Deane Alban 
Little leaf cordia is an extremely hardy, sprawling shrub that’s adorned with snow-white flowers spring through fall. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this desert … Read more
Every monsoon an alarming number of desert trees lose large limbs or are completely uprooted. It can be upsetting to see a beautiful tree meet such a devastating end. Why … Read more
Oleander is a popular landscape shrub in the desert southwest. It has many desirable features, but are they enough to offset this plant’s serious drawbacks? Oleander (Nerium oleander) is an … Read more
Javelinas’ favorite food is prickly pear cactus, which they consume thorns and all(!), but they also enjoy a wide variety of landscape and garden plants. Here’s how to stop them … Read more
The merciless heat and aridity of June make it the hardest month on plants and the most challenging for desert gardeners. Discover what you should and shouldn’t do in the … Read more
Do the leaves on your plants have small, perfect circles cut out of them? They’re the amazing work of leafcutter bees, which are native, non-aggressive, and important pollinators. What, if … Read more
Looking for a sturdy yet manageable garden hose? Stainless steel hoses are nearly indestructible. They withstand intense heat and sun. You can drag them across gravel or impale them on … Read more
In the desert southwest, July means the arrival of monsoon storms, which bring higher humidity and much-needed rain. Here’s what garden tasks you should do, which to skip, and things … Read more
There are so many popular desert landscape plants that go by the common name “bird of paradise” — it can be confusing! Learn the difference between the various birds of … Read more
August in the desert southwest is a lively month of contrasts as sporadic storms can bring welcome rain and cool fronts, and beautiful sunsets. But it can also bring pests, … Read more
Desert landscape plants are an investment. Choosing the right plant can save you time, money, and disappointment. Here are the top 9 factors to consider before making any major purchases. … Read more
September means the monsoon is winding down and even though it might be fall elsewhere, it’s still summer here. There’s plenty to do in the garden this month. Here’s a … Read more