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
Desert Vines
Vines are an often overlooked way of adding color, beauty, and shade to desert gardens while taking up little space. There are a surprising number of vines that grow prolifically and flower profusely in the desert, both annual and perennial.
Here at Southwest Gardener you’ll find in-depth information to help you choose and care for vines — both annual and perennial — that will thrive in your desert garden.
Yellow Orchid Vine: Surprisingly Tough Native
Yellow orchid vine is a deceptively tough vine that sports charming clusters of orchid-shaped flowers and butterfly-shaped seed pods. Here’s how to plant and care for this Sonoran Desert native. … Read more
Cat’s Claw: Tenacious, Aggressive Vine
Cat’s claw vine is often grown to cover blank desert garden walls. It does that extremely well, but at a cost. Here’s everything you need to know to decide whether … Read more
Carolina Jessamine: Sunny Evergreen Vine
Sunny yellow trumpet-shaped flowers and emerald green leaves make Carolina jessamine an eye-catching vine. It’s native to the Southeastern US, but grows well in the desert. But before you plant … Read more
Tangerine Crossvine: Vibrant Climber
Vivid orange trumpet-shaped flowers and bright green leaves make tangerine crossvine a standout, especially when in full bloom. It’s a cultivar of a plant native to the US southeast, but … Read more
Lilac Vine: Enchanting Winter Flowers
Lilac vine bursts into bloom in late winter when little else is blooming. This lush, evergreen vine can also be used as a ground cover. Here’s how to plant and … Read more
Snail Vine: Unique, Curly, Fragrant Flowers
Snail vine is a vigorous grower with charming, fragrant purple flowers that, unsurprisingly, are shaped like snails. Here’s how to plant and care for this Latin American native. Snail vine … Read more
Queen’s Wreath: Dazzling Desert Vine
Clusters of vibrant pink flowers and bright green heart-shaped leaves make queen’s wreath vine a show-stopper, especially when in full bloom. Here’s how to plant and care for this Sonoran … Read more
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