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High Country Gardens - Growing Success In Tough Spots

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Jul 05, 2025
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For those who spend their days nurturing green things, whether out on the wide-open high plains or nestled up in the quiet of the high country, there is a distinct pleasure that comes with the turning of the seasons. Autumn, in particular, is a moment to really take in the beauty of your outdoor spaces, a period of both reflection and planning for what comes next. It’s also when you start to appreciate sources like High Country Gardens, which truly understand what it takes for plants to do well in these rather unique settings.

This time of year brings with it a special kind of calm, a chance to see the efforts of your hard work come to fruition, as the days get a little shorter and the air turns crisp. It's about enjoying the last bursts of color and getting ready for the quiet slumber of winter. The plants that truly shine here are the ones built for a bit of a challenge, the ones that can handle the cooler air and the particular soil conditions you find in these areas, and that, you know, is where some specialized knowledge really comes into play.

Finding the right plants for these spots can feel a bit like finding a treasure, honestly. You want things that will not just survive, but truly flourish, adding beauty and life year after year. Places that specialize in this kind of gardening, like High Country Gardens, offer a helping hand, giving you access to varieties that have proven their worth in conditions that might make other plants simply give up. It's about creating a garden that feels right at home, even when the weather decides to be a little unpredictable, which it often does.

Table of Contents

David Salman - The Visionary Behind High Country Gardens

The story of High Country Gardens really begins with David Salman, the person who started it all. He was, in a way, a true plant enthusiast with a keen eye for what would truly work in more challenging spots. It was his deep interest in plants and his firsthand experience with the unique growing conditions of the western mountains and high plains that led him to establish a place dedicated to offering plants that could actually thrive there. He wasn't just selling plants; he was, you know, offering solutions for gardeners facing specific environmental hurdles.

One notable discovery attributed to David Salman is the Salvia 'Scarlet Spires'. This particular plant, so it seems, was something he found and recognized for its special qualities. For a founder to personally find and introduce a plant speaks volumes about their dedication and their hands-on approach to the business. It shows a real connection to the plants themselves and a desire to bring something truly worthwhile to the gardening community, especially those dealing with similar conditions to his own. He was always, like, looking for that next great thing that would make a real difference in people's gardens.

His vision for High Country Gardens was, in some respects, about more than just selling plants. It was about sharing knowledge and providing plants that were well-suited to particular environments, ensuring a higher chance of success for gardeners. This kind of thoughtful approach, where the owner is personally involved in finding and testing plants, builds a lot of trust and shows a deep respect for the art of gardening itself. It's pretty clear he wanted to make sure people had the best chance at a beautiful outdoor space, no matter where they lived.

David Salman - Personal Details

DetailInformation
RoleFounding Owner of High Country Gardens
Key ContributionDiscovery and introduction of Salvia 'Scarlet Spires'
Focus AreaGardening in Western Mountains and High Plains

What Makes Salvia 'Scarlet Spires' Special from High Country Gardens?

So, what exactly is it about Salvia 'Scarlet Spires' that makes it stand out, especially as an introduction from High Country Gardens? Well, it's described as a truly wonderful salvia, one of the best you can find, and that's saying something when you consider all the different salvias out there. Often, when a plant gets this kind of praise, it means it brings a lot to the garden table. It might have a really long bloom period, giving you color for many weeks, or perhaps it handles dry spells with ease, which is a big plus in places with less rainfall. It could also be a favorite of pollinators, bringing bees and hummingbirds to your outdoor space, which is always a nice thing to see.

A plant being "one of the best" usually means it's pretty reliable and gives a good show without a lot of fuss. For a salvia, this could mean vibrant, eye-catching flowers that really pop in the garden, maybe a deep, rich red that lives up to its "scarlet" name. It might also have a nice, upright shape that fits well into different garden designs, or perhaps it's just very tough, shrugging off common garden problems. That, you know, makes a plant a real winner in many people's books.

The fact that David Salman, the very person who started High Country Gardens, found this particular salvia and brought it to gardeners suggests it has something truly special. It's probably a plant that performs consistently well, even in the kind of conditions that High Country Gardens specializes in – those spots where the weather can be a bit more extreme. This kind of endorsement from the founder himself gives you a pretty good feeling about adding it to your own garden, knowing it comes from a place that really knows its plants. It's like, a seal of approval from someone who truly understands the dirt.

