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…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Every landscape needs some upkeep. Many are labors of love for the outdoors, nature, and all plants that grow in the yard. Water by hand and mowing take up large amounts of time and…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Most gardeners remember their grandmother’s tall Autumn Joy growing in the Most gardeners remember their grandmother’s tall Autumn Joy growing in thehottest parts of the garden. Their joyous cousins spread and creep with the…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener What are the best ground cover plants for desert landscapes? Drought tolerant ground cover you can walk on. Where should you plant ground cover? Arizona ground cover plants. Xeriscape ground cover Neon Sedum Creeping…
Read MoreBy 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, but when done well, it can…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener What plants can take full sun and heat? Sun tolerant shrubs. What shrubs plants do best in full sun? Low maintenance heat drought tolerant shrubs. What is a good bush to plant in front…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener On the Go Answer – Readers Digest-type Condensed Version of this Article 17 types of Lavender grow locally: English, French, Spanish, sweet, fernleaf, and lavandin. Lavender grows best in the hot sun and well-drained…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Portulaca plants grow to 8 inches tall, and spread 1 to 2 feet to create a dense mat, making this bloomer the perfect groundcover, or ideal at spilling over containers and sunny hot raised…
Read Moreby Lisa Watters-Lain, Arizona’s garden gal Your yard doesn’t have to look like the Sahara Desert in order to have a low-maintenance and water- wise landscape. You can have a summer garden that is full of beautiful, colorfully flowering plants…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Every plant needs water, but drought-resistant varieties need only dainty sips once they’re established. They are perfect for low-rainfall areas, or low-energy gardeners. Native plants have the best chance of surviving dry summers or…
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