How I Made a Tropical Backyard Oasis in Denver on a Cheap-Ass Budget

The air is cooling, (I actually had to put on a sweater last night). Fall is upon us, and all too soon I’ll be putting the garden to bed and hauling out the snow shovel. With that in mind, I thought I’d share my yard with you before the first frost hits and I’m crying over shriveled leaves.

The backyard is ever a work-in-progress. A constant battle to create something that feels tropical in dry-as-a-rattlesnake-fart Denver. (OK, MOST of the time it is dry here, the recent crazy rains not withstanding.) I think this year is the best yet for my little tropical oasis. Ready for the tour? Here we go…

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Big Showy Glamorous Orchid Arrangement for only $30! (Retail over $100)

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It was one of those emails I live for…Orchids Half Off!…

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A How-To DIY Stunning Star-Spangled 4th of July Fresh Flower Arrangement from Grocery Store Flowers, Cheap! ($16 Bucks)

A Fabulous Star-Spangled Flower Arrangement for your Fourth of July Festivities…

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I love flowers. I was a floral designer for over a decade, and I think a home should never be without them. They just make you happy. I’ll use any excuse to bring them home…this week’s excuse is the Fourth of July!…

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Use What You Have, Get What You Can…A Free Garden Make-over, Before & After (+ 2-Month Update)

2-Month UPDATE! (see original post below)

The Garden Make-over in the front of the house is now two months old, and it’s filling in nicely. About a month after I posted this, a friend gave me some hardy strawberry plants and a few Datura from her overgrown garden, which I added into the front planting. The day-lilies haven’t grown much, but they are alive and well and I am confident they will come in great and bloom next year…

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Top 5 Houseplants for Plant-Slaughtering Black Thumbs

Top 5 Easiest Houseplants for Plant-Slaughtering Black Thumbs

Before embarking on my life as an full-time artist (and now blogger as well), I spent over a decade as a floral designer and event planner with ample experience caring for scores of plants (and admittedly, slaughtering a few). Through all the trial and error, I’ve come up with my list of the Top 5 Easiest Houseplants for Plant-Slaughtering Black Thumbs. (with an extra bonus 10 list at the end)…

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