Page 12 – Watters Garden Center

06/09/202206/09/2022

14 Plants That Thrive in Dry Shade

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener

June is “Perennial” month at the garden centers. This is when virtually every perennial is showing off and in bloom. Perennials are those flowers that come back each year with more giant flowers as they mature in the gardens. This is the best season, and you have more choices; a gardener could not ask for more.

You have your work cut out if you plant in shady areas with dry soil. This list of preferred plants solved the problem of garden areas under trees, dark eaves, and decks. When under trees, roots suck up much of the available water and cast dark shade during the growing season. House eaves shelter plants from rain and natural hydration.

Most plants suitable for dry shade grow better if supplied with average moisture. Improve your garden success by blending Watters Premium Mulch into the soil, increasing your soil’s water holding capacity. Mixing mulch into such soil is like adding pieces of sponge into the dirt.

AquaBoost Crystals hold 200x times their weight in water releasing moisture back to plants during the day’s heat. Add 3 cups per 200 sqft of garden soil for maximum plant health.

Black Scallop Ajuga Bungleweed in the landscape

Black Scallop Ajuga grows 6-8 inches tall and wide with pretty purple foliage, covered n bright blue flowers.

Creeping Mahonia – This low, sprawling Arizona native features leathery, evergreen foliage beneath bright yellow flowers through spring, followed by clusters of blueberries birds dealy love. Excellent for use as a large-scale groundcover or in a small shrub grouping. Provides effective erosion control for slopes.

English Ivy Hedera helix growing along a wall

English ivy is an easy-to-grow evergreen vine great for climbing walls, as a groundcover, or enhancing container plantings. Displays small green leaves. A classic vine for climbing walls, pillars, arbors, and fences.

Green Sheen Spurge Pachysandra terminalis ground cover in the landscape

Green Sheen Japanese Spurge is an excellent deer-resistant groundcover for shady gardens. This improved selection has attractive evergreen stems with extra-glossy, bright green leaves. Tiny white flowers begin to appear in the spring. Spreads to form a dense carpet.

Day Lily Happy Returns Hemerocallis in the landscape

Happy Returns Daylily offers stunning buttery yellow flowers that return endlessly with non-stop blooms from May to frost. It is perfect for a perennial bed, garden border, or container, as it brightens your day with a pleasant fragrance. Pollinator-friendly and deer and rabbit resistant. Daylilies are among the easiest flowers to grow.

Heuchera Marmalade Saxifragaceae in a container

Heuchera Marmalade offers dramatic foliage ranging from deep golden hues to glowing red with undulating margins. Golden mature foliage features hot pink undersides. Sweet sprays of tiny white flowers emerge on vivid red stems.

Lambs Ear Stachys byzantina in the garden

Lambs Ear offers silver foliage forming a dense groundcover of soft, velvety rosettes. An excellent edging, container, or border plant. Highly prized for its foliage.

Lemon Ball Sedum Sedum rupestre in the landscape

Lemon Ball Sedum shines in the garden with glow in the dark foliage. This Lemon yellow succulent attracts butterflies in summer with tiny star-shaped yellow clustered flowers. The Lemon Ball is a ground-hugging sedum that brightens up areas like rock gardens, containers, lawn edgings, and ground cover spaces.

Lenten Rose is not an actual rose, although its flower buds look like rosebuds. Even the “Lenten” part of its name can be deceiving. This perennial grows to be 18″ inches tall by 18″ inches wide. It may bloom around the time of Lent on the Christian calendar.

Mexican Primrose Oenothera speciosa in the landscape

Mexican Primrose – Delicate white, skyward facing flowers turn pink with age. The blooms open in the evening and remain through the morning. The rugged nature of this plant thrives with little or no care. Excellent ground cover for dry slopes and other low-maintenance areas.

Patriot Hosta Asparagaceae planted
in the landscape

Patriot Hosta is a compact selection with more heat tolerance than other popular varieties. It features glossy, bold, dark green foliage with gleaming white edges. Great for brightening a shady border.

Silver Dragon Lilyturf Liriope muscari in the landscape

Silver Dragon Lilyturf is a versatile perennial with dark grassy foliage highlighted by silvery vertical stripes. Purple summer flowers are followed by white ornamental berries. A practical accent as a groundcover or edging.

Sunset Foxglove Digitalis obscura Sunset in the garden

Sunset Foxglove is known for its knee-high floral display in orange. It is one of the tallest plants to make this list. It tolerates light shade, dappled is best. Most types of foxgloves are biennials lasting 2-3 years in local gardens.

Vinca Minor groundcover in the landscape

Vinca Minor for evergreen greenery 5″ tall by 18″ inches wide, with adorable blue flowers. But this plant has the potential to become invasive when let go wild.

Until next week, I’ll be helping homeowners choose the toughest shade plants for their gardens.

Ken Lain can be found at Watters Garden Center throughout the week, 1815 Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Shrubs.com.

