Harlequins Gardens

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Perennials

Just in: Two Rare Native Shrubs

We just got in two plants we have had many requests for: come soon, supplies are limited.

Boulder Raspberry

Boulder Raspberry, Rubus deliciosus:  This lovely local native shrub is adorned with large single white blossoms that look similar to wild roses, blooming in May and June. Pollinators that are attracted to Boulder Raspberry are: Bumblebees, native solitary bees like metallic green sweat bees, mason bees and mining bees, also honey bees, lady bugs, butterflies and beneficial syrphid flies. It grows 3-5’ high and wide with arching stems. Although it is named Rubus deliciosus, it is neither a thorny raspberry, nor are the fruits delicious. But it is a beautiful shrub for the home landscape. It grows best in partial shade with water once a week.

Leadplant

Amorpha canescens, Silver Leadplant – This Colorado native plant fits into small water-wise landscapes, growing only 2’-4’ tall and wide. In June/July it blooms with showy spikes of purple flowers which are rich in both nectar and pollen. Pollinators include Bumblebees, metallic green sweat bees, plasterer bees, leaf-cutter bees, butterflies, beneficial wasps and is a host plant for butterflies. The small compound leaves add a lovely texture, and the plant is nitrogen-fixing.

Blue Blazes is here! Pollinators & Gardeners Rejoice!

Blue blazes

One of our favorite hardy Hummingbird Mint varieties, ‘Blue Blazes’, is ready now in 1-gallon pots, perfect for summer planting. For many years, the gorgeous specimen in Eve’s water-wise front yard elicited admiration, comments and questions from passing pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Many asked ”What is that shrub with the glowing purple-magenta flower spikes?”

This vigorous, showy, large (40-50” tall x 24-30”w) native hybrid blooms non-stop from mid-June to fall, providing a tremendous pollen and nectar source for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The fragrant foliage resists deer and rabbits. Plant in well-drained, low-fertility soil, in full sun. Hardy in Zones 5 to 9. ’Blue Blazes’ was bred by our friend and Colorado horticultural star, Kelly Grummons. Eve’s trees eventually shaded out her ‘Blue Blazes’.

Also available now in #1 pots: Agastache ‘Poquito Butter Yellow’, a newer dwarf, bushy hummingbird mint (10 – 13”h x 15”w) for smaller gardens, ‘hell-strip’ plantings, containers or mass plantings. Its fresh, buttery color is new to Agastache, and the large flowers keep coming
from mid-June to hard frost. Dead-head spent blooms in summer, but leave some spikes standing for the Goldfinches and other songbirds that love the seeds. Plant in full sun in low-fertility, well-drained soil (not heavy clay). ‘Poquito Butter Yellow’attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and native bees, and is resistant to deer and rabbits. Hardy in zones 5 to 10.

New Plants This Weekend!

Here’s some of the new plants available this weekend (7/25/25)

Artemisia ludiviciana, Silver Sage, Native

Asclepias tuberosa, Butterfly Milkweed, Native

Echinacea pallida, Pale Purple Coneflower, Native

Heliomeris multiflora, Showy Goldeneye, Native

Hymenoxys hoopesii, Owl’s Claws, Native

Liatris pycnostachya, Prairie Gayfeather, Native

Mirabilis multiflora, Desert Four-o’clock, Native

Oenothera macrocarpa, Missouri Evening Primrose, Native

Ratibida pinnata, Grey-Headed Coneflower, Native

Rudbeckia occidentalis, Western Coneflower, Native

Solidago ‘Fireworks’, Native

Solidago gigantea, Native

Solidago ptarmicoides, Native

Solidago rigida, Native

Symphyotrichum  oblongifolium, Aromatic Aster, Native

Thermopsis rhombifolia, Golden Banner, Native

Tradescantia occidentalis, Western Spiderflower, Native

Vernonia fasciculata, Native

Allium senescens ‘Blue Twister’

Delopserma: Alan’s Apricot, Carlisle Pink Firespinner, Granita Orange, Lesotho Pink

Iris versicolor, Harlequin Blue Flag

Monarda didyma ‘Jacob Cline’

Penstemon hirsutus, Hairy Beardtongue

Phlomis cachmeriana, Kashmir Sage

Rheum rabarbarum, Glaski’s Perpetual Rhubarb

Sedum: reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’, rupestre ‘Angelina’, sediforme ‘Turqoise Tails’

Sisyrinchium campestre, Prairie Blue-eyed Grass

Veronica liwanensis, Turkish Speedwell

What to Plant Now for Fall Garden Color!

The end of summer doesn’t mean the end to color in the garden, on the contrary, you can plan and plant now for a vibrant wave of color, and habitat for our insects and birds, that continues all the way to hard frost!  From native and water-wise perennials and shrubs, to trees (including fruit trees) and grasses, the selection is vast.

Our Fall sale is a great opportunity to extend color and interest well into autumn.

[Read More]

Help Fall Plantings Beat the Heat

Fall is among the best times to plant perennials. While we may begin to wilt from late summer heat, many plants rise to the occasion and burst into bloom!  As days begin to grow shorter, perennials spend the next few months developing root systems or taproots that delve well below the hot, dry surface soil. Pollinators depend on finding pollen and nectar sources through the entire summer, so it’s important to include late-summer and autumn bloomers in your garden. 

