{"id":345,"date":"2026-02-06T21:19:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T21:19:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/?page_id=345"},"modified":"2026-03-19T20:44:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T20:44:52","slug":"demonstration-gardens","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/demonstration-gardens\/","title":{"rendered":"Demonstration Gardens"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-61abefe0 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Boulder County Demonstration Gardens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">There are several demonstration gardens at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont, Colorado. Come and explore! The gardens are accessible any time and surround the Natural Resources Building on the Southwest corner of the fairgrounds. To access the gardens, enter the fairgrounds off of Nelson Road in the entrance closest to Hover Road. Learn what plants thrive in our environment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-default\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:49% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Erigeron-formosissimus.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"A close up of a patch of Erigeron formosissimus, a Southern Colorado wildflower. \" class=\"wp-image-354 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Erigeron-formosissimus.jpg 2500w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Erigeron-formosissimus.jpg?resize=300,120 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Erigeron-formosissimus.jpg?resize=768,307 768w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Erigeron-formosissimus.jpg?resize=1024,410 1024w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Erigeron-formosissimus.jpg?resize=1536,614 1536w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Erigeron-formosissimus.jpg?resize=2048,819 2048w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Erigeron-formosissimus.jpg?resize=2000,800 2000w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Erigeron-formosissimus.jpg?resize=1400,560 1400w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Erigeron-formosissimus.jpg?resize=600,240 600w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Erigeron-formosissimus.jpg?resize=1568,627 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plant Select\u00ae Garden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/plantselect.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Plant Select\u00ae<\/a> <\/strong>Garden is located on the south and west sides of the building. Spearheaded by the CSU Horticulture Department and the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Plant Select program trials plants that perform well in our region. As a result, these varieties are highly recommended for gardeners and landscapers in our climate. For more information on the <strong>Plant Select\u00ae<\/strong> program, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.plantselect.org\/.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>plantselect.org<\/strong>.<\/a> You will find a complete list of plants and locations of other Plant Select demonstration gardens around the state.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rock &amp; Hell Strip Gardens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Rock <\/strong>and <strong>Hell Strip<\/strong> Demonstration Gardens were installed in 2017 around our parking lot. These types of areas are often neglected and unsightly&nbsp;due to difficult growing conditions. With a little extra preparation, these demo garden\u2019s have become the staff\u2019s favorite. The correct planting pallet can create valuable additions to any landscape. Delve into the options for difficult areas!<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1168\" height=\"876\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/DCC-csu-garden_001.webp?w=1024\" alt=\"CSU garden with an array of plants and flowers.\" class=\"wp-image-350 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/DCC-csu-garden_001.webp 1168w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/DCC-csu-garden_001.webp?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/DCC-csu-garden_001.webp?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/DCC-csu-garden_001.webp?resize=1024,768 1024w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/DCC-csu-garden_001.webp?resize=600,450 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1168px) 100vw, 1168px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"977\" height=\"733\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/echinacea-close-field-view-cys.jpeg?w=977\" alt=\"Close up view of echinacea field, also known as the coneflower.\" class=\"wp-image-355 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/echinacea-close-field-view-cys.jpeg 977w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/echinacea-close-field-view-cys.jpeg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/echinacea-close-field-view-cys.jpeg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/echinacea-close-field-view-cys.jpeg?resize=600,450 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 977px) 100vw, 977px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Native Plant Garden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">There is an exciting trend happening in the world of horticulture. Professional landscape designers and architects are utilizing Colorado\u2019s native plants\u2019 strengths in large-scale settings and in private gardens. Using indigenous plants in everyday settings is becoming the norm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Colorado native plants are suited to home gardens and commercial sites. They are adaptable to our local soils and climate, so they need fewer resources like water and fertilizer. As a result, they are typically more resilient than traditional landscape plants. To demonstrate the beauty of our state\u2019s native plants, the <strong>Colorado Native Garden<\/strong> was installed in 2018. Check out the native plantings on the east side of the building. These plants thrive easily while encouraging native and non-native pollinator habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">For more info on natives, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/conativeplantmaster.colostate.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Native Plant Master<\/strong><\/a> website.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grass, Crop &amp; Pollinator Trial Garden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The trial garden was established to provide landowners with a visual idea of what native grasses, pollinator and cover crop mixes look like and how they can be utilized on small acreages. Trial plots are available for viewing 365 days\/year.<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Cleome-with-three-bees.jpg?w=640\" alt=\"Cleome, also known as the spider flower, with three bees pollinating it.\" class=\"wp-image-356 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Cleome-with-three-bees.jpg 640w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Cleome-with-three-bees.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/01\/Cleome-with-three-bees.jpg?resize=600,450 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-brush-stroke-green has-accent-1-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-d018c796 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2098a6fa wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote is-style-style-two\"><blockquote><p><em>By all accounts, these are trying times. So last week when the CSU Extension Boulder County Demonstration Garden received a Plant Select&nbsp; Showcase Garden Award, it felt extra-sweet.<\/em><\/p><cite>Deryn Davidson<br><strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailycamera.com\/2020\/08\/18\/deryn-davidson-award-for-demonstration-garden-is-a-bright-spot-during-tough-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Award for demonstration garden is a bright spot during tough times<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Boulder County Demonstration Gardens There are several demonstration gardens at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont, Colorado. Come and explore! The gardens are accessible any time and&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":354,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-345","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","pp_force_visibility":null,"pp_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_force_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_post_mime_type":"","acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/345","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=345"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/345\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1328,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/345\/revisions\/1328"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/354"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/boulder\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}