06/02/2022

Garden Reduced Stress Compares to Reading

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener

Nature has long been known for its relaxing qualities, as a place for humans to find tranquility, healing, and rest. Mental clarity and the feeling of reward are all associated with gardening, with the many physical benefits that follow. Fruit tree, herb, and vegetable gardening are particularly gratifying and an excellent source of super fresh food right out of the garden. From soil preparation to the joy of harvesting, there is always a task, during the growing season!

If you’ve ever spent a season in the garden, you know these tasks can serve as great exercise. But just how beneficial to your health is this age-old agricultural tradition?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), moderate-intensity activities for 2.5 hours each week can reduce the risk for obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, depression, colon cancer, even premature death. The CDC considers gardening one of its moderate-intensity activities and achieves that 2.5-hour goal each week.

They have shown that those who choose gardening as their moderate exercise are more likely to exercise 40-50 minutes longer on average than those that like walking or biking. By venturing outdoors to your garden spaces, you not only assist in keeping the community beautiful and vibrant but become healthier in the process.

Another example of the health benefits of gardens found, “a 10% increase in nearby green space was found to decrease a person’s health complaints in an amount equivalent to a five-year reduction in that person’s age” according to the gardening Matters nonprofit of Minneapolis’.

Exercising both the arms and legs is recommended to help prevent illnesses like coronary disease. With most everyday activities only involving arms, gardening is a great way to incorporate the entire body while exercising.

According to the journal Biological Psychiatry, experts found fresh air helps prevent Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and results in higher test scores among students. Who doesn’t like fresh air?

Gardening has emerged recently as a scientifically proven stress reliever. Stress causes irritability, headaches, stomach aches, heart attacks, and worsens pre-existing conditions in the body. An experiment published in the Journal of Health Psychology compared gardening to the stress relief activity of someone reading. Subjects that gardened experienced a more significant decrease in stress when compared to the subjects that were assigned to read.

In addition to health benefits, good landscapes have measured marked increases in your home’s property value, while saving money at the grocery store. With the mountain of evidence, it’s no wonder more locals are taking to the garden to unplug, unwind, and relax, all while improving their mental and physical health. May you be as happy as your gardens.

Visit us here at Watters Garden Center for your dose of garden therapy.

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Plants.com.

05/25/202205/25/2022

Planting Fresh Fruit for a Healthier You

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener

On the Go Answer – Readers Digest Condensed Version of this Article

Fruit trees are easy to grow in the Mountains.

Apple, Pear, Peach, Plum, Apricot, Nectarine, grapes, and blueberries all grow

Plant late-blooming varieties for best frost protection

Native plants with edible fruits are Manzanita, Mahonia, and Currants

Early spring brings a sense of rejuvenation, vitality, and renewal. The revitalization gardeners witness from the fresh leaves and flowers in the gardens. The season also generates activity in plants that produce edibles, especially those fruit trees that flourish in the higher elevations of Arizona. But there is more to fruit trees than just a bountiful harvest; they bring seasonal changes of colors and textures that provide fascinating diversity in our landscapes.

Spring fruit trees bloom in a range of colors, from the purest white and dainty pink to robust reds. Besides visual glory, the sensuality of their fragrances enhances any style of landscape. In autumn, fruit trees have some of the best mountain colors from intense shades of red, glowing orange, and solar yellow. Edibles have it all, even if you never harvest a single fruit!

If you choose fruit trees for their harvest, look for trees that bloom later in spring. Late-blooming varieties reduce frost damage that may take the fruits. Don’t be afraid to ask for help in choosing the perfect pair of trees. Watters garden experts watch share personal experiences and keep a close eye on which varieties perform better in mountain landscapes. Here are my top picks:

Gleason Elberta Peach is the world’s most famous because of its abundant flavor and attractive color. These trees produce huge peaches of the highest quality. Also consider Redhaven, Ranger, and Rio Oso Gem peaches.

Granny Smith Apples are one of my favorite fruits. This bright green apple is grown primarily as a dessert and cooking apple. My mouth waters just thinking about a fruit freshly picked and immediately eaten in the shade of this landscape beauty. This late-blooming variety consistently fruits in local gardens. Also, consider Honeycrisp, Yellow Delicious, and Gala apples.

Moorpark Apricot is the best red apricot with a rich, luscious flavor. This large firm apricot is a local favorite for eating out-of-hand. The delicate pink blossoms set a red-blushed fruit that is pickable early as Independence Day. Consider Harcourt, Chinese, and Tilton apricots.

Stella Cherry is very cold hardy. Its dense clusters of fruit resemble Bing varieties, but I find them to be sweeter. This prolific tree bears high-quality fruit that takes a back seat to its magnificent blossoms. A majestic Stella cherry covered with its spectacular blooms indeed is one of the breath-taking beauties of spring. Also, consider Bing, Van, and Utah Giant cherries.

Pear, Nectarine, Plums, Almonds, and Walnuts also produce well in the mountains of Arizona.

In addition to fruit trees, grapevines produce surprisingly well in local landscapes. The fruits can be a tad smaller than their California cousins, but they are sweeter than other grapes. The vines’ long tendrils make great shade cover as they climb arbors, decks, and covered patios. The most prolific grapes Flame and Thompson varieties, but don’t dismiss the vineyard wine grapes.

