40,000 flowers planted for all to enjoy - Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Geraniums, petunias, nicotiana, impatiens, marigolds, salvia and cosmos are just a few types of flowers planted by the Town of Estes Park`s flower crew each year. Not to mention the perennials -- Shasta daisy, echinacea, daylily, ornamental grass, oriental poppy, catmint, salvia and columbine. Around 40,000 of them are planted each summer for the enjoyment of Estes Park residents and visitors.

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40,000 flowers planted for all to enjoy - Estes Park Trail-Gazette

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Noko Isle Cosmos Flowers

Noko located in Fukuoka Harbour is a paradise of color in the fall

Video: Cosmos Farm in Japan

Flower Gardening Tips : How to Grow Cosmos

The cosmos, also known as Mexican aster, is a flower that resembles a daisy and likes a very hot climate. Grow cosmos plants by letting them dry out between waterings with instructions from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening and plant care.

Cosmos And Vegetables

Our gardening expert P. Allen Smith adds some zip to his vegetable garden with the help of a great summer flower. Take a look!

Video - Field of Cosmos Flowers

Brilliant Blossoms for Butterflies

Being a good environmentalist is often about not doing something, but here’s a fun activity that’s good for you to do: create a butterfly habitat in your backyard. This simple project helps both the environment and one little creature that is always a joy to watch—the butterfly.

It’s easy to welcome butterflies into your garden, just follow these four steps.

• Plant flowers in large groupings. It helps butterflies notice them.


• Butterflies favorite perennials include: Butterfly Bush (Buddleia), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Asters, Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Brazilian Verbena (Verbena bonariensis), Catmint (Nepeta), Daylily (Hemerocallis), Goldenrod (Solidago), Ironweed (Vernonia), Lavender, and Phlox.


• Annuals that butterflies love are: Cosmos, Lantana (it’s perennial in some areas, and annual in others), Marigolds, Sweet Alyssum, and Zinnias.


• Butterflies and caterpillars can be affected by herbicides and pesticides—even organic products. Before you use a product on or near your butterfly habitat, read the label carefully.
  
  ~Amanda Miller

Photo Credit: iStockPhoto.com