Twilight Garden Series Includes Talks on Gardening in Colorado’s Semi-Arid Climate, Water Gardening, Perennials

Beginning gardeners and green thumbs alike can hone their gardening skills during the annual Twilight Garden Series, sponsored by Colorado State University Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State Cooperative Extension and the city of Fort Collins.

Guest lecturers from around the area will share their expertise about water gardening, perennials and gardening in Colorado’s semi-arid climate during the three-session series, which begins in June on campus.

Twilight Garden Series workshops will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on three Tuesday evenings during the summer beginning in June at the W.D. Holley Plant Environmental Research Center, 630 W. Lake St. on the southwest corner of Colorado State’s campus. The three workshop dates are June 11, June 25 and July 9.

Water Gardening will be the focus of the June 11 workshop. Raymond and Kathy Smith from the Koi Lagoon in Fort Collins will discuss types of fish that are appropriate for Colorado water gardens. Robert Stapleton from Rocky Mountain Tranquility in Loveland will give advice on designing water gardens. Joe Tomocik from Denver Botanic Gardens will discuss water plants.

On June 25, ideas for perennial gardening will be the focus of the workshop. Diana Reavis from Eason Horticulture Resources in Fort Collins will talk about maintaining perennial borders. Bette Sears from Fort Collins Nursery will give perennial garden design lessons and Celia Tannehill from Welby Gardens in Denver will talk about choosing perennial plants.

This year’s exceptionally dry weather and the challenges of gardening in semi-arid climates will be addressed in the final workshop on July 9. Scott Skogerboe from Fort Collins Nursery will talk about trees and shrubs appropriate for this climate. Sarah Wilhelm will share information about water-wise approaches to managing lawns. David Winger from Denver Water will discuss ways to convert a yard into a water-wise landscape.

Each session also includes a children’s program for school-aged participants.

A $5 registration fee covers all sessions, and no pre-registration is required. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. Sessions are held rain or shine and include hands-on gardening, tours of Colorado State’s research gardens, door prizes and refreshments.