How to Plant an Evergreen in a Winter Landscape

12/20/2013 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

Using living trees over fresh-cut trees to decorate the holidays has increased in popularity.  A quarter of my local Christmas tree sales are for living trees that will be planted in January. Because of their waxy needles and high internal…

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Deodar Cedar as a living Christmas Tree

12/14/2013 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

Plant tip of the day – Deodar Cedar as a living Christmas Tree [youtube]http://youtu.be/5pgHlFyBSx8[/youtube] Large, pyramidal form with attractive gray green foliage and graceful, arching branches. Makes a wonderful living Christmas tree! Allow plenty of room in the landscape to…

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Rosemary Christmas Holiday Tree shapes

12/13/2013 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

Plant tip of the day – Rosemary Christmas Holiday Tree shapes [youtube]http://youtu.be/ZkrxERhe_jg[/youtube] The Rosemary can withstand 10 – 20 degree temperatures, can endure hot sun and poor soil but does require good drainage. Will grow to 6′ tall and growth…

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Watters 2013 Holiday Sweepstakes

12/13/2013 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

Pamper yourself this Holiday with a massage from The Natural Healing Garden, Prescott AZ! Just enter to win (no purchase is necessary and you get bonus points when FB friends enter) – it’s that easy. What are you waiting for…

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Gifts for Gardeners, Stylish Focal Point Trees, and here comes Spring!

12/13/2013 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

It is hard to believe that Hanukkah ended last week, Christmas celebrations are next, and that welcoming in the New Year is only two weeks away.  In our household it might be the frenzy of twin girls shopping for universities…

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Pinyon Pine as living Christmas Tree

12/12/2013 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

Plant tip of the day – Pinyon Pine as a living Christmas Tree [youtube]http://youtu.be/oYzgbVwCLHg[/youtube] Exceptionally drought tolerant, this hardy, adaptable North American native is slow growing with a broad, rounded crown. New growth is bluish-green turning yellowish-green. Cones are produced…

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Italian Stone Pine as living Christmas Tree

12/11/2013 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

Plant tip of the day – Italian Stone Pine as living Christmas Tree [youtube]http://youtu.be/Op2ON893Eh0[/youtube] Famous for it’s delicious pine nuts from the Mediterranean. The dome shaped tree is quite easy to grow and has been know to produce these wonderful…

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Leyland Cypress – Christmas Tree

12/10/2013 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

Plant tip of the day – Leyland Cypress as Living Christmas Tree [youtube]http://youtu.be/8Wy1tWxqqEU[/youtube] A cold hardy alternative to Italian cypress that adds Mediterranean character to landscapes. Outstanding against warm colored stucco walls or in conjunction with rectangular Moroccan style swimming…

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Tiny Tower Italian Cypress

12/09/2013 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

Plant tip of the day – Tiny Tower Italian Cypress as Living Christmas accent [youtube]http://youtu.be/A0HkLOL6AfA[/youtube] A unique, compact form with exceptionally dense blue-green foliage. Maintains its narrow, columnar form and tidy, well-groomed appearance without pruning. Excellent for formal plantings or…

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Blackhills Spruce as Living Christmas Tree

12/08/2013 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

Plant tip of the day – Blackhills Spruce as a Living Christmas Tree [youtube]http://youtu.be/RgNANdxDVr0[/youtube] This is a useful midsized blue-colored spruce that works perfectly in the suburban landscape. Use as background foliage for colorful seasonal plantings. A great candidate for…

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