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Garden The Plains

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Garden the Plains: Exploring sustainable gardening techniques, sharing researched-based information about plants in our area, insects and diseases and gardening solutions in the CSU Extension, Golden Plains Area. This Facebook account is officially recognized by Colorado State University; however, the views and opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily those of the University. For more information about CSU’s Social Media Policy, visit http://www.socialmedia.colostate.edu and for more information about Colorado State University, visit http://www.colostate.edu. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity provider: https://col.st/OWMJA
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09/30/2025

Trees From Box Stores

Ever buy a tree from a box store and take it home and plant it? Then only to have it die?
What conditions and environment has that tree tolerated? How long did it go without water in its container?
I see lots of trees purchased, planted, and die in the first season. And nothing to do with how the individual who purchased them.
Trees become very stressed when not watered regularly, or the roots get root-bound.
These things set up an unhealthy condition for the trees.
The trees in the photo are more than likely overwatered because of the moss at the soil line.
Photo credit: Amazon - unknown

09/30/2025

I gained 1,656 followers, created 87 posts and received 266 reactions in the past 90 days! Thank you all for your continued support. I could not have done it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

09/29/2025

Watch for This Tree Issue

Trees have girdling roots because they were planted without spreading the roots out in the hole. If you remove the tree from a container and it has roots circling around the container, the roots will continue in the same direction unless it is corrected.
Later in life, this is what you end up with. Now the tree is healthy. But roots can permanently damage the main stem or trunk of the tree. This tree will have to be monitored going forward.
Calling a certified arborist is also an option.
Photo credit: Linda Langelo

09/25/2025

Ornamental Grass-Korean feather reed grass

Calamagrostis brachytricha with lavender-pink drying to tan. It grows in full sun to partial sun. Grows in zone 4-9.
It is short and compact with light and airy blossoms. It grows in any soil, clay, loam, or sandy soil. It can take moderate to dry soils.

Photo credit: Linda Langelo

09/24/2025

SGT. Pepper

I often give advice about the correct plants for here. This is one I do not advise planting.
These are a Tatarian dogwood. These dogwoods thrive in moist, well-drained soils. The description says they will tolerate drought. I have seen similar varieties here that have burned leaves in our area. They really struggle.
Unless you live on the edge of a river or creek, they are not going to thrive.
Grow in zones 3-7a. Blooms on old wood. If you want to keep the stems red, pruning out old wood every couple of years will bring on new stems.
They need afternoon shade.

Photo credit: Proven Winners

09/23/2025

Colchicum
Autumn Crocus is to be planted in mid to late summer. And they are referred to as "naked ladies" because the foliage does not grow in the fall, just the flower. The foliage will come up in the spring.
They grow in zones 4-9.
They prefer well-drained soil and partial shade.
They come in purple, pink, and white colors.
They are great for pollinators.

Photo credit: Linda Langelo

09/22/2025

Pink Muhly Grass

These airy purple flower plumes are a wonderful addition to any garden as a fall feature.
The grass grows 2-4 inches tall and 2-3 inches wide. These are great in a xeric garden. I speak from personal experience. They do well in clay or rocky soil types. They do well in a variety of soils.
Once established, they are drought-tolerant. My muhly grass gets watered maybe once a season. It does well with 7-9 inches of seasonal precipitation here on the plains.
Photo credit: unknown Amazon photo

09/19/2025

Katelli Bronze Garden Mum

Chrysanthemum grandiflorum

This is a two-tone garden mum. Bronze color in the center with yellow around it. Like all mums, this needs 6-8 hours of full sun.
This mum is an annual. It is great for containers. They need well-draining containers and regular watering.

Photo credit: Proven Winners

09/18/2025

Lilac Blue Aster

Peter lll Blue, which grows in part-shade to full sun. It needs well-draining soil. It grows 18 inches to 2 feet tall. It attracts bees and butterflies.
It is deer and rabbit-resistant. The light colored blue flowers bloom in September to October.

Photo credit: Proven Winners

09/17/2025

Lions Tailing

Remember last week, in a post, I talked about this. And a tree in one of our local communities had a branch that was cracked near the trunk and split. Well, below are pictures of the limb that was barely hanging onto the trunk. And the picture of the tree itself.
This tree should have been removed entirely. Lion's tailing put all the weight on the ends of the branches, causing it to split. It was hanging over the driveway with a car underneath and would have fallen on the house.

It is important to get a certified arborist. The company that did it could have suffered liability, but much worse, the family could have suffered loss of life.

09/16/2025

Recommended Trees For Colorado For the Near Future

Texas Red Oak, Quercus buckleyi, and Gila Monster Oak, Quercus gambelii 'Gila Monster'.

Texas Red Oak can grow 30-50 feet, but here probably 30-40 feet tall. It needs well-drained soils but adapts to a wide range of soils and does well with limestone soil high in calcium carbonate.

Gila Monster Oak can grow 30 feet tall. It prefers dry, rocky soils.
According to J Frank Schmidt and Son Nursery, Gila Monster™ is a seedling strain of Gambel Oak with genetics that include Bur Oak that grew in New Mexico during the past ice age. These trees are drought-tolerant once established.

Photo credit: Treesthatplease.org is the first photo of Texas Red Oak, and the second picture is Gila Monster Oak, Schmidt and Son

09/15/2025

An Example of Properly Pruned Older Trees

Can you tell that these trees are pruned? No. With proper pruning, the tree should retain its inner structural limbs. There are no tree-topping or branches cut halfway down, and not at the trunk. There is no lion's tailing.

Photo credit: Linda Langelo

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