Bountiful Blue Blueberry plants are hardy in the ground but produce the best fruits when this showy shrub is grown in containers. They make exciting additions to full-sun areas just off a patio.

For a touch of genuinely southwestern crops, delicate Manzanita blossoms produce dark fruits of a melt-in-your-mouth quality. Other native fruits are Mahonia and Currants.

Whichever edible appeals to you and your landscape, be sure to plant an extra, so you have enough to share with family, friends, and your local food bank. You might be surprised how appreciative they are to share in your bounty.

2022 Summer Garden Class Announcement

June classes and instructors are finalized, and the rest of the Summer schedule is almost completed. Here are the topics for the first classes of summer:

June 11 @ 9:30 am: The Doctor is in the House – How to Heal Sick Plants

June 18 @ 9:30 am: – Perennial Plants that Thrive in Heat

June 25 @ 9:30 am: – Best Mountain Fruit Trees and How to Plant Them Now

Until the next week, I’ll be helping local gardens choose the perfect fruits here at Watters Garden Center.

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10FruitTrees.com.

05/18/202205/18/2022

Growing Brighter Garden Hydrangeas

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener

Do hydrangeas like more sun or shade?
How to grow hydrangeas in pots.
What is the best way to grow hydrangeas?
How to grow hydrangeas in Arizona.
Are hydrangeas easy to grow?
Can hydrangeas grow in full shade?

Hydrangeas have been popular garden plants for decades. These versatile shrubs thrive in granite soil, shady woodland sites, and almost anywhere between. You will find the most varieties starting in May and ideally planted. Hydrangeas have large, round flower clusters, while others have a slender delicate flowers. Showy flowers come in various colors, including bright blue, deep red, and pink, with mixed foliage. Once planted, hydrangeas proliferate, averaging 2′ feet per year.

Botanical Name Hydrangea spp.

Common Names Hydrangea, hortensia

Plant Type Shrub

Mature Size Up to 12′ feet

Sun Exposure Shade

Soil Type Well drained

Soil pH Any

Bloom Time Mid-summer through fall

Flower Color White, blue, green, red, pink, purple

Hardiness Zones 5-9

Native Area Asia, the Americas

Hydrangea Care

Most hydrangeas adapt to a wide range of conditions. They are generally hardy from USDA growing zones 5 to 9. And as long as they are planted in well-draining soil with plenty of Potting Soil, they grow.

Plan to water your hydrangeas regularly, especially in the heat of summer. And fertilize them twice per month with Watters Flower Power for best blooms. You also might need to do some pruning each year, but it shouldn’t be excessive.

Hydrangeas do well in full Arizona shade to the partial shade provided by tall trees, especially if they receive morning sun with partial shade from the afternoon’s heat.

Soil

Hydrangea grows well in containers planted directly into Watters Potting Soil. They tolerate many soil types as long as it drains. One of the perks of growing hydrangeas is changing their flower color. Although somewhat determined by cultivar, the color can be tweaked by the amount of aluminum in the soil and your soil pH. The soil pH determines how available aluminum is to the plants. Acidic soil (aluminum available to the plants) will provide blue flowers, and alkaline soil (less aluminum unavailable to the plants) delivers pinker flowers.

Have fun! Change flowers from pink to blue by decreasing your garden’s alkalinity by adding Aluminum Sulphate to the soil in spring.

Water

Hydrangeas prefer deep irrigation weekly unless you’ve had rainfall. You slightly increase the amount of water given to plants during hot summer weather, but make sure they’re not sitting in soggy soil.

Temperature and Humidity

Hydrangeas prefer mild temperatures. In areas with bitterly winters, dieback may be experienced. Protect your hydrangea from cold winds by planting them in a sheltered spot. A North to East facing site is ideal where temperatures remain more constant.

Plant Food

Most Hydrangeas are given too much chemical nitrogen producing a lush bush with few flowers. Apply Watters 7-4-4 All Purpose Plant Food every spring, summer, and fall for better flowers. Easter, July 4th, and Halloween are good holiday reminders for proper Hydrangea feeding.

Hydrangeas Toxic

Hydrangeas make people and animals sick when ingested. Symptoms of toxicity in both people and animals include nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, and lethargy. The leaves, buds, and flowers have higher concentrations of Cyanogenic Glycosidesthis.

Hydrangea Varieties

There are two main groups of hydrangeas: plants that bloom on the current year’s stems and those that bloom on last year’s stems. Varieties include:

Bigleaf Hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla, grows to around 6′ tall and wide and has leaves that reach approximately 6″ inches long.
Smooth Hydrangea, Hydrangea arborescens – grows 3′ feet tall and wide and produces shades of white to pink flowers.
Oakleaf Hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia, reaches 7′ feet tall and wide and sports white to purplish-pink flowers.

Pruning Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas need minimal pruning. Reduce the size of your plant or prevent it from flopping over by removing the older canes after the flowers fade. This reduces crowding and encourages vigorous new growth. In early spring, remove dead or damaged wood by cutting branches back to a healthy set of buds. If you have a large, established bush, you can remove several of the older stems.

