Drought Tolerant and Beautiful: Mexican Honeysuckle

Plants that stay green all winter while also producing flowers are somewhat rare in the Southwest, which is why Mexican honeysuckle (Justicia spicigera) is one of my favorite additions in landscapes I design as well as in my own garden.

Mexican Honeysuckle

Orange, tubular flowers appear throughout the year, with the heaviest bloom occurring in spring.

Hummingbirds find their flowers irresistible.

The lime-green foliage looks great year-round and this small shrub thrives in light, filtered shade.  

For more information on this latest drought-tolerant and beautiful plant, including what plants to pair it with, check out my latest article for Houzz.

Great Design Plant: Justicia Spicigera Brings In the Hummingbirds

From Trash to Treasure: Unique, Fuss-Free Container Plantings

Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."