HOW TO GROW POINSETTIAS

11/30/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Next to a living Christmas tree, nothing says Christmas like poinsettias. Watters has dozens of colors ranging from traditional shades of red, pink, and white to burgundy, peach, striped, and freckled. They add a…

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How to Grow an Evergreen Arizona Cypress

11/21/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener A valid Arizona native growing naturally at the 3500 to 6000-foot elevation, the Arizona Cypress is collected by conifer lovers around the globe. It is an exceptional choice for xeriscape and desert landscaping 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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How to Grow Prickly Pear Cactus

08/16/2023 Ken Davis

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardner Large, beautiful yellow flowers rest on the outer edges of spine-covered pads. The pads often turn a rich purple color in winter and return to a soft blue-gray through the growing season. An excellent…

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Grow Better Peonies this Spring

05/10/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Perennial peonies grow naturally in the gardens of Europe, China, and the Western U.S. From one corner of the globe to another, peony plants have been transplanted and admired. Asia prizes the plant for…

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How to Grow & Care for Roses

03/23/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener The fragrance will remind you of visits to Grandmother’s house. A truly outstanding rose for the large flowers and captivating fragrance, and super easy to grow. She is in a class by herself, even…

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How to Grow Better African Violets

12/28/2022 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Currently, there are 3200 species of African Violets. The very first violet was discovered in 1892 by Baron Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire, a German colonial official in Tanzania, thus the botanical name Saintpaulia ionantha.…

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How to Grow Clematis

08/17/2022 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener This Vine Is Known for Its Bold, Richly-Colored Flowers With its big, richly-colored flowers, The President clematis offers great aesthetic value for its looks, alone. But as a fast-growing vine that can be trained to grow…

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Growing Brighter Garden Hydrangeas

05/18/2022 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Do hydrangeas like more sun or shade? How to grow hydrangeas in pots.What is the best way to grow hydrangeas? How to grow hydrangeas in Arizona. Are hydrangeas easy to grow? Can hydrangeas grow…

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