Leatherleaf Acacia: Tough as It Sounds
Leatherleaf acacia is an attractive, gray-green shrub that is commonly trained to grow as a tree. This Australian native is as tough as its name implies. Here’s how to plant … 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.
Dwarf Pomegranate: For Dazzling Color
If you’d love to plant a pomegranate, but don’t have room for a standard-size plant, dwarf pomegranate be what you’re looking for. But grow this plant because it’s beautiful, not … Read more
Arizona Rosewood: Native Alternative to Oleander
Arizona rosewood is a large evergreen shrub that’s one of the toughest landscape shrubs you can plant. It makes a great alternative to oleander, a shrub that’s starting to go … Read more
Mexican Petunia: Resilient Favorite
Mexican petunia is a lovely perennial with willow-like leaves and petunia-like purple flowers. It’s resilient, but can sometimes grow ‘too’ enthusiastically. Here’s everything you need to know about growing this … Read more
Easter Egg Emu: Amazing Rainbow Shrub
Easter egg emu is an evergreen shrub that, when in bloom, will make you look twice at its rainbow assortment of flower colors. Here’s how to plant and care for … Read more
Lady Banks: No Ordinary Rose
Lady Banks rose is definitely not your average cultivated rose bush. Also known as Tombstone rose, it thrives in the desert and isn’t prone to the usual rose pests and … Read more
Damianita: Diminutive Flowering Shrub
Damianita is a tiny evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves that’s virtually smothered in yellow flowers when in bloom. For their size, these plants excel at commanding your attention! Here’s how … Read more
Indian Hawthorne: Azalea Look-Alike
If you’d love a shrub that looks like an azalea but doesn’t mind our hot, dry weather and alkaline desert soil, Indian hawthorne may be what you’re looking for. Here’s … Read more
Skyflower: Versatile, Delicate Beauty
Skyflower is a versatile plant that can be grown as a shrub or a vine. It’s a delicate beauty that will grow in the desert provided it’s planted in the … Read more
Bush Morning Glory: Keeps its “Cool”
Bush morning glory is a silvery ground cover that looks cool and fresh, even in desert heat. Here’s how to plant and care for this Mediterranean native. Silver-gray leaves and … Read more
Blue Bells Emu: Compact Texas Ranger Alternative
If you’d love a shrub that looks like a Texas ranger but stays compact without pruning and blooms nearly year-round, consider blue bells emu, an Australian native that looks much … Read more
Baja Spurge: “Cherry Blossom” Succulent
Baja spurge is a delicate-looking shrubby succulent that’s desert-tough. When in bloom, it has fragrant flowers that look like small cherry blossoms! Here’s how to plant and care for this … Read more