Bull Grass: Top Performing Ornamental
Bull grass is a top-performing, but little-known, ornamental grass with a bevy of attributes. It’s compact, has a long bloom season, is nearly maintenance-free, and doesn’t need to be divided. … 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, and/or Chihuahuan Deserts, or that are native to states of the southwest. (We’ve also included a few hybrids or cultivars of native plants, to give you the most options.)
Gregg’s Mist: Flutters of Butterflies
Gregg’s mist is a captivating, native perennial that butterflies can’t resist! Here’s everything you need to know about taking care of this butterfly magnet, including the amazing reason butterflies flock … Read more
Mexican Feather Grass: Delicate but Aggressive
Mexican feather grass is an unusually delicate, airy desert plant, but don’t let its appearance fool you. It’s surprisingly tough and reseeds aggressively. Here’s how to grow this Central US … Read more
Texas Mountain Laurel: Distinctive Desert Beauty
Texas mountain laurel is a unique evergreen tree with wisteria-like flowers that smell like grape soda. Here’s how to plant and care for this Chihuahuan Desert native. Texas mountain laurel … Read more
Blanket Flower: Festive, Reliable Bloomer
Blanket flower is a festive hybrid perennial that blooms most of the year in hot, dry gardens. Here’s how to grow and care for this cross between two native wildflowers. … Read more
Deer Grass: Outstanding Native Ornamental
Deer grass is a southwest native that makes an outstanding landscape plant. Once established, it can survive with no irrigation. Here’s how to grow this resilient ornamental grass. Deer grass … Read more
Autumn Sage: Colorful Compact Shrub
Autumn sage is a delightful, compact evergreen shrub with red flowers that bloom most of the year. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and taking care of this … Read more
Texas Olive: Lovely But Messy
Texas olive is a heat-loving tree or shrub that’s adorned with large creamy white flowers from spring through fall. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for … Read more
Candelilla: Surprisingly Sturdy Succulent
Candelilla is comprised of numerous delicate-looking stems, but this succulent is surprisingly sturdy. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this resilient Chihuahuan Desert native. Candelilla … Read more
Blackfoot Daisy: Dainty But Tough
Blackfoot daisy is a perennial ground cover that, for much of the year, is smothered in adorable daisy-like flowers. This small plant is much tougher than it looks. Here’s how … Read more
The Easy Way to Grow Desert Wildflowers
If you’ve ever seen a field of desert wildflowers and wish you could capture that beauty in your garden, you can. And it could hardly be easier. Here’s how. Every … Read more
Desert Marigold: Cheerful Nonstop Blooms
Desert marigold may be the perfect wildflower for hot, dry gardens. It’s carefree and blooms all year long with virtually no maintenance. Here’s how to grow and care for this … Read more