 or CSUmg2@elpasoco.com. Access fact sheets and seasonal information on the El Paso County Horticulture website. (A version of this article appeared in The Gazette on 4/25/09.)

 

Spring-blooming Crocus

Spring-blooming Crocus

Appearance
You know spring has begun when crocuses begin to grow, even through the snow. Their cheerful hues of white, yellow, and lavender are most welcome after a winter of muted browns and grays. First to appear are the narrow, strap-like leaves. Then the cup-shaped flowers emerge, opening into bright 6-petaled stars.

Cultivation
Growing crocuses is easy, but you have to plan ahead. Purchase their bulb-like corms in September for best selection. Planting in early fall gives the roots time to grow before the ground freezes. Set them 3 – 4 inches deep in amended soil, where they can remain for years. After bloom, remove the faded flowers and feed the plants with an all-purpose fertilizer. Let the foliage dry naturally as the corms go dormant.

Landscape Use
Crocuses are effective used as edging or massed for a natural effect. For something different, scatter them into a lawn, where they will bloom before the grass starts to grow.

Contributed by Leslie Holzmann, Colorado Master Gardener. Photograph also by Leslie Holzmann. For answers to your horticultural questions, contact the Master Gardener Help Desk at 636.8921 or CSUmg2@elpasoco.com. Access fact sheets and seasonal information on the El Paso County Horticulture Website http://elpasoco.colostate.edu/horticulture/. (A version of this article appeared in The Gazette on 4/18/09.)