Western Gardening Blog

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

The latest flower tips

Jack O’Planters: How to Use a Pumpkin as a Planter

Looking for a fun fall project that will make your front porch look GOOD? Use a pumpkin as a planter. You'll create a cute autumn flowerpot that has your neighbors saying, "Wow!" I created pumpkin planters with a friend last fall. This project is quick and easy....

“What’s Making Round Holes in My Plant Leaves?”

Let's say you’ve noticed some strange, round holes in your plant leaves. These circular holes have fairly smooth edges. It almost looks like someone took an office hole punch and punched circles along the edges of your leaves. What’s making these round holes in your...

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...

What Plants Struggle in Colorado?

I received the following question from a gardener who moved to Colorado from New England, and I thought, ooooh, that's a good one! "What plants struggle in Colorado?" Here are some popular plants from other parts of the country that are best to skip in Colorado if:...

What Is a Plant Hardiness Zone? (And How to Find YOUR Zone)

When you buy a flower plant... You may notice a strange phrase on the plant tag that says: "Hardiness zones" or "Zones." If you're wondering, "What is a plant hardiness zone? What does that mean?", you're in the right place. At its most basic, a plant hardiness zone...

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia): An Easy-to-Grow Flower for Late Summer

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...

Jupiter’s Beard: A Long-Blooming Perennial That Attracts Butterflies

Would you like a long-blooming perennial... ... that attracts butterflies and interesting moths, gives you color all summer AND is drought tolerant? Yes, pleasssssse! I can’t wait to introduce you to Jupiter’s Beard (aka, Red Valerian). Its botanical name is...

VIDEO: How to Clean Your Petunias, So You Aren’t Trimming Off the Wrong Parts

You want to "clean" your petunias, so they look pretty and tidy. But how do you know you're trimming off the right parts? What's a new bud versus a dying flower? In this short video on petunia care, you'll see get simple tips and clear photos on: EXACTLY what to look...

“My Flowers Look Sick. What Do I Do??”

There is no perfect gardener, no matter what your neighbor up the street with the pristine landscape wants you to think. So, if you have a flower that looks sick, is struggling or is dying, take heart. It happens to everyone. (Yes, even to your neighbor. Though, she...

VIDEO: Japanese Beetles In Colorado & How to Control Them

What the heck is turning your plants into lace-y skeletons? If it's late June, July or August in the Front Range of Colorado, Japanese beetles may be to blame. "What do Japanese beetles look like?" you may be wondering. Japanese beetles are metallic green insects with...

Red Birds in a Tree: A Drought-Tolerant Flower That’s a MAGNET for Hummingbirds

During the spring of 2020, my husband and I re-worked part of our yard with new garden beds. (Any other weekend warriors out there?) I wanted to include drought-tolerant red flowers that would grow well in Colorado’s poor soils and hot, dry climate. And that’s when I...

“How Do I Attract Bees and Butterflies to My Garden?”

10 tips to create a pollinator garden in Colorado, Utah and similar states Do you want to attract bees and butterflies to your garden? Me too! These wonderful pollinators need just a few, basic survival elements: Food (from nectar-rich flowers) Water sources Cover...