Until next week, I’ll be helping local gardeners grow better Hydrangea at Watters Garden Center.

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Flowers.com.

05/17/202205/18/2022

How to Prune Hydrangeas

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener

What month do you cut hydrangeas back?
When and how do you prune hydrangeas?
What happens if you don’t cut back hydrangeas?
Should you cut old blooms off hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas make beautiful focal points in the garden, and they require minimal care other than pruning and plant food. Although many hydrangeas have attractive foliage and bark, most are grown for their large, showy blossoms. If hydrangeas don’t bloom, it’s usually due to three reasons: They didn’t get enough sun, an early frost killed the buds, or they pruned at the wrong time.

According to the six different hydrangea species, how and when you prune hydrangeas varies. You need to know what species you have to prune correctly in the right season.

When to Prune Hydrangeas

OK, let’s explain. Pruning hydrangea is only complicated by flowers that bloom on last year’s branch growth or the vibrant new branches from this year’s growth. Some species of hydrangea bloom on old wood, while others bloom on new wood.

Shrubs that bloom on new growth should be pruned in the late winter to early spring before new growth emerges in spring. This maximizes the amount of new growth and the number of flowers your shrub produces. Shrubs that bloom on old growth, on the other hand, should be pruned immediately after their flowers have faded. This gives the plant plenty of time to develop wood that will be “old” by the next season’s flower buds.

Before Getting Started

Hydrangea that blooms on new wood thrives on aggressive pruning. Those that bloom on last year’s old wood require more restrained pruning. The two species that bloom on new wood, Peegee, and Smooth Hydrangeas, bloom best with aggressive annual pruning that removes 30-50% of the total mass of the shrub. The four species that flower on old wood—bigleaf, oakleaf, mountain and climbing hydrangeas rarely need pruning. Cut them back to keep their size or shape in check.

Suppose you don’t immediately know the type of hydrangea. It’s easy to determine by its leaves and flower pattern.

Bigleaf Hydrangea Pruning, Hydrangea macrophylla, has large, long 8″ serrated dark green leaves that flower from mid to last summer. Along with the large leaves, bigleaf hydrangeas are identified by the large, rounded flowers. The soil pH affects the flower color; acid soils produce blue flowers, and alkaline soil turns their big, bold flowers pink. The Bigleaf species blooms on last year’s old wood and is best pruned just after the plant is finished flowering.

This species blooms on old wood. They set their flower buds from late summer to early fall. Bigleaf hydrangeas do well with minimal pruning, except to control shape and size. Never remove more than 1/3 of their total growth. If you mistakenly prune in the spring or even late fall, it will remove the flower buds and any chance of getting blooms for a year.

When most of the flowers have faded, it’s time for pruning. Begin by pruning away stems that are clearly dead or weak. Don’t prune all the old wood because this is what keeps blooming as the new growth matures. Spent flowers can be trimmed away as they fade to keep the plant looking clean. Simply clip away the blooms using bypass pruners.

Smooth Hydrangea Pruning Hydrangea arborescens, the most recognizable variety is ‘Annabelle,’ easily identified by its huge snowball-shaped flowers produced from spring to early summer. This plant flowers on new wood, so best pruned it in late winter or early spring.

Blooming on new wood, smooth hydrangea does well with aggressive pruning. Pruning should be done in early spring to ensure plenty of flower growth. Begin by removing any branches that have been injured or killed over the winter. These branches should be cut back to the main stem or ground level.

Additional branches can be lightly trimmed to shape the plant and retain its rounded shape. Produces a large shrub with many small flower heads. “Light trimming” in this case means removing as much as one-third of each stem’s length. Hard pruning back to 12-18″ inches from the ground creates a shrub that produces fewer but larger flower heads. These flowers may be so large they require propping upright.

Peegee Hydrangea Pruning, Hydrangea paniculata, has large cone-shaped flower panicles. When they first bloom, the flowers are white or green, gradually turning pink. This type flowers on new wood, requiring late winter or early spring pruning.

Panicle hydrangea blooms on new wood and prefers heavy pruning. Prune 1/3 of their total mass. This is best done by pruning out smaller wood to ground level. Leave the larger stems and shape the rest. During the growing season, remove spent flowers as they fade. This often helps prolong the bloom season as the plant puts more energy into producing even more flowers. As soon as the flowers become unattractive, clean up the plant’s overall shape with selected pruning of branches that spoil the shrub’s aesthetics. Peegee hydrangea is an attractive shrub even after flowering is over.

Oakleaf Hydrangea Pruning, Hydrangea quercifolia, have leaves resembling oak trees. Blooming early in the season with cone-shaped flowers that start green in color that fade to pink. This species flowers on old wood, so prune immediately after it flowers.

Be somewhat cautious when pruning an oakleaf hydrangea. Prune is done to control size or shape, not to stimulate new growth. Inspect your shrub in the early spring before growth has begun. If your shrub has experienced winter dieback, prune the stems back to below the point of injury. Further pruning should wait until the plant has finished flowering. Don’t feel obliged to prune unless it is essential to maintain the plant’s size or shape. Cut selected stems back to just above the point where they meet the main branches.

