As I drove past the Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), a common native plant of the western United States, I saw it was covered with these medium sized orange-brown butterflies. First we had to remember how to tell a butterfly from a moth. The overlapping wings and bulb ended antennae are indicative of butterflies, along with the…
Tag: native plants
Wyethia for Landscaping
Native Plants for Landscaping Mule’s Ears or Wyethia amplexicaulis. Ok, tell me again why I have never tried to grow this? What’s not to like? Its large 10-12 inch leaves are very unique when it comes to Wyoming native plants. They would lend an almost tropical feel to a garden. The large (3-4 inches), bright…
Mountain Mahogany – Native Shrub of Wyoming
Native Shrub for Drought Tolerant Landscaping There are two common Mountain Mahogany species in Wyoming; Curlleaf Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius) and True Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus). Both would make nice ornamental shrubs or small trees in low water use landscapes. The seeds of C. montanus, shown here, are expertly designed for catching on passers by,…
Roadside “Wildflowers” of Wyoming
I’ve been thinking about that casual driver through Wyoming. The locals know that if you drive the Interstate through Wyoming, you haven’t really seen Wyoming. But as a traveler myself, I know that sometimes circumstances direct that my only view of a particular state is a ‘drive through.’ So, I’ve been thinking, what roadside wildflowers…
Wyoming Lupine, Native Plant
A large group of wild flowers represented over much of North America, Lupinus is showy and bold. Probably the most ‘famous’ Lupine is Texas Bluebonnet. Here, the Wyoming version is shown. This photo is a few years old and I can’t quite narrow the species down by the photo, but according to Dorn it is…
Gardening Books
Our local library has two book sales every year. I always look forward to rummaging through the discarded and donated books and magazines for gardening and landscaping books, and I am happy to support the local library. When it comes to gardening books, sometimes old sources have valuable information and forgotten plant lists that merit…
Liatris punctata Rewards the Patient
The USDA Plants Profile describes Liatris punctata as a slow growing perennial with a conspicuous purple flower. Conspicuous – I agree! There’s little wonder the common name Blazing Star was applied to Liatris punctata, although I’m not so sure how Dotted Gayfeather came about. Given the harsh locations in which I have seen this plant,…
Native Antennaria: A Ground Cover with Beautiful Texture
I’ve waxed starry eyed about Antennaria as a ground cover before, but I couldn’t find the photo I took that really highlights the amazing texture of this plant. Imagine this creeping between native stone pavers in an informal patio setting. The texture is almost exotic, while the gray-green color is truly Wyoming native!
Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja is by no means an easy genus to identify for an amateur like me. There are over 200 species in the United States and 17 in Wyoming. Probably everyone in Wyoming is familiar with Castilleja linariifolia, our state flower. It is bright red to orange-red and is truly spectacular in its sagebrush dominated native…
Native Plant List for Wyoming
For those just getting their feet wet in gardening with natives or landscaping with natives, the following list found at PlantNative.org is a good place to start. It’s not easy finding plant lists specific to Wyoming. I have no trouble finding native gardening information for California, or even Colorado, but most of the plants used…
Amelanchier alnifolia Research to Help Diabetes
Well I have said here before, the native tree commonly called Serviceberry, Saskatoon berry, or June berry (Amelanchier alnifolia), is a small to mid sized, graceful, airy native tree of Wyoming. I think it would make a great specimen tree in the landscape, especially under areas with large, towering trees. Over at Home Made Wilderness…
Penstemon for Astounding Blue
I’m an amateur botanist, but I’m pretty sure this is Penstemon glaber and P. angustifolia, respectively. For astounding blues, I don’t think any hybridized plant can beat them. I don’t think I have ever seen a flower with the sky blue of Penstemon angustifolia, a Wyoming native that likes poor, dry, sandy soil. I was…
Wyoming Life 