I'm new too from So Cal to Co Springs

19 years ago

I just moved in to my house this month; I'm on the East part of town - Powers area. I don't have the backyard landscaped. We'll need to bring in rock, soil, and build a retaining wall. My back yard slopes down. I'm originally from Northern Virginia, so I'm not in too much shock with the weather, but I was pretty spoiled in Southern California. I'm fairly new to gardening anyway so learning to plant in Colorado Springs will be fun.

I guess I just wanted to say hello and I'm new too. I'll be on this board quite a bit to ask questions and get advice.

I guess our first start for our yard is to establish proper drainage, build a retaining wall or steps, leveling out the yard some what, and deciding where to have sprinklers because I'll want a little grassy area for my 2 year old. We'll need a patio too. The front yard is huge and has a lot of grass to mow. I don't know what we'll do about that. I'd like to plant trees and I'm hoping some perennials I'm already familar with. Iceberg white roses, blue agapanthus, purple fountain grass, mexcian sage, Mr. Lincoln red roses, calla lillies, Star Jasmine, Mandevilla (Little Red Riding Hood), Aloe, Madagascar Palm, succulents, vegetables and fruit (tomatoes, peppers, and avocado, lemon, trees). I realize some of these I can't plant here and maybe some I can just have as house plants. Any suggestions?

I did bring some of my potted Southern California plants with me. I'm not sure if they are going to make it because sometimes it's a nice day/morning and I set them out on the deck for some sun and then by afternoon the it's raining/snowing and windy. So they've taken a beating already. I have geraniums - that I think are dead. I have a sago palm - I hope it makes it - it's yellowing a little. I have a super dwarf banana plant - it's gotten frozen a little and recovered, but now it got hit again - so it may not come back. I also have a Philodendron-it's doing pretty well here so far. Any advice?

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Comments (2)

Hwy66Jan
19 years ago
Hi Kristie and welcome to Colorado from another sort-of newbie (I've been here one fall, winter and this spring). I was just in Southern California - admiring the Statice along the freeway (well, that's not why I went, but it would be funny if it *was* why I went...).

Yep, you will have to let go of some of your species unless you want to put a greenhouse on top of that big lawn (I would want to!). Agapanthus was one of my favorites in Arizona. Maybe you can keep it in a pot on the patio - but you'll have to bring it in for the winter - that would be neat or a hassle depending on what you like to do. You will get the same overall look in CS with Alliums although you will only be able to enjoy them for a short time - not the all-season enjoyment of Agapanthus. Still, the Alliums will make you smile and all you have to do is stick them in the ground this fall! Place a companion perennial or annual to grow over/around the fading foliage.

You may also fall in love with Oriental Poppies - you are familiar with the Mexican and California Poppies, yes? I was in Manitou Springs last Memorial Day and they were in full bloom and as big as a dinner plate! To my "desert eye", they are exquisite! Have fun and best wishes in your new home.
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amester
19 years ago
Welcome to Colorado, Kristie! Your succulents and roses will be just fine here. The jasmine, palms, banana and agapanthus won't - I love agapanthus but unfortunately it's container-only for the front range...
As for the front lawn, there are lots of ways to take out sections and fill in with pretty and hardy perennials. Heck, I tore out my entire front lawn and have only flowering, drought-tolerant xeriscape there now. Lots of color, no fertilizing, no mowing, and about 1/3 the water usage of lawn! No need to be so extreme, though - you could start by cutting in a couple of sections or corners here and there and making little planting areas to start. I'll post pictures of my yard once the flowering revs up. My favorites are catmint (thrives just about anywhere sunny and flowers all summer), Red Rocks and Pikes Peak Purple penstemon (gorgeous color), and ozark sundrops (huge yellow flowers). Columbine, as long as they have some shade, are so pretty and do really well here too. Sorry, guess you weren't asking for plant lists, were you?? :)
There are NO seasons of predictable weather here, so be ready!
See you around the forums!
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I'm new too from So Cal to Co Springs

Comments (2)

Hwy66Jan

amester

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