Mountain Hydrangeas Pruning, Hydrangea serrata, is a smaller, more compact version of Bigleaf hydrangea. Its lace cap flowers vary in color depending on soil pH. Blooming on old wood, but its small 2-4′ foot size rarely needs pruning. If you do prune, it will be done immediately after flowering.

Pruning should be done cautiously. Blooming occurs on old wood, and the plant’s pruning needs are minimal. Any dead or winter-damaged stems can be removed to the ground in early spring before new growth has started. Major pruning is done after the shrub is done blooming. Trim back stems to a pair of healthy buds. This variety rarely requires annual pruning.

Climbing Hydrangea Pruning, Hydrangea anomala, are vigorous climbing vines with white flowers that appear in spring to early summer. The flowers form flattened clusters up to 8″ wide. Pruning is done after the flowers have faded. This is another of the varieties that bloom on last year’s old wood. Requiring little to no pruning except to control its size. This plant flowers on old wood grown during the previous season, so any major pruning you do should be done immediately after the plant flowers.

They can grow quite vigorously and might need occasional hard pruning to set boundaries for the coming season. Do this pruning immediately after the plant flowers. Most flowers occur at the top, so side trimming will have less impact on the plant’s appearance.

Until next week, I’ll be helping homeowners choose the fastest growing evergreen for their landscape.

Ken Lain can be found at Watters Garden Center throughout the week, 1815 Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Shrubs.com.

05/12/202205/12/2022

The Most Beautiful Mountain Flowers in the Garden

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener

What is the most popular garden flower?
Beautiful backyard flower gardens.
What are the top 10 flowers?
Beautiful flower garden pictures.
What is the most beautiful exotic flower?

Some flowers capture the imagination like no other. Their sheer beauty makes them iconic, transporting gardeners in the remembrance of garden weddings, tropical destinations, and secret forests. These flowers may seem exotic, but many can be grown right here in the mountains of Arizona. Here are the most beautiful flowers you can grow in local gardens starting in April.

Bearded Iris is as tough and low maintenance as they are exquisite. Deep violets to solar yellow and everything between, these flowers steal the garden show. Striking flowers add a bold yet delicate element to arrangements and one of the easiest mountain perennials to grow.

Cheyenne Spirit Echinacea in the landscape

Cheyenne Spirit Echinacea and their rich colors evoke the mountain spirits where the genus has its origin. Plant with ornamental grasses for a prairie feel, tuck into rock gardens or among dry stream beds. This easy-care perennial is equally at home in mixed borders and cottage gardens. Pinch spent flowers to promote reblooming dozens of times through summer. In autumn, let them go to seed as winter food for finches and other birds.

Dahlia automatically conger thoughts of giant dinner plate blooms at their mention. Dahlia includes small poms and single daisy-like flowers, and more. Provide plenty of Watters Flower Power Food and water, and your gardens are in for a show. Pinch flowers off the plant as they fade to encourage waves or reblooming flowers.

Delphinium show every coveted shade of blue, from wispy powder puff to robust violet. They like rich garden soil and grow so fast they need staking in windy areas. Feed every 2 weeks with Watters Flowers Power for waves of blue from this perennial bloomer.

English Roses undergo an eight-year trial program to identify the most outstanding garden varieties. We focus on intoxication fragrance like your grandmother grew and a higher petal count than the others. The new Watters varieties almost resemble a peony flower. Our dry mountain air and intense sunlight make growing roses easier than in other parts of the county.

Foxglove Digitalis purpurea in the garden

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is the most beautiful flower in the landscape? Bumblebees seem to think so and love them so fondly that they sometimes spend the night in the tubular blossoms to get an early start when the sun rises. This flower blooms even longer in the garden’s shade and grows so tall stakes are required on windy hilltops.

Frostproof Gardenia is the rock star of mountain gardenias. Lustrous, dark green foliage and large, fragrant, white flowers that measure 2-3″ inches wide. The upright habit is more tolerant of mountain sun than other gardenias, with flowers that resist late spring frosts without damage. Plant in containers by the front door and allow the fragrance to fill your home.

Iceland Poppy bloom early and often when spring temperatures are still cool. They look great in containers and raised beds. The multi-colored flowers hover a foot tall over other bloomers in the garden with little care.

Peony (Paeonia), the name says it all. While there aren’t really any unattractive peonies, most are the

perfect marriage of color and form. Peonies don’t ask for much in their decades of life: full sun and good drainage are enough to produce masses of blooms in mountain gardens.

PJM Rhododendron is a chic shrub for the shade with an attractive shape covered with vibrant lavender flowers all spring. Prized for its winter hardiness, this rhododendron has dark green foliage tinged in fall and winter with a purple hue. Perfect for those with deer and javelina issues, they’ll leave this plant alone.

Radio Red Autumn Sage Salvia Greggi Hummingbird attractor

Radio Red Autumn Sage (Salvia Greggi) deserves a prominent location in your gardens. More compact, with larger flowers than other salvias. Keep lightly trimmed and utilize this bloomer as a low informal hedge or as a single specimen in a border or container garden. Hummingbirds cause a commotion over the red flowers for summer-long antics.

