Author Archives: warner-admin

Houseplant of the Week: Pink Paradise

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Petite and pretty, ‘Pink Paradise’ is a colorful cultivar of the tradescantia “zebra” plant – except this time the zebra’s stripes are bright pink and green.

The foliage gently cascades over the edge of pots, making it perfect for elevated containers or hanging planters, which accounts for one of its nicknames, the “Wandering Dude.”

In addition, this plant is easy to care for and grows quickly (up to 12 inches high and 24 inches wide).

Here are some guidelines for cultivating your Pink Paradise:

Light: Part of the succulent family, Pink Paradise needs bright, indirect sunlight when grown indoors. As with many plants, you should avoid direct sunlight, which could damage those beautiful leaves.

Water: Give your plant a good watering, but then let it dry out before watering again.

Soil: A specialized succulent potting soil is ideal, but any good, fast-draining mix will work.

Temperature/Humidity: Warm and cozy are the watchwords for Pink Paradise, which also likes humidity, so a pebble tray or humidifier is a good idea for your plant.

This Week’s Specials

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Specials are good through Sunday, March 30th
  • Buy one, get one free on 1-gallon pansy plants
  • 10% off all bare-root plants (includes raspberry, grape, blackberry & strawberry)
  • 1-gallon Warnergrown Columbine, 2 for $10 (regularly $7.99)

‘Porchscaping’ with Container Creations

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After months of cold weather, and a lot of late season snow, many of us are itching to get our hands in the soil and add some much-needed color to our outdoor spaces.

While it might not be time to go all out with in-ground planting just yet, container gardening is a fantastic way to satisfy that early-season urge to plant.

Which is why I’m so excited that we’ve just gotten 24 pallets of beautiful pottery! This means there are endless options for adding some personality to your porch, entryway, or patio with stylish containers. Whether you prefer classic neutrals or bold, vibrant designs, thereā€™s a perfect pot waiting for you.

The best part? When the weather warms up and itā€™s time for summer blooms, I donā€™t just toss out my early-season plantsā€”I replant them in my yard. Genius, right?

If you choose to plant shrubs or perennials in your containers, they can stay put year-round. Just swap out the annuals when the season changes. One of my go-to combinations is a neatly sheared boxwood paired with pansies and violas for a classic, timeless look. If you prefer shade-loving plants, try layering hostas with Heuchera and Brunnera, and add a trailing vinca for extra texture and movement.

One of the most visually appealing ways to enhance your porch is by layering pots of different sizes. A simple combination of large, medium, and small containers arranged together creates depth and interest. Mix and match plants with varying heights and textures to make a striking display that evolves beautifully throughout the seasons.

So why wait? Get outside, grab a pot, and start planting – spring is calling!

Happy Gardening,
Misti

New Garden, New Adventure

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This year’s garden planning will be a whole new world for me. Well, maybe not a whole new world, but definitely a new property and a new micro-climate!

Last year, my family moved from a house in Ponderosa Trails to a sprawling property in Doney Park.

Moving to a new home is always an adventure, but when that move includes six acres of land, the possibilities for gardening and landscaping expand exponentially! Our new home is so different from our last, and Iā€™m absolutely loving planning this season’s garden.Ā 

(By the way, if you are getting ready to plan YOUR garden, we have an upcoming class that can help. Our Root Camp Gardening 101 session on crop and garden planning will be on March 29 at 10 pm and you can sign up for it – and many other Root Camp classes – here.)

We have plenty of beautiful Ponderosa Pine trees, just like at the old house, but now we also have Pinon, native Juniper, and open grassy areas that give the land a whole new feel. So far, weā€™ve focused on landscaping close to the house, adding paver patio sections, a covered outdoor patio space, and even a built-in BBQ area.

Of course we made sure that we had a drip irrigation system set up (it really is the best way to water your plants) and my husband, Dan, and I took on the re-landscaping of the front entryway. We added boulders, a dry creek, and some plants, incorporating many of the pots I brought from our old home for perennial and annual color. We even brought our beloved bubbling boulder and set it up again – a little touch of familiarity in this new space.

Of course, not everything from our previous home can be recreated here. Our old water feature, for example, just wouldnā€™t survive with the amount of wildlife that visits our property, particularly the elk, who would destroy it in no time. Luckily, we have a wonderful view of the Rio de Flag streaming by, which gives us the beauty of a water feature without the maintenance.

And with so much land, we canā€™t possibly landscape everything, so for now, weā€™re focusing on the areas around the house. Future plans include adding a small barn for some mini-donkeys and continued landscaping improvements. The outer property will remain in its natural state for now – we love the native look and will maintain it as best we can.

One of the biggest adjustments has been adapting to the new micro-climate. Itā€™s incredibly windy here! Because of that, I made sure to install a drip irrigation system before planting anything. Watering is key, and I wanted to make sure new plants had a fighting chance! The plant palette has shifted as well – I need to find elk-resistant varieties and plants that can withstand the strong winds. Recently, I planted some Lavender and Catmint along a rock wall near our driveway. Not only do I think it will look beautiful, but Iā€™m also hoping it will help keep wildlife at bay. Time will tell!

