Gardening for Newcomers to Mountain Landscapes

02/07/2024 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener High altitude gardening is different from gardening at lower elevations.  Combine our altitude with Arizona’s dry climate, bright air, and ever-present mountain winds, and you pretty much can forget what you learned from gardening…

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How to Grow Lenton Rose Hellebore

02/06/2024 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the Top10Gardener Introducing a captivating addition to any garden landscape. With its delicate, blooms contrasting against deep green foliage, this resilient perennial brings a touch of elegance to even the coldest winter days. Ice & Roses thrives…

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Pretty Ground Covers That Love Summer Heat

08/01/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Groundcover for the mountains of Arizona needs to be tough, like the sun, take wind, adapt to hard soil, and still thrive. In the yard, surrounded by rock is not for every plant, but…

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6 Companion Plants for Potatoes

03/09/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Understanding companion plant strategies helps plan the best gardens without using chemical pesticides to control insects. Potatoes are large plants that benefit significantly from certain companion plants in the gardens. Others only attract and…

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Refreshing Poolside Landscapes for the Perfect Patio

08/11/2022 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener There are as many ways to landscape around the pool as possible styles and shapes of pools. Formal styles show off the pool as part of your home’s architecture. Whatever your style, you need…

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How to Grow California Poppy

04/22/2022 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, are vibrant little flowers that grow in vacant lots and roadsides with no care. California poppies bloom throughout the mountains of Arizona in late Spring to early Summer. These festive…

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How to Grow Coneflower Echinacea

09/03/2021 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Vibrant blooms on upright stems top this sturdy, compact plant. A fuss-free, cheerful choice for a sunny, easy-care low summer border. Drought tolerant and hardy, with prolific flowering over an exceptionally long season. These…

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How to Grow Flowering Penta

06/28/2021 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Pentas plants are annual mountain flowers tailor-made for butterflies. The nectar-rich flowers grow in clusters over several seasons in vibrant red, pink, and purple irresistible to butterflies. Clusters of many shallow blooms provide easy…

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How to Grow Pansy

02/25/2021 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Giant 3″ flowers thrive in extreme March gardens. Large, velvety blooms dazzle with radiant colors of blue, violet, yellow, and variations of stripes that look like smiling faces and love being planted in late…

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How to Grow Forsythia

02/25/2021 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener This gorgeous shrub explodes with masses of solar yellow flowers followed by shiny green leaves. Every home should have one for sheer beauty, fall color, and gentle natural care. Forsythias are a genus of…

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