Wisteria in bloom gives the impression you have entered the Garden of Eden. Grow them over an entry, up a wall, or down the driveway fence. You can count on perennial blossoms to adorn your home. Give them a lot of sun, and feed 3 times per year with Watters 7-4-4 All Purpose Plant Food for an inspiring spring show.

Until next week, I’ll be helping locals grow the most beautiful flowers here at Watters Garden Center.

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Flowers.com.

05/05/202205/05/2022

Mother’s Day Garden Celebration

Bring on Spring! Our budding romance with Spring bursts into bloom with Watters Garden Center’s Mother’s Day Open House. Spanning the weekend of May 6– 8, the open house will dazzle all the senses with brilliant color, fragrant flowers, tantalizing textures, and more! Watters brings the flowers from the fields to the forefront to show off this year’s newest flowers, brightest evergreens, and freshest new bloomers

Celebrate Mother’s Day with inspired hanging baskets she can enjoy for the rest of the season. Created specially by expert growers, these baskets feature flowers unique to this event and perfect for our northern Arizona climate.

Everything’s coming up roses! The garden center explodes with color as more than 700 specialty roses arrive, providing stunning bouquets again and again. Watters has groomed the most beautiful, fragrant varieties, including mom’s old favorite Mr. Lincoln and super bloomers like Rosie The Riveter and Pillow Fight. Watter’s resident Rose Queen, Amy Langley, hand-picked dozens of mother-loving varieties for their color, fragrance, and ability to thrive in local conditions. Amy and Watter’s rose experts will be on hand all weekend to help gardeners with the insiders’ tips and tricks that keep flowers blooming stunningly.

Not sure what to get your mom? Get her a gift card. Now available to order and send via email as well as at the Garden Center.

05/05/202205/05/2022

A Mountain Evergreen that Grows FAST!

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener

The Deodar cedar, Cedrus deodara, is an evergreen conifer favored for its gracefully drooping branches. It is often used as a specimen tree on large properties and parks, often used to line streets. This species is the national tree of Pakistan and garnered the ‘Award of Garden Merit’ from the Royal Horticultural Society.

True cedar. The Pinaceae family includes both evergreen and deciduous conifers such as pine, spruce, and fir trees. Other cedars in the family include the Cedar of Lebanon and the Statehood tree on the Prescott Courthouse square, Atlas cedar. The name deodar evolved from the word devadāru, a Sanskrit word that translates to “timber of the gods.” It is considered sacred in Hinduism.

Botanical Name Cedrus deodara

Common Name Deodar Cedar, Himalayan Cedar

Plant Type Evergreen coniferous tree

Mature Size 60′ feet tall, 25′ feet wide

Sun Exposure Full sun 6+ hours

Soil Type Well-drained

Soil pH Adapts well to alkaline soils

Hardiness Zones 7 to 9

Native Area Western Himalayas

How to Grow Deodar Cedars

Reaching 250′ feet in its native Himalayan setting, local trees grow between 40 and 70′ feet tall. They grow at a modest pace, adding 24″ inches per year. The tree needs space because of its beautiful weeping branches, which extend 25′ feet wide. Give this tree plenty of space, a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Avoid planting this cedar in areas that get a lot of wind. Colorado Spruce is a better choice in windy landscapes.

How to Plant a Deador Cedar

1. Dig a hole 2-3 times the container’s width but the same depth.

2. Check drainage by filling the hole with water. All water should drain away within 12 hours. If not, you have hardpan soil, and it will need to be penetrated – dig deeper & add a layer of gypsum.

3. Watters “Premium Mulch” – Blend 1 part mulch with two parts soil taken from the hole.

4. Score the root ball sides and bottom with a utility knife or pruners.

5. Blend Soil – Mulch – 7-4-4 Plant Food & Aqua Boost mixture, then pack firmly around the root ball.

6. Stakes & V-Strap – install stakes just outside the roots making sure the stakes are deeper than the soil mix. Remove original shipping stake. Use V-Straps around tree trunks to support trees from wind. Use one strap under the tree canopy and a second 18″ below the first. If necessary, use a small nail or screw on the lodgepole to stop the wire from slipping.

7. Build a well around the tree and water it with “Root & Grow” mixture. Water with Root & Grow every 2 weeks for the first 2 months. Use remaining Watters Mulch inside the tree well as a top dressing. This will keep weeds down, insulate roots from heat and cold, and keep the roots moist.

Light

A planting site with full sun, 6+ hours during the growing season, is best.

Soil

Cedars are very adaptable but require well-drained soil. Watters Premium Mulch makes it easier for your plant to settle in when planting in heavy clay soil.

Water

Water newly planted trees regularly with a garden hose for at least one month (2 months in Summer). Automatic irrigation systems may not be sufficient initially. Water frequency will vary according to the season, exposure, and plant size.

April-Oct – Cedar should be irrigated 2 x weekly.

Nov-March – Cedars should be irrigated 2 x monthly.

