Wildflower or Weed? What Do You Have?

Wildflower or Weed?  What Do You Have?
 
Most property owners in southwest Colorado have plants growing on their land that they did not plant or invite to grow.  Many of these same people also appreciate the beauty of our native plant species and would like to encourage them, while discouraging the non native weedy species that also encroach.  There are a number of ways to encourage the native flora growing on your land, ranging from dividing clumps and transplanting elsewhere, harvesting and spreading seed at the right time, to simply adding some water and improving the look of a native shrub with some selective pruning.
 
First though, one must be able to distinguish the weeds from the wildflowers.  If you have someone out to your property to help you make decisions regarding your existing or planned plantings, make sure that this person also knows their native flora.  Otherwise, you may well be advised to indiscriminately spray an entire area, leaving you the option to continue doing just that, or to bring in new plants that will take considerably more work to get established.  The native volunteers (meaning they find their own suitable location), on the other hand, easily establish themselves, requiring nothing from their steward.
 
This month sees the most native plants in bloom all season; this makes them easily identifiable.  Eve Gilmore, of Gardens by Eve, LLC is an instructor at the annual Crested Butte Wildflower Festival www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com and vice president of the San Juan/Four Corners Native Plant Society www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/San Juan Four Corners Native Plant Society.htm in addition to being a garden designer.  She is offering a 15% discount on botanical consultations done on an hourly basis through the month of June when you mention this article.