by Ann at Go West Gardener | Updated: Mar 7, 2025 | Flower Garden Basics, In-ground garden, Western Container Gardening With Flowers
As you start to learn more about gardening, you’ll likely find yourself playing a game of, “garden lingo bingo.”
And you will definitely see the garden terms, “annual” and perennial,” somewhere on your bingo card.
In this week’s tip, you’ll get the scoop on:
- What’s an annual vs a perennial
- A helpful trick so you can EASILY remember which is which
- Important differences between annuals vs perennials — and why those differences matter for your western garden
- Garden center tips so you can know how annuals and perennials are typically arranged at the store
What’s an annual vs a perennial?
If you find the word “annual” confusing, you are NOT alone!
In my opinion, the word “annual” is one of the most confusing gardening terms because of how we use “annual” in casual conversation:
“Hey, we’re hosting our annual summer barbecue. Come on over!
In day-to-day conversation, we use it to mean, “recurring.”
But that’s not what annual means in gardening. Here’s how gardeners think about it:
An annual flower plant grows for one season.
Then it’s done.
One and done.
Technically, a true annual flower goes through its entire life cycle within one year (from seed, to baby plant, to flowering, to end of life).
But gardeners are practical people.
They use the word, “annual,” to describe any plants that only last one year where you live. This includes flowers that could come back next year in some parts of the country, but these plants can’t survive our winters.
To keep it simple, just remember it all comes back to:
One and done.
In contrast, a perennial flower plant comes back year after year.
Some perennials live a LONG time.
My mom has perennials growing in her back yard that are more than 45 years old! I have perennials in my Colorado garden that have returned for 15+ years.
Other perennials have shorter lifespans of about 3-5 years. For example, many Penstemon plants (pictured below) tend to be shorter lived perennials in the West.
Here’s an easy trick to remember annuals vs perennials.
Annual = A single year.
Perennial = Plenty of years to come.
So, let’s chat about key differences between annuals vs perennials… and why they matter for your western flower garden.
Keep in mind that Mama Nature makes her own rules, so there are always exceptions. 🙂
How long until your annuals and perennials are full size
Annuals grow quickly, typically reaching their full size in one season.
Perennials, on the other hand, can take up to 3 years to reach their full size.
When you buy your cute, little perennial at the store, remember that it’s likely going to grow taller and wider. Look at the plant tags (tucked in the containers) to see how big your flowers will grow and how much room they’ll need when they’re full size. This can help you avoid planting your flowers too close together.
When you first plant your perennials, your garden may not look as lush and full as your neighbors’ gardens.
Don’t worry! This is normal. You haven’t done anything wrong.
Your garden will grow. It just may take a few years. While your plants are growing, you can tuck flowerpots of annuals into your garden for more color.
What to expect from the blooms of annuals vs perennials
Annuals often give you big, showy color that goes on for a long time.
Typically, though, they don’t keep the same flower blooms for the entire summer. Instead, annuals push up flower blooms, those blooms die, and then new blooms come in. To help this process along, you may need to remove the blooms that have died. (In gardening lingo, this is known as “deadheading.”)
Perennials vary in how much color they give you. Most bloom for a much shorter amount of time, often just a few weeks. When temperatures are hot, flower blooms don’t last as long.
Where you grow annuals and perennials (typically)
You can grow annuals in containers, window boxes and in the ground.
In Colorado, we often get hail during the summer, so I prefer to grow annuals in containers, rather than in the ground. Annuals often need more water than the waterwise plants in my garden. Plus, I find it’s easier to move and protect my flowerpots when hailstorms are in the forecast.
Perennials are typically grown in the ground.
But can you grow perennials in containers? Yes, absolutely!
Just keep in mind that they’ll likely bloom for a shorter amount of time. Perennials also are less likely to come back next year if they aren’t planted in the ground. (Near the end of the growing season, it helps to take them out of your containers and plant them in the ground.)
Watering needs for your annuals vs perennials
Many annuals need quite a bit of water. (There are exceptions.)
Perennials, on the other hand, vary in their watering needs.
If you’ve moved to a western state like Colorado or Utah from another part of the country, you may discover that the perennials you planted elsewhere need A LOT more water here.
Rather than trying to plant flowers from other regions, a different option is to look for perennials that have adapted to our semi-arid growing conditions in the West. These “waterwise” perennials often thrive with very little watering once they’re established.
Read: Less work for you + happy plants!
How to find annuals vs perennials at your garden center
Many local garden centers will arrange annuals together and perennials together to help you keep them straight.
If you walk into a garden center and it feels overwhelming at first, you’ve got this! Remember that you can head for the annual section or the perennial section.
