Native Flowers in the Home Garden

Spring is a perfect time to plan for new intriguing colors and features in the yard. With all the common plants available in local stores and greenhouses, one should check out the lesser-known native flowers for their unique charm. There are hundreds to choose from, and these native beauties hold up well under Idaho’s four seasons. Three lesser-known flowers, which are sure to steal the show in the yard, include the Rock Columbine (Aquilegia scopulorum), the Wild Blue Phlox (Linum lewisii), and the Bubblegum Mint (Agastache cana). 

The Rock Columbine is a little showstopper reaching its full height of 7 to 10 inches when bloomed out in blue flowers from May through August. It can grow in many soils including the common alkaline and clay soils of the Treasure Valley. Rock Columbine enjoys full sun or moderate shade, and though it can’t survive completely on its own without supplemental watering, it only needs watering when the leaves look stressed. This flower is not invasive and can easily be maintained.

Lewis Flax, also known as Wild Blue Phlox (Linum lewisii) is a fascinating native flower. Its blue flowers bloom in late spring to mid-summer, which have the curious habit of dropping to the ground after a day only to be replaced with others the next morning. The Lewis Flax isn’t picky with the soil it likes and requires moderate to little water. In fact, can be on the invasive side if it has a great water source. The Lewis Flax is 12 - 30” tall making it a great addition to the middle or back of your garden.

Another interesting flower is the Bubblegum Mint (Agastache cana) plant originally from New Mexico and western Texas. These form pink and violet flower spikes in late summer until the fall when it frosts.  This is a ‘leggy’ plant growing 36-40’ tall and works perfectly in the back of a garden or in a hard to grow section of well drained sand or gravel. Other great features to the Bubblegum mint include needing only 3 - 5 waterings a year and having no insect or disease problems. 

There are hundreds of native flowers growing in Idaho with just as interesting and beautiful flowers to pick from. Many of these thrive in xeriscapes and rock gardens, which means they can look stunning even with the water spigot turned down. Check out “Native Plants for the Intermountain West” for more native flowers with brief descriptions of what to expect from each plant and how to care for them.

Xeriscape not ZEROscape

Drought tolerant landscape doesn’t have to mean gravel, and spiky gray plants. Xeriscape (xeri=Greek for dry and scape=view) emphasizes the use of drought tolerant plant species combined with creative landscaping practices to conserve water.

The following terms: water-wise, drought tolerant, water thrifty, and water smart all refer to plants requiring less water in a managed landscape. We all want to use less water in our landscapes and don’t want to be that house with the ugly brown yard.

Whether you have established landscape or total do-over, take a look at the following Eight Principles of Xeriscape:

1. Plant and Design comprehensively from the beginning.

• Lower your water bill.
• Create a more interesting landscape. Plan your annual flower and vegetable gardens and create a planting guide.
• Invite more pollinators into your landscape.
• Don’t just plant and hope for the best
• Create a landscape plan. Identify all the plants in your landscape, their water, sun, and soil needs, and the seasonal maintenance for those plants.
• Record the micro climates in your landscape. Record the plants you add and take out of your landscape and why. Record monthly and annual tasks to remind you when to perform them.
• Develop a fertilization and mulch plan.

Legacy buffalo grass lawn in Boise, ID

2. Create practical turf area. Consider size, shape, and appropriate grasses. Turf uses the highest percentage of water. When planning, consider regionally appropriate turf. Sheep’s fescue (Festuca ovina), and Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) are two examples of grasses that require less water and grow well in the Treasure Valley. Raise mowing height to 2-4 inches on your mower. The taller grass shades the ground so slows evaporation and promotes deeper root growth. Research shows mulching the clippings instead of removing them, can replace one application of fertilizer per year.

You might consider replacing some of the grass with a  more planting beds for flowers or vegetables. Don’t forget to check your HOA rules when considering the removal of turf.

3. Choose plants for your growing zone.
Once established, regionally appropriate native and low water use plants require little water beyond the normal rainfall (about 12 inches per year of precipitation in the Treasure Valley with 5 of those inches between April-October. Consider soil type, exposure to sun, and choose the right plant for those conditions. 

4. Consider improving the soil with organic matter.  Healthy soil retains water and absorbs excess nutrients, Have your soil tested for nutrient content, PH, soil composition and organic matter. The report will give you suggestions for adding anything that is lacking.

5. Strongly consider using organic mulches such as wood chips.  Adding mulch controls weed growth and slows evaporation, so conserves water. 

6.Irrigate efficiently. Create zones to provide the right amount of water at the right time by grouping plants according to their water needs. Your tree, shrubs, flower and raised beds have different water requirements than your lawn. Consider drip irrigation or soaker hoses for flower beds, shrub and trees. More targeted watering cuts down on weeds and uses less water.
Avoid sprinklers that produce a fine mist or spray high into the air in order to reduce water loss from evaporation and wind.  To check your sprinkler output, use tuna cans or similar straight-sided cans placed at various places around your lawn.  Run lawn sprinklers for 5 minutes and measure the output.  Now calculate the time needed to get  1 inch of water per week on your turf.
Water requirements change often so don’t just set automatic systems and forget them. Review the water requirements often taking into account rainfall, temperature and wind. Adjust the time you water accordingly.

7. Water Harvesting. Direct your roof water into rain barrels or onto your landscape. This recharges Idaho's aquifers as well as irrigating our arid environment. Here's how to build a rain barrel.

8. Maintain your established landscape.  Learn how to prune and fertilize each plant in your landscape and record the requirements in your maintenance schedule.

.Consider visiting xeric demonstration gardens in the Treasure Valley area. Hopefully they will inspire you to improve water conservation in your own home landscape.

The Idaho Botanical Garden has several gardens within its footprint, including The Water Wise Garden and The Fire Wise Garden.

 
These following two links will give you an extensive overview of xeric gardening.

Idaho Landscapes & Gardens | UI Extension (uidaho.edu)

Here's one extensive detailed resource for Intermountain Areas.  

Annuals, the star of the garden show!

Annuals are the star of the garden show. 

Place annuals anywhere you want easy to care for plants which will provide season long color. 

Take the time to learn about your annual's requirements and you can add attractive bursts of color which will do well in the sun, shade, climb, trail, are drought tolerant, like moist conditions, prefer the heat, or perform well in the cool season.








Annuals do great as border plants or in containers and can enhance any existing focal point in your yard. In shady areas, brightly colored annuals can be used to brighten your yard. Use cool colors such as grays, blues or violets to a cool, calming effect in bright sunny areas.

For more information on sustainable landscaping, contact your local University of Idaho Extension Office