Another important factor weā€™ve had to consider is fire safety. The risk of wildfire is very real, and Iā€™m taking it seriously. Before we even moved in, we had Mickā€™s Tree Service clear dead trees, limb up branches, and remove anything too close to the house. (Mick is also leading one of our Root Camp classes; he’ll be teaching folks how to care for their Ponderosa Pines on May 3.)

I also reached out to the Flagstaff Fire Department, which offers a home assessment service for wildfire preparedness. Mark Adams came out to the property, provided fantastic advice, and sent me a ā€˜Wildfire Action Plan.ā€™ It was eye-opening! I now have a clear vision of how to landscape moving forward with fire safety in mind, and it was an invaluable learning experience for both myself and my team.

This new home has been such an exciting project, and I canā€™t wait to see how the landscape evolves over time. With a mix of practical planning, trial and error, and a whole lot of enthusiasm, I know our home will become something truly special!

Happy Gardening,
Misti

Houseplant of the Week: Oxalis or ‘Shamrock’ Plant

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Ā 

With St. Patrick’s Day arriving soon, we thought we’d turn our attention to what’s often called the Shamrock houseplant – but in truth is the wood sorrel known as Oxalis.

Boasting hundreds of varieties, you’ll usually see oxalis with green or purple clover-like leaves.

They are also a relatively easy houseplant to cultivate. There is one very important thing to keep in mind however: these plants tend to go into dormancy during the summer. Don’t throw them out! They’re resting, not dead.

Caring for Your Oxalis

Soil/Watering: Your Oxalis would like lightly moist soil and make sure to let it dry out between waterings.

Light/Temperature: Room temperature and good air circulation are perfect for the oxalis. It likes bright, but not direct light. (Except when it’s resting, as we’ll explain below.)

Food: Fertilize with a balanced houseplant food every few months.

I’m not dead, I’m resting: In late spring or early summer, the leaves will begin to die, but the plant is still okay. It’s just going into its period of dormancy to rest. Move the plant to a cooler, darker location, away from direct light and leave it alone – no water or fertilizer.Ā  Just check on your plant every couple of weeks; dormancy can last from several weeks up to about three months, depending on the plant and external conditions.

When you see new shoots, your oxalis has woken up and would love it if you moved it back into the light and resumed regular care.

Houseplant of the Week: Dieffenbachia ‘Amy’

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Showy, beautiful and easy to care for, Dieffenbachia can make a super indoor plant. The Amy variety features green leaves with bold splotches of yellow and white.

Its tolerance for low light and numerous varieties make it a favorite houseplant for homes and offices.Ā 

One word of caution, however. If you have small kids or pets, you’ll probably want to make sure you place this plant out of reach. Diffenbachia’s milky sap is a mild irritant and should be kept from bare skin. The sap can even result in temporary loss of speech if ingested by causing swelling of the tongue and throat! That’s how Dieffenbachia came by it’s other name, “dumb cane.”

Caring for Your Dieffenbachia

  • Light: It likes bright but filtered light, particularly in the spring, when it’s tender new leaves can get easily burned. Make sure to rotate your dieffenbachia so they don’t pull to one side of the planter.
  • Water:Ā Keep your Dieffenbachia moist, but be careful not to overwater.
  • Fertilizer: Feed every couple of weeks with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to encourage growth.

The Benefits of Bare Root Plants

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As spring approaches, gardeners are looking for the best ways to establish healthy plants in their landscapes. One of the most cost-effective and efficient methods is planting bare root stock. 

Bare root plants offer several advantages over their potted counterparts:

Optimal Growth ā€“ Bare root plants have a highly extensive root system because they are grown in the ground from the very start (as opposed to being cultivated in a pot prior to planting). That means their roots have never been restricted by a container, leading to optimal growth!

Better Value ā€“ Without the costs of containers, bare root plants are more affordable, making it easier to establish a thriving garden without breaking the bank. 

Cold Hardy ā€“ Since bare root plants are dormant when shipped and sold, they can withstand freezing temperatures. This means you can plant in early spring without worrying about frost damage.

BEST TIME TO PLANT

To ensure success, plant bare root stock while the plants are still dormant. However, if they have begun to leaf out, they can still be planted successfully. Our bare root stock at Warnerā€™s Nursery will arrive in mid-March, and planting can continue through May.

This season, weā€™re offering a variety of small fruits and vegetables, including:

  • Boyne, Latham, Amity, and Royalty Purple Raspberries
  • Black Satin Blackberries
  • Canadice Red Seedless and Himrod White Seedless Grapes
  • Chandler Blueberries
  • Horseradish
  • Mary Washington Asparagus and Sweet Purple Asparagus
  • Nugget Hops
  • Crimson Red Rhubarb

Additionally, we will have potatoes, garlic, and onion bulbs available around the same time.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Through trial and error, weā€™ve found that bare root trees do not transplant well in the greater Flagstaff area due to the unpredictable weather and soil temperature. For this reason, we focus on small fruit plants, which have proven to thrive in our climate. 