Here are a few suggestions for successful planting.

[Read More]

Thanks, Volunteers!

Gary Meis teaching

Gary Meis teaching

Last Saturday a group of dedicated plantspeople came in from the cold to learn and volunteer with Harlequin’s Gardens’ expert propagator Gary Meis. We’re passing a few of his native plant seeding and propagation tips along to you.

[Read More]

Daylilies Shine in Mid-Summer

Daylilies are old favorites for good reasons. They are:
Low maintenance
Cold hardy (to USDA Zone 3)
Moderately drought-tolerant
Very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds
Adaptable to a variety of soil conditions
Disease-free and pest-free
Graceful, eye-catching, and long-blooming
Available in a very wide range of colors and sizes
Rabbit-resistant
Fast-growing
Good for erosion control
Edible and tasty

And we still have some wonderful varieties in stock! And they are in bloom!  [Read More]

Perennials in 1-gallon Pots

At this time of year, when the weather is hot and mostly dry, it can be easier to establish transplants that already have a larger, deeper root system. Another very important factor in successful transplanting in this heat and drought is the quality of the potting soil the plant was grown in. Harlequin’s Gardens doesn’t use a commercial, lightweight, soil-less mix, designed for using chemical fertilizers and for minimizing shipping costs. [Read More]

Unique Peonies

We have a limited number of choice Peonies in 2-gallon pots, ready to make a long-lived presence in your garden! These varieties are different from the ones we will have in stock in a couple of weeks, which will be in 1-gallon pots.

Peonies are classic garden plants that add a lot of charm and beauty to the garden, increasing in size and beauty for many decades. Their gorgeous, fragrant blooms and lush foliage have made them popular for many years. When a peony is finished blooming, the attractive foliage mound makes a great seasonal ‘shrub’. And, of course, the sensuous flowers make stunning bouquets. Cut them when the buds have swelled and are beginning to open slightly. [Read More]

Cutting Back Ornamental Grasses

Historically February is one of Colorado’s snowiest months, and finally we’re beginning to see evidence of that this year! Additionally, the forecast indicates more to come.  It remains to be seen how some of our marginally hardy garden plants have suffered from the below zero temperatures.

Many of us may have the tops of ornamental grasses and various perennials peeking out of the blanket of the snow, which provides habitat for overwintering beneficial insects and it helps to keep the plant roots and crowns warmer. But very soon it will be time to cut back Cool-Season ornamental grasses before their active growth begins, which will allow light to penetrate the entire clump.  See Eve’s instructions, below. [Read More]

Ready, Set, Plant!

What a storm we had last week!  With the windy conditions and record-setting low temps, everyone’s gardens looks very different this week and may need some attention.  If you haven’t already, this is a good time to review our blog about garden cleanup. The good news is that soil temperatures have cooled down to the optimal soil temperature for bulb planting, ~50 degrees.  And, our current mild daytime temps and above-freezing nighttime temps are ideal for planting perennials, and still good for planting roses, shrubs and trees. Inoculating with mycorrhizae and attention to fall and winter watering are the keys to success.

Bulb Planting and Tulipa ‘Paul Scherer’

Starting with bulb planting:  Recommended planting depths are to the bottom of the planting hole where the base of the bulb rests.  Planting depth can vary depending on how light or heavy your soil is – plant deeper in light soils, shallower in heavier soils.  (If you’re in doubt, a general rule is that planting depth is 3 times the height of the bulb.) 

You don’t have to dig a single hole for each bulb!  You can dig a large hole, say 8-14″ wide by 16-24″ long, to accommodate a large grouping, or swath of bulbs.  This is a great way to save time, to create a more naturalized look, and to combine two or three types of bulbs in one grouping. 

Single Early, Triumph, Darwin Hybrid, and Multi-flowering tulips should be planted 8″ deep to perform as perennials, and fertilized each year just after bloom. Be sure to allow the leaves and stems to wither naturally before cutting them down.

You may want to sprinkle bone meal in the bottom of the hole so that it can touch the bulb roots.  We love Root Rally, which is a blend of bone meal and Endo/Ecto mycorrhizae spores and plant nutrients, providing mycorrhizae life support for all plants.  (See more on mycorrhizae, below.)  Refill the hole and water well. 

See Eve’s ideas for ways and places to use bulbs that you may not have thought of!

Peruse our complete list of 2019 bulbs and individual images and descriptions 

Monarda didyma ‘Jacob Cline’

Planting perennials, roses, shrubs and trees:  The fall is a great time to plant perennials, roses and shrubs as they can focus solely on root growth instead of trying to reproduce.  After gently removing its pot, gently swish the root ball in a bucket of unchlorinated water with water-soluble mycorrhizae  (let the water sit overnight to release chlorine and add the mycorrhizae later).   Mycorrhizae is a beneficial fungi that attaches to roots, allowing them to better absorb water and nutrients.  This results in faster plant and root growth, and better transplanting success.  If you only have granular mycorrhizae on-hand, sprinkle it on the roots as you are planting.  Read more about mycorrhizae in Mikl’s article, “Mycorrhizae: The Hidden Marriage of Plants and Fungi”.

