Category: Outdoor Living

One of the most alluring features about flowers is their abundant colors.  Utilizing multiple floral varieties can turn your garden into a canvas allowing you to create your own masterpiece. I set the stage by starting with the Ice Plant. It is a colorful ground cover that comes in a variety of soft pinks, reds and purples.  Another enduring ground cover capable of lighting up the ground in early spring is Sedum.  A  midsized plant to spread throughout your garden is Snap dragon. Snap dragons come in a multitude of colors, are easy to grow and add splashes of color throughout the entire season.  For height, I plant Salvia in brilliant dark blues and light purples adding Rudbeckia in a complimentary bright gold. With so many floral varieties and colors to select from I recommend starting with what works best in your zone.   Cheers

Flowering shrubs are a great addition to any garden setting as they are capable of becoming landscape classics within a few seasons.  A durable perennial shrub that I have enjoyed in my garden for many years is Scotch Broom.  Cytisus scoparius is native to western and central Europe and is a member of the Fabaceae plant family.  Scotch Broom displays numerous golden blooms each spring without fail.  The dense flowering shrub is capable of reaching heights over 10 ft., is full sun and drought tolerant.  Choose a sunny side of your garden to plant this easy to grow favorite.  Cheers

One of the first flowers to bloom in spring is our featured flower of the month, a perennial ground cover called Crystal River Veronica.  This fast spreading ground cover is a member of the Scrophulariaceae plant family.  They are hardy in zones 3 – 9 and versatile enough to perform magnificently in clay, loam and sandy soil.  The pale blue flowers mounted on dark green lobe like foliage appear between pathways in my garden from April to June serving as a reminder that warmer days are ahead. Cheers

It’s spring!  While clearing debris from my flower beds I have already discovered new growth.  Yarrow, Snap Dragons, Daffodils and Tulips are making an introduction along with Columbine and Pin Cushion leaves appearing like magic.  Over the years I have planted a variety of perennials for blooms that will appear in spring and last thru fall.  This is the first year for maintaining my flower beds with no new planting required. We’ll see how it feels to take the season “off” to enjoy the fruits of my labor!          Cheers

With spring only a few days away, winter has not released its grip on zone 4. Unprecedented snowfall in the high country has lead to historic avalanches and rain combined with heavy wet snow is defining the month of March.  This additional snow fall will translate to full reservoirs, excellent runoff and no summer water restrictions. Once the snow melts you can begin removing debris, aerate and add compost to your garden.   Cheers

Clean the air and improve your mood by adding indoor plants to your home or office.  Indoor plants are  beautiful, known to be mood enhancers and help reduce stress.  Did you know that plants absorb toxic carbon dioxide and release fresh oxygen into the air? It’s simply brilliant! Certain plants are more effective than others, so consult your local garden center to see what plants work best for your area and start clearing the air today.  Cheers

One of the most popular fragrant flowers in the gardening world is the Oriental Lilly.  These large, very fragrant lilies are hardy in zones 4 -5 and perform magnificently in June and July.  Plant the bulbs in a sunny to lightly shaded area in your gardens landscape in rich well draining soil.  Enjoy!

This morning my wife and I were admiring some new blooms on a flowering begonia.  This indoor plant likes filtered light and after trying a few spots around the house we’ve discovered the perfect window.   While I have focused on outdoor gardening, indoor house plants are an amazing addition to your gardening experience.    Cheers

Winter is a reality and we are experiencing much needed precipitation in zone 4 today.  The morning was spent shoveling snow and it’s a good day to spend the afternoon inside planning my vegetable garden for 2019.  After a few seasons of experimentation I have discovered what vegetables are successful in my garden.   I plant easy to grow herbs like basil, parsley and chives. These and other herbs can be grown all year and can get their start from any well lit indoor area.   When the time is right I’ll plant lettuce and several varieties of peppers for salsa.  It’s never too early to plan or plant! Cheers

Adding native plant species to your garden is beneficial to the environment.   One of the greatest advantages is the attraction of beneficial creatures that aid in the control of garden pest.  Pests such as aphids and mites are a source of food for beneficial creatures like ladybugs. Using natural resources eliminates the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides.

Contact your local university or garden center to obtain information on what native species grow in your area and start a positive footprint in your garden.