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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Top 10 Tall Plants for Stunning Containers

09/06/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Tall potted plants can turn ordinary container gardens into works of art. They add height, variety, and a little drama to mixed containers. But grouping plants in containers takes a finesse. The general formula…

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12 Medicinal Plants of Arizona with Herbal Uses

08/23/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Arizona is well past its 100th anniversary as a state and all grown up. Pioneers to the territory needed to be resourceful, work hard, and figure out how to work with the land, including…

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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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Thrilling Plants Perfect for BIG Pots

02/08/2023 Ken Davis

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Spring trees begin to bloom this issue. Trees are noble works of nature, and we are humbled by their greatness. While walking through the redwoods of California or admiring the massive structure of a…

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Why January is the Best Month to Plant Wildflowers

01/26/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener On the Go Answer – Readers Digest-type Condensed Version of this Article Wildflowers are best planted in winter Most flowers prefer at least 6 six hours of sun per day Hydromulch – blend wildflower…

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Narrow Side Yards Made Beautifully

11/17/2022 Ken Davis

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Many mountain homes have a side yard that is not only long and narrow but treacherously steep. Good landscape design for such a layout is complicated at best. A good design ties the entire…

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Feed your Landscape Now

07/15/2022 Ken Davis

Monsoon rains hit the Lain gardens on Monday Let the Monsoon Rains do the Work for You One simple food for the entire landscape. The safety you can feel good about around family, animals, and friends. Enjoy vivid flowers &…

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How to Grow Vanderwolf Pine

11/01/2021 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Vanderwolf is related to Arizona Pinion Pine by produces fluffy foliage that resembles a blue Cedar from a distance. It is remarkably resilient in dry Arizona soils. Makes a very graceful single specimen for…

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HOW TO GROW BLUE SPRUCE

12/09/2020 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) is a trendy evergreen conifer tree with a handsome, naturally pyramidal form with rigid tiered branches covered with stiff gray-blue needles. Spruce trees make a perfect evergreen windbreak or tall…

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