Dannette Hunnel It’s planting season this month here in Sun Lakes. Let’s talk about what you probably don’t want to plant. Mexican Petunia With its green, soft leaves and small, purple, petunia-looking blooms, this is an ultra-easy and not-bad-looking bush. However, the Mexican petunia is a bully. Once it has established itself, it will take…
Dannette Hunnel The lantana is a low-maintenance, water-wise, long-lasting, shrub-like plant with constant color. Plant lantanas now so they are well established by summer. Lantanas come in many different colors and styles. Before planting, consider the spot for the new lantana, as they can spread in different ways depending on the varietal. Trailing, which is…
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 After living in the Southwest for nearly 40 years, rosemary has become one of my favorite plants. There is so much versatility to this plant! It is a pretty, dark green evergreen shrub with little blue-violet flowers. And the aroma! Well, that alone is worth having a rosemary plant. Hardy and slow growing,…
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 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…