It’s certainly a tinderbox topic. Raise the subject of wolves in Wyoming around any dinner table and you’ll hear very passionate opinions. I have to say, I’m not up to speed on the controversy. As a student at the University of Wyoming, I attended some of the early discussions and meetings regarding the reintroduction and…
Tag: wyoming
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,…
Meadowlarks
The Crocus are blooming, the Robins and Meadowlarks are back. Spring is coming to the Rockies.
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…
Oil and Gas in the Wyoming Range
The proposed oil and gas drilling in the Wyoming Range west of Pinedale, Wyoming presents a new wrinkle in the permitting process. It seems the oil and gas companies are trying to strike a deal with potential opponents before they come to the table with federal land agencies. As long as the public review process…
Watering the Landscape in Winter
It’s been getting up into the low 50’s around Casper for the last three days. I drug the hoses out and watered my flowerbeds, paying special attention to soaking the ground around the shrubs I planted last fall. It may seem strange to be watering this time of year in the northern parts of the…
Look to Nature for Natives
Landscaping with native plants lends itself to a looser form of planning. Although some native species are suited to the formal garden, I prefer to place native plants in a garden setting which reflects the essence and uniqueness of the surrounding native landscape. Native plant gardens don’t have to look “wild” in the sense that…
Wyoming Life 