Rock & Roots: Crevice gardens in the Southwest Caroline Golarz, Landscape Designer, Columbine Landscapes Co. Crevice gardens are having a moment as many of us look at ways we can lessen our ecological footprint. An accessible place for us to do this is in our own gardens...
Tips on Winter Garden Maintenance Natali Ittenberg, Landscape Designer, Columbine Landscapes Co. One of the questions I hear often from clients is, “Do I need to take care of my plants in winter?” And the answer is always yes—especially here in the Four Corners. A little winter...
A Smarter Solution to Steep Slopes and Fire Risk: Fungal Solutions In our final newsletter for 2025, we continue our firewise theme offering a new, eco-friendly solution for many of us who own hillside property. You already know the struggles—erosion, thin soils, unstable rocks on the slopes...
Living in the Wildland Urban Interface, I’ve always been aware of the wildfire risk around my home. As our summers get hotter and drier that risk feels more urgent and I realized I couldn't take it on alone. Fire doesn’t stop at property lines. One house...
In my role running a company like Columbine, I often think I should have all the answers, but the fact of the matter is, I don’t. One thing I love about the work we do is that there’s always more to learn. As our understanding...
Choosing the right plants for your firewise landscape goes a long way to increase fire resiliency when combined with the guidelines I’ve detailed in the last 3 articles regarding defensible zones 1, 2, and 3. Firewise means fire resistant, or less flammable. Although some plants...
There are so many opportunities in each of the 3 firewise defensible zones. As I’ve detailed in the previous months’ articles for zone 1 and zone 2, zone 3 has it’s own guidelines that will help you have a beautiful, graceful, and firewise landscape. It’s...
If you haven’t already noticed after reading our last firewise article, my intention is to fill you with hope and inspiration regarding your firewise landscape. I know it is easy to have a rather dour demeanor in regards to the matter, and no wonder, with...
In this third installment of our year-long series on firewise landscaping, we are going to define defensible space and go into some detail on zone 1, the nearest and dearest of the 3 zones. Defensible space refers to the managed area immediately surrounding a home that...
Let’s start from the ground up. I insist that my team refer to what is underfoot as soil, not dirt. It is the basis of life on earth after all, let’s give it some respect. Dirt is something undesirable that we want to get rid of....
What does Firewise Mean & Why is it Important? You can bet fire is on my mind after this dry winter. You can look at the Drought Monitor and see that currently we are on the edge of D1 (Moderate Drought) and D2 (Severe Drought). I...
If you’ve been with us for the last year or more, you’ve probably noticed a trend in our message about fall clean up that is echoed in this month’s blog article: less is more. In our newsletters and your invoice emails, I’ve explained why it’s...
More than Pretty Creatures Pollinators go through many stages of life and need habitat that supports them throughout the year. It’s easy to get focused on the loveliness of a butterfly alighting on a butterfly bush blossom or sipping nectar from a butterfly weed flower, but...
Less is more. Many standard practices we have learned to do, with the belief that they make us good gardeners, end up backfiring, work against nature, and create extra unnecessary work for us. Instead, here are some tips on how to maintain your landscape in harmony...
I talk a lot about sustainable landscapes needing to include native and adapted plants. But what specifically does that mean? In both cases, it means we use plants that like growing in our native soil, and they do it well. They are accustomed to our...
What is living mulch? you might ask. Let’s first address what mulch is. In the ornamental horticulture world, mulch is something that covers the ground and: Visually anchors the landscape to the site Shades and insulates the soil from temperature extremes and fluctuations Prevents competition from weeds Helps seal...
Design is an important part of the process for creating a sustainable landscape. It invites deep thought, reflection, and planning to make sure we’re creating a landscape that checks all the boxes. Sustainable landscape design strives to create landscapes that Pay rent year round, as my friend...
Water is life, as they say. It is a precious resource, and as some point out, it should be more accurately referred to as source, the source of all life. When we look at it through this lens and pay attention to how we can...
In the realm of gardening and landscaping, the principles of permaculture have been gaining significant traction. Permaculture, derived from "permanent agriculture" or "permanent culture," emphasizes working in harmony with nature to create sustainable and resilient systems. As we approach the spring season, there's no better...
In today's world, where environmental concerns are paramount, there is a growing awareness of the adverse impacts of herbicides and pesticides on ecosystems. However, maintaining a beautiful and healthy landscape doesn't have to rely on chemical interventions. By creating habitat in your home landscape, you...
What is a sustainable landscape? It seems the word sustainable has been watered down, overused and mis-used over the years, so what does it really mean? In terms of a landscape, picture vibrant nature, in harmony, where chemicals aren’t needed because the ecosystem is in...
Creating habitat for pollinators is a wonderful way to support the local ecosystem while simultaneously enhancing your landscape for your own enjoyment. Here are some steps you can take: Plant Native Wildflowers: Choose a diversity of native wildflowers that bloom at different times throughout the year...
