by CONPS SD | Sep 6, 2024 | CoNPS Blog
When the lowlands are sweltering, savvy Coloradans make tracks to the Alpine Sublime. Up in the higher elevations they find relief from the heat and also revel in a stunning display of wildflowers that are only found on the lofty peaks. Frigid temperatures, heavy...
by CONPS SD | Aug 31, 2024 | CoNPS Blog
People often ask what native plants can be planted in the shade, since most native plants sold in nurseries are adapted to full sun and tolerate hot dry conditions. But most people have some spots in their yard or garden that have some shade, such as under trees or on...
by CONPS SD | Jun 19, 2024 | CoNPS Blog
Hope is right! Here is a book that gives kids reasons for hope and steps they can take to make positive contributions right where they live, a wonderful way to counteract the ‘doom-and-gloom’ side of conservation and climate change issues. The original edition of...
by CONPS SD | May 9, 2024 | CoNPS Blog
Serviceberry flowers have distinctive long narrow petals and clustered in racemes, leaves are oblong to rounded, with teeth mostly at tip. Late May is a special time of year for many of us. It’s the beginning of the gardening season, and a good time to have outdoor...
by CONPS SD | Apr 26, 2024 | CoNPS Blog
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...
by CONPS SD | Apr 16, 2024 | CoNPS Blog
Conservation is fun! Residents celebrate progress by holding Pollinator puppet parade at Manitou Springs’ Pollinator Party. Photo by Amy Yarger Pollinators play a critical role in the food supply for wildlife and people, making pollinators keystone species in most...
by CONPS SD | Mar 21, 2024 | CoNPS Blog
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...
by CONPS SD | Dec 24, 2023 | CoNPS Blog
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...
by CONPS SD | May 18, 2023 | CoNPS Blog
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...
by CONPS SD | May 2, 2023 | CoNPS Blog
When talking about native plants for landscaping or restoration we normally think of colorful flowers that can grow well out in the sun in dry landscapes. But ecologists learned long ago that diversity and ecological function in most places is tied to a diversity of...
