Western Gardening Blog

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

The latest flower tips

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...

Gorgeous Waterwise Perennials for Colorado Gardens

Think low-water gardens have to look dull, desert-like, or weedy? Nope! Waterwise landscapes can be lush, vibrant, and pollinator friendly. Plus, they’re often a lot less work. If you’re looking for ways to save water and get more blooms for your buck, here are a...

“Hail Destroyed My Garden. What Do I Do Now?”

In my opinion, there is nothing that will suck the soul from your gardening body like hail You can have your flowers looking SO DARN GOOD ... And after a few minutes of hail, your Instagram-worthy flowers have become a sloppy, shredded mess. Ugh. Mama Nature doesn’t...

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...

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....

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...