Tag: horticulture
The Mountain Gardener | All About Ceanothus
When the huge numbers of California Tortoiseshell butterflies showed up around here recently, I learned a lot about the different species of ceanothus and...
The Mountain Gardener | Butterflies Galore
Recently we were visited by hundreds of butterflies. One made it into the house as they fluttered around me when I opened the screen...
The Mountain Gardener | Why You Should Plant California Natives
Most of us would love to have a garden containing all California native plants growing happily in an ecosystem where everybody wins—birds, bees, insects,...
The Mountain Gardener | What Can Your Soil Do For You?
“The soil is made of butterfly wings, dinosaur teeth, pumpkin seeds, lizard skins and fallen leaves. Put your hands in the soil and touch...
The Mountain Gardener | Dogwoods in the Garden
I don’t know if I like the pink ones or the white ones best. A flowering dogwood in any shade is stunning. My friend...
The Mountain Gardener | How to Live in Peace with a...
Wisteria are one of those vines that you either long for or lament ever having planted. They are all fragrant with a delicious sweet...
The Mountain Gardener | Integrated Pest Management in the Garden
I go out into my little garden and look around daily to enjoy the early spring bloomers. But what’s this? Some of the hellebores...
The Mountain Gardener | Celebrate Earth Day 2026
The theme for Earth Day 2026 (April 22) is “Our Power, Our Planet,” emphasizing the importance of collective action, renewable energy and standing together...
The Mountain Gardener | Veggies in the Shade
Being the type who doesn’t take no for an answer, I’m going to try growing veggies on my shady deck again. I wasn’t very...
The Mountain Gardener | Survivors in the Garden
Many, many years ago my landscape designer group was fortunate to get a private tour by the head gardener at Filoli Gardens. One of...
UPDATED: Scotts Valley vegetation fire under control, police investigating tip about...
*Updated at 3:11pm
Smoke could be seen billowing up above Scotts Valley as firefighters raced down Green Hills Road to investigate.
The call came in at...
