Monday, June 15, 2020

Life-Friendly Gardening: Planning for Pollinators



Bees, butterflies, moths and other insects – we see them among the flowers but give them little thought.  In fact, we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.  Without these helpful creatures, our gardens would be devoid of flowers and our tables empty of food.   Insect pollinators – along with a handful of birds and animals - are ‘keystone species’, without which many living ecosystems would collapse.  That's one good reason to celebrate National Pollinator Week!



Flowering plants have a unique challenge – getting the pollen (microsporangium/ male gamete or male sex cell) to the egg (ovule/ female sex cell; located in the plant ovary) where fertilization can occur.  But plants are stationary and ensuring  fertilization is no easy matter.   In fact, most plants need a little help moving the pollen from the anther (where it’s produced) to the stigma (the female organ that receives the pollen).


Some flowering plants – mostly grasses and conifers – are wind-pollinated; the wind simply blows the pollen from an anther to a stigma.  For a very small number of plants, water accomplishes the pollen transfer.   But the vast majority of flowering plants depend on living organisms – living pollinators – to ensure that fertilization occurs. 

  

Eighty percent of the world’s food crops are pollinated by animal pollinators.  Crops as diverse as apples, cotton, peanuts, soybeans and squash are pollinated by insect pollinators. Without flowering plants our lives would be less colorful, less fragrant – and hungrier.  Imagine a world without 80% of our most common agricultural and garden plants!


Several years ago, beekeepers noticed a decline in the number of European Honeybees used to pollinate crops.  You may have noticed similar declines in your own garden.   ‘Colony Collapse Disorder’, as the Honeybee die-off is called, serves as a wake-up call to all of us.  Pollinators are vital to life on earth – and we all must do our part in keeping them safe. By taking a few simple steps (like providing food, water and places to raise their young), home gardeners can help insure there will always be enough pollinators to provide their unique services.

 

Who are the Pollinators?

The range of pollinators may surprise you.  Most common are the bees, flies and wasps. Native bee pollinators range in size from large bumblebees to bees hardly visible with the naked eye (over 946 species in Colorado; between 100 and 200 in Montrose County alone) [1]. Flies and wasps pollinate many native, agricultural and garden plants; butterflies and moths are also important.  Many of these pollinators have special adaptations (hairs; pollen sacks) that make them efficient ‘movers of pollen’.   If you observe a native plant in bloom, the majority of the insect visitors will be bees, wasps and flies (though it may be difficult to tell them apart).

Beetles, true bugs, ants and hummingbirds are less common pollinators, but their services are vital for certain types of plants. In our area, hummingbirds play an important role in pollinating the trumpet-flowered species we think of as ‘hummingbird plants’. All pollinators are important; many plants are pollinated by several different pollinators.  This is so in the wild, in agricultural fields and in our gardens.

 

Why Do Pollinators Visit Flowers? 

The pollinator’s primary foods are pollen and nectar (the sweet syrup made by flowers to attract insects).  Flowers attract pollinators with color, scent and other cues.  The pollen transfer is often unintentional – a consequence of the pollinator coming in contact with flowering parts in the course of feeding on pollen and nectar.  Pollination is actually a by-product of the pollinator’s main task - finding food for themselves and their offspring.   The interaction of pollinators and plants is a good example of a mutualistic relationship because both parties benefit from their interactions.

 

Can’t Honeybees Take Care of Pollination? 

No – and for several reasons.  First, there are often not enough honeybees to do the job; native pollinators must supplement their services to maintain adequate levels of pollination.   Some native pollinators can even work when it’s too cold, hot or damp for honeybees.  Native pollinators are well-suited to pollinate plants that cannot be pollinated by honeybees – for example, a number of ‘hummingbird plants’ and other plants that need specialist pollinators.  Finally, native pollinators provide an important backup system; if something happens to the honeybees (like Colony Collapse Disorder), other pollinators can take over.   For all these reasons we need to attract a range of pollinators to our gardens.  

 

Where do Native Pollinators Live? 