MYTH #1 DRY STREAMBEDS BELONG IN A WATERWISE LANDSCAPE FACT: DRY STREAMBEDS ARE NOT WATERWISE Dry streambeds are not considered waterwise because they do not actively conserve or utilize water resources. A dry stream bed typically lacks vegetation or water-holding features, which means it does not efficiently...
Infinity gardens embrace the natural landscapes and vast vistas to create visually stunning and expansive garden designs. These gardens aim to capture the essence of Colorado's boundless beauty and evoke a sense of infinite space. The concept is achieved through careful selection of plants, strategic...
If you’ve been reading our newsletter, you know by now that rain gardens are innovative and environmentally friendly solutions for managing stormwater runoff. But did you know that these gardens functionally mimic the work of beavers? Indeed; they effectively spread and slow the flow of...
I know it can be a challenge to figure out exactly what to cover the ground with. The adage tossed around the ecological and horticultural realms that “nature abhors a vacuum” refers to the fact that weeds will fill a void. We don’t want to...
May is the peak of plant supply at our local nurseries and it's so easy to fall in love with endless cute and handsome plants of all sizes, but before you bring them home there are several steps I recommend you take to set you...
Are you thinking about hiring a Landscape Designer but feeling timid because they might ask questions like “What Landscape Theme would you like?” when you haven’t a clue how to answer? It can be intimidating, no doubt. We’re here to equip you with what you...
Have you wondered about the benefits of getting a professional landscape design before making major changes in your landscape? Well, let me ask you some questions. Have you ever driven across the country without a map? If so, how many times did you have to...
Overwintering Perennials in Containers I’ve had great success with this over the years. It’s generally not recommended because in containers, the regulating mass of the ground is not moderating temperature fluctuations as it does for plants in the ground, nor is the water-holding capacity of the...
Is fall clean up worth doing? Is it important? Does the timing matter? Yes, yes, and yes. Here are the whys and wherefores you’ve been yearning to know. As we learn the ways to be more ecologically responsible gardeners, we learn that being selective in how...
I spent the night camping near Molas Pass. The clouds were amazing. It was golden hour and the sun on the Grenadiers was stunning. There was a curious unformed blob shape of a rainbow. The whole scene was breathtaking. It led me to pondering how...
Living mulch is a great way to work with nature in your landscape to produce more of what you want and less of what you don’t. It benefits you and the nature that we nurture. To begin, let’s set the stage by establishing what mulch is....
You will be happy to know that gardening in keeping with ecological tenants produces a low-maintenance landscape. Knowing when to apply a lighter hand and let nature dictate how your garden beds evolve produces less labor on your part, and less need for external resources...
Drought in our region is the norm, not the exception. With thoughtful planning, it doesn't have to be a calamity. The crux of the planning revolves around fine-tuning your watering. 1. How you water On average we use 5-10 times more water than necessary for a healthy...
Create a wildfire defensible space in your landscape In this year of little rain and too many fires, being fire-wise is as important as ever. Many rural homeowners living in Colorado’s arid environment are particularly vulnerable. Wildfire is a natural phenomenon, but the risk of...
Did you see this article in from 9 February 2022 about bill 1151 Tired of mowing your lawn? Colorado could pay you $2 a square foot to rip it out? As of Earth Day 2022, this bill is still under consideration. Here at Columbine, we think it’s...
Wait, didn’t we just spring forward with the time change? Well, now that it’s officially spring, those lovely spring-blooming are starting to show up with their much anticipated color. And now is the time for forward thinking to fall, when we plant those dazzling spring...
Spring clean up is largely about pruning shrubs and ornamental grasses before they start pushing out new growth. This makes it a race against nature to get this done for everyone in time. For this reason we intentionally hold off on weeding until the second visit;...
Earth Day being just around the corner, and being a day close to the hearts of all of us who work for Columbine, I've been reflecting on what we do to contribute to making the earth healthier. Currently having 3 of our staff engaged in the...
Colorado. We love it. Many of us have gone to great lengths to reside here. As gardeners, we have the opportunity to create an aesthetic unique to the southern Rockies and reflect the natural beauty of the place we call home. Colorado has an incredible array...
Enduring the early years of a new landscape can be trying. It may be akin to having a puppy. The puppy sure is cute, and so are all your new plants, but both take a lot of patience to get them to mature into the...
There are so many options for enhancing the look and feel of your winter garden in Colorado beyond evergreen. Think about the added delight provided by form, texture, and movement in what is typically regarded as a flat, motionless time of year. Enter ornamental grasses; one...
Plants – especially the ones chosen for their showy splendor and horticultural prowess - are amazing and beautiful creatures; they come in all sizes, shapes and colors. How are we to begin combining them in the garden so they all look good without getting lost...
