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 Trees
Planting a tree is the single best investment you can make in your garden. A well-placed tree provides shade, a scarce commodity in the desert, and increases the value and curb appeal of your home. They add beauty and attract wildlife life to your yard.
We are fortunate here to have a wide range of beautiful trees that happily grow in the southwest desert, both native and desert-adapted.
Here at Southwest Gardener, you’ll find in-depth information to help you choose the best trees for your desert garden and how to care for them, too.
Soaptree Yucca: Bold Specimen Plant
Soaptree yucca is a stunning tree-like succulent that makes a bold accent plant in any garden. It looks desert-tough — and it is. Here’s everything you need to know about … Read more
Texas Ebony: Dense Desert Shade
While most desert trees provide dappled shade, Texas ebony will cover your yard in dense shade. But since it’s slow-growing, it will take a while. Here’s how to plant and … Read more
Sago Palm: Exotic “Living Fossil”
Do you live in the desert, but love the feel of the tropics? Do you like to grow plants that are out of the ordinary? Then consider sago palm, a … Read more
Sweet Acacia: Love It or Leave It?
Sweet acacia is a tree that people either love or hate. Here’s a look at its various attributes and drawbacks so you can decide for yourself whether this tree sounds … Read more
Mediterranean Fan: A Top Palm for the Desert
Mediterranean fan palm looks tropical but is right at home in the desert southwest. It easily handles our extreme sun, wind, and temperature swings. Here’s everything you need to know … Read more
‘Leslie Roy’: Patented Mesquite Hybrid
‘Leslie Roy’ is a fast-growing mesquite hybrid that offers several improvements over the two parent trees, including being thornless and producing very few seed pods. Here’s everything you need to … Read more
Texas Mountain Laurel: Distinctive Desert Beauty
Texas mountain laurel is a unique evergreen tree with wisteria-like flowers that smell like grape soda. Here’s how to plant and care for this Chihuahuan Desert native. Texas mountain laurel … Read more
Texas Olive: Lovely But Messy
Texas olive is a heat-loving tree or shrub that’s adorned with large creamy white flowers from spring through fall. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for … Read more
Mulga Acacia: Hardy Tree From the Outback
Mulga is an attractive Australian outback native that’s completely at home in the desert southwest. Here’s how to plant and care for this resilient tree. Mulga (Acacia aneura), also called … Read more
Chitalpa: Fabulous but Flawed
Chitalpa is a fast-growing ornamental tree with showy flowers… and a serious, ubiquitous problem. Here’s everything you need to know to help you decide whether you should plant this tree … Read more
Mexican Redbud: Three Seasons of Beauty
Mexican redbud is a small deciduous tree that’s uniquely beautiful three seasons of the year. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this native desert tree. … Read more