Western Gardening Blog

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

The latest flower tips

How to Protect Flowers From Hail Damage

9 ways to prepare for hail to minimize damage to your western garden Hail can leave you wanting to yell, “WHHHHYYYYYYYY?????” to Mama Nature. Sometimes, thunderstorms pop up so suddenly, there's very little that can be done except for cleaning up the damage. But other...

“Do Some Plants Do Better in Hail Than Others?”

When you live in states like Colorado, Wyoming and Texas, you may not get hail every year, but some years, you’ll get it 2 … 3 … 7 times. (I’m not crying. I have something in my eye.) It’s like playing the lottery, except hail is a prize you DON’T want to win. In this...

“When Trimming Dead Blooms, Should You Pluck Them by Hand or With a Tool?”

Trimming off the dead blooms from your flowers can make them look even prettier. It's like giving them a fresh, new haircut! But when you remove the dead blooms, should you pluck them by hand or with a tool? I got this question and wanted to chat about it here. For...

Creating a Native Pollinator Garden in Colorado

I first published this article in 2022. I hope you find it helpful today! I would love to introduce you to Ann Winslow. (Yep, another Ann!) She spent time creating a native pollinator garden in her Colorado yard during the Covid shutdown in 2020. She wanted to attract...

Why Bees and Butterflies Are Like Puppies and Kittens

I originally published this article in 2022. Enjoy! Have you ever gotten a puppy or kitten? Chances are, you did a few things to get your home ready: Bought special food... Stocked up on toys... Rolled up rugs... Shut bathroom doors, so Buddy (or Mittens) didn’t turn...

Where to Buy Native Plants in Colorado

Despite their growing popularity, some native plants can be tricky to find at many garden centers. Here are different places to buy native plants in Colorado. Plant sales at local botanic gardens These events are often held at local botanic gardens in the late spring....

Gardening in a Heat Wave: 5 Ways to Garden Smarter, Not Harder

Many years ago, I cheered on a friend as he ran a local marathon. As my friend began running, he looked like he belonged in a Nike ad: Strong. Healthy. Determined. Just do it, baby! And he set a great pace until about mile 16 … … when heat and exhaustion caught him...

3 Plants That Struggle in Western Winters (What NOT to Plant in Your Colorado Landscape)

No one wants to end up with extra garden chores and sad-looking plants But that’s what can happen if you accidentally pick plants that are known to struggle in Colorado landscapes — particularly during winter. So, in this tip, you’ll get the scoop on 3 popular plants...

A Simple Flowerpot Design Tip: Take Your Flowers From “Meh” to “Wow!”

Looking for a design tip to make your flowerpots look prettier this summer? Combine flowers of different heights! Planting flowers of different heights can help you create visual interest. Think of a city skyline or a beautiful mountain range. There are different...

3 Misconceptions About When to Buy and Plant Flowers That Can Lead to Dead Plants (Ack!)

So, you’re dashing into Costco, and what grabs your eye? Colorful, happy flowers just waiting for you to give them a new home, like a litter of fluffy puppies. Eeek! You can’t help but walk over and take a closer look. After a long, drab winter, the flowers look so...

Where to Learn About Waterwise Plants for Colorado, Utah & Similar Western States

Looking for waterwise plants? You don't have to plant cacti or turn your yard into a desert! There are lots of beautiful, low water plants for Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and the semi-arid West. They just may not be the flowers and shrubs you know from other regions of the...

“Help! I Can’t Find the Flowers I Want at the Store”

Have you ever had trouble finding the flowers you want at the store? You aren't alone! Figuring out which flowers to plant and tracking them down in a garden center can get overwhelming quickly. And if even if you don't feel overwhelmed, it can be frustrating to want...