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Rocky Mountain Gardening

Spring Garden Envy in Colorado!

17 years ago

This is the time when a good laugh is in order. Here is an excerpt that appeared in our local newspaper (Gazette.com) last Thursday. Written by Carol McGraw, I hope she doesn't mind my sharing the wisdom of her words... they sure struck a chord with me: "It's early spring -- the season when friends from Southern California, Texas and Florida start calling to razz you about how their lettuce and radishes are almost ready, the tomato plant looks as if it belongs in 'Jack and the Beanstalk' and, alas, the tulips are already fading since they've been up so long.

Warning! Don't respond with curses about 20-degree nights and April Snowstorms.

Tell those fair weather friends 'Oh what a shame. Are you pulling that heavy garden hose around the north 40? And weeding?"

Then paint a warm, fuzzy picture of you relaxing by a fire with a glass of wine, reading luscious garden catalogs, or meandering leisurely through local plant stores in search of the perfect plants and tools."

To make the vision complete, she lists some of the new items for "this year's garden party."

Hope you all enjoy this as much as I did. I'm pouring a glass of wine, smelling the Easter ham cooking and giving ongoing respect to those tough little perennials that are out there just soaking up this ice and snow for their glorious show to follow. Hang in there!

Pookyspal

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Comments (2)

cnetter
17 years ago
I've been getting glorious pictures from John Starnes all winter from Florida. Anyone remember him?
Pictures of huge blooming plants and exotic looking fruits. I sent him some pictures of snow.

What are some of the new items for "this year's garden party?"
pookyspal
Original Author
17 years ago
Guests for this year's garden party that are fit for Rocky Mountain Gardening include some that Colorado State University has developed in their trial garden. "A Diamond Frost euphorbia was best in show because it is resistant to heat and draught. It has delicate-looking white flowers on a wirey stem. I grows up to 14 inches tall and billows above the foliage like misty clouds of baby's breath....Said to be easy to grow."

CSU's winner for best petunia is the Plus Salmon Petunia which grows 2 feet wide and lasts all summer.

Best novelty variety is Achillea Gypsy, with small, white, buttonlike double flowers...spreads 20 inches in the sun.

Winner of best geranium was an exotic plant called Graffiti Double Salmon from Fischer. Ragged edges that look like shooting stars and blooms all season.

She says that new varieties will be available in some independent nurseries this spring.

Also "invited" is Flower Carpet Scarlet. A 2006 ground cover winner. It comes from Anthony Tesselaar Plants USA in Lawndale, Ca. Needs winter protection in our climate.

Sounds like the beginnings of a fun party.

Pookyspal
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