Yellow Bells: Colorful Standout Shrub
Yellow bells is an eye-catching desert shrub that looks like it belongs in the tropics, but is actually a southwest desert native. Here’s everything you need to know about planting … 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.
Cape Honeysuckle: Versatile Yearlong Bloomer
Cape honeysuckle is a colorful, sprawling plant that can easily be grown as either a shrub or a vine depending on how it’s pruned. Here’s everything you need to know … Read more
Little Leaf Cordia: Airy, Informal Desert Native
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
The Problem with Oleanders (& what to plant instead)
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
Desert Bird of Paradise Plants Compared
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
‘Heavenly Cloud’: Showy Texas Ranger Hybrid
‘Heavenly Cloud‘ is an extremely hardy desert shrub with show-stopping lavender flowers. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this Texas ranger hybrid. ‘Heavenly Cloud’ (Leucophyllum … Read more
Yellow Bird of Paradise: Festive Flowers
Yellow bird of paradise is a resilient, fast growing shrub festooned with clusters of yellow flowers. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this South American … Read more
Purple Hop Bush: For Colorful Foliage
Purple hop bush is a large, attractive, evergreen shrub with unique, colorful foliage. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this cultivar that hails from New … Read more
Hop Bush: Vibrant & Versatile
If you miss seeing true green in the desert landscape, consider planting a hop bush (or two). This fast-growing, versatile shrub stays vibrant emerald green all year long. Here’s everything … Read more
Dwarf Bottlebrush: Compact Perpetual Bloomer
Dwarf bottlebrush is an exceptionally beautiful small shrub that blooms nearly all year and requires very little from its owner. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and taking … Read more
Blue Plumbago: Stunning Sky-Blue Blooms
Blue plumbago is a delightful, sprawling shrub that’s covered with phlox-like flowers that are gorgeous sky blue — an unusual color for the desert. Here’s how to grow and care … Read more
White Plumbago: Luminous White Flowers
White plumbago is a cascading shrub adorned with pure white flowers that seem to glow at dusk. It’s a cultivar of the more common blue plumbago. Here’s everything you need … Read more