Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-2540 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

Contact: Robert Waggener, Editor

Phone: (307) 766-3571

E-mail: robertw@uwyo.edu

 

Date: May 8, 2006

Landscaping Tips

Resources available statewide for water-wise landscaping

By Robert Waggener, editor

UW Cooperative Extension Service

Where does a city dweller, rural landowner, rancher or farmer turn for help to develop an attractive, water-wise landscape?

Among the good sources are University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (CES) and conservation district offices around the state, the research and extension (R&E) centers near Powell and Sheridan, UW horticulturists, extension publications, and greenhouses and nurseries employing people knowledgeable about plants that can survive Wyoming’s harsh climate.

Another great place for ideas is to visit one of the numerous native gardens or test plots across Wyoming. County CES offices can provide locations to many of the sites (http://www.uwyo.edu/UWCES/County_Areas.asp).

The CES office in Natrona County has an extraordinary planting. It’s attractive and very educational. Wyoming often goes through periods of drought, either yearly or seasonal, and the garden helps visitors plan their landscapes with the state’s climate in mind.

Extension Horticulture Specialist Karen Panter, with the UW College of Agriculture’s Department of Plant Sciences, urges people to contact Donna Cuin and the UW Natrona County Master Gardeners if they have questions about any of the plant material at the CES office in Natrona County.

Of the display, said Cuin, a CES horticulture program associate, “We added a dry shade garden on the north end of our building due to the number of Wyoming landscapes in established areas of towns and cities. Many of these established landscapes are not suited for a majority of recommended xeric plants (those suitable for ‘dry’ plantings) because the mature trees and the close proximity of homes create too much shade for the sun-loving plants on most lists.”

Cuin said the garden was only planted two years ago and is in the early stages of development, but it already has “Wyoming flair” because the plants have taken hold and several large moss rocks were added.

“I think people can gather ideas for their own landscapes by looking at other landscapes for ideas. As with any art form, shape, lines of sight and color combinations can give inspiration for another project,” Cuin noted. “If Wyoming gardeners keep their minds and eyes open, they have a wealth of opportunities to see and try new things in their gardens, both from nature and in other gardens they see.”

Elsewhere in Wyoming, Panter said, numerous plants are being tested and are on display adjacent to the College of Agriculture greenhouse in Laramie. A list of plants at the demonstration site as well as those species that did not survive testing is available from UW Horticulture (http://www.uwyo.edu/UWCES/Ext_Horticulture.asp).

 For additional landscaping ideas, Panter said, “The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens in Lions Park is a wonderful place to visit.” It offers a variety of plant species and landscape designs (http://www.botanic.org/).

Another good place to view native plants in a “dry” setting is the Sheridan R&E Center east of Sheridan, said the center’s director, Justin Moss. The center has developed a xeriscape garden that continues to evolve (http://www.uwyo.edu/Agexpstn/).

 Tom Heald, an area extension educator for Converse, Natrona and Niobrara counties, recommends a visit to the High Plains Grasslands Research Station (HPGRS) near Cheyenne. The station, which is operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, has a variety of trees and shrubs.

The plants received care for many years, according to a HPGRS spokeswoman, but since the 1970s they haven’t been given any supplemental water. She said the ones that survived have proved they can withstand harsh conditions. Persons wishing to tour the station should first make an appointment by calling (307) 772-2433.

In western Wyoming, said Joyce Johnston, Park County extension horticulturist, “Master Gardeners have put together a showcase garden in Worland, and they designed shade gardens for the Absaroka Assisted Living in Cody.”

Johnston added her office is working with the city of Powell to develop a book of trees, shrubs and vines for residents of the area. As planned, the book would contain photos of the plants as well as addresses where the photos were taken so the species can be viewed up close and personal.

At the Powell R&E Center, said Director Alan Gray, “We have a shrub and tree demonstration nursery that’s mainly for wildlife habitat.”

A variety of publications are available on the UW CES Web site at http://ces.uwyo.edu/PUBS/Horticulture/Horticulture_Publications_Main.htm

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