The majority of them live in natural places (nature preserves; parks; other natural areas), but native pollinators also live in gardens.  Where ever food plants, water and nest sites occur, pollinators will live.  As natural areas become more scarce, gardens play an increasingly important role in providing pollinator habitat. When you provide pollinator habitat, you help conserve native pollinators – and also benefit from their services.   Your vegetable garden and fruit trees will be more productive as a result of native pollinator visits.


 

What can I do to Provide Pollinator Habitat?

 

1.   Choose plants that provide quality pollen & nectar. Just follow these simple principles when choosing plants for your garden: 

§  Choose local native plants when possible.  They have pollen & nectar specifically formulated for our native pollinators.  In addition, local native pollinators love them; 

§  Choose plants with many small blooms.  Often the best have white, pink or yellow flowers; 

§ For non-native plants, choose herbs, stone fruits, apples, citrus, berry bushes, melons/squash – or flower/vegetable plants noted as being ‘open-pollinated’ or ‘heirloom’ varieties.   When choosing bedding plants, visit the nursery on a sunny day and choose the variety that attracts the most pollinators.

 

§  Choose plants from the following groups:  

o   Sunflower family (Asteraceae)

o   Mint family (Lamiaceae) – mints, sages & many common kitchen herbs like Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Basil and Lavender.

o   Native Phacelia species

o   Rose family (Rosaceae)

o   Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae)

o   Carrot family (Apiaceae)

o   Buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae) including Ceanothus, Rhamnus, Frangula

 

§  Strive to have something blooming from spring through fall; 


§  Plan for flowering area of at least 3 ft x 3 ft per species.  In general, the more flowers – the better.  Group flowering plants like perennials. 


§ Choose trees, shrubs, vines/climbers and annual wildflowers to provide pollinator habitat. Vines, hedge shrubs, trees and espaliers  provide many blooms in a small space.  A well-chosen tree or shrub can be an important pollinator habitat plant.  For more ideas see references 2 through 7, below.

 

2.   Provide nesting sites – only the European Honeybee nests in a hive.  Most native pollinators are solitary and nest either in the ground (need a patch of bare ground) or in holes in dead trees.  You can purchase or build your own bee houses (search ‘bee house’ on the internet). 


3.   Provide a source of water – a damp patch of ground, a bird dripper or saucer of water with gravel will do.  The water must be shallow enough that the pollinators can easily and safely access it. 


4.   Limit use of pesticides – most insecticides kill the good insects (including butterflies and other pollinators) along with the bad.  Consider using Integrated Pest Management (see our brochure on ‘IPM for the Home Garden’). 


5.   Encourage your neighbors to garden for pollinators.  Our small yards make it impossible to provide adequate pollinator habitat; it takes a neighborhood to create a ‘pollinator haven’. 

 

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1.       https://www.colorado.edu/cumuseum/sites/default/files/attached-files/the_bees_of_colorado.pdf

2.       https://conps.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Low-Water-Native-Plants-for-Pollinators-brochure-6-8-15.pdf

3.       https://www.pollinator.org/PDFs/Guides/ColoradoPlateaurx3FINAL.pdf

4.       https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/Intermt.SemiDsrt.Desert.rx2_171017_085023.pdf

5.       https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/S.RockyMt.Steppe.rx2_171017_091234.pdf

6.       https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/2018-05/17-054_03_XercesSoc_PollinatorPlants_Southern-Plains-Region_web-3page.pdf

7.       https://www.pollinator.org/PDFs/Guides/Hummingbird_Guide_CO-WY-SD.pdf

 

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We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: monaturesmontrosegarden@gmail.com

 

 


Sunday, June 14, 2020

Creating Your Colorado-friendly Garden: 6.b - Your New Garden’s Style


If you’ve been with us from the beginning, you’re probably tired of background work – and ready to start planning your garden.  If so, you’re going to like this month’s activities.   If you are just joining the ‘Designing Your Colorado-friendly Garden’ series, we suggest you start at the beginning (https://mothernaturesmontrosegarden.blogspot.com/p/creating-your-colorado-friendly-garden.html) and work forward.  The monthly activities will help you design an attractive, functional, sustainable garden you’ll enjoy for years to come.