Discovering Other Great Plants from High Country Gardens

Beyond the celebrated Salvia 'Scarlet Spires', High Country Gardens is known for providing a variety of other plants that do well in specific settings. The world of gardening is full of so many different choices, and finding plants that are well-documented and known to perform can make a big difference for someone trying to create a thriving outdoor space. When you are looking for plants, sometimes you want to see what other people have experienced with them, and that's where plant database entries, which High Country Gardens often features, become really helpful, you know?

These entries, with their images and details, give you a pretty good idea of what to expect from a plant before you even get it in the ground. They are like little snapshots of a plant's life, showing you how it looks, what it needs, and how others have found it. This kind of information is, in some respects, very reassuring for gardeners, especially when trying something new or something that needs to be tough enough for the high country. It helps you make a choice that feels right for your particular spot.

Nepeta 'Select Blue' and High Country Gardens

Consider, for instance, Nepeta x faassenii 'Select Blue'. This plant often shows up in databases with a good number of images and comments, which suggests it's a popular and well-loved choice. Nepeta, generally speaking, is known for its pretty purple-blue flowers and its ability to handle quite a bit of sun and drier soil once it's settled in. It's a plant that tends to be very attractive to bees and other helpful insects, making it a good pick for a pollinator-friendly garden. The 'Select Blue' variety, specifically, likely offers a particularly nice shade of blue or a more compact growth habit, making it a reliable choice from places like High Country Gardens.

Hummingbird Trumpet 'Sky Island Orange' and High Country Gardens

Then there's the Hummingbird Trumpet, Epilobium canum 'Sky Island Orange'. Just the name itself, you know, hints at its appeal. This plant is a magnet for hummingbirds, as you might guess, with its bright, cheerful orange flowers. Plants like this are often quite drought-tolerant once they're established, which is a real bonus for areas that don't get constant rainfall. The fact that it has database entries with comments and details means gardeners are finding success with it and are willing to share their experiences. It's a plant that adds a burst of color and life, and High Country Gardens would be a place to find such a vibrant addition.

Aster 'Lady in Black' and High Country Gardens

And let's not forget Aster, specifically Symphyotrichum lateriflorum 'Lady in Black'. Asters are generally known for their late-season blooms, providing color when many other plants are fading. The 'Lady in Black' variety, with its name, suggests something with darker foliage or stems, which can create a really interesting contrast with its flowers. Having many images and comments in a plant database means it's a well-regarded plant, probably offering good performance and visual interest. High Country Gardens, with its focus on plants that perform, would likely offer such a distinctive aster, giving gardeners something special for their autumn displays.

Why Are Rhizome Sizes Important for High Country Gardens' Plants?

When you're getting plants, especially those that come as rhizomes, the size of those underground stems can actually matter quite a bit. It’s not just about getting a piece of plant; it’s about getting a piece that has enough stored energy to really get going once it’s in the ground. I mean, I've gotten dry rhizomes from places like Hirts and High Country Gardens, and both of them, it seems, offered good quality ones. This suggests they are sending out rhizomes that are well-developed and ready to grow, which is pretty important, honestly.

My own experience shows that I pay a lot of attention to rhizome size. The reason for this is pretty practical: the wild animals that visit my garden often decide to chew on things. A larger, more robust rhizome might have a better chance of surviving a little nibble or two, or at least recovering from it, compared to a tiny, weaker one. It’s like giving your plant a head start and a bit of extra resilience against unexpected visitors. So, a good quality, decent-sized rhizome from a place like High Country Gardens can make a real difference in how well your plant establishes itself and whether it makes it through those initial challenges.

It's a small detail, perhaps, but one that can significantly impact the success of your planting. When a supplier consistently provides good quality rhizomes, it speaks to their commitment to healthy plant material and, in some respects, to the gardener's success. It shows they understand the practical side of gardening, where things like animal activity are just a part of the daily routine. You really want to know that what you're planting has a fair shot, and bigger rhizomes tend to give you that confidence, you know?

