Western Gardening Blog

Inspiring western gardeners to grow beautiful flowers with less effort in Colorado, Utah & the intermountain west

The latest flower tips

5 Western Garden Trends to Inspire Your Garden (in Colorado, Utah & More)

I feel strange saying, “garden trends,” because it implies a fad. Here today, gone tomorrow—like paint colors in a home or trendy flower colors. I’m not here to tell you that violet is the new purple in your garden. Instead, think of these 5 western garden trends as...

“Will Snow Kill My Spring Flowers Like Tulips? Should I Protect Them?”

Your spring flowers look as happy as kids on the first day of vacation... and then, you see the weather forecast: SNOW. Ugh. The good news is... Spring flowering bulbs — like tulips and daffodils (pictured below) — are surprisingly resilient. Snow can be a good...

3 Popular Spring Gardening Questions (for Colorado & the West)

We’ve entered that time of the year in Colorado and the intermountain west when we tend to bounce between seasons, like animated 5-year-olds jumping around wildly in an inflatable bounce house. Winter! Spring! Winter! Summer! Spring! Ack, winter! Given that we don’t...

“Should I Buy Big or Small Flower Pots?”

If I could go back in time and tell myself one thing as a new gardener... I would say it's worth finding pretty flower pots. They're like a good pair of shoes or a nice piece of jewelry. They can really elevate the look of your container garden. But how do you choose?...

Pansies: A Colorful Flower for Your Spring Flowerpots in Colorado

Are you feeling adventurous this spring? Want to add a splash of color to your flowerpots? Get to know pansies — a type of viola! These early spring flowers can add a BIG pop of color to your Colorado garden, especially if you're ready to kiss winter goodbye. You may...

Planting a Perennial Garden in Colorado? Here Are 5 Counterintuitive Tips

Let's say you’re thinking about planting a perennial garden in Colorado or a similar western state, so you can enjoy colorful flowers year after year. Yesssss! Before you head to the garden center, here are a few things to know to get your western garden off to an...

When’s the Best Time to Plant Perennials in the Spring in Colorado & Similar States?

Spring can be one of the best times to plant perennials — the flowers that come back. "Cool temps are ideal for planting perennials..." said David Salman, respected western plantsman of Waterwise Gardening LLC. "Perennials thrive in cool weather, putting their energy...

“What Do I Do With Tulips After They’ve Flowered?”

The tulips in your spring garden have given you gorgeous color. But what do you do with tulips after they've flowered? They're done blooming, and now your tulip leaves are turning yellow and flopping on the ground. They don't look so great. (This is normal, BTW! You...

“Hardening” Flowers: How to Get Flowers Ready to Plant Outside

You’re at the store this spring, and colorful flowers catch your eye. It’s natural to want to drive straight home and plant them. Bring on the curb appeal! But hold up... Before you plant your flowers, it's a good idea to help them adjust to outdoor conditions first....

PODCAST: Find Your Confidence With Flowerpot Gardening

Wondering how to get started with flowerpot gardening? Pop in your ear buds, find a comfy spot and listen to this 30-minute episode of the @liveblissedout podcast! I was honored to be a guest and chat about flowerpot gardening in Colorado, Utah and the West. Click the...

“Why Should I Plant Flower Pots This Summer?”

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....

3 Garden Supplies to Shop for in March (Yep, March!)

I’ve been feeling conflicted about sharing this week’s gardening tip. I firmly believe that you do not need a lot of stuff to be a successful gardener. When I moved into my home, I was fortunate to inherit a few, basic gardening supplies from the previous owner. She...