Before and After photos of a habitat-friendly native plant garden in Boulder, CO

Boulder Yard Transformed Into A Habitat Hero Wildscape

By Wendy Hatoum, staff writer for High Country Gardens

This customer story is shared with High Country Gardens courtesy of Audubon Rockies.

This certified Habitat Hero garden in Colorado is one that creates habitat for birds and other wildlife by planting gardens with native plants. Habitat Hero is a project of Audubon Rockies, created to provides people, businesses, and cities with the resources to create bird habitat in their own communities. Supporting wildlife and conserving water, these wildscapes include residential and community gardens, schoolyards, city open spaces, and public demonstration gardens.

The front of the house features Iceplant, Partridge Feather, Shasta Daisies, Evening Primose, Sedum, Coreopsis, Foxtail Lilies, Agstache, Penstemon, Bearded IRis, and more. — The front of the house features Iceplant, Partridge Feather, Shasta Daisies, Evening Primose, Sedum, Coreopsis, Foxtail Lilies, Agstache, Penstemon, Bearded Iris, and more - the majority are native, waterwise plants.

Linda B. of Boulder, Colorado is a Habitat Hero. She purchased the tract home some 30 years ago, with the goal of turning the existing flat, brown yard into a flowering rock garden and a sanctuary for humans and wildlife. A graphic designer with a degree in zoology and botany, Linda has a passion for plants and an interest in low-water gardening. “I have a real love for all things wild, an interest in low-water usage, and a passion for numerous fun plants. I garden because I enjoy good physical exercise and have the enthusiasm to learn.”

Ornamental Grasses provide habitat, as well as a stylish backdrop to colorful flowers, including several Penstemon varieties.

A wildflower patch attracts plenty of hummingbirds and butterflies

Over the years, Linda has hauled tons of rock, amended the soil, and experimented with plant materials and design. Linda explained, “It is a rewarding feeling to enjoy the result and know I physically did it all myself."

"I think of my yard as a botanical zoo. I love the fact that the neighbors, the birds, the insects, and even some four-legged wildlife all enjoy it too. I’m a creative gardening addict and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” said Linda.