Debi Bredeson
Each year a variety of questions are fielded at the Elbert
County Master Gardener’s Office. Many inquiries are about flower
gardens, specifically, which varieties grow well with our hot sun,
gusty winds and altitude.
Thankfully, a group has taken much of the guesswork out of
flower gardening in Colorado. This organization is called Plant
Select and is a combined effort of Colorado State University,
Denver Botanic Garden, and various green industries such as
nurseries, greenhouses, and landscaping companies. They work
throughout the year testing plants, and then release a list of
their Plant Select choices for that calendar year. Only the best of
the best make this list, and are chosen for their beauty,
resilience, low maintenance, and suitability to the Rocky Mountain
region.
The extension office in Kiowa has a small Demonstration Garden,
but plans are in full swing to expand to a much larger plot this
summer. Work will begin this spring to make the bed and ground
ready. Then, in mid-June, flowers supplied by Plant Select will
arrive. This beautiful garden will not only be for your visual
enjoyment, but will offer suggestions for your own personal beds.
Information and brochures are always available at the extension
office on all of the various Plant Select choices.
We invite you to stop by our office this summer to see for
yourself. The master gardeners are in the extension office at the
Kiowa Fairgrounds from 1-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. We’d be
happy to answer any questions you might have, and also show off our
new Plant Select Demonstration Garden. For even more information
call 303-621-3162.