And if you notice one section of the garden center is WAAAAAY more colorful than others (like in the photo below), that is probably the annual section. Annuals give you big, showy color.
Sometimes, there aren’t signs, but people are happy to point you in the right direction.
So, don’t hesitate to ask!
(If you’re buying flowers at home improvement stores, they’re more likely to mix annuals and perennials together.)
Related tips that may interest you:
by Ann at Go West Gardener | Updated: Jun 20, 2025 | Best Flowers for Colorado, Utah & Similar States, Flower Garden Basics, In-ground garden, Waterwise Gardening in the Intermountain West
If you’ve been wondering, “Where can I learn about plants for waterwise flower gardening?”, you’re in the right place.
It’s dry in the West, which means we need to be strategic about the flowers we grow in our gardens.
Where I live in Colorado, we’re lucky if we get 14″ of moisture per year. Depending on where you live, you may get even less!
Just to put that in perspective, Seattle and Chicago get close to 40″ of moisture per year. Boston gets about 44″ per year. And Atlanta and Orlando get around 50″ per year.
So, what is waterwise flower gardening?
Generally, waterwise flower gardening means two things:
- You intentionally choose flowers that don’t need as much supplemental water to grow. (No need to use the sprinkler today!) You may hear these plants called “drought-tolerant” or “low water” flowers.
- You group plants together that have similar watering and sunlight needs. For example, plants that need less water and a lot of sunlight go in one section of your yard. Plants that need more water go in a different section of your yard. That way, you’re being efficient with your irrigation.
While drought-tolerant flowers may make you think of cacti, rest easy, there are many beautiful flowers that grow well with less water.
They just may not be the flowers you know from other parts of the country!
To help you learn about waterwise plants, here are 4 useful resources.
I’m sharing the links below for your convenience only. You may be able to find the books locally.
1) “Waterwise Plants for Sustainable Gardens” (book)
Lauren Springer and David Ogden are western flower gardening experts. They have a wonderful book called: “Waterwise Plants for Sustainable Gardens.”
This is one of my go-to books for waterwise flower ideas.
It’s filled with photos and helpful tips that can be used whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced gardener.
This book contains plant ideas for different regions of the semi-arid West, including the West Coast.
Pro tip: As you go through the book, make sure that the flowers you like match your plant hardiness zone. A plant hardiness zone tells you whether a plant is likely to survive the coldest winter temperatures that are expected in your area. Some of the flowers in the book may be better suited for parts of the West with warmer winters.
2) “Pretty Tough Plants” (book and website)
Wouldn’t it be nice if someone actually tested which low-water plants grow well in the intermountain west?
Good news, there are people that do!
Plant Select is a western plant introduction program. They introduce smart and sustainable plants that are inspired by the Rocky Mountain region. (They’re a non-profit collaboration between Colorado State University, Denver Botanic Gardens and the western green industry.)
Plant Select has a GREAT book called “Pretty Tough Plants.”
I refer to this book all the time. It’s another book that is user-friendly for gardeners of different levels. My understanding is this book is no longer in print, so if you can find a copy online, snag it!
Do you prefer online resources, rather than books?
You can see photos and descriptions of all the Plant Select flowers on their website, including both flowers and shrubs.
And if you’d like to see these flowers in person…
You can find Plant Select demonstration gardens across Colorado and in some additional western states.
I’ve visited a number of the demonstration gardens in the metro Denver area. My favorite Plant Select garden is at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms. It’s beautiful.
I’ll share upfront, some demonstration gardens are better than others, and the plants aren’t always marked.
So, if you’re just getting started with waterwise gardening, my suggestion is to visit the Plant Select demonstration gardens at your local botanic gardens. That way, you can ask what a flower is if you like it. We’ll chat about plant identification apps in a future tip, but you can always try identifying plants with plant ID apps too.
3) Online workshops, videos and low-water plant lists
Colorado Springs Utilities has a number of helpful resources on gardening with less water.
On their waterwise plants website, you can find links to:
- A variety of online workshops, including a video called “Waterwise Landscaping for Beginners”
- Photo galleries of waterwise landscapes
- Low-water plant lists
While the online workshops are tailored to Colorado Springs residents, many of their waterwise gardening tips are relevant well beyond.
This is a website worth checking out, regardless of whether you live in Boulder, Boise or Cheyenne.
4) Native plant lists and tips
Native plants are plants that have occurred naturally in a region. They were there before European settlement. They’ve adapted to local growing conditions, and they can provide great habitats and food sources for birds, insects, etc.
Many native plants are drought tolerant. (Though, not all of them.)
If you’d like to learn more about drought-tolerant native plants, your state probably has a “Native Plant Society.”
