Here at Harlequin’s Gardens, we believe education is one of our most important products. Everyone knows how difficult it is to imagine what a mature plant is going to look like from seeing it in a small container, or even from a photo. Besides, we are continually testing plants to see if they are well-adapted to our difficult dry and windy North Boulder location. Usually, if a plant will grow and prosper for us, we know it will likely do well for most of you. Because we have been under water restrictions since 1985, you can trust that if we have it growing in the ground, it is very drought tolerant and it will succeed in your xeriscapes.
Our Colorado Pollinator Garden demonstrates the success of watering once a week with the right plants. Two-thirds of the plants are Colorado natives and one third are well adapted non-natives. This garden was started in 1986 here in Boulder where snow and rainfall is 18-20 inches a year. This garden was renovated in 2025 with added compost and many new waterwise Colorado native perennials and shrubs. It blooms from early spring to late fall, and supports bees, butterflies, wasps, birds and beneficial fungi and bacteria. The garden still looks good after July’s record of 28 days over 90 degrees in 2026.
When you visit our nursery, you are welcome to walk around and enjoy these gardens. If you’d like to contribute to the development of this garden, our Membership program allows us to continue to plant and restructure the area, as well as put more identification labels on the plants as time goes on.
While walking, please stay on the paths and make sure your children do the same. And please do not pick flowers or pieces off the plants. We will be happy to help you identify plants. Dogs must be kept on a leash while visiting Harlequin’s Gardens and kept out of planting beds. Thank you for helping us keep our display gardens in good condition!
Native Shrubs
In several locations, we have native shrubs growing. These are watered to get established and then usually not at all after that. In July of 2002, at the height of severe drought, we did water some of them once.
Roses
We have roses planted in many locations, but in 2001 we planted about 75 roses, both climbers and shrubs, in a test area. Many have prospered, and those that don’t prove tough enough for our challenging conditions are replaced with new trial subjects.