Plant Food

Keep this evergreen tree happy by feeding 3x times per year with 7-4-4 All Purpose Food (March, July, and October).

Varieties of Deodar Cedar

Albospica – A slow-growing cultivar with white or silver foliage.
Aurea – Features horizontal branches and golden needles; first described by botanist J. Nelson in 1866.
Golden Horizon – A dwarf variety that grows quickly but only up to 10′ feet and has golden needles that turn yellow-green in the summer.
Feelin’ Blue – is a dwarf variety that features blue-green foliage and weeping branches that grows to 5′ feet tall and wide.
Kashmir – showcases silvery blue-green foliage and can tolerate below-zero temperatures.

Pruning

Deodar cedar is a low-maintenance tree. The only pruning needed is to remove any branches that have become dead, damaged, or diseased before new growth begins in the spring. If you need to prune, use extreme care, it’s easy to cut away too much green that won’t grow back, leading to the tree’s death

Common Pests/ Diseases

Giant conifer aphids attack deodar cedar, though these infestations do not usually affect the tree enough to severely injure it. Tree aphids produce a sticky liquid called honeydew which falls to the ground making everything tacky. Aphids are easily handled with high-pressure sprayers that administer Watters Cyonara insecticide. In the spring, apply Watters Plant Protector for year-long protection.

Until next week, I’ll be helping homeowners choose the fastest growing evergreen for their landscape.

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Evergreens.com.

04/27/202204/27/2022

9 Flowers Hummingbirds Never Resist

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener

What flowers are hummingbirds and butterflies most attracted to?
Milkweed’s advantages to landscapes.
What is a hummingbird’s favorite flower?
What is the best hanging plant to attract hummingbirds?
What shrubs attract hummingbirds?

Lisa and I were sitting in the front courtyard this week watching the antics of ‘our’ hummingbirds. They were enjoying water from the fountains and sipping nectar from the 30+ pots of flowers. Yes, all the flower color, sparkling water, and fresh air were compiled for a romantic getaway in our own front yard. We both enjoy one amazing, unexpected benefit: the birds are equally happy sharing the landscape with us!

Hummingbirds are the easiest to attract into the yard. We don’t put up feeders, as we never want our birds to become an obnoxious burden, but we do have many flowers that bring in the birds. We have noticed that some flowers attract the hummers better than others. The same flowers also attract butterflies. If you enjoy birds and butterflies in the yard, try planting some of the Lain casa favorites.

Archangel Angelonia(Summer Snapdragon) Large, vibrant flowers on this plant thrives in the summer heat. Blooms continuously, providing an extended season of color in garden borders or patio containers. Hummingbird friendly, yet deer and rabbit resistant.

Buzz Magenta Butterfly Bush– Full-size graceful, tapering flowers cover the compact, hip-high plant from summer through fall. Much easier to care for than the towering varieties our grandparents grew. Of course, they attract butterflies like nobody’s business!

Fuchsia– There are a wide variety of fuchsias at the garden center right now. They have one of the brightest flowers for a shade-loving plant. Blooms usually are pink, orange, yellow and have a drooping habit at the stems’ end.

Impatiens – A popular cottage garden plant because of its long-lasting bloom in the shade. It flowers from spring, all the way through to the first frost. Impatiens have simple, five-petal flowers that bloom in various colors from blue, orange, pink, purple, white, and red. Impatiens do seed readily in the home garden.

Monarch Promise Milkweedis butterflies’ choice of place to lay their eggs. It’s also a source of nectar through their migrations. The contrast between the tiny blossoms of orange and red against the spiky variegated leaves make this plant uniquely stunning. Partial shade encourages lusher leaves and blooms all summer! Looks great in containers.

Santa Barbara Salvia– A superior plant for hot, dry slopes. Rugged enough for rock gardens, with similar requirements as western natives, it is suitable for xeriscape or wild gardens in the driest climate. Stellar in large artistic pots. Javelina, deer, and rabbits leave this plant alone.

Kelos Magenta Celosia– There are few flowers as showy as celosia. Whether you plant the plumed type, which produce striking upright spires, or the crested type, which has a fascinating twisted form, you’ll love using celosia in bouquets. Striking as centerpieces of any container garden, and pollinators love them.

Petunias are a staple in local containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes because of their long-lasting blooms and a wide variety of colors. The trumpet-shaped flowers are a dead giveaway for their ability to attract hummingbirds.

Pink Sparkle Spirea– Beautiful pink flowers emerge in early summer and then re-bloom again in fall. As an added bonus, fall flowers appear down the stem, giving the appearance of an even fuller shrub. The leaves turn a beautiful burgundy in autumn. The perfectly rounded shape requires little pruning.

Summer Splash Nierembergia– Flowers are profuse and almost look like they’re made of paper. Reseeds easily and great for hot locations. Very easy to grow and are perfect for patio pots and baskets.

Water – Don’t forget to provide water, especially the hummingbirds. Our garden has a simple fountain that attracts the smaller birds to a bubbling waterfall. Larger birds seem to prefer the good-sized pond in the backyard. Birds need a reliable water source and are satisfied with a simple birdbath or saucer filled with an inch or so of water. I find that birds don’t bathe often, but they love to rest on and sip at the edge of a water source.

