The next time you find yourself grumbling about having to prune your trees and shrubs – just be thankful that you don’t have to prune cacti at the Desert Botanical Garden.
While I have never had to prune a large bed of cacti, I have backed into cholla and other types of cacti early in my career. I’ve even had a piece stuck on the back of my leg – ouch!
I admit to being a bit clumsy and not always hyper-aware of my surroundings. Years ago, when I had a landscape crew, they would always be warning me about plant holes and prickly plants that I didn’t spot right away.
More recently, I was visiting a client and backed my heel into her golden barrel cactus. Several years later, despite my doctor trying to get it out, a piece of that thorn is still stuck in my heel. It doesn’t hurt anymore, and I just have a tiny bump on my heel as a memento.
However, some types of cacti, such as prickly pear and cholla, need to be pruned from time to time in a landscape setting.
Prickly pear can grow very large and spread. If you don’t have enough room, you may find yourself having to prune it back. When pruning prickly pears, make your pruning cuts where the individual pads meet. I like to use long-handled loppers, which work well and don’t require getting too close.
Cholla tend to drop segments on the ground, which is how they propagate. The segments will root in ideal conditions and grow a new cholla.
In a managed landscape, it is a good idea to clean the fallen pieces of cholla to help keep people from inadvertently getting it stuck to their shoes.
**Have you ever wondered why cacti have thorns? I wrote about the surprising reasons that cacti are prickly and some tips for pulling out cactus spines if you get stuck…
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I have picked up a new hobby, which was a bit accidental – birding!
As a horticulturist, birds go along with gardening, and I’ve always enjoyed them. One of my most requested speaking topics is about gardening for birds. However, I have begun to dive deeply into the fascinating birding world.
Birding is Fun with my Family
It may surprise you that the Southwest is one of the top bird-watching destinations. I am fortunate that there is a lovely riparian preserve a few miles from my home where you can see many different species of birds.
It turns out my two sisters also enjoy birding, so the other day, we met up early to go for a morning walk and explore the birds at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, in Gilbert, Arizona.
This photo is of me and my sister Jennifer, who is a year younger than me. She is also the invaluable assistant to ‘AZ Plant Lady’ who would be nothing without her 🙂
It was a cold morning, but the birds were out, and so were we ready with our binoculars. The trails are level and circle eight different ponds. Trees and shrubs are allowed to grow in their natural shapes, providing plenty of shelter for birds, but we could see many in the trees and on the water.
We spotted the red of a Northern cardinal. I am always excited when I see one of these colorful birds because we don’t get many of them.
His mate was close by. Northern cardinals don’t migrate but stay in place all year.
We also spotted the orange breast of a robin but didn’t get a good photo of it.
An Anna’s hummingbird perched on the leafless branch of a shrub. His feathers are puffed up to help keep him warm. I am so grateful that we enjoy hummingbirds in our region all year. While we walked, we could hear hummingbirds everywhere.
From the tiny to the large, Canada geese gently honked as they saw us approach, hoping for food. We saw many other types of water birds, including pelicans – imagine pelicans in the desert! They leave in the summer.
A tiny verdin was busy eating tiny insects in a palo verde branch. I have a nesting pair of verdin in my own garden, and I love to watch their antics as they perch on my flowering shrubs. Verdins are just a little larger than hummingbirds.
A roadrunner was out for a morning walk, but earlier, we spotted it in a tree. Roadrunners are fun to watch, especially when they catch small lizards.
A curved bill thrasher was enjoying the morning with his mate. I have a pair that visits my bird feeder at home. I like their golden eyes.
My youngest sister, Grace, is a professional photographer and took all these amazing photos. She kindly let me share them with you! You can see more of her stunning photos on her Instagram account, The Reluctant Birder.
I can hardly wait for another ‘sister’ birding walk!
I encourage you to observe the birds who visit your garden or go to some natural areas to view our feathered friends.
Springtime in the desert southwest is a glorious time, particularly with pink blooming plants.
We say “goodbye” to cold, winter temperatures and delight in the landscape around us and it bursts into bloom.
