Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants Conference 2021 by Nancy Shepard

Scrophularia macrantha (Red Birds in a Tree)

I attended the Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants conference on February 27^th, a day-long conference attended online by over 300 people. With 10 presentations from leading experts in the field, it was an impressive array of topics including which natives do well in the home landscape, where to buy them, and what they need to thrive. Among the many presenters were Jim Tolstrup, Executive Director, High Plains Environmental Center, Marcia Tatroe, whose photography and gardens have been featured in numerous books, magazines and televised gardening shows, David Salman, Chief Horticulturist for High Country Gardens, Alison Peck who created a landscape design/build company inspired by permaculture and edible landscapes, and Lisa Olsen, Chapter President of Front Range Wild Ones and a certified Native Plant Master.

Many presenters referred to the four major ecosystems that intersect not only Colorado but other states as well. In David Salman’s session, he talked about his lifetime of collecting native seed from New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Texas and Nevada.

The conference offered two tracks, one for those new to using native plants, the other for those who already have some knowledge of Colorado native plants. The conference also included an online “exhibit hall” where you could see all the conference partners, supporters and vendors, get informative handouts and do an online chat with them during the conference. Organizations included Denver Audubon, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Cactus Company, High Plains Environmental Center, Colorado Wildlife Federation, and the Butterfly Pavilion among many others.

Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’(Blue Grama Grass)

Some definitions I learned:

• Native plant - occurring in North America before the arrival of European settlers
• Native plant cultivar - a selected form chosen for desirable characteristics
• Native plant hybrid - a cross between cultivars of the same species, occurring either naturally or as a garden hybrid

Some handouts from presenters I’d like to share with you if you weren’t able to attend:

• Recommended list of Colorado native plants: https://conps.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Suggested-Native-Plants_0408.pdf
• Native plant seed swap event with the Wild Ones Front Range Chapter:  https://frontrangewildones.org/
• Native seed and plant sources: https://conps.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CoNPS-Native-Plant-Vendors-01-20-21.pdf
• Low water natives for pollinators: https://conps.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Low-Water-Native-Plants-for-Pollinators-brochure-6-8-15.pdf
• Plant species to avoid: https://conps.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/species_avoid.pdf
• Low water native plants for Colorado gardens: https://conps.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Low-Water-Native-Plants-for-CO-Gardens-Front-Range-Foothills.pdf