Yellow Bells: Colorful Standout Shrub
Yellow bells is an eye-catching desert shrub that looks like it belongs in the tropics, but is actually a southwest desert native. Here’s everything you need to know about planting … 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 natural ranges that include the Sonoran, Mojave, or Chihuahuan Deserts or that are native to states of the southwest. (We’ve also included hybrids or cultivars of native plants.)
Little Leaf Cordia: Airy, Informal Desert Native
Little leaf cordia is an extremely hardy, sprawling shrub that’s adorned with snow-white flowers spring through fall. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this desert … Read more
Arizona Ash: Golden Fall Leaves
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
Mexican Bird of Paradise: Tree of Perpetual Flowers
Mexican bird of paradise is a delightful, small and airy tree that stays green and flowers all year long. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for … Read more
Palo Blanco: Ideal Tree for Narrow Spaces
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: Striking Flowers, Pods, & Thorns
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’: A Superior Cultivar
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
‘Blue Flame’ Agave: Endless Supply of Free “Pups”
‘Blue Flame’ is an uncommonly attractive agave that, once planted, keeps on giving by providing you with an endless supply of free offsets. Here’s everything you need to know about … Read more
‘Blue Glow’: Stunning, Aptly-Name Agave
Agave ‘Blue Glow’ is an exceptionally attractive agave that stays compact and won’t outgrow its space. It’s aptly named, since in the right light it glows. Here’s everything you need … Read more
Santa Rita Prickly Pear: Incredibly Colorful Cactus
Santa Rita prickly pear cactus provides year-long color with its purple pads, yellow flowers, and red fruit. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this Sonoran … Read more
Hesperaloe: High Impact Accent Plant
Hesperaloe is an attractive, unarmed, accent plant that sends up dramatic stalks of coral flowers that hummingbirds love. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this … Read more
Lady Slipper: Unique Sculptural Succulent
Lady slipper is a unique upright plant with charming orange slipper-shaped flowers. It’s a chameleon that takes on different colors and forms depending on its microclimate. Here’s everything you need … Read more