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Fallugia paradoxa-Apache Plume |
This post is primarily focused on my trip to the Colorado Springs utilities demonstration garden near Garden of the Gods. I got this editorial off the gardenvisit web site:
The Colorado Springs Utilities Xeriscape Garden is designed to demonstrate the seven principles of Xeriscape in a wide variety of designs. The garden incorporates many different gardens styles that are arranged by water requirement so visitors can get a good idea of what styles can be achieved and what plants will thrive with different amounts of water. The garden displays more than 500 varieties of trees, shrubs, grasses, perennials, biennials and annuals that grow well in the Colorado Springs area.
Throughout the garden there are several stations explaining the seven principles of xeriscape.
1. Plan and Design 2. Soil Amendment 3. Efficient Irrigation 4. Appropriate plant and zone selection 5. Mulch 6. Alternative turf 7. Maintenance. Xeriscape programs were initiated to save water in areas that are beginning to run out of water resources and need to conserve.
I really don't want to turn this into an encyclopedia post so I will leave a link for more info if you want to be more informed. Personally the main xeriscape principle for me is proper plant and water/light zone selection.
These three photos were taken 'outside' the main garden, by the parking lot and water utilities office.
The garden is broken into light/water zones and labeled as such. These plants are in the Moderate Water Zone. Most everything is labeled well and explanatory
The garden is located just above the Garden of the Gods park, what a background for a garden!
Does that wet you appetite? More on Part II
Great views, and lovely garden shots. Yes, I want more!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place and interesting post, waiting for part II
ReplyDeleteAlberto.
Beautiful! I lived in Colorado Springs for years, but wasn't much into gardening back then or I would surely have enjoyed this place.
ReplyDeletebeautiful and interesting! maybe i could have a garden something like that one day...hmmm....doubtful :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wonder, when the landscape is so beautiful already, do you really need a garden?
ReplyDeleteSomewhere, I thought I'd find Lauren Springer-Ogden had a hand in this garden. Any info about that?
ReplyDeleteVery informative! I thought it very important that they suggest amending the soil, since these plants have different requirements. I look forward to Part II.
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!! I have been doing more xeriscaping. .but my landscape is still "baby." What a fabulous place to visit!! Garden of the Gods is still my favorite Colorado Springs attraction!! BTW. .We made it to Chaplin nature center a couple weeks ago. .fantastic place to visit. .next time I will go WITHOUT my kids. .so I can actually enjoy the stillness and bird songs :-)
ReplyDeleteThat first image is beautiful and I agree, what a background.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who lives down street from the Garden of the Gods in Manitou Springs. I'll have check out the xeriscape garden the next time I'm there. I grow the same artemisia. Last year it flowered for the first time.
ReplyDeleteI was born in Colorado Springs but unfortunately left before I was able to really appreciate its beauty. Loved the sneak peak and while I appreciate the wide open shots, the first image stole my heart. It's magical ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Greggo, This is a garden with a breathtaking view. We have a very dry August here and so there are great advantages to knowing what plants can take the drought.
ReplyDeleteThose are great garden pictures, Greggo.
ReplyDeleteThe breathtaking background of the Colorado Mountains makes this garden stand out even more.
Lots of memories came back of the time when I was a kid, still living in KS and our parents took us for a vacation over to CO. The pictures make me wanting to get in my car and head north. ;)
Looking forward part 2.
Paula Jo
I read the other post first, and I'm sorry, I thought you were in Denver, not Colorado Springs. Well, I've never been to that garden either. I should remedy that. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful gardens. Love the Apache plume photo!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you shared your garden post over at Cottage Flora Thursdays'! that first photo is gorgeous! xoxo, tracie
ReplyDeleteHey Greggo,
ReplyDeleteEven though they take many years to get majestic, you gotto love the Colorado Blue Spruce and your pix with the majestic background was excellent. Thanks for sharing.
Best, Patrick
Hi Greg,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this series of posts. I need to do a little better job of placing plants that have the same water needs together.