Lady Banks: No Ordinary Rose
Lady Banks rose is definitely not your average cultivated rose bush. Also known as Tombstone rose, it thrives in the desert and isn’t prone to the usual rose pests and … 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.
Purple Hyacinth Bean: Charming Annual Vine
With pink flowers and purple seed pods, purple hyacinth bean would not look out of place in a cottage garden. This Old World vine makes a beautiful landscape plant in … Read more
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