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.
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 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 is an attractive Australian outback native acacia that’s completely at home in the desert southwest. Here’s how to plant and care for this resilient tree. Mulga (Acacia aneura), also … Read more
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 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 Chihuahuan Desert native. … Read more
Do you love fall colors, but live in the desert? Here’s a look at 5 landscape trees that have colorful fall foliage and are easy to grow in the desert … Read more
If you’re looking to plant a shade tree that has beautiful fall colors, Arizona ash is one to consider. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for … Read more
Fruitless olive is an evergreen shade tree with silvery-green leaves that has no flowers or olives, making it non-allergenic and virtually litter-free. Here’s everything you need to know about planting … Read more
Mexican bird of paradise is a delightful, small, airy tree that stays green and flowers all year long. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this … Read more
Palo blanco is a unique desert tree with peeling white bark and draping willow-like leaves. It’s perfect for protected, narrow spaces in your garden. Here’s everything you need to know … Read more
Cascalote is a charming desert tree that has unusual, distinctive thorns. It flowers in the winter when little else is blooming. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and … Read more
Desert willow ‘Bubba’ is a showy, fast-growing, drought-tolerant ornamental tree with very decorative blooms. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this cultivar of a desert … Read more