Western Gardening Blog

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

The latest flower tips

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 a lot of visual interest. Think of a city skyline or a beautiful mountain range. There are...

Columbine Flowers: An Early Summer Flower to Attract Hummingbirds

Who else loves Columbine flowers? (I have both my hands up.) You’ll see Columbine flowers growing along alpine hiking trails in the Rocky Mountains… and in western gardens. When I see them on mountain trails, I want to turn into Julie Andrews at the start of The Sound...

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..." wrote David Salman, respected western plantsman of Waterwise Gardening LLC, in 2022. "Perennials thrive in cool weather, putting...

“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...

VIDEO: How to Trim Petunias to Keep Them Looking Pretty

If you have petunias, you may be wondering how to keep your petunias looking good, especially when the blooms start dying. In this week's video, you'll: See exactly where to trim your petunias, so your plants look pretty and you encourage them to keep giving you new...

Pre-Planned Gardens for Colorado and the West: Beautiful Gardens for Less Work

Buying flowers for western gardens can feel like a lot of work. Especially when you live in the semi-arid, gotta-have-some-moxie West — like Colorado and Utah! This isn’t a place where you a dig a few holes, plop in some flowers and watch them grow into a lush jungle....

“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....

“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?...

“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...

“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 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...

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...