New Starts from Old Stock
- Lisa
- Oct 3, 2025
- 2 min read
I just returned from visiting family in Colorado and Wyoming. Late September is a glorious time to visit the Rocky Mountains and the High Plains. The yellow aspen trees dot the mountains like rivers of gold among the pines.
In Cheyenne, Wyoming I went along with my aunt and uncle to visit the High Plains Arboretum. This arboretum is being established at the former USDA horticulture research station where my grandfather, Gene Howard, spent his career. My uncle is part of a team working to give the station a new start through new plants, new purpose, and the historic preservation of greenhouses and homes that were occupied by USDA staff for many decades. This is where my mom and uncle grew up.
In the greenhouse were tables of plants left from a plant sale that occurred earlier in the summer. Among the plants were two varieties of raspberries that my grandad developed. Lucky for me, I was able to purchase a Trailblazer and a Plainsman plant to bring home. I find it amazing that I can continue to grow a plant that my grandad started over 40 years ago!
My procurement of plant "starts" continued as I was able to take geranium cuttings from four plants that are at least 50 years old and then starts from a massive begonia and prayer plant my aunt has tended for many years. We carefully wrapped the stems in damp paper towels and nestled them in cups that fit the cupholders in the vehicle for my journey home.
When I arrived home, I tucked the raspberry plants into one of my South facing flowerbeds. Here they will get full sun and irrigation. I'm planning to keep them protected in their pots through the winter.
For my collection of cuttings, I pulled out an assortment of small vases and gave them homes for making roots. The begonia is bigger, wilder, and required a practical tall plastic cup. The cute arrangement of new starts is sitting in my sunroom where they are bathed in morning sunshine. I look forward to seeing little roots start to grow.
It is such a joy to have plants in my garden, and in my home, that have come from friends and family. Yes, I suppose I'm sentimental about plants. Plants too can have a story. Here's to new starts from old stock!
A life-size bronze statue of my grandad is located in
the Rotary Plazas area of the Cheyenne Botanic Garden.
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