Here are the native plant societies for the intermountain west:
If you don’t see your state listed above, simple google: [Name of your state] Native Plant Society.
In Colorado, the native plant society has a dedicated resource page for gardening with native plants in Colorado. You’ll find their plant guides for every region in the state. For example, they have suggestions for low-water, native plants for the Front Range of Colorado. You’ll also find their recommendations for flowers to avoid planting because they can be invasive.
Related topics that may interest you:
by Ann at Go West Gardener | Updated: Mar 27, 2024 | Flower Garden Basics, Western Container Gardening With Flowers
If you’re wondering, “Why should I plant flower pots this summer?”, here are 8 reasons to dig into this awesome hobby this year.
#1: Planting flowers reduces stress and makes you feel better.
Studies show that getting out in nature calms us and makes us feel better. DRAMATICALLY better. It actually has an effect on our brains. When we’re out in nature, our brains produce fewer stress hormones, and our positive emotions skyrocket. (Source: Health Magazine, “The Happiness Handbook,” March 2020.)
I love the idea that we’re not only creating beauty on our back decks, but we’re creating it in our brains too, don’t you?
#2: Flower pots are a great way to try gardening to see if you like it.
Flower pots give you a chance to try gardening without a huge commitment. Before you turn into a weekend warrior and dig up your front yard with grand plans of a Martha Stewart Living landscape, start with growing flowers in pots. They’re a great way to try flower gardening to see if you enjoy it. If you reach the end of the summer and it wasn’t your thing, no harm, no foul.
#3: Helloooooo, curb appeal! Flower pots are an easy way to make your outdoor spaces look GOOD.
You put so much care into the inside of your home. Why not put a little love into your front porch or back deck too? Planting flower pots can make your outdoor space as welcoming as your family room. You’ll LOVE stepping outside into your own beautiful escape.
#4: You can get big results in just one summer.
Planting an in-ground garden takes time, effort and investment. It can take perennials (the flowers that come back every year) up to 3 years to reach their full size — and even longer for shrubs and trees!
But growing flowers in pots? You can go from baby flowers to gorgeous, overflowing pots that have your neighbors saying “wow” in just one summer.
#5: Planting flower pots helps you get in touch with nature.
“I didn’t realize how out of touch with nature I was.”
It’s something I hear over and over again from budding gardeners when they reflect on what surprised them most about flower gardening. Growing flowers is therapeutic. There’s something grounding about putting your hands in the dirt and reconnecting with the earth.
#6: You want your quality time at home to be fun.
After a loooooong winter, it’s nice to spend time outside with something fun to do, right? This summer is the perfect time to try planting flowers or expanding your flower skills.
#7: It’s a fun activity to involve your loved ones and friends.
You may think of container gardening as a solo hobby. But I’m always amazed at all the fun ways to involve your honey, your kiddos or even your neighbors — from shopping for flowers, to caring for your flowers, to having neighbors stop and chat about your pretty creations. Growing flowers is a way to bring people together. Flowers are a magnet for connecting.
#8: It’s personally rewarding.
“I didn’t expect to enjoy growing flowers as much as I did. It was extremely fulfilling.”
This is another thing I consistently hear from flower lovers I work with! When your flowers look good, YOU feel good. You’ve brought this beautiful creation to life. Your effort has been worth it. And you’ll discover talents you never knew you had. It can be incredibly rewarding.
Related topics that may interest you:
by Ann at Go West Gardener | Updated: Sep 12, 2025 | Gardening Tips and Tricks, Western Container Gardening With Flowers
Friends, the end of the flowerpot season is like the end of a dinner party.
You’ve had an amazing evening of laughter, stories and delicious food. (“Oh my God, that was so good! I need that recipe!”) Your heart feels so full.
And then… you walk into your kitchen.
Sweet Mother of Lassie.
Your counters are lined with dirty dishes, empty wine glasses and serving utensils you didn’t even know you owned. You have caked-on pots and pans tucked into the stove, the refrigerator and other secret hidey-holes.
And ugh, your dishwasher only holds so much!!
I always have a similar feeling after a season of gardening.
After a summer of pretty flowers, there’s some flowerpot clean-up to do. And let’s be real, the clean-up isn’t going to be the highlight of your season.
“Wait, whaaat??? I need to clean my pots?”
Rest easy, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do!
But a little clean-up can make a BIG difference for your flowers next season.
I didn’t used to clean my flowerpots, but I have become a believer after experiencing some issues. For example, salt residue can build up on the inside of your pots. It can create problems for your young plants next season. (Headaches, hassles and struggling plants!)
With just a little cleaning, you eliminate those issues.
