The damage usually shows up as browned needles and leaves, dead branch tips, delayed leaf-out, or even dieback. Anatomy of a tree during too-dry Winters During dry spells, a tree’s anatomy works overtime to conserve water and survive stress. The roots are the first line of defense, stretching outward and downward in search of moisture; fine feeder roots absorb water, but they can die back quickly if soil stays dry, reducing the tree’s ability to hydrate itself. Inside the trunk…
Don’t count on Mother Nature and the hope of a big snow to get your trees and perennials through the winter this year. Snowfall usually provides far less moisture than rain, and we don’t have to tell you that we’re in a particularly concerning dry spell right now, so you’ll want to supplement with some winter watering for your trees, shrubs, and perennials. Water long enough so that the soil is thoroughly soaked without run-off. Be sure to water areas…
Deer-resistant perennial; it represents joy and prosperity. 1-800-Flowers has designated their 2026 Flower of the Year. The flower and plant of the year are chosen based on their symbolic meaning, as well as consumer and floral trends. This year’s flower is intended to represent positive feelings and futures. Delphiniums are beloved for their tall, elegant spires of flowers that bring a sense of drama and vertical interest to the garden. Blooming in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white, they are…
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026 is “Cloud Dancer,” a soft, billowy white meant to evoke calm, serenity, and a fresh start. Pantone’s Color of the Year is an annual selection meant to reflect the global mood, cultural shifts, and emerging trends across design, fashion, art, and society. Chosen by the company’s color experts, it serves as both a creative forecast and a source of inspiration, influencing everything from product design and interiors to branding and marketing to worldwide.…
Imagine all the good things that would happen if kids ran around and played outside every day. Today, the average child spends less than seven minutes a day outside in unstructured play (and three+ hours every day in front of some type of screen). As most of us can attest, that’s a drastic decrease in outdoor time compared to when we were growing up. According to Generation Wild, the benefits of playing outside every day are profound: stress and anxiety decrease,…
Despite the common myth, pine needles do not significantly acidify garden soil. Using pine needles in the garden is not harmful to soil or plants in Colorado. They make for excellent mulch that helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and decompose into beneficial organic matter. Fresh needles are slightly acidic, but they do not lower soil pH to damaging levels in our generally alkaline soils. What pine needles do to the soil Pine needles slowly break down and add organic matter…
Certain hardy, cold-tolerant agave species can grow in Colorado, particularly along the Front Range and in warmer, dry areas. Success in growing Agave in Colorado depends entirely on choosing the right species to plant. While not native to the state, species like Parry’s agave, Utah agave, Havard’s Agave, and New Mexico “Century Plant” Agave can survive Colorado winters if planted in well-drained soil. Parry’s Agave Hardy to about -20°F when dry Compact blue-gray rosettes Excellent for rock gardens and xeriscapes One of the most reliable choices here…
Mountain pine beetle ‘pitch tube’ found on the trunk where beetles tunneled into the bark. Pitch tubes may be brown, pink, or white. Photo credit: Dan West, Colorado State Forest Service New task force designed to protect our forests from the impact of the mountain pine beetle in the coming decade, particularly Front Range Ponderosa forests Governor Jared Polis recently took Executive Action in establishing the creation of a new task force to proactively develop strategies to help protect Colorado’s…
Expect a “classic winter wonderland” in Colorado during the 2025-2026 winter season, with very cold and dramatic temperature swings Some winter reports suggest varying conditions for the west versus the south, but others indicate our entire state can expect widespread wintry weather and a potential early start to winter with snow lasting into April in some areas. Key points from the Farmer’s Almanac forecast for Colorado: Very Cold and Snowy: Colorado is expected to experience a colder-than-normal winter with plenty of…
First, are your ornamental grasses cool-season or warm-season? The best time to cut back ornamental grasses depends on the type of grass you have but in general cut back warm=season grasses in Fall or by mid to late Spring, and cut back cool-season grasses in very early Spring. Leaving some grasses through the winter provides visual interest and ecological benefits for birds and insects. However, there are some specific circumstances when a Fall cut is preferable in our specific area: We live…