You’ve probably been collecting pictures of inspirational gardens as you’ve worked through the exercises.  If not, now is a good time to explore the garden design books in your local library or bookstore (or download same).  Get out in the community to explore local gardens.  Walk around your neighborhood; visit a local botanic garden or native plant garden.  Be sure to take your camera and notepad.    You’ll be surprised at the number of good ideas all around you.


One of the first things we notice about a garden is its overall appearance or ‘feel’.  Some gardens appear tidy and formal while others are more relaxed. Some may feel ‘right’ to you, while others don’t.  Take a minute to consider the overall ‘feel’ you want for your Colorado-friendly Garden  -  assisted by a short questionnaire.  Download and complete the questionnaire at: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/the-overall-look-of-your-garden-worksheet. Be sure to discuss the answers with all members of your household.   Come back when you’re done to find out what your answers reveal about your style preference.



Many newcomers believe that native plant gardens must look like they were planted by Mother Nature herself.   While ‘natural style’ gardens appeal to some, this is not the only look that can be achieved using native plants. In fact, native plants have been used successfully in even very formal gardens. There is no right or wrong way to use native plants; but you need to determine your style preferences first.  Then you can choose plants that are suitable to your style.  

The ‘Overall Look’ questionnaire determines whether you prefer a more formal or more informal garden style or ‘look’. We’ve found that some gardeners are most comfortable if their garden has a formal appearance.  They feel downright uncomfortable with the ‘messy’ or ‘uncontrolled’ look of more informal gardens.  Other gardeners have no patience with the ‘cold perfection’ and ‘persnickety details’ of very formal gardens; they prefer a garden with a slightly wilder look.



There is no right or wrong choice; your own preference may be very formal, very informal or something in between.   But understanding what makes you feel comfortable about a garden will go a long way in helping you design a Colorado-friendly Garden that suits you.

What was your total score on the Overall Look questionnaire?   If your  score was between 25 and 35 you favor a formal-looking garden design.   If your score was less than 15 you favor an informal look.    If your score was between 16 and 24 you could go either way.    The table below outlines some basic elements of formal and informal garden designs.   See how well your score corresponds to the type of garden you prefer.

 

Formal landscapes

General

Hardscape

Plants/Planting

·         Appropriate with ‘formal’ house designs (including modern)

·         Straight lines

·         Simple, geometric shapes

·         Neat, tidy appearance

·         Restrained  

·         Calm, static appearance

·         Brick, gravel and stone paths/patios (regularly shaped/cut stone), concrete

·         Gravel or fine grade mulches

·         Classical fountains, pots, sundials, sculpture as accents

·         Classical/simple garden furniture

·         Enclosures: hedges, formal fences around garden

 

·         Lawns

·         Plants with ‘old fashioned’ appearance

·         Clipped/pruned hedges

·         Shrubs in large pots

·         ‘tidy’ appearance

·         Evergreen shrubs

·         Limited plant palette (species and/or color)

·         Massed plantings

·         Plants planted in regular/ geometric patterns

·         Repetition/symmetry in plantings

Informal landscapes

General

Hardscape

Plants/Planting

·         Appropriate with cottage, bungalow, ‘ranch’  or modern homes

·         Curved lines

·         Complex, irregular shapes

·         Relaxed, informal feel

·         Lively, changing appearance

·         Organic; natural

·         Decomposed granite, ‘urbanite’, irregularly shaped stone, cinder block, concrete

·         Most types of mulch

·         Informal fountains (made from stone, pots, etc.)