Here’s what to do with your flowerpots when your flowers are dead.
First, here are supplies for cleaning your pots that are helpful to have handy.
1) Empty out the dead flowers, roots, and used potting soil.
I suggest you set up a garbage bag and a compost bag. Compost bags are often available in the fall at local hardware stores.
- The trash bag is for dead plants that looked diseased. Throw away any plants that looked diseased at the end of the growing season, as well as all the potting soil from that flowerpot. (No judgment! These things happen.)
- The compost bag is for dead flowers and roots that were healthy. They can get turned into “compost.” Compost is an awesome material we can add back into our garden soils to improve their quality. Pull the dead plants out of your flowerpots. Add all of your dead plants that were healthy at the end of the season to the compost bag. (You also can create your own compost pile, but that’s a topic for another time.)
Click here for options for what to do with old potting soil >>
2) Clean your flowerpots.
When your flowers are dead and you’ve emptied everything out of your pots:
- Brush off any lingering dirt and white residue from the inside (and bottom) of your pots. I use a soft bristle brush from the hardware store. Avoid brushes that are too stiff because they can scratch your pots. If you can’t get the white residue off with a brush… You can try using a plastic puddy knife to scrape and get under the tough spots. It works pretty well, particularly on residue at the bottom of your pots. You also can try soaking your flowerpots in a mixture of vinegar and water. (If you’re wondering what the white residue on your flowerpots is, scroll down for quick explanation.)
- Rinse your flowerpot with water. I like to set the hose nozzle on the “jet” setting. It typically does a good job removing dirt.
- Remove any roots that have grown into the holes at the bottom of your pot. You want to make sure the holes are free of any debris for the next growing season, so water can drain freely from your pots.
- Repeat these steps for each pot.
“What IS that white stuff on my pots?”
Many of us have hard water. That white residue is likely a build-up of calcium and salts from watering and fertilizing.
It won’t be great for your plants’ roots next season.
I’ve found it’s easier to get the white residue off when it’s fresh in the fall, rather than waiting until the spring.
It’s kind of like the pan you cook lasagna in. That cheese residue will be much easier to get off before it fully hardens. Clean the residue while it’s still fresh, if you can.
But no worries if you decide to wait until spring!
3) Store your empty flowerpots for the winter.
To help keep your pots clean and protect them from cracking or breaking:
- Store your empty flowerpots out of the elements, if possible. Ideally, you’d store them someplace that stays above freezing temps, like an attached garage. That way, pots that are vulnerable to freeze damage and breaking (like terracotta pots and ceramic pots) are less likely to crack and break. But if that isn’t an option, store your pots in a shed or on a covered porch.
- If you leave your pots outside, you may want to turn your pots upside down or cover them to keep them clean and keep moisture out.
You may be wondering: “Do I have to protect my flowerpots?”
Nope, you don’t have to, and your flowerpots may be fine!
But just understand, freeze damage can happen, depending on your winter.
See the photo below of one of my neighbor’s flowerpots for an example. I have a bunch of cracked terracotta pots from one of my first winters in Colorado. Oops.
Most years, I stop here and call it good.
And if you’ve made it this far, awesome! You’re well on your way to getting next season’s flowers off to a great start.
But it’s worth noting…
The steps above haven’t sterilized our flowerpots.
You may be thinking: “Ummmm, there’s more??? Why do I need to sterilize my flowerpots?”
Plant diseases can carry over from year to year — and not just in the soil, but also on the pot itself. This means a disease you had this last season could ruin next season’s flowers.
So, it’s a good idea to sterilize your flowerpots if:
- You had (or suspected you had) diseased plants.
- You’ve purchased used pots. It’s best to clean them before you use them.
- You want to grow flowers from seeds in your flowerpots. Seedlings need an environment that’s as clean as a bottle for a newborn baby.
If any of these apply to you and you’re willing to go a step further, here are tips to sterilize your flowerpots.
Do you have to empty and clean your flowerpots?
Nope, it’s gardening. You can do what you want!
But cleaning up your pots when your flowers are dead can:
- Get your plants off to a healthy start in the spring.
- Give you fewer chores at the start of next season. (Yesssss!)
- Help your pots look good and last longer.
You’re cleaning up after this year’s flower party, so you’re ready for an amazing season next year.
Related topics that may interest you:
by Ann at Go West Gardener | Updated: Sep 12, 2025 | Gardening Tips and Tricks, Western Container Gardening With Flowers
In the fall, one of the questions that often comes up is:
“When should I empty my flowerpots?”
There are different schools of thought on when to empty your flowerpots, so I’m going to share several options. That way, you can decide which makes the most sense for you.
#1) Empty your flowerpots when you’re ready.