Follow these steps for the best results:

Choose a Sunny Location ā€“ Your plants will need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to produce fruit.

Soak the Roots ā€“ Place the roots in a container of lukewarm water mixed with 3 tablespoons of root stimulator per gallon. Let them soak overnight before planting.

Dig the Right Hole ā€“ Dig a hole slightly deeper than the plantā€™s roots and check for proper spacing requirements.

Build a Soil Mound ā€“ Inside the hole, create a small mound of soil. Place the plantā€™s crown on top of the mound, fan the roots around it, and lightly pat soil over the roots to cover them.

Fill and Mulch ā€“ Fill in the hole with your amended soil. Mulch helps retain moisture and keeps the soil warm for optimal root establishment.

Water Regularly ā€“ Keep the soil moist but not soggy. For the first 4-6 weeks, water once a week with a root stimulator solution to help plants establish.

By following these guidelines, your bare root plants will have the best chance to flourish in your garden. Visit Warnerā€™s Nursery this spring to pick up your bare root stock and get expert advice on making your garden a success!

Happy gardening,
Misti

Houseplant of the Week: Sansevieria

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Our houseplant of the week goes by many, many names. Technically, it is Sansevieria, but you might know it as the Snake Plant, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue or even Viper’s Bowstring Hemp, as the plant’s strong fibers were once used for making bowstrings for hunting in its native Africa.

Whatever you call it, this bold and beautiful plant with its long, slender leaves typically edged in a lighter green-gray color, is quite a stunner. And quite forgiving. It’s really hard to kill a Snake Plant – basically overwatering is all you have to worry about.

CARING FOR YOUR SANSEVIERIA

  • Allow soil to dry between watering and be careful to not overwater.
  • Try to avoid getting leaves wet when you water.
  • While they prefer indirect light, these plants are tolerant of a variety of light conditions – including florescent-only lighting!

Houseplant of the Week: Alocasia Silver Dragon

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Alocasia 'Silver Dragon' in a grey pot.

The Alocasia Baginda ‘Silver Dragon’ is a show-stopping houseplant that earns its name from its stunning, silvery-green leaves with dark veins, reminiscent of dragon scales. Native to Southeast Asia, it’s winning raves from plant enthusiasts thanks to its unique foliage and manageable size.

If youā€™re ready to care for your own ā€˜Silver Dragon,ā€™ follow these tips to keep it happy and thriving

  • Indirect sunlight. Filtered light is key so those gorgeous leaves don’t get scorched. Rotate your plant periodically to promote even growth.
  • Planting soil. A loose potting mix to promote drainage and avoid root rot is ideal. You can include coco coir, perlite, or orchid barks in your mix.
  • Watering. Don’t let your Alocasia dry out completely, but let the first two inches of potting mix dry out before watering. (And don’t panic if you miss a watering; silver dragon is more tolerant of dry conditions than other types of alocasia.)
  • Keep it away from heating or cooling vents in your house, which could dry it out.
  • Feed me, Seymour! Silver dragons have a hearty appetite, so plan on feeding this variety every couple of weeks during the spring and summer.

By following these care tips, your Alocasia Baginda ‘Silver Dragon’ will reward you with its striking foliage and continued growth. With a bit of attention and love, this plant will undoubtedly become a centerpiece in your indoor garden.

Houseplant of the Week: Maidenhair Ferns

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Maidenhair Ferns are one of the many subspecies of the genus Adiantum, which means “unwetted,” a reference to the plant’s delicate, fan-like leaves, which naturally repel water.

It’s kind of ironic, however, because if Maidenhair Ferns love anything, it’s their moisture.Ā  They thrive when they have moist (but not soggy) soil, moist air and a high level of humidity in their space.

So how to keep a Maidenhair Fern happy in high and dry northern Arizona?Ā 

  • First of all, keep it in a spot with indirect sunlight. Naturally, these plants are found in forests, where they are covered by a canopy of trees. Direct sunlight will fry those delicate leaves.Ā 
  • Also keep it away from heating or cooling vents in your house, which could dry it out.
  • Check on it every day or every other day to make sure the soil is moist. You do not want it to dry out. In fact, you might want to incorporate something like moss into the soil to help it retain water.
  • If daily misting is something you can’t do, consider setting your plant on a water-filled pebble tray.

You’ll be rewarded with a plant that is beautiful in all stages with its grey-green leaves providing a graceful addition to your home.

Some other things to keep in mind is that this is a slow-growing plant; most don’t reach full maturity until two or three years. Also, don’t panic when your plant’s fronds die. New ones will emerge to take their place – it’s a normal part of the process.