Lush looking perennial plants but also low water use in the desert Southwest. Sounds impossible – but it is not. All that is needed is a careful selection of plants. Plants with colorful flower because who doesn’t like some bright colorful flowers?! Cover image above, hesperaloe, a native plant that […]
Tag: landscape
Hopbush
The bunnies hop right on past the desert hopbush, also called desert hops, and occasionally called sand cherry. Other common names include arilla (Spanish); and in Seri, casol caacol. I would love to know the O’odham name if someone reading this knows it. The botanical name is Dodonaea viscosa and […]
Oregano – Groundcover & Herb
Oregano is a wonderful herb, with many uses, and it is easy to grow in our landscapes here in the Southwest. Why Grow Oregano? Oregano makes a pleasing landscape plant. It grows as a clumping groundcover in low upright clumps. The leaves are a dusky lime green, so not the […]
Easy to Grow – Tasty Jujube
Jujubes are easy to grow, have few known pests, provide a tasty and nutritious fruit, and make a lovely shade trees. And yes, jujubes used to the basis for a candy. The original candy was made from a paste of jujube fruits, but later the recipe changed. Edible Landscaping Edible […]
Lemongrass is Easy to Grow
Lemongrass is a lovely genus of grasses that can be easily grown in much of the Southwest – and into the Southeast as well. It will live outdoors year round in areas that don’t get much below 26F in winter (USDA Zones 8 to 12). Lemongrass Genus Lemongrass, also written […]
Grow Amaryllis Outdoors
Save your holiday amaryllis and plant it outdoors in your landscape! Note- this will work if it doesn’t often get below 15 degrees F where you live. If your climate is good, your amaryllis will grow and bloom for years to come. Amaryllis is Awesome I posted some of […]
The Importance of a Plant Nursery
A plant nursery or independent garden center is more than just a place to purchase plants. It’s a place to go and see possibilities. It’s a place to go and dream dreams. It’s a place to go and learn new things. Nursery or Garden Center Those smaller places. Not the […]
Garden Calendar for November 2024
How did it get to be November already?! Golly Change Happens When I was at the Desert Green Conference in Las Vegas, the shift in weather patterns was one topic often discussed. Since most of us love plants – our conversations were along the lines of, “how can we adapt […]
Oak Trees for Your Yard
Have you considered an oak tree for your yard? If you can answer yes to any of these questions – an oak tree may be right for you. Looking for a tall, stately tree for your yard? Have a tiny yard – but want a nice tree? A tree that […]
Garden Calendar for July 2023
July and summer’s heat is upon us. Luckily for us humans – there is not too much to actively do in the garden this month. Unless you want to. Then here are some things to consider. Irrigation Don’t let your plants become “drip sip” junkies. Instead of a little bit […]









