Dannette Hunnel The dianthus plant thrives in Sun Lakes during January. Even after cold, rainy days, they remain bright and healthy, kicking off the new year with pretty colors. They are familiar in the Valley as a winter annual; however, if protected from the summer sun and with plenty of water during hot months, they…
Dannette Hunnel Looking for something bright, cheery, and unique to plant this winter? Try the euryops plant. This non-invasive perennial is often available at The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and many Valley nurseries. The price is about $9 for a 2.5-quart-size plant. Pronounced YOU-ree-ops and meaning “large eye,” the euryops plant is also known as the…
Dannette Hunnel Lavender, a perennial semi-shrub, is a well-known, tough, pretty plant. With its unique green-grey leaf and lovely lavender-colored shoots, it’s easily recognized throughout our Valley. A lavender plant will look nice in a large container, along walkways, and mixed in a large flower bed—a welcoming site and aroma near the entrance of any…
Dannette Hunnel September is a hot, rugged month. We gardeners are anxious for the upcoming fall planting season. September is a good time to get prepared! Clean planters and pots by emptying the dirt onto an old sheet, tablecloth, or paint drop cloth. Sanitize pots by mixing water and a cap-full of bleach or vinegar…
Dannette Hunnel August is such a hot month. Beyond cacti, many wonder what could possibly thrive in this intense heat. If you are aching to do some flower gardening, there are a few things you can still work with during this time of year. Vincas, of course, are the standard flower of the Phoenix Valley.…
Dannette Hunnel This vibrant, easy, heat-tolerant, perennial shrub is a perfect addition to any Sun Lakes landscape. It can be planted in the Southeast Valley in June. Low maintenance and known as a clean plant, the bottlebrush shrub features red blooms with sweet nectar that attract birds and butterflies. A young, light green plant will…
Dannette Hunnel The slipper plant is recognized as a succulent with green stems that grow upright from its root. With its woody, waxy look, many assume it’s bamboo. It’s a unique perennial with two-inch-wide, orange, slipper-shaped flowers along the stems—hence, the name. Some say the blooms look more like a mini orange bird of paradise…
Dannette Hunnel It’s March. It’s springtime, and that means planting to all who enjoy gardening. Unfortunately, many people think, “Why plant now? I’ll soon be leaving for the summer.” Others will think that planting annuals now is labor intensive and expensive, only to lose the plants in the extreme summer heat. Don’t despair. There are…
Dannette Hunnel Ornamental cabbages are unique, healthy-looking, and a surprisingly pleasant sight to see in the middle of winter. Ornamental cabbages are also known as kale, wild cabbages, or brassica and are plant-able in October and November and again after the last frost. This perky, uprising flower, growing tall and tiered, looks similar to a…
The speaker at the Jan. 16 Sun Lakes Garden Club meeting will be Steve Sheard, Master Rosarian. He attended the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show in London in the spring. It’s been held each year since 1913. He’ll take the members on a photographic tour and share his insights into this international show. Steve is a…