I enjoy spending time outdoors this time of year, realizing that soon I will go into what I like to call ‘summer hibernation’ as the temperatures reach triple digits.
A Showcase of Pink Blooming Plants
Today, I thought that I would share with you some beautiful, pink flowering plants that are in bloom right now…
Pink Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
Pink Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
The marvelous pink fairy duster shows off its pink flowers once a year in spring. The rest of the year, it quietly recedes into the background until spring arrives again.
Beavertail Prickly Pear (Opuntia basilaris)
Beavertail Prickly Pear (Opuntia basilaris)
My favorite prickly pear has vibrant, pink flowers throughout spring. One of the reasons that I like beavertail prickly pear is that it stays rather small and does not become overgrown like other species can.
Parry’s Penstemon (Penstemon parryi)
Parry’s Penstemon (Penstemon parryi)
I’m a sucker for plants that produce flowering spikes, like Parry’s penstemon. It has such a delicate, pink color and hummingbirds find it irresistible.
Pink California Poppy
Pink California Poppy
Did you know that the traditional, orange California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) comes in other colors? I think I’m in love with the pink variety.
‘Raspberry Ice’ Bougainvillea
‘Raspberry Ice’ Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea makes an excellent container plant. All you have to do is water them deeply and then allow them to dry out before watering again. Although I have a deep, magenta bougainvillea in my own garden – I must admit that I really like the variety ‘Raspberry Ice’ which has cream-colored brachts with pink tips.
Pink Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri ‘Siskiyou Pink’)
Pink Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri ‘Siskiyou Pink’
Although traditionally a summer-bloomer, this pink gaura was already blooming in March. It makes a great filler for container gardens in the warm season.
Mexican Evening Primrose (Oenothera berlandieri)
Mexican Evening Primrose (Oenothera berlandieri)
Pink, cup-shaped blooms cover Mexican evening primrose in spring. This groundcover looks great in natural desert landscapes, but can be invasive, so be careful where you use it.
Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii)
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Addressing Issues in Landscaping: A Guide to Pruned Shrubs
Have you ever driven past a landscape that had some problems with it? As a horticulturist and landscape consultant, my attention diverts whenever I see ‘Landscape No-No’s’ like this one. In this article, we’ll examine a landscape example and highlight the problems it presents.
Introduction: Identifying Landscape Problems
A while ago, I shared the photo of the landscape, above, on my Facebook page and invited people to identify three things wrong with the landscape. I received a lot of comments including “looks like Versailles by the inept” and “shrubs arranged like funny-looking ottomans spread across gravel.”
It’s essential to clarify that the purpose of showcasing landscapes like this isn’t to shame homeowners. Instead, our goal is to help you identify common problems and provide straightforward solutions to correct or prevent them in your landscaping projects.
So, using this landscape as an example, let’s look at the problems and later, focus on how to solve them:
1. Overcrowded Shrubs
It’s obvious that there are too many plants in this area and the mature size of the shrubs weren’t factored in the original design. The types of flowering shrubs in this area – desert ruellia(Ruellia peninsularis),Baja fairy duster(Calliandra californica), and ‘Green Cloud’ sage(Leucophyllum frutescens ‘Green Cloud’) are good choices. They are clearly spaced too closely together due to poor pruning.
2. Lack of Plant Diversity
As you can see, there is a tree, a couple of succulents (prickly pear cactus & yucca), and a LOT of shrubs. While there is a variety of plants in the landscape, there’s an overabundance of shrubs compared to other types. The landscape lacks a balanced mix of different plant types, resulting in an imbalance that affects its overall aesthetics.
3. Incorrectly Pruned Flowering Shrubs
These lovely, flowering shrubs are contorted into anonymous, green blobs. They lack in beauty and character. In fact, you would have to look closely to be able to identify what each shrub is. The problem is what is missing from this landscape. Primarily attractive shrubs which grow into their natural shapes, covered in colorful flowers. Other problems associated with maintaining flowering shrubs this way are that it is stressful for the plant, shortens their lifespan, causes them to use more water to regrow their leaves, and creates more maintenance.
