Fireweed: the Fire Follower

Fireweed: the Fire Follower

On a summer hike in a burn area, people point to pink-purple understory patches and ask, “What’s that?” After a fire, this native perennial re-carpets our land in striking stands. Fireweed, Chamerion angustifolium, was one of the top-producing plants re-colonizing...
Growing Native Plants in Containers

Growing Native Plants in Containers

Yes, you can plant natives in containers! You can attract birds, butterflies, and native bees with them, too. And as you build your container garden you will also be contributing to the corridors of connectivity that environmentalists are trying to encourage...
Grateful for the Colorado Native Plant Society

Grateful for the Colorado Native Plant Society

The year 2023 did not always carry good news, but one star always shone brightly for me, and that was the activity of the Colorado Native Plant Society. Throughout our beautiful state there were opportunities to hike, to learn, to write, to gather seeds, and to help...
First Hints of Spring – Willow Trees in Flower

First Hints of Spring – Willow Trees in Flower

Flowers on willow trees are usually dioecious, or with female flowers on one tree and male flowers on others. The male flowers as pictured here can be quite colorful. In our snowy and variable spring this year the bright yellow and orange colors of willow twigs  were...