I have a neighbor who has a gorgeous container garden every summer. Typically, she reaches a point in the early fall when she decides:
“I’ve had enough.”
She’s over it. Her flowers still look good, but she’s ready to be done with watering and deadheading. She wants to empty her flowerpots while the weather is still nice.
You may feel guilty about pulling your flowers out early. Heck, you may feel guilty about pulling your flowers out anytime!
But chances are, you’ve planted “annuals” in your flowerpots. True annuals go through their life cycle within 1 year.
So, it’s 100% okay to empty your flowerpots if:
- You reach a point where you’ve had enough OR
- You want to do your fall chores before it gets too cold
Your flowers are nearing the end of their life cycle, and the killing freezes ARE coming… You may just be beating Mother Nature to them.
#2) Empty your pots when your flowers stop looking good due to frosts and freezes.
(This is what I do.)
The majority of the flowers in your containers can’t survive freezing temperatures. This means there’s a point when the flowers in your containers will get nipped by cold temperatures and die.
So, how will you know if your flowers have frozen and are dying?
If your flowers have been nipped by a frost or a freeze:
- Your flowers will often change colors. You may see them turn brown, black, gray or a yellowish cream.
- They may go limp.
- They may shrivel and dry up.
- Sometimes, they’ll get mushy.
They’ll no longer look right, and it’s their way of telling you:
“Hey, it’s time to dig me out of your flowerpot!”
If you have frosts or freezes in your forecast and you don’t want your flowers to get nipped, check out 6 ways to protect your flowers from frost and freezing.
#3) Empty your pots BEFORE you start getting consistent freezes and/or snow.
So, let’s say you’re having a busy fall. Your plants have frozen and died, but you haven’t had time to empty your flowerpots yet. You may want to think about emptying your flowerpots BEFORE you start getting consistent freezes or snow.
Here’s why:
There are some types of flowerpots — like terracotta pots, ceramic pots and even concrete flowerpots — that can chip, crack or crumble over the winter.
Check out the photo below for an example of what flowerpot freeze damage can look like.
#4) Dig out your flowers if you want to put something else in your flowerpots.
If you don’t mind leaving your flowerpots out, you can turn them into decorative planters during other parts of the year — especially if they’re in a spot that’s protected from the elements.
For example, you could:
- Replace your summer flowers with fall flowers, like the mums in the photo below
- Put pumpkins, gourds or decorative branches in your flowerpots in the fall
- Spruce up your containers with evergreen bows or other festive adornments in December
- Fill them with flowers in the spring that like chillier weather (like the pansies pictured earlier on this page)
There’s no rule that says you can only use your flowerpots during the summer!
If this sounds like too much work, then of course, you don’t have to do it.
Just know you have options!
Related topics that may interest you:
by Ann at Go West Gardener | Updated: May 20, 2026 | In-ground garden, Western Container Gardening With Flowers
Looking for an easy-to-grow flower that gives you big, pretty color in the late summer?
I’d like to introduce you to Black-Eyed Susan (officially, Rudbeckia — Rude-bek-ee-uh). It also goes by the name: Gloriosa Daisy.
There are MANY reasons to love this flower.
In this article, we’re going to chat about why Black-Eyed Susan plants can be great flowers for late summer gardens in the West.
More than a month of colorful blooms? Yes, please!
If you’re new to Black-Eyed Susan, it’s a showy flower that resembles a daisy.
It often has gold or yellow petals and a black, brown or green center.
Typically, in states like Colorado, it will bloom in late July, August and even early September, so it gives you pretty color when a lot of other flowers are done blooming.
The exact bloom time depends on where you live.
Here are reasons to include these pretty flowers in your western garden:
- They’re bright and showy, adding a BIG pop of gold color to your garden in mid- to late-summer.
- They bloom for a looooong time. You may get up to 2 months of color.
- Some grow well in mountain gardens, as well as down at lower elevations.
- They tend to be adaptable to our tricky western soils, from clay soil, to sandier soils.
- They grow well in the sun, but some will tolerate places in your garden that get a mix of sunshine and shade.
- Some are drought tolerant once they’re established. (Ideally, though, many of them prefer moderate water. You may want to plant them near a downspout or in a low area that stays more moist.)
- They don’t like a lot of fuss. They’re usually happier without things like fertilizer.
- They tend to be deer-resistant, meaning these plants aren’t Bambi’s first choice for breakfast.
Translation: This is an easy-going, low maintenance plant for western states like Colorado and Utah.
And cheers for plants that aren’t a lot of work, am I right?
But here’s what doesn’t always get mentioned…
Some types of Black-Eyed Susan are shorter-lived than others.
