New Forsythia Discovered for 2024 Gardens

03/15/2024 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener A unique plant explicitly grown for this weekend’s Spring Open House is SpringShine Forsythia. Gardeners will drool over this 2024 introduction. Better than your grandfather’s forsythia. Springshine delivers years of instant cheer to your…

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Top 10 Ground Covers & 9 Places To Plant Them

12/15/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Mountain landscapes are difficult for plants, especially if you want to keep them low maintenance.  In an arid climate where rock lawns are the norm because growing conditions are challenging, ground- hugging plants are…

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10 1/2 Evergreen Shrubs for a Greener Winter

11/07/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Autumn colors are spectacular. The colors and textures are unique to the four seasons of the mountain west. As we wrap up the last Autumn leaves, the landscape can feel naked and bare. Deciduous…

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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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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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Your End-of-Summer Garden To-Do List

09/13/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Gardening is a year-round hobby, each month providing a new opportunity to cultivate your land and forest success. Gardeners are at the harvest season’s peak and relish in the bounty of their vegetable and…

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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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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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Best Smelling Plants for Outdoor Gardens

05/17/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Arizona is famous for outdoor activities. When all this activity brings the party to your deck, patio, or pool’s edge, the fragrance of the garden should be positive and uplifting to the friends that…

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Top 10 Rose Colors Everyone Can Grow

04/25/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener The colors stun gardeners in their tracks. Thousands of roses are offered at the garden center in dozens and dozens of fragrances. Choosing the perfect one can be overwhelming, but not after this read.…

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