It's tempting to want to get out early in the fall and tidy up your western garden for winter, especially if you're having a mild fall. But is it too early? When's the best time to cut back perennials in Colorado and similar states? In this article, you'll get the...
Gardening for Pollinators
5 Drought-Tolerant Spring Flowers for Sunny, Dry Gardens (You Plant in the Fall)
Most of these spring flowers are low maintenance too! Let’s say you want to add a splash of color to your spring garden, but you live someplace dry, like Colorado or Utah. It would be nice to find spring flowers that don’t need a lot of watering, right? (Less work for...
9 of the Best Flowers for Late Summer in Colorado
Want to add a splash of color to a late-summer garden? Dig into some of the best flowers for late summer in Colorado—whether you live in Denver, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction or another Colorado town! These late-summer flowers bloom in August, September and some...
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia): How to Tell a Biennial vs Perennial (Short-Lived vs Long-Lived Plant)
Black-eyed Susan (officially, Rudbeckia — Rude-bek-ee-uh) is an easy-to-grow flower that can add big color to your western garden, particularly in the late summer. But often, gardeners plant Black-Eyed Susan... and it doesn't come back If this happens to you, you may...
“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...
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...
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...
Creating a Native Pollinator Garden in Colorado
I first published this article in 2022. I hope you find it helpful! 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 more...