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or FB.com/WattersGardenCenter.

04/22/202204/27/2022

How to Grow California Poppy

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener

California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, are vibrant little flowers that grow in vacant lots and roadsides with no care. California poppies bloom throughout the mountains of Arizona in late Spring to early Summer. These festive flowers seem to spring up overnight, blanketing large areas with bright, silky petals that hover over ferny blue foliage. Pick a flower by its stem and discover the fleeting beauty as the petals fall to the ground before getting them in a vase.

Poppies are planted by seed from January through March for the best spring bloom. Watters Garden Center has mature plants in full color from March through May.

Botanical Name Eschscholzia californica

Common Names California poppy, cup of gold, golden cup

Plant Type Herbaceous, perennial

Mature Size 12–18 inches tall and wide

Sun Exposure 6+ hours to Full

Soil Type Well-drained

Bloom Time Spring

Flower Color Orange, yellow, red, pink, white

USDA Hardiness Zones 6–10

Native Area North America, Central America

Toxicity Toxic to people and animals

California Poppy Care

The key is providing them with growing conditions that mimic their native habitat. This plant is more about what you don’t give California poppies than what you do give them. Less is more when it comes to water and fertilizer. Don’t coddle your plants, and you’ll enjoy watching them self-sow and pop up for many seasons to come.

Deadheading, removing the spent blooms, promotes additional flowering. If you wish plants to reseed themselves, leave some of the last flowers of Spring on the plant to cast more seeds throughout your gardens. Plants grown in hot desert climates and containers are typically short-lived and treated as annual bloomers. Local gardeners favor pulling them after blooming, making room for heat-loving summer flowers.

Light

California poppies grow and bloom best in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. The more sunlight, the flower is expected. Poppies grown in shade conditions lean, fall over, become ragged and easily succumb to diseases.

Soil

Most flowers need rich, loamy garden soil, not California poppies. They thrive in the worst dirt. Sandy and rocky soils both provide suitable conditions for California poppies. Heavy clay soil doesn’t work because these plants need sharp soil drainage. Try planting in a raised garden bed or container if you have thick clay soil.

Water

California poppies require very little water and are good candidates for drought-tolerant xeriscapes. Sporadic spring rainfall is usually adequate to water your plants. The plants will often go dormant in areas with hot summers and need no additional irrigation.

Temperature and Humidity

The warm soil of Spring, combined with moisture from the spring rain, triggers the germination of poppy seeds. California poppies continue growing as long as temperatures remain mild; they don’t like summer heat. Excessive heat causes dormancy. Often, when cool temperatures return, the flowers regrow and rebloom. Even better, California poppies prefer low humidity levels.

Fertilizer

Yarrow adapts much like mountain wildflowers when treated with any care. Feed with Watters 7-4-4 All Purpose Food three times per year in March, July, and October for a super long bloom.

Poppy Varieties

California Golden delivers that classic bright orange color of the flowers.

Mission Bells is a mix of sherbet hues, including pink, salmon, and cream, with some semi-double blooms.

Golden West is a twist on the familiar orange bloom, as it features a darker center.

How to Grow California Poppies From Seed

Press the seeds lightly into the soil, watering gently to avoid dislodging the tiny seeds. Germination should occur in about two weeks when spring temperatures average 75 degrees. You can distinguish germinating poppy seeds from weeds by observing the blue tint of ferny foliage. Thin seedlings to about 8 inches apart.

Common Pests/Diseases

Poppies are deer and javelina-resistant and more resistant to powdery mildew and leaf spots than Iceland Poppy. Because powdery mildew, a fungus, thrives in humid weather, ensure good air circulation in and around your Poppies by giving them 8″ inches of space between plants.

Companion Plants with California Poppy for a Stunning Backyard

Arizona Gaillardia – The perfect mountain perennial with huge fiery flowers on a compact plant. She loves the heat and super drought-hardy. You can count on this bloomer to show off all summer long in raised beds, containers, or directly in the ground. Javelina and rabbit proof, this bloomer is a ‘must-have.’ Arizona plant.

Perfume Lilac – The fragrance will remind you of visits to Grandmother’s house. She is in a class by herself, even in the hottest of sun locations. The more sun she receives, the more flowers you will have. A genuinely outstanding lilac for the large flowers and captivating fragrance, and super easy to grow.

Songbird Columbine – This graceful beauty dances in the garden’s shade, holding its head high and smiling. Few Plants stand so bright in the cooler parts of the garden. Each Spring, this bloomer comes back with lacy green foliage promptly followed by a fantastic two-tone flower. An excellent cut flower that is both Deer and Rabbit resistant. So hardy, some varieties naturally call Arizona home.

Purple Twist Plum – This AZ plum is the perfect small purple tree between evergreens. Blooms in a profusion of pink flowers that precede the deep purple foliage. Large enough to use as a front yard tree and behaved enough to use as a street tree. Plant pairs flanking gateways, driveways, or in orchard-like rows to screen a view of neighbors.