Perennials to Cut Back in Autumn & How to Grow Them

10/31/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Most perennial hibernate underground through winter. Some are downright ugly after our first hard frost and harbor pest and disease unless cut back by the end of the year. You protect these perennials for…

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How to Grow Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina)

10/31/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) is a low-maintenance, evergreen shrub with dazzling color all year. Native to eastern Asia, heavenly bamboo thrives in Arizona’s mountains, sporting cane-like stems and finely textured leaves. In spring, dainty…

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How to Grow Quaking Aspen

10/31/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener The quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), a name that refers to how its leaves tremble at the slightest breeze, is a tree in the willow family. Other common names refer to such features as its fall color (golden…

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Top 10 Shrubs for a Brighter Autumn Landscape

10/18/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener  Mountain landscapes are famous for their autumn colors. This month’s column is merely a list of the best-colored plants you’ll find to plant in your backyard. There are more choices, especially if you include…

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11 Fall Tips for Better Gardens

10/12/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Autumn gardening is a great time to look back on garden successes and disappointments. There’s still plenty of time to do some garden maintenance. Fall gardening takes advantage of cooler temperatures and fewer weeds…

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Top 10 Fall Flowers to Plant for a Gorgeous Fall Garden

09/27/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Fall trees and shrubs with colorful fall foliage are a prized part of the autumn scene. Perennial and annual flowers are frosting of color at the same time. Fall flowers come in various colors,…

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Vegetables You Can Plant in September

08/30/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener There are lots of vegetables that grow well through the cool autumn weather. Some plants need longer days and a bit warmer soil to really get started, but all produce through the end of…

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Fertilize Everything in the Yard Before Halloween

10/14/2022 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Walk down any aisle of your local garden center, and you can’t help but notice the dizzying array of plant foods. You’ll see bags, bottles, powders, granules, sprays, and concentrates. Furthermore, you’ll discover more…

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34 Perennials to Cut Back in Fall & How to Grow Them

11/02/2021 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener What perennials should not be cut back in the autumn? Pruning Perennials. Should all perennials be cut back in the fall? Can you cut back perennials before frost? When should perennials be cut back…

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How to Grow English Ivy

11/01/2021 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener The only evergreen vine that stays green in shady gardens. Large lustrous foliage stays waxed green through winter, forming a lush blanketing groundcover under large shrubs and trees. Quickly climbs walls, pillars, arbors, and…

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