Purple Fountain Grass: Sterile or Invasive?
It’s a well-established fact that fountain grass is invasive in the desert. Purple fountain grass is often recommended as a “sterile” alternative that can be planted safely instead. But is … Read more
Myths & Misinformation
Don’t be fooled by gardening myths and misinformation. Here at Southwest Gardener we love to “dig deep” to find the truth based in science and “best practices” according to the experts, not the latest social media fad. So here you’ll find articles on gardening topics that are commonly misunderstood.
Agave Weevil: Little Bug, Big Problem
Agave weevils infest agave crops and desert landscape plants and are a worldwide problem. Learn the symptoms, which agave species are the most susceptible, what you can do if your … Read more
5 Reasons to Plant in the Fall (not Spring)
It’s generally recommended that spring and fall are the best times to plant. But there’s recently been a change of heart among many experts, who now agree that fall is … Read more
Are The Weird Growths on Your Plants Witches’ Broom?
If you notice weird, unsightly growths on any of your desert landscape plants, it might be witches’ broom. Here’s a look at the underlying causes of witches’ broom, how to … 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
Leafcutter Bees: Garden Friend, Not Foe!
Do the leaves on your plants have small, perfect circles cut out of them? They’re the amazing work of leafcutter bees, which are native, non-aggressive, and important pollinators. What, if … 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
My Agave is Blooming – What Now?
Agaves are iconic plants of the southwest that are symmetrically beautiful and add architectural interest to any spot. Eventually, they send up an impressive, fast-growing flower stalk that can soar … Read more
Should You Fertilize Desert Landscape Plants?
Should you fertilize desert landscape plants? Or is this a maintenance step you should skip? Here’s a look at the pros and cons of fertilizing, synthetic vs organic fertilizers, and … Read more