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Growing perennial flowers in mountain Gardens is no small feat.
Only the tough prevail at high elevations.
Many Colorado mountain Gardeners must accept a 90-day
growing season with the last killing spring frost a month later and first
average fall frost a month earlier than Front Range Gardeners, who enjoy
the luxury of a 150-day growing season.
Plants for mountain areas must be able to withstand daily
temperature fluctuations of forty degrees, high summer heat, intense
sunlight and cool nights. Water is one of the most limiting factors. For
many mountain homeowners with wells, watering plants in July can
mean a choice between the flowers and a post-Gardening shower.
Location, planting and care are of equal importance to plant
selection in mountain perennial growing success.
Location differences are magnified at high elevations.
Pronounced microclimate effects from the interplay of sunshine, objects
and terrain make plant location decisions critical. A plant growing in
the shade of a rock may as well be in a whole different climate than the
same plant located 3 feet away in full sun.
Take advantage of cooler eastern exposures to reduce
evaporation or the drip line of a roof to harvest water. If your growing
season is especially short, consider planting in barrels on wheels or in
portable containers. Move the containers to follow the path of the sun
across the sky over the seasons. Take advantage of sheltering walls
and overhangs in cooler periods and sunny open spaces during warmer
times.
Plant in late spring to early summer, June to July. Take time to
amend soil with compost, peat or well-composted manure. This helps
shallow, rocky soils hold the balance of water and air needed for
root growth.
Check newly planted plants every few days for the first several
weeks and water when the soil is dry. Avoid frequent sprinkling by
applying ample quantities of water that encourage deep rooting. After
one growing season for root establishment, plants will thrive on periodic
deep watering.
These less-thirsty perennials grow well in my Garden located in a
chilly valley at 8,000 feet elevation. Many can be seen growing in
Gardens as high as 10,000 feet:
- Look for the compact varieties of catnip (Nepeta) for lavender,
bugle-like flowers to edge the Garden. A ground-hugging companion is
Mount Atlas daisy (Anacyclus depressus). Its red buds open to reveal
delicate white petals on sunny days.
- Thrift (Armeria maritima) is another edging plant that forms
evergreen cushions with pink globe blooms. Include silver-green
snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) for a mass of white flowers
early in the season. Shear this plant after bloom and you may be
rewarded with a second show of white flowers.
- Among taller, "water-wise" perennials, Oriental poppy (Papaver
orientale) provides a dramatic, orange spring display. Both dwarf and
2-3 feet tall yarrow are desirable for the golden flat-topped blooms.
- Yarrow makes excellent fresh and dried cut flowers and adds
Garden color through the summer.
- Mauve-flowered beebalm (Monarda fistulosa) grows on dry
hillsides and does well when planted among other tall flowers to conceal
the spindly stems. Consider support from baby's breath (Gypsophila
paniculata) and tall native daisies (Erigeron sp.).
- Drought-tolerant mainstays for mountain Gardens include the
deep-blue starburst flowers of mountain bluet (Centaurea montana) and
orange-yellow blanket flower (Gallardia aristata). Consider pairing
both with oregano (Origanum) for its light green leaves and
gently-waving, purple flower spikes. These combinations are
irresistible to painted lady butterflies, as well as to a host of other
insects such as bees and fuzzy bottlebrush flies.
- For a partially shady spot, try bellflowers (Campanula sp.). Plant
habits range from low-growing clusters to tall, nodding show plants.
- Perennials are a sure-fire way to jump start the high elevation
Gardening season. The rugged corduroy leaves of catnip and prickly
growth of Oriental poppies are welcome signs of spring in the high
country.
For more information about plant choices, call your county
Colorado State University Extension office for fact sheet 7.406, Garden flowers for mountain communities.
For more information on Gardening, contact your
local Colorado State University Extension office.
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