By gently swishing the root ball in water, the root mass will loose its pot-shape and individual roots will be lengthened.  This allows the ends of the roots to be planted deeper, helping to ensure long-term drought hardiness. 

After late-season planting, be sure to (hand) water deeply and frequently, at least twice a month for woody plants, throughout the winter. 

For specific info on rose planting, see Eve’s rose planting instructions.

Zauschneria garrettii ‘Orange Carpet’

Finally, a quick additional word on garden clean-up.  Some of our Southwestern plants should not yet be cut-back.  Wait until April to do so, which will give them additional time to gather and store nutrients, and keep the crowns of the plants from getting too cold. These plants include, but aren’t limited to, Agastache, Salvia  (S. lemmonii ‘Desert Rose’, S. reptans, S. x microphyllus ‘Royal Ruby’, S. greggii ‘Furman’s Red’, S. darcyi), Zauschneria (Hummingbird Trumpet), Scrophularia macrantha (Red Birds in a Tree), Scutellaria suffrutescens (Cherry Skullcap), Gaura lindheimeri.

Alpine Plants

Explore the spectacular floral displays of the Continental Divide while you can!

Hiking the West Ridge Trail on the Continental Divide

[Read More]

Native Plants In Harlequin’s Gardens Display Gardens

Achillea lanulosa (Achillea millefolium var. lanulosa) (Yarrow)

Agave havardii (Havard’s Century Plant)

Agave parryi neomexicana (New Mexico Century Plant)

Amelanchier alnifolia (Serviceberry)

Amorpha canescens (Leadplant)

Amorpha fruticosa (False Indigo)[Read More]

Flood Recovery for the Garden

Flood recovery is not a problem most of us have had to deal with before so we can only try to solve the problems individually and make adjustments in the future.

The main problems seem to be:

1) Soil washed away-erosion

2) Soil dumped on top of plants, trees and existing soil

3) Plants washed away

4) Weed seeds deposited on the soil 5) manure and sewage and unknown contaminants deposited on the land[Read More]

Goldflame Spirea (Spiraea bumalda ‘Goldflame’)

Here’s a shrub that won’t grow over the living room windows, spread half-way across the driveway or send suckers up in the perennial border. It stays a compact 2’-3’ high and a little wider. It’s name comes from its spring leaf coloration which begins a russet or bronze-red mixed with yellow, changing to yellow-green and then green. The flowers are pinkish and bloom for a long time. Then again in the fall the spring leaf colors return to a golden copper-orange. This variety is very heat tolerant and has been successful in my xeriscape garden for 7-8 years. Occasional winter dieback has been slight and easily sheared off with hedge clippers. I also use the hedge clippers to remove the spent flowers after blooming.[Read More]

Geraniums for Sun or Dry Shade

Hardy Geraniums are in general very serviceable and these four have been very useful and successful for me. They are tolerant of diverse and adverse conditions and are especially useful in dreaded dry shade.[Read More]

Groundcovers Project in its 18th Year

In 1993 I sent a survey to 29 local horticulturists to get their suggestions on the best groundcovers for a demonstration project we were planning at Harlequin’s Gardens. I asked them to list 5-10 groundcovers that could be used to replace bluegrass in low traffic areas, that would need a quarter to a half the water of bluegrass, have few pests and diseases, would grow densely to limit weeds, would look good in most seasons and would not be invasive in gardens. The survey was typed on a typewriter and most of the replies were hand-written. People did drive cars back then. But that was a long time ago and I had a lot to learn.[Read More]

Hardy Geraniums

Hardy Geraniums are one of most versatile an adaptable perennials for our area. Available in many colors and habits, they can be useful in sun and shade, moist and dry, as a single specimen, as companion plants and as ground covers. These are not to be confused with the Pelargoniums which are the house plant, container and bedding plant “geraniums” which are not hardy outdoor plants in Colorado. The name “geranium” is derived from a Greek word meaning little crane, hens the common name “cranesbill” which refers to the appearance of the seed heads. The majority of the species of geraniums are native to the northern and mountain regions of Eurasia and North and South America although some are found in South Africa, India, Indonesia etc. Most grow in grasslands, meadows, roadsides and open woodlands. Therefore the natural habitat for most hardy geraniums seems to be sunny and moist or part-shade and moist or dry.[Read More]

Heat-Tolerant Plants

Most of our native plains plants and shrubs including:

Sumacs
Penstemons
Rabbitbrushes
Desert Four O’Clock
Saltbrush
Heterotheca
Artemisias (Sages)
Thelesperma
Gambel Oak
Sulfur Flower (Eriogonums)[Read More]

Lavandula – The Lavenders

Lavenders are great xeriscape perennials for Colorado, which bloom in the heat and dry of July and August. They are native to the rocky hillsides of the Mediterranean region. Here as well, they like good drainage, full sun, our alkaline soil and dry, loamy humus. Lavenders are aromatic herbs with gray foliage, the leaves as well as the flowers being strongly fragrant.[Read More]