Little Leaf Ash: Lovely, Low Litter Tree
Little leaf ash is a small, airy tree or shrub that provides a pop of green to desert gardens. It’s also appreciated for being low litter. Here’s how to plant … Read more
Native Plants
Native plants offer many benefits. Since they evolved to grow in harsh desert conditions, they usually perform better with less care and are friendlier to wildlife. Plants included here have native ranges within the Southwest desert bioregion which includes the Sonoran, Mojave, and/or Chihuahuan Deserts. (We’ve also included a few hybrids or cultivars of native plants, to give you the most options.)
Flame Acanthus: Red-Hot Hummingbird Shrub
Flame acanthus is a delightful, colorful shrub that isn’t as well-known as similar-looking shrubs, but it’s worth seeking out. Its orange-red flowers make it wildly attractive to hummingbirds. Here’s everything … Read more
Screwbean Mesquite: Distinctive Native
Screwbean mesquite is a native mesquite that can be grown as either a large shrub or small tree. It’s easily recognized by its distinctive spiral seed pods and is one … Read more
Boojum: Improbable, Upside Down “Tree”
Boojum tree is every bit as weird as its name implies. Here’s what you need to know to decide whether this desert native would be a good choice for your … Read more
Queen of the Night: Elusive Flowering Cactus
Queen of the night is an elusive cactus that’s rarely seen in the wild. But it’s widely regarded for its nocturnal flowers that simultaneously bloom once per year. While you … Read more
Maximilian Sunflower: Robust Perennial
Maximilian sunflower is a large, shrub-like perennial with golden daisy-like flowers. It’s easy to grow from seed and is a boon for birds and other wildlife. Here’s everything you need … Read more
Pineleaf Milkweed: Native Monarch Magnet
Pineleaf milkweed is an attractive, evergreen perennial with pine-like stems that’s an important host plant for monarch and queen butterflies. Here’s everything you need to know about growing this Sonoran … Read more
Saguaro: Sentinel of the Sonoran Desert
Saguaro is a spectacular columnar cactus that can make a real statement in desert gardens. However, a saguaro can be a major investment, and they are not ideal for every … Read more
Snapdragon Vine: Small Vine for Part Shade
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance vine that grows in part shade and stays a manageable size, consider snapdragon vine. This charming vine grows in the canyons and on the … Read more
Bee Brush: Aromatic Pollinator Magnet
Bee brush is a lacy shrub with aromatic flowers that smell like vanilla and attract bees and butterflies like crazy. Here’s everything you need to know about growing this Chihuahuan … Read more
Desert Gardening Made Easy with Native Plants
Desert gardening can be challenging. Looking for an advantage? Grow native plants! Here are the top reasons growing natives can make gardening more enjoyable and less of a struggle. There’s … Read more
Quadricolor Century Plant: Multicolor Agave
Quadricolor century plant is a stunning, multicolor agave that stands out in desert gardens. It stays compact but produces an endless supply of offsets. Here’s everything you need to know … Read more