Deer love to roam and snack as they go. Cruising along from forest to rural gardens to the urban landscapes, you’ll find deer investigating what’s next on their buffet of options. Being creative gardeners, we have tried all manner of deterrents, from using human hair, dogs...
Creating Wildfire Defensible Space in Your Landscape In this year of little rain and too many fires as of the writing of this article – hopefully things will change by the time you read it – being fire wise is as important as ever. Living rurally...
Perhaps you’ve heard about the calamity that has befallen the honeybee population in recent years. It really is important. Imagine what our grocery shelves would look like if we didn't have bees! See with your own eyes the striking contrast at FastCompany.com. According to Greenpeace.org,...
Acquire plants from local sources. The local nursery is the best source of plant material for several reasons. Local nurseries will generally not offer plants that would fail in the areas they serve. Knowledgeable staff is readily available to discuss specifics of your site to further...
Hello Columbine Landscapes Community! We’re happy you’re here! This is the second installment of a 2 part series. The first part was released in November, entitled Pollinator-Friendly Lawns. Click here to catch up. Evidenced by the titles the two installments have different foci. I’m thrilled to share...
The standard Kentucky Bluegrass (KBG) lawn can stand up to a lot of foot traffic, and a lot of water. In fact, many lawns are commonly significantly overwatered even here in the arid southwest. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked across a...
Young trees with trunks smaller than an average human’s arm should be wrapped for the winter to prevent sunscald, also known as southwest injury. This problem occurs in the winter from the dramatic temperature difference between day and night and affects the tree’s trunk on...
As you may or may not know, there is quite the movement toward removing lawns underway, and we are proud to play a part in this revolution. In 2020 alone, we have removed 7800 square feet of lawn so far, and replaced it with water-wise...
Fall is right around the corner and is my favorite time for planting. The cooler temps help avoid transplant shock and the roots can really focus on getting established as the plants draw down their energy to prepare for dormancy. Perennial plants - ones that come...
Good question. And great time to ask, given how dry it’s been this year. If you’ve heard different things and are confused, you aren’t the only one. ...
Start with any one of these 5 steps as you embark on your journey of embracing Biophilia, and bask in the beauty and wellness you have available to you right here in Durango, right here at home....
Biophilia is a term that was coined in 1984 by renowned naturalist E.O. Wilson and was defined by him as “the urge to affiliate with other forms of life”. It is used to refer to the innate draw humans have to nature: water, flames or...
How much should I be watering? As a landscape professional in Durango, this is a question I get asked regularly. The answer is generally the same, and that is, “stick your finger in the soil at root level to gauge moisture”. There’s no quantifiable magic...
Chop & Drop refers to dropping all green waste that's been pruned and weeded from the landscape into the basins after chopping it into smaller bits. Because the basins hold moisture, the green waste breaks down more quickly....
It’s such a joy to see the fresh new growth emerging from your perennial beds at this time of year; it looks fresher when all of last year’s brown dead foliage has been removed so the flowers can readily burst forth. Ornamental grasses decorate the...
Greetings! Goodness what a summer! What with all that moisture through June, when we don't normally have it, and that nary a trace of monsoon rains when we are used to getting them in July and August. And my, were those last 2 months HOT!...
WEED MAT SOUNDS LIKE SUCH A GOOD IDEA BUT...
Drought in our region is the norm, not the exception. With thoughtful planning it doesn't have to be a calamity. Look at how and when you water. On average we use 5-10 times more water than necessary for a healthy landscape. Irrigation must...
Check out our work at the Durango Outdoor Exchange on North Main We're proud to announce a rainwater harvesting landscape you can check out in person! Our latest landscape installation is at the new location of Durango Outdoor Exchange at 3677 Main Ave (the old...
We've been blessed with so much moisture this year so far; what are your plans to make the best use of it? Such a nice question to have the opportunity to ask! Gratefully the weather has done a 180 since I was crafting this newsletter...
We are proud to have been recently featured in the Durango Herald, in an article about our Passive Rainwater Harvesting Landscapes! In March, Eva and Colleen travelled to Tucson, Arizona for an intensive 7-day course about passive rainwater harvesting and how to maximize the ability...
After hardly a winter last year, I am feeling enthusiastic about it this time around. I had to laugh thinking about this the other day. I know some of you will understand and I hope it brings you a smile too. In sharp contrast to my...
Hello and happy fall! It's finally cooling down a bit which makes this is my favorite time of year with cool nights and warm days. And it's a great time for planting! New plants planted in the fall are afforded the opportunity to focus all...
My new friend Kit Strange and I toured the state with plants, gardens and trucks as our focus. Oh yes, I did say trucks. As Kit explained, she is fascinated with anything on wheels and that I witnessed as we crossed the state: semis, old,...
Look at how and when you water. On average we use 5-10 times more water than necessary for a healthy landscape. Irrigation must be fine tuned for the site – talk with your irrigation company now as they turn on your system. Adjust according to...