Solutions: Correcting the Landscape
Now that we have identified the problems, we can now look at the solutions. I will use the landscape above as my example:
Remove excess shrubs. Remove 24 of the 32 shrubs. You will be then have eight flowering shrubs. To decide what shrubs to remove, learn what type of shrub they are and look up how large they are at maturity. Then, make sure that the ones that remain have enough room to grow. Place shrubs up near the house. This anchors the corners of the landscape, and flank an entry.
Severely prune back remaining shrubs. Many shrubs have a ‘restart button’ where much of the damage that has been done due to excessive pruning can be reversed. Severe renewal pruning entails pruning back shrubs to approximately 1 1/2 feet tall and wide in spring. You’ll have nothing left but woody branches and little to no leaves. However, this stimulates plants to produce new, healthy growth. Do this pruning in spring. The key is to keep hedge trimmers away from your newly pruned shrubs forever. Prune with hand pruners, loppers, and pruning saws. This will work with most shrubs except for a few that were in declining health.
Photo: Which one would you rather have? Learn how to maintain shrubs the right way in the desert garden in my popular shrub pruning workshop
Incorporate lower-growing plants such as groundcovers and succulents. A well-designed landscape has plants with varying heights, including those at ground level. For the landscape above, I’d add a few boulders and plant some gopher plant (Euphorbia rigida) and twin-flower agave (Agave geminiflora) alongside them. Other ideas for low-growing succulents include ‘Blue Elf’ aloe, Moroccan mound, and artichoke agave. Flowering groundcovers would also look nice like angelita daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis), blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum), and sandpaper verbena (Glandularia rigida). I like to use damianita, trailing lantana, and penstemon for color at lower heights.
Photo: Attractive desert landscape with room for plants to grow
Achieving a Balanced and Beautiful Landscape
Here is a snapshot of a landscape area at the Desert Botanical Garden where plants have room to grow. They grow into their natural shape and form.
Transforming the problematic landscape shown earlier, and others like it aren’t difficult, and the results are dramatic. What a beautiful landscape filled with healthy plants that use less water and need little maintenance.
Are you tired of shapeless shrubs that look like green blobs? I invite you to learn more about how to prune the ‘right’ way. Attend my online Shrub Pruning Workshop.
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Photo: Roses Feeling The Heat , My Abraham Darby shrub rose and my little dog, Tobey.
Challenges of Hot Arid Climates for Roses
If you live in a hot arid climate, chances are that your roses are feeling the heat and aren’t looking their best right now. While gardeners in cooler climates celebrate summer with beautiful rose blooms, the opposite is true for those of us who live in the desert.
Surprisingly, roses actually grow quite well in hot, southwestern zones, and even though mine look somewhat sunburned – I’m not worried because this is normal. Understanding proper irrigation makes a big difference, but roses feeling heat will still have concerns.
Effects of Roses Feeling Heat with Intense Sun and Warmth
You see, roses that are grown in the low desert regions, don’t like the intense sun and heat that summer brings. As a result, the flowers become smaller, and the petals burn in the sun and turn crispy. By July, you are unlikely to see any new roses appearing until Fall.
Impact on Rose Plant Leaves
The rose blooms aren’t the only parts of the roses feeling heat concerns in summer – the leaves can become sunburn.
The sight of brown crispy petals and leaves may make you want to prune them away, but don’t.
Why?
Avoiding Premature Pruning
Pruning will stimulate new growth that will be even more susceptible to sunburn damage. Second, the older branches and leaves will help to shade the growth underneath the sun.
Strategic Pruning Schedule will Help Roses Feeling Heat
I know that it is very hard not to prune away the brown leaves – I feel you. However, in September, pull out your pruning shears and prune back your rose bushes by 1/3. This removes the sun-damaged flowers and leaves and stimulates new growth.
Comparative Benefits of Hot Arid Climates
If you lament the less-than-stellar appearance of your summer roses feeling heat, and think it’s easier to grow roses in other climates, you would be wrong.
