Colorado summers are brutal! Intense sun, and cool nights with minimal moisture is a tough combination for most plants. So many summers my flowers would look great until mid-July and then they would die a bitter death; they were just not the right variety for my yard. But, I've finally figured it out and if my trials and tribulations help you out...then I'm happy. The columbine is one of my all time favorites! It is so unique. I have them planted below some Aspen, so they get a bit of shade off and on through the day. I didn't realize how many colors they come in until my husband and I took a trip to Crested Butte for the wildflower festival a couple years ago.
Columbine (perennial) |
Ice plant (perennial) |
Snow in summer (perennial) |
The snow-in-summer has beautiful white flowers and a minty green leaf. They bush out well and are about 6-8" tall.
I also like coleus, dusty miller and vinca vine. They hold up great all summer long and they thrive, so much so that my whiskey barrel is overflowing by August/
September with the vine draped all over the edges of the barrel. There are a couple vinca varieties that are perennials too!
The purple Loosestrife is so awesome. Vibrant purple flowers from May-August...plus it's a perennial. Love that! There were honey bees all over mine working their magic this afternoon.
Coleus, Vinca Vine and White Lobelia |
Loosestrife (perennial) |
You may remember that I enjoy having a wreath on my front door as much
as possible; I have several I've created that I change with the
seasons.....another tip for you that I'm still trying to remember
myself, don't put the spring wreath up too soon or the birds will nest
in it! I thought I had waited long enough this year, but apparently
not...in just 24 hours, those little suckers had built a perfectly
shaped nest on the backside of my wreath. They were not too happy when I
took the wreath down. Happy planting!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.