Mountain Pepperweed: A Little-Known Colorado Native Worth Discovering
If you’re on the hunt for truly local native plants for your Colorado garden, you might want to get acquainted with mountain pepperweed (Lepidium montanum var. coloradense). This unassuming little native is one of those plants that flies under the radar – perhaps a bit too much under the radar, as detailed growing information can be surprisingly scarce!
What Exactly Is Mountain Pepperweed?
Mountain pepperweed is a native forb that calls Colorado home. Unlike woody shrubs or trees, this herbaceous plant lacks significant woody tissue above ground, making it a true soft-stemmed garden resident. It’s classified as both biennial and perennial, which means it might complete its life cycle in two years or stick around as a long-term garden companion – nature keeps us guessing with this one!
As a member of the mustard family, mountain pepperweed shares kinship with more familiar plants like radishes and cabbage, though it’s definitely the wild, free-spirited cousin of the bunch.
Where Does It Come From?
This variety of mountain pepperweed is a true Colorado native, endemic to the beautiful landscapes of the Centennial State. When we say native, we mean it has been growing wild in Colorado long before any of us started thinking about landscaping or garden design.
Should You Plant Mountain Pepperweed?
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit challenging. While mountain pepperweed earns major points for being a genuine Colorado native (always a win for supporting local ecosystems!), finding detailed growing information about this specific variety is like searching for a needle in a haystack.
The case for planting it:
- It’s a true Colorado native, supporting local biodiversity
- As a forb, it likely provides nectar and habitat for native insects
- Native plants are generally well-adapted to local climate conditions
- You’ll be growing something genuinely unique and locally appropriate
The challenges:
- Limited availability in nurseries (you might need to do some serious hunting)
- Scarce growing information means you’ll be gardening somewhat experimentally
- Unknown mature size, growth rate, and specific care requirements
Growing Mountain Pepperweed: What We Know
Unfortunately, specific growing conditions, hardiness zones, and care instructions for this particular variety remain something of a mystery. As a Colorado native forb, it’s likely adapted to the state’s variable conditions, but without detailed cultivation information, growing it successfully would require some educated guesswork and close observation.
If you’re determined to try growing mountain pepperweed, your best bet might be:
- Contacting local native plant societies or botanical gardens
- Observing where it grows naturally in the wild (if you can find it)
- Starting with conditions typical for Colorado native forbs
- Being prepared for some trial and error
The Bottom Line
Mountain pepperweed represents both the excitement and frustration of native plant gardening. While it’s undoubtedly a worthy native species that deserves more attention, the lack of readily available growing information makes it a plant for the more adventurous gardener.
If you’re just starting your native plant journey, you might want to begin with better-documented Colorado natives before tackling this botanical puzzle. But if you love a good gardening challenge and want to support truly local flora, mountain pepperweed could be your next great adventure – just be prepared to become something of a plant detective in the process!