Oh, certainly, we have to deal with our roses not looking great in the summer. But, compare that with gardeners in other regions who have to deal with the dreaded Japanese beetle that shows up every summer and eats their roses. Or, people who live in more humid climates and are having to deal with severe cases of blackspot or powdery mildew (white spots on the leaves).
Blessing of Dual Bloom Seasons in the Southwest
Lastly – we are fortunate to enjoy two separate bloom seasons for our roses. In fall, when many other gardeners are putting their roses to bed for the winter, ours are getting ready to bloom a second time that year.
And so, I will ignore my less than beautiful roses this summer, because I know that they will look fantastic this fall It is that simple 🙂
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Life has been awfully busy lately. So much so, that it has affected me from doing blogging as regularly as I like to do. So, I would like to take a little time to let you know what I have been up to this past month.
Work has seen me driving me from one corner of the Phoenix metro area to the other, meeting with clients and helping them to create beautiful outdoor spaces. In fact, I broke my record for the most landscape consultations in a single month. Now that the holidays are here, work has slowed down a little.
A beautiful succulent, Euphorbia trigona
One thing that I enjoy about visiting new clients is that I get to see impressive specimen plants like this Euphorbia trigona that flanked the entry of the Phoenix home.
beautiful succulent
This is a truly beautiful succulent that lends a tropical look to the landscape. It is very frost tender and must be protected when temperatures dip into the 30’s. I’d say it’s worth the effort for a plant like this.
Coyote
Encounters with wildlife happens often during my work. However, seeing a coyote in the middle of the day is rather rare. As I was driving home from a consultation, I saw this beautiful coyote walk across the street. I stopped my car and it stood off to the side of road while I took a few pictures with my phone.
While I’ve seen a number of coyotes over the years, most often their appearance reflects the hardship of living in the desert. However, this coyote was the healthiest one that I’ve encountered.
I think that it enjoyed the attention that I was giving it as it stood still for several seconds before walking off into the desert.
Christmas is my favorite season of the year. I enjoy shopping for the perfect gift, decorating the house, baking my favorite desserts, singing along to Christmas music in the car, and rejoicing in the reason for Christmas.
Earlier this week, we filmed a video segment for our church’s upcoming Christmas Eve services. We were asked to share the story of our daughter Ruthie’s adoption along with her cousin Sofie. They were best friends in the orphanage when my sister and her family adopted Sofie back in 2006. One year later, my husband and I went to China and adopted Ruthie. So, they are not just best friends, but cousins.
We taped the video at my sister’s house, which took over 3 hours. The video came out great. You can view it here.
I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying this holiday season.
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Last week, while I was driving through a residential area nestled in the desert mountains, I could hardly keep my eyes on the road.
Everywhere I turned, there were brightly colored cactus blooming. It’s a small miracle that I didn’t crash into the curb as I drove closer.
Even though this is my 31st spring in the desert Southwest, watching prickly cactus transform into colorful accents never ceases to amaze me.
Claret Cup Cactus
Cactus Flowers, Strawberry Hedgehog
I like to see smaller cacti such as claret cup and strawberry hedgehog planted alongside boulders for a mix of textures. The cactus also like the opportunity for their roots to be shaded by the boulder.
The colors of flowering cacti range from shades of orange, pink, red and yellow.
There are so many different types of flowers that it can be hard to identify them all. But, that doesn’t stop you from enjoying their pretty flowers.
The flower petals are somewhat waxy and sturdy. Bees flock to the open blooms.
Prickly pear cacti are particularly spectacular this time of year, and their flower color varies depending on the species.
I can hardly wait to see all the blossoms begin to open.
Pincushion cactus (Mammillaria)
I must confess that I don’t have a lot of cactus in my garden – I am more of a flowering shrub and perennial gal. But, I do have a few cactus tucked in here and there that I have obtained over the years.
My favorite it a small pincushion cactus, which produces rings of pink flowers off and on throughout spring and summer. The small, native bees just love the flowers.
