CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO

HORTICULTURE

ANNUAL Plant Sale

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Creating a Wildlife Habitat

"No Water" Garden

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As visitors walk through the mountainous 70 acre footprint that is the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, they see as many wonderful exhibits of flora as they do fauna. The Zoo's horticulture department has made great strides in planting and nurturing a wide variety of trees, plants and flowers; with an emphasis on species that can be managed in the Rocky Mountain environment found in the Pikes Peak region. Each year the Horticulture Department holds a Memorial Day Weekend Plant Sale fundraiser that is very popular with Zoo-goers.

This is much different than water wise issues, which addresses only one resource: water. Often one forgets about other planting issues such as time, gas, pruning, fertilizer, weeding, drainage, and the like. The Zoo is attempting to keep the "big picture" in mind by experimenting with new plants that require less care and fewer resources.

Every plant has its own niche in which it will thrive. Some plants have a narrow window, while others have giant doorways. Know the difference. You can grow a plant just about anywhere given enough time and energy. The secret is familiarizing yourself with the wise use of resources. Try selecting fewer plants that need high care and large amounts of resources, and a larger number that are perfectly suited to Colorado's environment that need little care.

When:   May 26, 27 & 28, 2007
Time:    8:00 am - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Main Gate courtyard at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (There is no admission required to attend this sale).

The Zoo Plant Sale Keeps Growing!
Take that green thumb of yours and make a smudge on the calendar for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s 11th Annual Plant Sale, scheduled for Memorial Day weekend 2007!

Hosted by the Zoo’s horticulture department, the fundraising event is held in the Zoo’s admission plaza from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Admission to the Zoo is not required to attend this popular sale.

Emphasis is on flora that thrives in the region’s unpredictable and often harsh growing conditions. Plants for sale are selected based on their drought tolerance, lack of appeal to wildlife and/or underutilization in the horticulture trade. The sale highlights also many of the perennial flower and plant varieties that have proven successful on Zoo grounds and in the Zoo’s “No Water Garden.” In the search for hardy plants that thrive in high altitudes, the horticulture staff has discovered gems like Joe-Pye Weed, Red Hot Poker and Blackberry Lily.

So if you are looking for plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds instead of deer, or want to replace a thirsty plant with something less needy, this sale is for you. Zoo horticulture staff will be on hand to answer gardening questions. Proceeds from the event go towards the Zoo’s plant programs.
For more information, call 633-9925 ext. 142.

CMZoo Homepage

4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road Colorado Springs, CO  80906 Phone(719)633-9925  Fax (719)633-2254