Desert Lavender: Not Your Typical “Lavender”
Lavender is a widely beloved perennial that can be challenging to grow in the desert. If you miss the fragrance of fresh lavender, consider growing desert lavender instead. Here’s how … Read more
Desert Shrubs
Shrub is an informal rather than a scientific classification but I like this definition, “If you can walk under it, it’s a tree. If you have to walk around it, it’s a shrub.”
Shrubs form the backbone of any garden. They provide architectural interest and color. You can use them to block views, form a living fence, or attract wildlife.
We are fortunate here to have a tremendous variety of beautiful shrubs that happily grow in hot dry gardens of the desert southwest.
Here at Southwest Gardener, you’ll find in-depth information to help you choose and care for the best shrubs for your desert garden.
Trailing Rosemary: Twist on an Ancient Herb
Trailing rosemary is an aromatic, evergreen ground cover with delicate blue flowers from winter through spring. It’s a prostrate form of the “usual” rosemary, a culinary and healing herb native … Read more
Winter Blaze Emu Bush: Year Round Color
‘Winter blaze’ is a bit of a misnomer for this lovely emu bush, since it blooms much of the year, not just in winter. Here’s how to plant and care … Read more
Pineapple Guava: A Beautiful Challenge
Pineapple guava is a gorgeous plant that has exotic edible flowers and, with the right care, “may” produce edible fruit. It can be grown in the desert, but it’s not … Read more
Feathery Cassia: Sunny Winter Flowers
Feathery cassia is a large evergreen shrub that puts on a showy display of sunny yellow flowers in the winter when not much else is blooming. Here’s how to plant … Read more
Mastic: “Clean” Evergreen Tree or Shrub
Mastic is an evergreen that can be grown as a tree or a large shrub. It is often considered one of the “cleanest” trees you can grow in the desert … Read more
Valentine Emu Bush: Spectacular Winter Display
Valentine emu bush is an evergreen shrub that puts on an eye-catching display of brilliant fuchsia flowers in the winter. Here’s how to plant and care for this low-maintenance Australian … Read more
23 Desert Plants for Winter Color
Looking to add color to your desert garden that extends into winter? Look no further than these plants that have either colorful flowers or leaves in the winter. You’ll find … Read more
‘Torch Glow’: One-of-a-Kind Bougainvillea
‘Torch Glow’ is an eye-catching bougainvillea with magenta “flowers” and an unusual form. It stays relatively compact and grows as an upright shrub, rather than as a large sprawling vine. … Read more
Mt. Lemmon Marigold: Sunny Fall Flowers
Mt. Lemmon marigold is a large, airy perennial that has yellow daisy-like flowers and aromatic leaves. It blooms most prolifically in the fall, when many other desert flowers are fading. … Read more
Turpentine Bush: Undemanding Native
Turpentine bush is a small flowering shrub that’s native to the southwest’s three deserts. If you have an intensely hot, sunny spot where little will grow, turpentine bush may be … Read more
Chaste Tree: Profusion of Purple
Chaste “tree”, ironically, naturally grows as a large shrub. But it can be trained to grow as a small tree. Either way, it really stands out in the summer when … Read more