How about you? Do you have a favorite flowering cactus?
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It has been a week since we adopted Aesop, our desert tortoise.
I must admit that I initially thought that tortoises were rather boring. But, Aesop is anything but.
our desert tortoise (Aesop)
Our backyard is fairly big and Aesop has been busy exploring every nook and cranny.
Yesterday, I had a rare day where I was able to sit at my computer and write all day. When I would pause now and then to look outside, I often saw Aesop making his way across the lawn toward his favorite clump of shrubs or sitting eating grass.
In the afternoon, when I looked out the window to see where he was, I was surprised to see him on the patio, looking in the window at me!
Besides hanging out underneath our shrubs and eating grass, Aesop likes to drink water and has even tried some cilantro.
Last evening, we were alerted to Aesop’s presence by our smallest dog, Tobey, who gets very excited whenever he sees him walking. But this time, Tobey seem extra agitated.
When I looked out the window, I saw Aesop entertaining a visitor…
One of the feral cats who visit our garden from time to time, was standing a couple of feet away from Aesop. It was obvious that the cat had never seen a tortoise before and didn’t quite know what to make of him.
Aesop didn’t seem intimidated by the cat’s presence as he was busy eating grass.
We are enjoying Aesop’s adventures and are so happy with our decision to adopt him!
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Have you ever found yourself driving through a neighborhood past landscapes planted with the commonly planted lantana and oleander shrubs when you see something completely different that catches your attention?
A few weeks ago, I was leaving a client’s home in North Phoenix and started on my way home, when I drove past this beautiful, drought tolerant landscape.
Beautiful drought tolerant landscape.
The corner of the landscape was anchored by an ocotillo whose graceful canes added needed height to the landscape.
Palo brea trees add year round green color and yellow flowers are so set appear later in spring.
Globe mallow(Sphaeralcea ambigua) adds a welcome spot of orange in late winter and into spring and will bloom again in fall.
Cacti and agave add great texture contrast with their unique shapes. The Argentine giant cactus(Echinopsis candicans) willproduce large, lily-like flowers in spring.
Beautiful drought tolerant landscape.
Several species of agave have been used throughout the landscape including Agave species americana, lophantha and victoria-reginae. With so much variety in the color and sizes available in agaves, there is one for almost any landscape situation.
Several different cacti are tucked in here and there leading one to want to walk around and discover what else is growing in the garden.
The thin, upright succulent stems of candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphilitica) add great texture contrast when planted next to succulents and cacti with thicker leaves/stems.
The main planting area in the center is on a slightly elevated area, which offers a glimpse of the plants located toward the back. Landscape design that creates areas that artfully take center stage and then recede into the background as you walk through, which creates intrigue and heightens the desire to see what else is present in the garden.
Aloes, which do best in light shade, are scattered throughout the landscape, which add color in late winter into spring.
In the background, the orange, tubular flowers Mexican honeysuckle(Justicia spicigera) attracts hummingbirds all year long.
Variegated agave americana adds great color contrast with their bi-colored leaves while Indian fig prickly pear(Opuntia ficus-indica) adds height in the background.
I love this unusual pathway that zig-zags through the landscape. Golden barrel cacti (Echinocactus grusonii)are used to greatest effect by grouping them in 3’s.
Large boulders finish the landscape adding mass and texture while not needing any pruning or water.
It’s important to note that large boulders like this may need heavy equipment to place. If you want to avoid the hassle and expense of using heavy equipment, you can place 2 medium-sized boulders next to each other for a similar effect.
There are several things that I enjoyed so much about this landscape. One is how they used a large amount of different plant species without it looking ‘busy’. Also, instead of laying out the entire landscape where you can see everything from the street, this one leads you on a path of discovery when you are treated to glimpses at what is located further in.
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This past week was event filled along with some rather unexpected occurrences for me. One was that for the first time since early January, my calendar was quite suddenly empty. I had several landscape consultations scheduled that were cancelled at the last minute by clients and rescheduled for various reasons including a flooded house to a puppy eating a cigar.
