Category: Summer

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener How big can a single flower blossom be? The rare corpse flower of Indonesia can be up to three feet across!  There are far more fragrant and more readily available giant flowers we can…

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Most tree fruits release a sweet scent into the air when their fruits are ready to taste, but even so, it’s tough to gauge the exact moment of peak ripeness. Times will vary year…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Gardening may be one of America’s favorite hobbies, but it does have a downside:  Imagine investing dozens of hours and hundreds of dollars redecorating your bedroom, only to have it crumble to ashes in…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Clockwise – Zinnia, Nierembergia, Verbena Readers Digest-type Condensed Version of this Article Annual flowers never have a chance to develop an extensive root system. Premium Mulch helps sustain most plants and keeps away the…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener These hot days of Summer, which officially starts this week, may be tempting us to sit back and simply enjoy what we planted in Spring. But this is the time when we must turn…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Gorgeous purple flowers cover this summer-long bloomer held over compact green foliage. This bloomer loves bright gardens, summer heat, and grows best in poor soils with less water. The perfect native perennial for summer-long…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Scented flowers bring another dimension of enjoyment to the garden. Some flowers are lightly scented and need to be close to appreciate. Other plants engulf the entire yard in their perfume—think of Spring’s lilacs…

Enjoy Summer-Long Color With These Long-Blooming Favorites By Ken Lain, the mountain gardeners Beautiful spring days draw gardeners into their backyards for a soft launch away from isolation, cabin fever, and the joy of fresh air.  I am a flower…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener How to attract more butterflies into the gardens was this week’s most-asked question from friends, family, and garden center customers.  Because butterflies have their favorite foods, the answer is the same whether you are…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener If your landscaping seems to look bedraggled, it’s time to look into growing some summer-flowering shrubs. Some of these bushes begin blooming earlier in the year but have good staying power, continuing to blossom…