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
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.
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
Natal Plum: Colorful, Elegant Shrub
Natal plum is not a true plum. While it does have edible fruit, this elegant evergreen shrub is usually grown in desert gardens for the year-round interest it provides. Here’s … Read more
Baja Ruellia: Overlooked Flowering Shrub
If you’d like to grow a flowering shrub that looks like a Texas ranger, but stays a manageable size and flowers more consistently, consider Baja ruellia. Here’s how to plant … Read more
Heavenly Bamboo: Four Seasons of Color
Heavenly bamboo is a bamboo look-alike that is often grown for the year-round interest it provides. But be forewarned that it often struggles in desert gardens and is toxic to … Read more
San Marcos Hibiscus: No-Fuss, Native Alternative
San Marcos hibiscus is a Sonoran Desert native that makes a great alternative to tropical hibiscus species, which are notoriously challenging to grow in the desert. Here’s everything you need … Read more
Firecracker Bush: Fiery & Festive
Firecracker bush is a tropical-looking shrub that provides year-round color — vivid red-orange flowers and leaves that change from bright green to copper in the fall. Here’s how to grow … Read more
Pomegranate: Much More Than a Fruit Tree
If you’re looking to grow fruit in the desert, pomegranate should be a top choice. As a Middle Eastern native, it thrives in hot, dry desert gardens. And it also … Read more