I share this with you because if your plant doesn’t come back, you may think you did something wrong.
But nope, you may have just purchased a shorter-lived Black-Eyed Susan! Find out how to tell them apart here.
Related topics that may interest you:
by Ann at Go West Gardener | Updated: Jan 28, 2026 | Gardening for Pollinators, Gardening Tips and Tricks
Did you know that flowers and plants from the garden center often have a pesticide in them that can be toxic to bees?
“What, whaaaaaaaat?”
That pretty much sums up my reaction when I realized that my last impulse purchase was harmful to bees.
If you want to create a pollinator garden, here are helpful things to know about the commonly-used pesticides known as “neonicotinoids.” You’ll also find tips on where to buy plants that are safe for bees in Colorado and similar western states.
I first learned about neonicotinoids and “bee-safe” plants at the 2021 Colorado Pollinator Virtual Summit. This annual event is open to the public and is typically offered in the fall.
Many plants sold at garden centers have been treated with neonicotinoids (or “neonics,” for short).
Neonicotinoids are a “systemic insecticide”—a type of pesticide.
This means plants absorb the chemical into all of their plant tissues to kill insects. Even their nectar and petals!
Many growers use neonics early in a plant’s life cycle to help control pests.
It’s very common.
Unfortunately, these insecticides can stay in your plants for a long time. (Sometimes years!)
The chemicals can be passed along to bees when they land on or feed from that plant.
Neonics can lead to a range of problems in bees—like weakness, disorientation and impairment… and even death.
Yikes.
For example, studies have found that bees that have been exposed to neonicotinoids have a:
Social bees—like honey bees and bumble bees—also have reduced social activity and a reduced ability to regulate their nest temperature.
So, how do you know whether a plant is neonicotinoid free or not?
Well, this is where things get tricky.
It isn’t easy to tell.
For now, a good place to start is to learning where to buy plants that are safe for bees.
If you live in the Front Range of Colorado…
There’s a local website that keeps a list of where to buy neonicotinoid-free plants (source: Sustainable Neighborhood Network).
The garden centers, plant nurseries and growers on this list have self reported that their plants are neonicotinoid free.
I learned about this resource through the Colorado Pollinators Virtual Summit. I’m sharing it in good faith, but please understand there is no guarantee of its accuracy.
As you’ll see noted on the nursery list, it’s always a good idea to double check with a store manager to make sure this information is accurate.
If you want to buy plants that are safe for bees online…
Check out High Country Gardens.
High Country Gardens has self reported that all of their perennials and wildflower seeds are neonicotinoid free.
Originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, this online retailer carries many western plants.
If you live someplace else and want to buy local…
Skip the big box stores.
Instead, “you may be more likely to find organic plants at small local nurseries, native plant nurseries or at a farmers market,” says the Xerces Society, a science-based conservation organization, in their Buying Bee-Safe Plants Guide.
You also can call or visit your local, independent garden center and speak with a manager.
For tips on what to ask and how to have a conversation, please refer to the Buying Bee-Safe Plants Guide above.
Just be aware that the store managers may not know whether their growers use pesticides, like neonicotinoids.
Another option on where to find plants that are safe for bees…
Consider growing your plants from seeds.
When you buy seeds, look for the USDA Certified Organic label on your seed package.
That way, you’ll know the seeds meet federal organic standards. In other words, the seeds shouldn’t have been treated with neonicotinoids.
More about the annual Colorado Pollinator Summit
Attending the Colorado Pollinator Virtual Summit was an eye-opening experience for me.
I learned A LOT.
The summit included speakers and partners from organizations like the Butterfly Pavilion, Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado State University (CSU) Extension, Denver Audubon Society, Colorado Pollinators Network and more.
This annual event is open to the public. If you’d like to attend the next Colorado Pollinator Summit, make a note on your calendar for the early fall, so you can search for the upcoming event and get tickets.
Related topics that may interest you:
by Ann at Go West Gardener | Updated: Nov 17, 2023 | Garden design Ideas, Gardening Tips and Tricks, In-ground garden, Waterwise Gardening in the Intermountain West
Walk among the flowers and feel your stress lift away!
Visiting a local botanical garden is a wonderful way to relax in nature and find inspiration for your own garden. Many local botanical gardens feature beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees that grow well in our tricky, semi-arid climate.
Here are links to many public gardens in the intermountain west, so you can find a botanical garden near you.
Botanical gardens in Colorado
Colorado also has waterwise demonstration gardens and native plant gardens. These gardens can be good places to see examples of natives plants and drought-tolerant plants.
Here are a few demonstration gardens along the Front Range:
You may want to search for waterwise demonstration gardens in your area.
