9 Evergreen Shrubs Planted in February for Small Gardens

02/05/2021 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener When you think of small evergreen shrubs, do you have an image in your mind of small, rather uninteresting lumps of green dotting the yard? Well, you shouldn’t. There are plenty of lush bushes…

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Are My Evergreens Dying When the Needles Turn Yellow and Brown?

09/20/2019 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Blue Spruce in front of wall If the older needles on your evergreens are turning yellow and dropping, don’t worry. Nothing’s wrong, and they’re not all dying. We define them as “evergreens,” such as…

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The Ultimate Guide to Planting a Privacy Screen

05/31/2019 Ken Davis

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener June is an ideal time to plant a new living wall.  With the building boom currently in full swing, privacy is a hot topic at the garden center. Without strategically placed evergreens in the…

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Evergreens to Decorate and/or Add to a Landscape

12/15/2018 Ken Davis

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener This is the season when decorated evergreens dominate living rooms and sparkle in the winter landscape.  The list provided not only grows best outdoors but often is used as a living tree through the…

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Buy the Freshest Tree on the Lot and Keep it Fresh

11/30/2018 Ken Davis

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Preparing for the holiday shopping season at Watters has been crazy this week.  It’s the annual mad rush to harvest, ship, unload, and set up hundreds of various holiday plants, trees, and poinsettias.  Fully…

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Time for Evergreen-Style Containers

10/18/2018 Ken Davis

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Lisa and I have been dressing up our tired, overgrown outdoor pots.  Their plants had stopped blooming weeks ago, were badly overgrown and in need of haircuts.  In just a half day of gardening…

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Plant Foods Simplified Locally

02/27/2018 Ken Davis

by Lisa Watters-Lain,  Arizona’s garden gal When walking down the fertilizer aisle at Watters Garden Center or any home improvement store you can’t help notice the dizzying the array of plant food. You’ll see bags and bottles, powders and granules,…

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Holiday Greenery Fresh from Your Yard

12/16/2017 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Winter is the season to bring fresh evergreens inside for remembrances of growing seasons past and fragrance that can only come fresh from the forest.  Cut sprigs can be carried inside anytime in winter,…

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How to Plant a Living Christmas Tree

12/13/2017 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener An evergreen that has had a starring role in the mountains of Arizona is gaining nationwide popularity. The ‘Single Blue Pinyon Pine’ is a local variety that gives a bold appearance to a rustic…

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The Secret Garden: Living Christmas Trees Planted as a Natural Screen

11/25/2017 Ken Davis

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener As the autumn colors drop the last of their leaves the gardens can feel naked.  Without strategically placed evergreens in the yard, it easily feels like prying eyes look right through your home.  Not…

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