Tough and proven perennials for Colorado Email
Written by Lauryn Schriner and James E. Klett   
Tuesday, October 08, 2019 03:00 AM

Kahori Scarlet dianthusThe following perennials are tough and reliable options for Colorado as demonstrated by their excellent performance in the perennial research/demonstration garden north of the University Center for the Arts on the Colorado State University (CSU) campus. Each of these perennials has been in the garden for several years and, year after year, each has shown adaptability to the area.

 

Baptisia Lemon MeringueBaptisia ‘Lemon Meringue’ (Lemon Meringue False Indigo)
Lemon Meringue has a blue-green compound leaf and an attractive, lemony yellow bloom. Having overwintered in the CSU demonstration garden since 2014, it has shown to be a long-lived perennial in Northern Colorado. Its height and spread can reach up to 36 inches. Tips & Tricks: Contrast this plant with a dark-colored bloom in the garden to showcase the yellow blossoms. Be sure to allow spacing for mature size.

Dianthus ‘Kahori Scarlet’ (Kahori Scarlet Dianthus) pictured at the top of the page
A full-sun perennial displaying a mat of scarlet pink color in spring, the plant forms a mound with attractive green grass-like foliage. It grows to a height up to 12 inches with a spread of 12-18 inches. Tips & Tricks: This plant requires winter watering during months with low precipitation. Dead-head to encourage secondary Blooms.

Persicaria polymorphaPersicaria polymorpha (Fleece Flower)
This clump-forming perennial shrub has paintbrush-like white blooms. Its late summer bloom offers a naturalized look to the garden. Fleece Flower has overwintered at CSU since 2013 and has not spread beyond a single clump. It reaches 60 inches in height and width. Tips & Tricks: Allow spacing for mature size. The plant dies back to the ground and requires trimming to 12 inches above the ground to encourage next season growth flush.

Salvia Rose MarvelSalvia ‘Rose Marvel’ (Rose Marvel Salvia)
Showy, vivid fuchsia pink flowers appear in spring. The compact size of Rose Marvel—14 inches tall and wide—makes it a good choice for small landscapes. The flowers attract pollinators. Tips & Tricks: Dead-head in spring after first bloom to encourage blooming later in the season.

 

 

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Northern Water launches collaborative water-efficient landscape grants