HERBACEOUS
PERENNIAL AND ORNAMENTAL GRASS GARDEN
The perennial
demonstration/research area at the Plant Environmental Research Center (PERC) is under the direction of Dr. James E.
Klett. Thanks and
appreciation is extended to the Larimer County Master Gardeners for
their assistance in the garden.
The main
objectives of this demonstration garden are to determine which herbaceous
perennials are best suited for growing in the Rocky Mountain area
and to display these plants for public and teaching purposes.
Numerous
woody trees, shrubs, dwarf conifers, and evergreens have been planted
near the stream bed. Additional dwarf conifer and rock garden type
of plants are planted on a continual basis in this area. All new perennials
planted this year were donated from various nurseries and botanic
gardens throughout the country and within Colorado. The Department
of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture appreciates their generosity.
New species are planted in existing beds each year.
The perennial
area is broken up into various beds, with 4 beds planted in 1980 (A,
B, C, D), 1 bed in 1981 (E), 1 in 1982 (F), 2 in 1983 (G & H),
2 in 1984 (I & L), 3 in 1986 (J, K, & M) and 1 in 1988 (N).
The beds are lettered A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M and N,
and perennials within each of these beds are labeled.
An ornamental
grass garden was planned and some initial plantings were made in the
fall of 1998. During the spring of 1999, Landscape Design and Construction
students constructed a waterfall and pond area in this garden as part
of a class project. Funding for this project was made available by
a Colorado Garden and Home Show, Inc. grant. Additional ornamental
grasses and herbaceous perennials were added during the 1999 growing
season. In 2000 woody plants were planted around the pond and Plant
Select® trial herbaceous plants were added. In 2001 the Landscape
Design and Contracting students constructed some benches and arbor
structures near the waterfall and pond area. Funding for this project
was made available by a Colorado Garden and Home Show, Inc. grant.
A NEW PUBLICATION IS NOW AVAILABLE!
"Best Perennials for
the Rocky Mountains and Plain States"
This comprehensive perennial guide includes
20 years of performance data from Colorado State University's W.D.
Holley Plant Environmental Research Center. Plant performance was
rated and top performers are described according to: landscape use,
height, foliage, color and fall effect, winter injury, ornamental
fruit, disease and insect problems. These top-performing perennials
are ideal for xeriscapes, rock and wildflower gardens, and the traditional
perennial border. Also includes plants that attract butterflies and
hummingbirds,and 5 bloom charts for white, yellow/orange, red/pink,
and blue/purple flowers. An absolute MUST for the Colorado, Rocky
Mountain or High Plains gardener.
Available from "The Other Bookstore"
(Cooperative Extension - 970 491-6198) and the GREENCO Bookstore for
$18 each.
