Tulips in August (gentians that is…)
Tulip gentian (Eustoma grandiflorum) on Ft. Collins open space land
Eustoma grandiflorum (Tulip Gentian) among grasses in wetland
I first discovered a vast colony of tulip gentians that seemed to be secure: they are growing on land that had been already mined for gravel. Twenty or more years ago when I first found them there were thousands in all colors of the lavender spectrum from pure white to deep violet purple. Last week we found a half dozen plants instead of the accustomed throng. Maybe they will be back next year. Nature is never static. It is worth every effort to find this increasingly scarce plant. Few habitats in Colorado have been altered more (in bad ways!) as much as lowland riparian habitat where this was once abundant.
Asclepias incarnata on Ft. Collins open space
Finding one of my favorite butterfly weeds growing nearby was a terrific bonus: what a fabulous range of colors in one plant! I have seen this in the Midwest and East Coast. Funny that this grows in swamps, while at DBG this takes even some rather xeric spots.
- Al Gerace of Welby Gardens and Dr. James Klett of CSU
Of course, the reason for going to Ft. Collins was to see the incredible Annual Displays on Remington St. across from the College: the display this year was especially striking. These two gentlemen are the ones responsible for Colorado’s looming presence in the realm of annual plants. Al has helped Jim develop one of the most ambitious–and beautiful–of test gardens. The visitation there is tremendous, and most industry people who come anywhere near Colorado make a point of checking out the trials. You should too (they are open and free to the public). With rare plants nearby, some of Colorado’s best Garden Centers, and Wyoming a mere skip and a hop behind, I suspect that many local gardeners will find themselves (like me) making frequent treks to “The Fort”. I recommend you do so at the soonest opportunity!
August 11, 2011 at 11:44 am
The Metro strip mall that you referred to contained a small stand of yellow tulip gentians – a color not yet perfected by plant breeders. A pressed example of same lies in either the DBG or CU herbarium as a reminder of paradise lost.
August 11, 2011 at 8:19 pm
The year I saw the patch (which I think had already been mostly built over) they were mostly good lavenders and purples. Remember that Deep violet patch I think you told me about at Del Monaco (30 miles n of Denver)? Gone gone. Time to slow down the bulldozers, don’t you agree? I suppose that’s the silver lining of this economic downturn.
August 15, 2011 at 11:33 am
Maybe the DBG could start working with regional developers to dig up the rare or attractive plants and move them to the gardens in areas scheduled for bulldozing. Just give a few weeks notice… hardly any labor on the developers’ part.
I bet lots of volunteers from the area would be eager to do the work, and drop off the plants for workers at the gardens. I’d do it! Maybe even pick up a couple of unpaid student interns to scout areas around town and see if anything is worthwhile.