Botanical gardens in Utah
Botanical gardens in New Mexico
Botanical gardens in Idaho
Botanic gardens in Wyoming
Botanic gardens in Montana
If you don’t see your state listed above, simply search for phrases like:
- Botanic gardens near [your city or state]
- Best gardens in [your city or state]
The American Horticulture Society has a search feature on their website to help people find botanical gardens that welcome members from other gardens. I find their search tool useful if you want to find botanical gardens by state. They don’t list every garden, but they include a lot of them.
You also can search for “demonstration gardens” near [your city or state]. Often times, demonstration gardens are good places to get ideas for waterwise (drought-tolerant) plants for your garden.
by Ann at Go West Gardener | Updated: Jan 28, 2026 | Gardening Tips and Tricks
Looking for fun gift ideas for flower lovers in the West?
You’ll find 11 of the best gift ideas for flower lovers below — perfect for holidays, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and more.
And if you’re looking for gardening gift ideas for yourself… well, then, share this article with friends or leave it out on the kitchen counter where your honey can’t miss it.
(Wink, wink!)
Botanic Garden Tickets, Classes or Memberships
Share the experience of exploring beautiful gardens
If your idea of the best garden gift is an experience (rather than stuff), may I suggest a membership to a local botanical garden?
Taking time to explore beautiful gardens is a fun and relaxing way to discover flowers that grow well in our semi-arid climate. Not to mention, being outside in nature has shown to lower stress. Yes, please!
Want to keep it simple? A one-day ticket is a good gift idea for a flower lover too. You could meet up to stroll through the gardens and then head out for drinks or dinner.
Here’s how to find western botanic gardens near you >>
Pretty, Metal Plant Markers
Keep track of plants in an attractive way
Photos courtesy of Gardener’s Supply Company / gardeners.com
Plant markers come in handy for all kinds of reasons — from remembering the names of flowers, to keeping track of where you planted your spring bulbs (like tulips and daffodils). X marks the spot!
But the plastic plant tags you get when you buy your flowers can break easily, get buried or blow away. Plus, they aren’t that pretty.
Gardener’s Supply Company has come up with a good solution: metal, weatherproof plant markers that are attractive, as well as functional. Made of galvanized steel, these plant markers are 10″ long, so they’re easy to stick into the soil and they’ll last a long time. You can choose either a copper label tag or a zinc-coated label tag.
Give copper plant markers or steel plant markers as a gift to your favorite flower lover!
Flower Photography Classes
Inspire an artistic soul
One thing I’ve noticed about flower lovers is many of us enjoy taking photos of our plant babies.
If your favorite flower gardener would like to get better at taking artistic photos of flowers, there are online classes that can help. For example, Click Photo School has a variety of online training courses to help people channel their creativity. They offer a self-paced course called Macro Style: Finding Beauty in the Details. It’s designed to help students improve their skills with “macro” photography, such as taking close-up photos of flowers.
These types of classes would be a good gift idea for flower lovers who have basic knowledge of how to use a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
These classes probably aren’t the right fit for someone who primarily takes photos with a phone. But worth noting: Click Photo School also offers beginner classes on how to get started with photography.
Gift Cards to Local, Independent Garden Centers
Give the joy of flower gardening
To be clear, I’m NOT talking about a gift card you pull off the rack for a home improvement store. Nope, nope, nope! Step away from the gift card kiosk.
I’m talking about getting a gift card for a local, independent garden center — a store that specializes in plants and flowers. Think of these stores like book shops for people who love to read. To find an independent garden center near you, simply search for: local garden center in [your city or area] or plant nursery in [your city or area].
Prefer something online instead? There are online garden centers. (Yep, they’re a thing!) High Country Gardens is an online retailer of flower plants that are ideal for the western United States. You can find High Country Gardens e-gift cards here. And Gardener’s Supply Company has all kinds of wonderful garden gadgets and supplies. You can find Gardener Supply e-gift cards here.
The flower lover in your life can use this gift money to buy flowers, pretty flowerpots, garden art, special garden tools… Sooooo many ways to spend that money, so little time!
Packets of Flower Seeds
Grow beautiful flowers from a pretty packet of seeds
Seed packet illustration courtesy of Botanical Interests
How much joy can come from a little packet of seeds?
A LOT.
Seeds make fun hostess gifts and stocking stuffers for flower lovers.
If you’re new to choosing flower seeds, I suggest zinnias. Unlike many seeds, zinnias can be grown right from the ground, so they’re easier to grow. Zinnias are native to Mexico. This means they’re heat tolerant, which is awesome for our hot summers in Colorado, Utah and similar western states. These flowers offer vibrant color for one summer, but typically won’t return. Best of all, zinnias make beautiful “cut flower” arrangements. You can cut them, put them in vases and watch as even more blooms fill in!
