Q: How often should I change the soil in my planters? A: Although potting soil doesn't technically go bad, it does lose its nutrients. We recommend changing your potting soil every season.

Firewitch Dianthus Dianthus gratianapolitanus 'Firewitch' Zone 3-9 Gray-green foliage that resembles small grass blades provides a nice backdrop for the magenta blooms. Plant in full sun to part shade and water regularly for best growth. A fast grower that quickly reaches 1 foot tall and wide. Evergreen. Blooms in spring, and if regularly pruned, this plant can bloom from spring to fall.

This area of the yard had an overgrown mugo pine that left the area feeling crowded and unwelcoming. Since you can't really cut or shape these shrubs without them looking horrendous, our only option was to completely remove the plant due to its size. The first step was to cut back the limbs as close to the main trunk as possible. This would allow us to not only remove a large portion of the shrub but give us access to the main root system so we could remove the pine. After lo

Q: What kind of soil should I use in my pots? A: As long as you buy a quality potting soil mix from a major brand you can't go wrong. We highly recommend you get potting soil with coco coir in it to help prevent over and under-watering. We have had great success with Miracle-Gro Moisture control potting soil.

Sherwood Jujube Ziziphus jujuba 'Sherwood' Zone 5-10 This fruit-bearing tree is not native to the area but will look right at home in your yard. A moderate grower that can reach up to 25' tall. Pest and disease resistant. Blooms in midsummer. Plant in full sun for best growth. Prefers well-drained soil. Prune when dormant to control the size and shape of the tree. Edible fruit that is tart and sweet.

This particular yard this week also comes from the same project as last week. Our first step was to remove the old, ragged-looking lavenders. We needed to blow the area and rake to remove the fallen leaves and debris. Once this courtyard was cleaned up, we had a better overall picture of the weed and small plant situation that were in the area that needed to be removed. Once the smaller vegetation was removed, it was time to plant! We brought in composted cotton burrs and add

Q: Are dead leaves harmful to plants or soil? A: They can be - if the dead leaves had disease or pests on them, and they stay near the base of your plant, it can provide protection for the disease/pests during the winter and cause the new growth to become infected as well. It's best to clear the leaves!

Flame Seedless Grape Vitis Vinifera 'Flame Seedless' Zone 7-9 If you are looking to put a vine of some sort in your yard this may be the one. Not only will it green up an area, but you will also be able to enjoy the "fruits" of your labor. Beautiful, deep green foliage followed by medium clusters of red grapes. Plant in full sun for best growth and fruit production. Prefers well-drained soil. Water regularly until established. A fast grower that can quickly reach 25' long. Us

This beautiful yard started off with beautiful rock work and mature plants! However, the client wanted a change. The carpet of juniper didn’t provide the character they wanted for their yard, not to mention it was a place critters such as mice and spiders liked to hide. They wanted their entire yard changed and brought to life with some new plants and some gravel. The first step in this transformation was to start working on pulling out the ground cover juniper. One of the m

Happy February from Desert Rose! In this month's blog, we will review a couple of methods of how to spruce up your yard during the winter months. Yards can seem barren and desolate during the winter months, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are some tips on how to bring a new, bright look to your yard during these dark few months. The best way to make a difference is to plant pots! I know it sounds crazy, but planting "winter pots" can add much-needed color to your yar