16 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Reflected Heat
The toughest spot for growing plants in a desert garden is near a heat-reflecting wall. Here are 16 shrubs that not only thrive in reflected heat but reward you with … Read more
May: What to Do in the Desert Garden
As the weather heats up in May, gardening activity winds down. Discover what you can still plant, prune, and fertilize (and what you shouldn’t), how to adjust your watering schedule … Read more
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
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
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
How to Protect Your Trees From Storm Damage
Every monsoon an alarming number of desert trees lose large limbs or are completely uprooted. It can be upsetting to see a beautiful tree meet such a devastating end. Why … 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
How to Protect Your Plants From Javelinas
Javelinas’ favorite food is prickly pear cactus, which they consume thorns and all(!), but they also enjoy a wide variety of landscape and garden plants. Here’s how to stop them … Read more
June: What to Do in the Desert Garden
The merciless heat and aridity of June make it the hardest month on plants and the most challenging for desert gardeners. Discover what you should and shouldn’t do in the … 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
The Indestructible Hose for Desert Gardens
Looking for a sturdy yet manageable garden hose? Stainless steel hoses are nearly indestructible. They withstand intense heat and sun. You can drag them across gravel or impale them on … Read more
July: What to Do in the Desert Garden
In the desert southwest, July means the arrival of monsoon storms, which bring higher humidity and much-needed rain. Here’s what garden tasks you should do, which to skip, and things … Read more