·         Hardscape materials appropriate for local landscape

·         Plain, rustic or eclectic garden furniture

·         Rustic fences if any

·         ‘natural’ lawn, prairie or meadow if any

·         Informally pruned hedges (less regular)

·         Leaf mulch; leaf litter may be allowed to remain

·         May include summer/fall dormant plants

·         May be more varied plant palette (more species/colors)

·         Plants planted in irregular patterns (more like in nature)

·         Plants appropriate for local landscape (incl. CA natives)

 

If you prefer a more formal look, you may want to look at pictures of classic formal gardens for ideas.  The internet is a good place to begin.  Some keywords you might want to use are: ‘formal garden’, ‘parterre garden’, ‘renaissance garden’ and ‘classic garden’.   Many of the pictures feature large, very formal gardens; but the ideas can be applied to even the smallest garden.   Look for the features of formal gardens (above table) in the pictures.  How might you apply these design characteristics on a smaller scale?   How do your pictures of inspirational gardens use the characteristics of formal gardens?   Be sure to write down ideas – they may be helpful when you begin to plan your garden next month.




If you prefer a more informal look, consider how you scored the last two questions.  If you assigned a high score (4 or 5) to the ‘natural look’ question, then search the internet for pictures of ‘natural gardens’ and ‘Colorado native plant gardens’.  The pictures will inspire you with good ideas about plantings and hardscape.  If you scored the ‘lots of species and types of plants’ question highly, you might want to look at pictures of ‘cottage gardens’ and ‘rustic gardens’ for inspiration.    Think about how you might apply the features of these gardens to a design that includes Colorado native plants.  Jot down or sketch out your ideas as they come to you.  Keep your notes and sketches in your Garden Notebook.



At this point you know quite a bit about the basic type of garden that makes you comfortable and happy.  But a good garden designer – one who is willing to work with you to design a garden that truly suits your family – will also ask you specific questions about garden features, colors and other characteristics.   S/he does this to be sure they understand what is important to you - the people who will live and work in the garden.

You may or may not decide to work with a garden designer.  Either way, it’s a good idea to think ahead about how your new garden might look. You’ll likely find that giving yourself time – even months – to envision your future garden pays off in the long run.  Over many years of teaching native gardening, we’ve developed a set of questions that are useful for discovering and prioritizing garden features.   We’ve combined them into a questionnaire that’s both fun to take and useful to whoever designs your garden.   

 


Since gardens are a personal thing, we suggest that each member of the household (except the very young) completes a copy of the questionnaire. Have fun; and be sure to add your personal desires if they aren’t included in the questionnaire.  Compare your answers and decide on a final list of priorities for the garden after you discuss them as a group.  Access the Garden Style Questionnaire at: http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/what-is-your-gardens-style-worksheet-30049848

Next month (July, 2020) we’ll take all the background information you’ve collected and begin to design a garden.   Be sure you’ve completed all the prior exercises and filed your answers in your Garden Notebook.  Trust us – you’ll be needing them!  We’ll begin next month by designing the irrigation system and laying out the garden pathways, seating areas and other hardscape features.

 

 

We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: monaturesmontrosegarden@gmail.com


Monday, June 8, 2020

Plant of the Month (June) : Rocky Mountain / Blue Columbine – Aquilegia coerulea/caerulea




Here in the United States, each state has a state flower.  The state flowers are often showy species, chosen to represent the flora of the state. In Colorado, our state flower is the Rocky Mountain or Blue columbine (also known as the Colorado and Colorado blue columbine). The scientific name, which literally means ‘blue columbine’, is pronounced ak-will-EE-jee-uh  sir-EW-lee-uh. We have several clumps of this pretty perennial blooming in Mother Nature’s Montrose Garden.

The genus Aquilegia contains 60-70 species of Columbines and is limited to the Northern Hemisphere. Along with the Delphiniums, Aconitum (Monkshood), Actaea (Baneberry) and Trollius (Globeflower), the Columbines are now placed in the Hellebore Family (Helleboraceae). They were formerly included in the Ranunculus Family, and are still placed there in some references.  

