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Biodiversity and Perennials
7/12/2008
Linda Langelo
Horticulture Program
Coordinator
Colorado State University Extension
Golden Plains
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With the creeping expansion of our cities, the rural small town
homeowner can create a garden space that helps to maintain
biodiversity.
Native herbaceous perennials attract a variety of wildlife
including birds, butterflies, beneficial insects and mammals threatened by
urbanization. Habitats for both the native perennials and the native wildlife
are removed because of building sites, road construction or other signs of
civilization. Without new habitats, this diversity will be lost.
Using
Colorado's native herbaceous perennials increases the natural beauty of the
landscape and minimizes the homeowner's energy and time needed for maintenance.
Everybody wins.
By purchasing native perennials from a life-zone local
nursery or greenhouse, there is no need to amend the soil. Natives already
prefer it here. A life-zone is where the plants grow best in a particular
elevation and climate. The life-zone for this area is called The Plains Life
Zone with our elevations ranging from 3,500 to 5,500 feet.
Once you
decide on the location and size of the perennial bed, be sure that all the
plants to be placed grow best in that particular exposure. If the exposure is
northern, choose plants that require shade and moisture. Matching the plant's
requirements with the site insures the best success.
Even natives
require well-drained soils and supplemental moisture while they are becoming
established. This process can take a few months or a few years, but once
established, the water can gradually be reduced. Both fertilizers and
pesticides may be eliminated as long as the plants are healthy. Keep in mind
that adding these plants to the landscape also makes your garden as close to
low-maintenance as any garden can ever be.
Knowing that these are native
perennials, please do purchase these plants from a nursery rather than
transplanting them from the wild, which invites root damage and shock. Digging
destroys an already established habitat and is an illegal activity. To ruin one
landscape for the purpose of creating another takes away from
biodiversity.
There is a great deal of variety in shapes, forms and
colors in the plant community of native perennials. If a nursery doesn't have
what you want, please ask for it so that you can help increase the public
demand.
The following is a brief list of plants to consider: Blanket
Flower (Gaillardia aristata), Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus),
Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis), Harebells (Campanula rotundifolia), and
Prairie Zinnia (Prairie grandiflora)
For an extended list, contact your
local extension office and ask for the Fact Sheet on Native Herbaceous
Perennials for Colorado Landscapes. |
Page Created and Maintained by: Perry D. Brewer, Area
Extension Agent (Technology Education/Youth)
7/17/2008 |
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