Written by Ellen Bell, Colorado Master Gardener since 2019

Part 2 – Spring
May 2021   82°

My spring sketching walk in the Southeast Colorado Water Conservancy demonstration garden was a beautiful surprise. Our wetter than average spring brought forth an abundance of blooms in all colors, shapes and sizes. This is proof that xeriscaping can be so much more than cactus and rocks!

This season the garden is even boasting a bloom on the Agave parryi. If you are not familiar with the commonly called Century Plant the bloom can be 10-18 feet tall and looks like a giant asparagus. It takes between 15-25 years for this to happen and unfortunately will only bloom once after which the whole plant will eventually die. It may be pollinated by bats, moths or hummingbirds and if this happens the result will be a fruit that will dry into seed pods that resemble nuts.

If you are looking for plant or tree ideas for your own yard or garden this is a great place to visit. Some of the plants and trees are labelled but there are also apps available that are pretty good at identifying. I use the free version of “Picture This” and it has worked well for me.

Lastly, I am happy to say that the Pueblo County Master Gardeners will be the new caretakers of this garden which is open to the public and free. Come check it out.

Part 3 will be my summer walk in August to see what has changed.