Are You Unknowingly Harboring a Noxious Weed in Your Garden? by Donna Duffy

It’s easy to get hooked on flowers that are easy to grow, especially those that seem to be refreshingly trouble-free. Unfortunately, some of these qualify as noxious weeds, and their rapid growth causes a multitude of problems. These undesirable plants reduce habitat for wildlife and native plants, alter riparian areas, and cause problems in agricultural lands. Colorado Noxious Weeds are illegal to grow, even though they may be available on the internet and in some “big box” stores. Following are three Noxious Weeds to watch out for, and native and non-invasive alternatives you can grow in their place.

Noxious Weed: Purple Loosestrife. Here are some good alternatives:

Mojave Sage (Salvia pachyphylla) – Plant Select®, 2005:  Mojave Sage is an intensely aromatic, evergreen foliage with great substance. The silver-green leaves set off persistent flowers.  The City of Lakewood has named Mojave Sage as the official city plant.

Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus) - The tall showy spikes of intense blue-purple flowers last for over a month in late spring. Penstemon strictus is one of the longest lived, most easily grown of the Penstemons.

Noxious Weed: Dame’s Rocket. 
A good alternative is Pink Wild Snapdragon (Penstemon palmeri), a heat tolerant beardtongue, native to NM and AZ. One of the few fragrant Penstemons, it blooms with gigantic spikes of large, light pink flowers in early summer. Must be grown in sandy or gravelly soils, not in tight clay. Best in a dry location.

Noxious Weed: Bouncingbet. Good alternatives include:

Rocky Mountain Bee Plant (Cleome serrulata) – This annual will grow two to five feet tall. Bees and insects enjoy the nectar from the blossoms, and seeds are often consumed by morning doves.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – Available in a variety of colors, a favorite in many Colorado gardens.

For a full list of Colorado' Noxious Weeds, go to: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Agriculture-Main/CDAG/1174084048733

Joni Mitchell

Watching the Opening Ceremonies Friday night I was transfixed when I heard Joni Mitchell sing her contemporary version of Both Sides Now. I remember when the original came out in the late 1960s. The mature rendition is better.



There is no musical artist who captures the essence of my soul more than Joni Mitchell. As a young person she sang what I was thinking. Every other group and artist was a distant second to Joni Mitchell.



I had her albums and if a record could ever be worn out, I wore hers out.



Joni Mitchell was the face of the 60s.



When you saw Joni Mitchell you saw us. We were young and idealistic and rebellious and wanted peace. We were confused and angry and afraid.



Growing older most of us gave in and found jobs, conformed, went to work, got mortgages, made car payments and mowed lawns. But Joni Mitchell was always there. For me, she was the sound of my conscience.



But of all the songs she wrote and performed, Both Sides Now is my favorite. It is truly the story of my life, such as it is.

I've looked at life from both sides now,
From win and lose, and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall.
I really don't know life at all.

Take 7 minutes out of your life and listen to magic ... and perhaps a bit of your conscience, too.



Thanks for stopping by .... and remember -- make love, not war.

Go Green for Valentine's Day with Verve Cards: Win a Free One Year Membership

It is easier than ever to go green this Valentine's Day thanks to Verve Cards

Send e-cards that are safe and free of viruses by following these e-card safety tips from Verve Cards

Tip #1 – Beware of vague labels such as “co-worker,” “family member” - or no name at all - in ecard notification emails. Legitimate ecard sites will always include the sender’s first and last name in this type of email.

Tip #2 – Even if a full name is provided, delete any ecard notification emails from senders you don’t recognize.

Tip #3 – Don’t be fooled by an authentic looking email from a reputable ecard company. Scammers have become quite skillful at replicating bona fide correspondence from established sites you know and trust. (But do pay attention to tell-tale typos and grammatical errors that may look fishy.)

Tip #4 – If you’re at all in doubt, do not click on the site link-back to retrieve the ecard in question. Instead, go to the real ecard site directly (not via the link), find the pick-up area on the site, and manually type your ecard retrieval information. (Do not copy/paste any information from the link, as this may take you to the rogue site you’re trying to avoid.) If no card awaits you, the email was a hoax.

Tip #5 – Avoid link-related uncertainty altogether by sending and viewing only linkless ecards.

Use Code "GREENVERVE"

to Buy One Get One Free

Yearly Memberships are just $14.95

through March 14, 2010

Would you like to win a free membership to VerveCards.com?

Leave a comment on this post including your email address

Must be a follower of this blog to win

One winner will be chosen on Feb 28, 2010