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...
Best Flowers for Colorado, Utah & Similar States
5 Western Garden Trends to Inspire Your Garden (in Colorado, Utah & More)
Reader note: I first published this article in January 2022, but the content is still relevant and timely! 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...
Lantana: A Heat-Tolerant Flower for Pots and Summer Gardens
This cutie is known as Lantana. This colorful flower reminds me of a delicious bowl of sherbet. It isn’t a flower you want to eat, though — no matter how yummy it looks. It's actually a little poisonous. Be careful where you plant it if you have wee ones or dogs. The...
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...
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....
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...
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...
6 Popular Ornamental Grasses for a Prettier Winter Garden
Put your hand up if want a pretty winter garden! Ornamental grasses can make your winter garden look good. They add visual interest to your winter landscape (aka, "winter interest"), and they're easy to grow. But how are you supposed to know which grasses to pick? A...
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....








