How to Grow and Prune Bloomerang Lilac

04/06/2021 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Bloomerang Lilac is exactly as the name infers, a pulsating bloomer the comes back into bloom several times each year. The fragrance will remind you of visits to Grandmother’s house. A truly outstanding lilac…

Read More

How to Grow and Care for Lilac

04/02/2021 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener The fragrance will remind you of visits to Grandmother’s house. A truly outstanding lilac for the large flowers and captivating fragrance, and super easy to grow. She is in a class by herself, even…

Read More

Exceptional Gardens Leave Gardeners Giddy

11/23/2012 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

The landscape is exploding in celebration of the season. Lilac buds are plumped to bursting while forsythias and everything else at the garden center are in full bloom. What I enjoy most about spring is that I can dress up…

Read More

Pesky Black Knats Seek Refuge Indoors

11/14/2012 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

The timing was perfect! A couple of weeks ago we dispersed the final applications of plant food and winter weed preventer; so there they were, lying on top of the ground ready for this week’s precipitation to wash them into…

Read More

Homeowner’s Pride

11/14/2012 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

If you are looking for a lilac to plant this spring the timing couldn’t be better. The moisture from a couple of weeks ago has just now brought lilacs into bloom. You will find a dozen different varieties at garden…

Read More

Animal Proof Plants

11/13/2012 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

There are many gardeners new to the area who have never experienced the destruction that javalinas and bunnies on steroids, aka Jack Rabbits, can inflict on a garden. Gardeners with gardens targeted by these hungry vermin must take care in…

Read More

Desert Plants for Mountain Landscape

11/13/2012 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

Seasonal residents are back up to their mountain summer homes and gardens. It has been so nice in the deserts that they stayed an extra few weeks to enjoy spring at the lower elevations. Many of our summer-only neighbors try…

Read More

Eat from the Hedge?

08/25/2012 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

For showy seasonal changes in the yard, fruit trees are hard to beat. In spring they exuberantly burst forth with an abundance of blossoms, offer cool shade on hot summer days, and their fabulous fall foliage helps to make autumn…

Read More

Landscaping for a Fragrant Garden

08/20/2011 Ken Lain, mountain gardener

While a beautiful garden is a treasure within itself, a garden that exudes great wafts of fragrance is a real gem. In addition, fragrant plants are sources of soothing aromatherapy and magnets to birds and other winged pollinators. Luckily, cost…

Read More