by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener A unique plant explicitly grown for this weekend’s Spring Open House is SpringShine Forsythia. Gardeners will drool over this 2024 introduction. Better than your grandfather’s forsythia. Springshine delivers years of instant cheer to your…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) is a low-maintenance, evergreen shrub with dazzling color all year. Native to eastern Asia, heavenly bamboo thrives in Arizona’s mountains, sporting cane-like stems and finely textured leaves. In spring, dainty…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Mountain landscapes are famous for their autumn colors. This month’s column is merely a list of the best-colored plants you’ll find to plant in your backyard. There are more choices, especially if you include…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Young, immature plants rarely need pruning except to deadhead faded flowers or remove dead and broken branches. Once a lilac reaches a mature height, it appreciates rejuvenation pruning. Young bushes with branched under three…
Read Moreby Lisa Watters-Lain, Arizona’s Garden Gal Lilacs have such a profusion of blooms in spring they are one of the easiest flowers to make jelly. The heady aroma fills a jelly jar like it does the landscape. Ensure your lilacs…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Yellow flowers bring sunshine to a landscape, even on a cloudy monsoon day. There is room in virtually any garden for the many shades of yellow from spring bulbs, showy shrubs, and perennial wildflowers.…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Surprises abound in the gardens when it comes to uplifting scents. Brushing up against a Scented Geranium as it fills the patio with the taste of citrus. These plants not only smell great but…
Read Moreby 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…
Read Moreby 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…
Read Moreby 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…
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