This garden was created to be a home for the many pollinators in Beulah Valley, provide education on native and waterwise plants that are beneficial, grow/thrive in our area and bring a smile to all visiting the garden.
Owner of the Market 2, gave the green light to put the garden on her property which is on the main corner of town. Donations were received for the hardscape around the garden and library. Beulah community volunteers completed all the garden/soil preparation and hardscaping.
A grant of $1500 was received through SHED for this project which included plants, rock birdbath made by a local artist, hose and plants. We formed a small committee for plant selection and once the grant was funded the work began deciding on what plants would be used and where they would be placed. Originally the plan was to use all native plants, however in southern Colorado we are limited in the availability of native plants through nurseries so we wanted to make sure every flower planted would be easily found by our fellow gardeners. Criteria for plants selection was native plants, acclimated water-wise plants and they all had to have the same purpose – support pollinators. Members of our Beulah Garden club helped decide on placement and planting of flowers.
The garden was designed to have color throughout the growing season. These plants did not disappoint. This spring the penstemon were show stoppers and bees, butterflies, moths and beneficial insects abuzz throughout the garden.
On June 29, tragedy struck in the form of a wildfire and took over the community of Beulah. No one knew what to expect when we were all cleared to return. Our hearts and thanks go out to all the firefighters who fought to save Beulah proper. Our pollinator garden in turn rewarded us. Going without water for 14+ days in the heat, smoke, fire and wind it defied the odds and stood there tall, proud and more beautiful than we left it 14 days prior. These plants are a testament to water-wise and native gardening. This garden will continue to be an educational garden teaching us about plants, flowers and pollinators.
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