In the photos below, you’ll see the “Cut and Come Again” zinnias I grew from seeds last summer and my last bouquet of the season. (There are a couple of cosmos flowers tucked in the bouquet too.)
I get many of my seeds from Botanical Interests. They’re a seed company with Colorado roots. Each of their seed packets comes with gorgeous illustrations and helpful instructions. Their seed packets are little works of art — so they make good flower gardener gifts!
Botanical Interests sells seeds to gardeners across the country. So, if you want to buy flower seeds, just make sure you’re choosing flowers that are a good fit for where you live. (They have great customer service and are happy to help.)
Shop zinnia seeds here >>
Cute Shirts for Flower Lovers
Show the world you’re a plant mom (or plant dad)
Shirts for plant lovers (above): Piper & Ivy
I love a cute plant shirt. A friend of mine introduced me to Piper and Ivy with a “just because” gift, and I’m hooked.
Check out the plant lover t-shirts from Piper and Ivy here: Easily distracted by plants + and other plant lover shirts >>
Plant Books for Western Gardeners
Discover flowers that thrive in our semi-arid climate
In my opinion, one of the trickier things about gardening in the semi-arid West is figuring out which flowers, shrubs and trees grow well here. Many plants from other parts of the country don’t like our growing conditions — or they’re gas-guzzlers for water.
One of my favorite books for discovering beautiful, drought-tolerant plants is called: “Waterwise Plants for Sustainable Gardens.” This book is ideal for gardeners of all levels — from new gardeners to avid gardeners. It contains helpful photos and lots of inspiration.
Sometimes, you can find this book at local, independent garden centers. Or shop for the book online here >>
Floral Snips
Keep flowers looking pretty and tidy
Floral snips are like scissors for plants. They’re a good gift for flower gardeners, especially new gardeners. Floral snips make it easy to trim off dead blooms, so new flower buds can grow in. Best of all, you can be really precise in your cuts, so you don’t accidentally remove more of the flowers than you intended.
I keep a pair of floral snips near my back door in the summer. That way, I can grab them when I walk outside and quickly tidy up my flowerpots and garden beds. Snip, snip, snip!
You can find floral snips at your local garden center and on Amazon.
Local Flower Bouquet Subscriptions
Brighten a home with fresh and unusual bouquets
Photos courtesy of Piper’s Lane
If you’re looking for creative or unusual gift ideas for flower lovers, give a subscription to a local flower service.
(Imagine having a bouquet of freshly-cut flowers on your kitchen table each week during the summer. Ahhhhh!)
These aren’t your same-old, same-old bouquets from the grocery store. I’m talking about fresh and unique bouquets from a local flower farmer. These flowers:
- Smell wonderful because they’re freshly picked from the garden
- Contain unusual flowers you just can’t find in store bouquets
- Have been grown close to you rather than flown in from South America, which is where many of the store bouquets come from
If you live in the south Denver area, definitely check out Piper’s Lane. The founder, Kristen, has an urban farm and offers a local, flower bouquet subscription service. Kristen’s beautiful bouquets are made up of unique and seasonal flowers that are grown from seed without chemicals. You can choose from several types of subscriptions (which Kristen calls “shares”) in the spring, summer and/or autumn. You pay in advance. Then, you simply pick up your flower bouquets on your designated weeks.
Live someplace else?
To find local flower farmers near you and explore their unique services, check out the Floret flower farmer network.
Decorative Garden Art
Add a pop of color to flowerpots and garden beds
Photos courtesy of Iron Bird Salvage
Gotta love a little garden bling!
These rustic, metal flowers from Iron Bird Salvage look super-cute tucked in flowerpots or planted in the garden. I have several “bunches” of metal flowers in my shade garden. They add a pretty pop of color, and friends always ask about them.
These flowers may look painted, but they’re actually made out of recycled materials, like old wheelbarrows, toolboxes, wagons and more. Each flower is the color of the reclaimed metal item it’s being made from. You can buy as many flowers as you like, and you get to choose your colors.
The flowers are cut by hand, so they’re all unique. And because they’re made from reclaimed metal, they have imperfections. That’s part of the rustic charm.
They make fun gifts for flower lovers!
Shop for these decorative metal flowers here >>
Paperwhite Bulbs (Narcissus)
Brighten up winter with these beauties
Photo courtesy of Longfield Gardens
Brighten up a looooong winter with the gift of paperwhite bulbs. These flowers are easy to grow inside during the winter. (Yep, indoor winter flowers!)
Check out the Longfield Gardens website to:
Happy gifting!
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