Skyflower: Versatile, Delicate Beauty
Skyflower is a versatile plant that can be grown as a shrub or a vine. It’s a delicate beauty that will grow in the desert provided it’s planted in the … Read more
How to Dig a Hole in the Desert
Digging a proper hole is the first step in plant care. But digging a hole isn’t that simple in the desert. Putting a plant in a half-baked hole will doom … Read more
Bush Morning Glory: Keeps its “Cool”
Bush morning glory is a silvery ground cover that looks cool and fresh, even in desert heat. Here’s how to plant and care for this Mediterranean native. Silver-gray leaves and … Read more
Texas Ebony: Dense Desert Shade
While most desert trees provide dappled shade, Texas ebony will cover your yard in dense shade. But since it’s slow-growing, it will take a while. Here’s how to plant and … Read more
Yellow Orchid Vine: Surprisingly Tough Native
Yellow orchid vine is a deceptively tough vine that sports charming clusters of orchid-shaped flowers and butterfly-shaped seed pods. Here’s how to plant and care for this Sonoran Desert native. … Read more
When is Your Last Frost Date? (and why it matters)
Knowing your area’s last frost date is something that every gardener and homeowner should know. It can keep you from inadvertently damaging or killing your plants. But most “last frost … Read more
Blue Bells Emu: Compact Texas Ranger Alternative
If you’d love a shrub that looks like a Texas ranger but stays compact without pruning and blooms nearly year-round, consider blue bells emu, an Australian native that looks much … Read more
Agave or Yucca? How to Tell The Difference
Many desert plants have spiky leaves and grow in a rosette. Have you ever looked at a plant and wondered, “Is that an agave or a yucca?” Discover how these … Read more
Baja Spurge: “Cherry Blossom” Succulent
Baja spurge is a delicate-looking shrubby succulent that’s desert-tough. When in bloom, it has fragrant flowers that look like small cherry blossoms! Here’s how to plant and care for this … Read more
Cat’s Claw: Tenacious, Aggressive Vine
Cat’s claw vine is often grown to cover blank desert garden walls. It does that extremely well, but at a cost. Here’s everything you need to know to decide whether … Read more
Bulbine: Flexible Garden Gem
Bulbine is a charming, compact plant that has a surprising number of applications in the desert landscape. But for all its attributes, it’s not used as often as it could … Read more
The “5 Ds” of Pruning Desert Shrubs
Most desert landscape shrubs are pruned more frequently than needed. This makes them less attractive, and is bad for their health and longevity. There are 5 good reasons to prune … Read more