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 Mountain landscapes are difficult for plants, especially if you want to keep them low maintenance. In an arid climate where rock lawns are the norm because growing conditions are challenging, ground- hugging plants are…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Autumn colors are spectacular. The colors and textures are unique to the four seasons of the mountain west. As we wrap up the last Autumn leaves, the landscape can feel naked and bare. Deciduous…
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 Gardening is a year-round hobby, each month providing a new opportunity to cultivate your land and forest success. Gardeners are at the harvest season’s peak and relish in the bounty of their vegetable and…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Tall potted plants can turn ordinary container gardens into works of art. They add height, variety, and a little drama to mixed containers. But grouping plants in containers takes a finesse. The general formula…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Groundcover for the mountains of Arizona needs to be tough, like the sun, take wind, adapt to hard soil, and still thrive. In the yard, surrounded by rock is not for every plant, but…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Arizona is famous for outdoor activities. When all this activity brings the party to your deck, patio, or pool’s edge, the fragrance of the garden should be positive and uplifting to the friends that…
Read Moreby Ken Lain, the mountain gardener The colors stun gardeners in their tracks. Thousands of roses are offered at the garden center in dozens and dozens of fragrances. Choosing the perfect one can be overwhelming, but not after this read.…
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