Where Else Do Gardeners Find Great Plants, Besides High Country Gardens?

For a gardener who is always on the lookout for the right plants, it's pretty common to source from a few different places, trying to find exactly what fits their needs. While High Country Gardens is a solid choice, especially for those tougher, high-country spots, many people, myself included, also order from a variety of other nurseries. This past year and the year before, I've placed orders with Plant Delights, Flowers by the Sea, Sweet Nectar Nursery, and Romence Gardens & Greenhouses. It's like, you build a relationship with these places because they consistently offer good plants, and I'll probably keep going back to them for my plants this year too.

Each of these places tends to have its own specialties, which is why a gardener might pick and choose. Plant Delights, for example, is often known for its wide and sometimes unusual selection. Flowers by the Sea might be a go-to for specific types of plants, perhaps salvias or other unique perennials. Sweet Nectar Nursery could be a favorite for plants that attract pollinators, living up to its name. And Romence Gardens & Greenhouses might be the place for certain kinds of roses or other garden staples. It's about finding the right fit for each particular plant you want to add, and having a few trusted sources, including High Country Gardens, just makes sense.

This approach of looking around helps ensure you get the best quality and the specific varieties you're after. It's a way of making sure your garden gets exactly what it needs to really thrive. It's also, you know, a bit of an adventure, seeing what new things are out there and what new places might offer something special for your outdoor space. Finding good suppliers, like High Country Gardens, is a big part of building a garden that truly brings you joy.

How Do High Country Gardens' Roses Stand Up to Winter?

When it comes to roses, getting them through the winter, especially in places with colder temperatures, can be a real test. I had an experience where I ordered five roses from High Country Gardens and another five from Burlington. The difference in how they fared was pretty stark, honestly. From the Burlington order, only one rose actually made it through the winter. That's a pretty tough outcome when you're hoping for a whole bunch of blooms come spring, you know?

But with the order from High Country Gardens, it was a completely different story. All five of those roses are still doing very, very well. They are thriving, which means they not only survived the cold months but came back strong, putting out new growth and showing every sign of being healthy and ready to bloom. This kind of performance speaks volumes about the quality of the plants from High Country Gardens, especially their roses. It suggests they are sourcing or growing varieties that are particularly resilient and well-suited to tougher conditions, or perhaps their plant handling before shipping gives them a better start.

For gardeners in high plains or high country areas, having roses that can withstand the winter without needing a ton of extra fuss is a huge benefit. It saves a lot of heartache and effort. The fact that High Country Gardens' roses performed so much better than another supplier's in the same conditions is a pretty strong indicator of their commitment to providing plants that truly live up to their promise. It’s like, they really get what it takes to grow things in these spots, and it shows in the plants themselves.

Caring for Your High Country Gardens Selections in the Cooler Months

As John Cretti mentioned in his publication for the western mountains and high plains, autumn is a time to truly enjoy your garden, especially when you're dealing with plants from places like High Country Gardens. This period isn't just about looking at pretty leaves; it's also about getting things ready for the quiet of winter. For plants that are meant for the high country or high plains, like many of those from High Country Gardens, a bit of thoughtful care in the fall can make all the difference in how they perform next spring and summer. It's like, a little bit of effort now pays off big later.

This might involve things like making sure your plants are well-watered before the ground freezes solid, which helps protect their roots. Or it could mean adding a layer of mulch around them, which acts like a warm blanket, keeping the soil temperature more even and protecting those important rhizomes and root systems. As I mentioned, wild animals in my garden often chew on things, so ensuring plants are well-established and perhaps even protected with some physical barriers can be part of this autumn routine. It's about giving your plants the best chance to rest and recharge without facing too many extra challenges from the elements or critters.

Ultimately, the goal is to make sure your plants, whether they're the vibrant Salvia 'Scarlet Spires', the charming Nepeta 'Select Blue', the hummingbird-attracting Epilobium canum 'Sky Island Orange', or those resilient roses from High Country Gardens, are set up for success. By paying attention to these details in the fall, you're not just protecting your current plants; you're also setting the stage for a beautiful and thriving garden when the warmer weather returns. It’s a bit of a cycle, really, and autumn is a pretty important part of it for these types of growing areas.

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