- Consultation on High Altitude Gardening
- Over 400 Hardy Plant Species
- Products for all your Garden & Planting Needs
- Seed Mixes Designed for Summit County
- Knowledgeable, Friendly Service
- Display Garden & Sample Plants
- Irrigation Supplies
- Free Informational Handouts
The pricipals of Neils Lunceford, Inc. have been studying and creating landscapes at high altitudes for over 20 years. Since the inception of Neils Lunceford, Inc. in 1980, quailty, education and professional creativity have become constant products of the firm.
Neils Lunceford Nursery is located at 8,750 feet above sea level and our work has taken us to elevations of 12,500 feet above sea level. These elevations and the general climate of Summit County render quite an interesting and challenging plant list. Neils Lunceford has one of the largest selections of plant materials in the mountain area. Our staff has been conducting numerous experiments and research projects for many years to better understand the native plant materials, low maintenance and drought tolerant species. These efforts have resulted in the introduction of many very useful plants increasing our high altitude plant palette.
Neils Lunceford Plant List
The following is a partial list of plant materials found or grown in Summit County, Colorado by Neils Lunceford, Inc. The success of each plant depends on the location of the site in Summit County and many other environmental factors. Ask a nursery salesperson for suggestions for your site.
Trees
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Shrubs
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Perennials & Groundcovers
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Annuals
Annuals provide a very long bloom time for just one year. Plant types and colors may be combined in many ways to produce a wide variety of effects and arrangements. Annuals are an effective way to provide quick color in gardens and on decks and porches. Many annuals can be started from seeds.
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Wildflower Seed Mixes & Sowing Instructions
Neils Lunceford custom mixes the finest wildflower blends and uses only those seeds which have proven themselves in our challenging area. We hope you will learn to enjoy wildflowers as much as we do. A wildflower meadow takes time to establish. Nature has taken hundreds of years to give us the beautiful views of which we are thinking of growing ourselves.
Wildflower seeds are best sown in October and November when they will lie dormant during the winter and begin to grow in the spring as temperatures become warmer and the snow melts and provides moisture that is essential to growth. You may also sow them as the ground becomes workable in the spring. This and appropriate water are essential for the best results. Prepare the bed or area by incorporating organic matter, such as compost and rake the area smooth. Additional fertilizers are not usually necessary. Wildflowers usually achieve the the best results in soils with low fertility.
Prepare the bed 3 to 4 weeks in advance. This will give many weed seeds the chance to germinate. you can then rake the weeds up or apply a herbicide such as "Finale" or "Round-Up" that will kill everything but leave virtually no residue in the soil.
Mix the wildflower seed with 2 to 3 times its volume with a carrier such as sand or kitty litter. This will add volume to allow you to broadcast the seed evenly and at the recommended seeding rate. Carefully rake the seed in making sure not to cover it more than 1/8 inch deep. Many seeds require sunlight to germinate.
Some seedlings will appear within 2 weeks of sowing depending on temperature and moisture available. Seed sown in the fall will appear in the spring. Wilflowers grow best when sown alone or with a non-aggresive clump type grass such as Sheep Fescue. Native grasses are generally more attractive, however most are slow growing. The fescue will grow quickly and provide soil stabilization. Avoid aggressive grasses such as Annual Rye and Kentucky Blue, and clover as they will out compete the wildflowers.
Expect your bed to change in character through the years as the more successful plants to continue to develop. Take care to weed out unwanted plants. When the area is well established in three to five years, one mowing late in the fall after the seed heads have had the opportuntiy to develop is all that may be needed. This gives a much cleaner look to the area and distributes the wildflower seed. Supplemental irrigation may be needed in dry seasons or to prolong the bloom period and promote new seedlings.
Summit County Annual
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Grass Seed Mixes & Sowing Instructions
The soil needs to be worked to a depth of at least 4", and free of stones greater than 2". Add organic matter as needed and smooth the area to final grade. Once worked, compact the soil so when you step on it you leave an impression of no more than 1/2" deep. Fill in any low areas.
Choose the seed using the descriptions of seed mixes that follow. Make sure to chose a mix to fit your soil and growing conditions. Sow in the seed in opposite directions to assure good coverage at a rate of 2-3 Ilbs. per 1,000 square feet. Rake lightly after seeding. An optimum depth for grass seed is 1/8 to 1/4" deep. A light dusting of straw can be used to help hold the seed in place. If the slope is greater than 2:1, use erosion control materials, such as an excelsior blanket or straw with netting.
Soak the area immediately after seeding but do not allow water to puddle or run off. Water at least once a day to keep the soil moist. On hot, sunny, or windy days you will need to water more frequently. Keep the water in the root zone. Water deeper and less often as the grass grows. The best time to water is in early morning or early evening. It is best to use an organic fertilizer, ask a nursery professional for recommendations. Use moderate rates as not to burn the seedlings. Lightly fertilize in two directions to prevent streaking. Water well after applying fertilizer.
The type and depth of soil, the type of seed used, weather and the amount of moisture received determines germination and establishment. Seed mixes in areas of little or no irrigation will take two seasons to form a good stand. Grass stands can take several years to reach mature height. Areas under irrigation will mature at a much quicker rate.
Short Grass Mixture
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A premium lawn mix for consistently watered and mowed lawns. SImilar max as used in sod. Not recommended for wildflowers. |
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Drought tolerant low growing grass mix that can be mowed or left unmowed. Requires little water once established. Good mix to use with wildflowers when irrigated. Slow to cover. |
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Quick cover mix that contains tall non-native aggressive grasses. Provides a crop or field look. Use for erosion control & reclamation. For very steep slopes & poor soils. Do NOT use with wildflowers and not recommended for home properties. |
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Mixture of primarily bunch type grasses to provide a "natural" look. Good Companion for wildflowers. |
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This mix meets Summit County and Town of Breckenridge recommendations for reclamation. |
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The best grass to use when seeding wildflowers! A native short bunch-type grass. |
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Good for quick revegetaion. Do NOT use if seeding wildflowers or near garden areas. White and pink flowers. |
Mountain Meadow Grass Seed Mixture
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This mix meets Summit County and Town of Breckenridge recommendations for reclamation. |
Neils Lunceford, Inc.
Landscape Design/Build
740 Blue River Parkway
Silverthorne, Colorado 80498
email: office@neilslunceford.com
Phone:970-468-0340
Fax: 970-468-6865