Five columbine species are native to Western Colorado: Aquilegia saximontana (Dwarf columbine), A. micrantha, A. barnebyi, A. elegantula and A. coerulea. [1] The columbines, which are perennials, like a little extra spring water, so they are usually not found in very dry climates. They are mainly plants of woodlands, meadows and higher elevation plant communities.  And they often grow in places with a little shade. In Colorado, Blue columbine can occur in sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, mountain-brush, aspen, Douglas fir, Aspen-tall forb, spruce-fir, and alpine tundra communities.  It is common to see it growing among the aspen.


The columbines have characteristic, highly modified flowers with five elongated spurs. The Latin name (Aquilegia) comes from these spurs, which sometimes resemble eagles’ claws—aquila is Latin for “eagle.” [2]   The flowers come in many colors, making them a popular garden perennial, even in places where they are not native.  



Rocky Mountain columbine is a bushy, clumping perennial from a taproot.  The leaves are mainly clustered at the base.   The leaves are compound – somewhat reminiscent of Maidenhair fern or Meadowrue. Leaves are medium-green and emerge slightly before the flower stalks in the spring.




Flowers are especially attractive in this species of columbine. Plants bloom anytime from mid-spring to summer, and plants may bloom for a month or more.  Flowers are borne on 1 ½ to 2 ft (0.5-0.7 m.) stalks, each containing 4 to as many as 10 or 12 flowers, opening over time. The flowers themselves are large: they can be up to 3” across, with spurs extending 2”. 


Unlike some columbines, the flowers of Rocky Mountain columbine are erect (not nodding). And the colors are a gardener’s delight!  The most common flowers have blue-violet petals and spurs, with a white cup and many bright yellow stamens.  But the colors can range from entirely white or pale yellow, pale pink or lavender with white – even entirely blue.  The photos above and below show some examples.




In addition to their beauty, the flowers are sweetly scented.  They attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.  In the early morning and evening, large hawkmoths can be seen nectaring and pollinating.  In fact, the hawkmoths may be important pollinators in some gardens, along with bumble bees, other solitary bees and flower flies.  The flowers can even provide a pleasant bed for a Long-horned bee (below).


Blue columbine is an easy perennial to grow, from USDA Zones 3-9, making it a popular choice for gardeners.  It is not picky about soil texture, and can be growing in all but heavy, poorly-draining soils.  It prefers some afternoon shade in hot gardens, but can be grown in full sun to light shade in many gardens. One thing it does need is fairly regular water – at least through mid-summer.  When the foliage dies back, usually in summer, plants can be cut back to the ground, then covered with an appropriate mulch.   You may even get a second blooming in fall.


Aquilegia coerulea is a short-lived perennial; in most situations, individual plants live 2-3 years. But plants produce abundant seeds, and may naturalize in the garden environment.  To prolong blooming (and prevent self-seeding), dead-head flowers before seed-set.  If you want to collect seeds, wait until the pods have dried on the stalk. Then break open the pods and collect the seeds.  Seeds can be scattered out in the fall, or given a cold-moist treatment and planted in spring. If you start seeds in pots, be sure to plant out before the taproot gets too long.



One important point: all parts of the plant are poisonousBe sure not to ingest any part of the plant. Also, the sap may cause skin irritation in some people. So it’s best to wear gloves when cutting the columbines. 


Rocky Mountain columbine is a showy perennial for flower beds, natural gardens, cottage gardens, around shrubs and along walkways. It can even be grown in deep containers.  It’s a classic garden plant, grown in many parts of the world.  It brings attractive pollinators to the garden. And, if you live in Colorado, it’s your state flower. 

Including a state flower in your garden is a great way to celebrate your pride of place.  If enough gardeners plant the state flower, it can unify a neighborhood in a way unique to the locale.  And if you like cut flowers, Blue columbine is a long lasting (up to 2 weeks) native that will brighten up any floral arrangement. So consider including (or your own state flower) in your garden. You’ll be glad you did!




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1.       Weber, WA and Wittmann, RC. Colorado Flora, Western Slope (4

2.       https://www.gardendesign.com/flowers/columbine.html

 

 

 

We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: monaturesmontrosegarden@gmail.com