It was rather disconcerting to go from trying to keep my head above water to having the gift of extra time on my hands, but I enjoyed it and got some gardening articles finished ahead of looming deadlines.
Last week was also a big milestone for my husband who turned 50. We celebrated throughout the week, but one of our favorite outings was breakfast at Joe’s Farm & Grill with our granddaughter, Lily.
On a sad note, our friend, neighbor and vet passed away unexpectedly on Friday. He had treated the furry members of our family for 18 years with love and respect. We were also blessed to have been his neighbor for over 15 years.
We will miss his loving care for our animals, seeing him and his wife walk their dogs in the evening and even the lemons he would leave at our door.
After hearing the shocking news of his death, I had a hard time focusing on anything else this weekend and even writing took a backseat – hence the lack of blog posts. But, it was a blessing to be able to set work aside for few days and let the loss sink in.
My schedule is now filled up again with appointments and the desert is awash in spring color, which is a busy time in the garden.
A few weeks ago, I was asked by one of my editors to come up with a list of the top 10 plants that every resident of the Southwest should consider adding to their Southwestern landscape.
I must admit that the task was a bit daunting at first – not because I couldn’t think of enough plants. The problem was that my list was much larger.
How Easy is it to Find Native Southwestern Landscape Plants at a Local Nursery?
I had to pare my list down and decided to focus on plants that would grow in zones 7 – 10, which cover much of the desert Southwest. In addition, they had to be low-maintenance, native, beautiful and easy to grow.
After considering all of the criteria, I still had about 20 plants. So, I added one other criteria of my own – how easy is it to find at your local nursery?
At the end, I had 10 plants that I was very happy with – but I could have easily added a lot more 😉
I hope you enjoy reading through this list of 10 essential plants for the desert Southwest.
Flourishing Amidst Adversity: 10 Resilient Plants in the Southwestern Landscape
The desert Southwest is a region of extremes, with scorching summer heat and chilling winter temperatures that challenge even the most robust flora. Yet, in the face of such harsh conditions, these native plants not only survive but thrive. Equipped with remarkable adaptations, these tenacious species call the arid landscapes of the U.S. Southwest their home.
Enduring the relentless dry heat and enduring the freezing winter cold, they serve as a testament to nature’s resilience. Beyond their endurance, these plants play a vital role in the ecosystem, providing nectar for birds and bees, and shelter for native bird species. Every one of these drought-resistant plants contributes to the desert’s beauty.
Embracing the Sun: Essential Care Tips for Desert Native Plants
To cultivate a thriving desert garden, sunlight is key. Native desert plants require full sun, although some tolerate partial shade for a portion of the day. Optimal growth is achieved through deep, infrequent watering and well-drained soil.
Allow water to penetrate down to 1½ to 2 feet deep, ensuring the soil dries out before rewatering. For irrigation efficiency, drip systems are recommended. While new plants need more water until established, these desert natives rarely require additional fertilization.
1. Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana): Thriving Delicacy of the Chihuahuan Desert
Delicate Flowers: The Charming Resilience of Damianita
Enduring the fiery extremes of the Chihuahuan desert, Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana) emerges as a hardy and enchanting yellow ground cover (see above). Flourishing under full, reflected sun, this seemingly delicate plant showcases dark green, aromatic foliage, which undergoes a stunning transformation with the arrival of spring and fall.
Golden yellow flowers blanket the plant, adding a vibrant contrast to the arid landscape. Flourishing in well-drained soil, Damianita harmoniously complements the red flowers of firecracker penstemon and Valentine bush, as well as the purple blooms of desert ruellia.
2. Firecracker Penstemon (Penstemon eatonii): Painting Winter with Vibrant Hues
A Symphony of Color: Firecracker Penstemon’s Winter Splendor
In the midst of winter’s muted tones, the firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii) ignites low-desert gardens with bursts of orange-red brilliance. Serving as a beacon of color during the colder months, this drought-tolerant perennial offers vital nectar for hummingbirds in winter scarcity.
