Why Dusty Desert Plants Need a Shower
Hot, dry, windy conditions make for dusty desert landscape plants. And dusty plants are not happy plants. Learn the ways desert dust contributes to plant problems and how simply hosing … Read more
Desert Museum Palo Verde: Unforeseen Flaw
Desert Museum palo verde is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant tree that looks like a wonderland when in bloom. But there’s a big problem with these ubiquitous landscape trees. Here’s what you … Read more
Bamboo Muhly: Bamboo-Like Native Grass
Bamboo muhly looks like a small, lacy bamboo, but this elegant plant is actually a desert-hardy ornamental grass. Here’s how to grow and care for this unusual Arizona native. Bamboo … Read more
7 Tips for Watering Landscape Cactus (& Other Succulents)
Correct watering is the single most important thing you can do for your landscape plants, including cactus. Cactus are often watered too much, too little … or not at all. … Read more
Myoporum: Grass Green Ground Cover
Myoporum is an evergreen ground cover that’s peppered with small white flowers spring through summer. If you miss seeing expanses of green, this plant really is “grass green.” Here’s how … Read more
Leatherleaf Acacia: Tough as It Sounds
Leatherleaf acacia is an attractive, gray-green shrub that is commonly trained to grow as a tree. This Australian native is as tough as its name implies. Here’s how to plant … Read more
Dwarf Pomegranate: For Dazzling Color
If you’d love to plant a pomegranate, but don’t have room for a standard-size plant, dwarf pomegranate may be what you’re looking for. But grow this plant because it’s beautiful, … Read more
Invasive Desert Landscape Plants (Do Not Grow!)
Anyone who has lived in the southwest for some time has heard about invasive plant species such as buffelgrass and stinknet. But there are several landscape plants, including some extremely … Read more
Purple Orchid Vine: Delightful Desert Native
Purple orchid vine is a lovely evergreen vine that is adorned with clusters of orchid-shaped flowers and lantern-shaped seed pods. Here’s how to plant and care for this Chihuahuan Desert … Read more
‘Mediterranean Carpet’: Incomparable Ground Cover
‘Mediterranean carpet’ is an aromatic, evergreen ground cover that’s carpeted with lavender flowers from spring through fall. It makes an excellent alternative to the ubiquitous ground cover lantana, which has … Read more
Arizona Rosewood: Native Alternative to Oleander
Arizona rosewood is a large evergreen shrub that’s one of the toughest landscape shrubs you can plant. It makes a great alternative to oleander, a shrub that’s starting to go … Read more
Mulch in the Desert: Gravel vs Wood Chips
In the desert southwest, gravel is often the default mulch used to cover yards. But there are also advocates for using wood chips instead. What are the drawbacks and benefits … Read more