Plant Selectâ  

     Begun in 1997, the Plant Select program seeks to identify and promote plants that are highly suited to gardens located in the high plains and the mountains of Colorado.  Each year plants are tested and evaluated to see if they measure up to the standards of Plant Select.  Colorado State University, Denver Botanic Gardens, and members of the green industry (greenhouses, landscape companies and nurseries) work cooperatively on this program.  Plants that have proven they are uniquely adapted to the Rocky Mountain region are introduced annually and sold with the Plant Select label, often in special displays at garden centers.  The 2010 selections include the following plants:

• Red Feathers (Echium amoenum) - a perennial with russet-red flowers that bloom in spring and later if deadheaded
• Snow Mesa Buckwheat (Eriogonum wrightii var. wrightii) - a xeric perennial with white blossoms from August to November
• Partridge Feather (Tanacetum densum ssp. amani) - a groundcover with silver foliage for dry areas
• Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) - a perennial with grass-like leaves whose tall spikes of rose, tubular blossoms attract hummingbirds
• Redleaf Rose (Rosa glauca, Rosa rubrifolia) - a large shrub grown for its dark purple foliage, persistent red hips and tolerance of dry conditions
• Prairie Lode Sundrops (Calylophus serrulatus 'Prairie Lode') - a compact perennial with bright yellow blossoms
• Regal Torchlily (Kniphofia caulescens) - a showy wild hot poker for xeriscape borders

For additional information on hardiness, moisture requirements, preferred sun and soil conditions and photos of these plants please see www.plantselect.org.

     You may also contact: 
     Pat Hayward, Executive Director
     Plant Select
     c/o Colorado State University
     1173 Campus Delivery
     Fort Collins, CO 80523
     Email: plantselect@gmail.com
     Phone: 970-481-3429
     Fax: 970-491-7745

Gardeners seeking help with their landscaping investment can turn to Durable Plants for the Garden - A Plant Select Guide.  Released in January 2009, this book features colorful and descriptive portraits of the first ten years' Plant Select selections, helpful tables, and additional references.  It is available in our book store.