Category: Natives

Prickly Pear Creole 2 cups of diced cactus – remove spine with a knife first 1 pound of hamburger (cooked and drained) 6 ounces of tomato paste 1 cup of water 2 diced Jalapeño pepper
s 6 1/2 ounces of canned shrimp…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener We’ve all seen  dreary, low-water landscapes. Though well-intentioned, the only color is gray to gray-green, with plants that look brittle and bone-dry. But water-wise gardens can be vibrant, colorful, and yes, even lush-looking. Although…

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener If you live in a neighborhood where ponderosa pines grow freely, you know about too many pine needles.  Pine trees drop lots of needles, especially those 50-foot giants!  Gutter guards protect my rain gutters,…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Residents new to the mountains want to get back-to-nature, find solitude, and escape the rat race.  Locally we call this the urban-wild land interface. However, with a woodland lifestyle come risks.  For instance, this…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Every garden needs a few plants that can handle whatever abuse we throw their way. That’s not to say we should be needlessly tough on them, but let’s face it, there are places in…

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Gardeners new to our area often bring with them the plants they loved back home. Admittedly, we have such a mild climate that the variety of plants that do well for us is greater…

Large, fragrant, burgundy and lavender flowers appear in big bold clusters all summer long.  This unique Watters selection is prized for its long bloom time, without setting the usual seed pods. The flowers are highly attractive to hummingbird and 100%…

Gardeners new to the area often try to bring their landscapes with them, including the plants they loved back home rather than using native plants. Admittedly, we have such a mild climate that the variety of plants that do well…

Wildflower seeds cling to the soil as it heaves with the freeze and thaw of late winter, and it’s an action that insures a good spring showing of wildflowers.  Our weather has been so warm that the window to spread…

30 second plant tip of the day on Brakelight Yucca: A compact new color selection of Hesperaloe parviflora! The vibrant, brake-light red color is wonderful contrast to the standard form which tends to be more pink or salmon in color.…