Adaptable to cold winters and scorching summers, firecracker penstemon’s vibrant presence is enhanced when paired with complementary yellow-flowering perennials. Angelita daisy, damianita, and desert marigold join forces in a chromatic display, thriving under full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil.
3. Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens): A Dance of Life in Arid Lands
Nature’s Hummingbird Feeder: Ocotillo is a Migrating Hummingbird’s Favorite
Stretching towards the desert sky, ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) graces the Southwestern landscape with its elegant canes. Unique among shrubs, ocotillo’s canes burst forth with lush green leaves in response to rain showers and humidity, contrasting the arid surroundings (see photo right).
Vermilion-colored flowers crown the canes in spring, offering a lifeline to migrating hummingbirds. These vibrant blooms stand as a testament to ocotillo’s resilience and unwavering commitment to the desert ecosystem. A sun-soaked habitat is essential for this desert shrub’s growth.
4. Parry’s Agave (Agave parryi): Desert Elegance in Every Form
Sculpted Beauty: Parry’s Agave’s Role in Desert Aesthetics
Adorning the arid landscapes of central Arizona and New Mexico, Parry’s agave (Agave parryi) stands as a quintessential element of Southwestern scenery. Ranging from majestic giants to diminutive varieties, agaves exhibit a wide array of forms.
Parry’s agave, with its medium stature and captivating leaf shapes and colors, thrives in a spectrum of environments. Its resilience to colder temperatures and ability to thrive in sun-soaked spaces make it a preferred choice for desert landscaping.
5. Texas Ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens): The Majesty of Purple Blossoms
Nature’s Artist: Texas Ranger’s Purple Symphony
Residing in the heart of the Southwestern desert, the Texas Ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens) commands attention with its awe-inspiring purple blooms. Aptly known as the barometer bush, it responds to humidity and rainfall, painting the landscape with its vibrant hues in response.
Even without its dramatic blossoms, the evergreen gray-green foliage of the Texas Ranger exudes an intrinsic charm. This resilient shrub’s ability to thrive under the unrelenting sun and reflected heat underscores its stature as a true desert gem.
6. Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis): Nature’s Respite in Summer
Shade of Summer: Desert Willow’s Cooling Elegance
Amidst the scorching summer of the southwestern landscape, the desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) emerges as a refreshing oasis. This medium-sized deciduous tree enchants with its large, colorful blossoms that beckon hummingbirds from far and wide. (See the flowers in the image right)
Its vibrant pink and magenta flowers offer dappled shade to the plants below, providing relief from the desert’s intensity. Versatile and thornless, the desert willow thrives in smaller spaces, making it a charming addition to courtyards and patios.
7. Pink Muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris): A Fall Color Explosion
Autumn’s Blush: Pink Muhly’s Dance of Color
The transition to fall heralds a breathtaking transformation as pink muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) takes the stage. Ornamental grasses provide texture and contrast in the landscape, and pink muhly stands out for its vibrant fall display.
As summer yields to autumn, the green foliage is adorned with plumes of pinkish-burgundy, casting a rosy enchantment over the surroundings. This ornamental grass thrives in the desert’s abundant sunlight and can be artfully clustered for a striking visual impact.
8. Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora): Sun-Kissed Elegance
A Desert Gem: Red Yucca’s Sunlit Splendor
Thriving under the full, reflected sun of the desert, the red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) stands as a beacon of effortless beauty. Its succulent leaves bear a resemblance to ornamental grass, while spikes of coral-colored flowers grace the landscape in spring and early summer.
Adding a touch of elegance, the red yucca effortlessly weaves color and texture into the Southwestern tapestry, undeterred by the region’s demanding climate.
9. Santa Rita Prickly Pear (Opuntia violaceae santa-rita): A Desert Icon
Nature’s Palette: Santa Rita Prickly Pear is a Must-Have for Shape and Design
The Southwestern landscape would be incomplete without the iconic presence of prickly pears. Among them, the Santa Rita prickly pear (Opuntia violaceae santa-rita) stands out with its captivating purple-tinged gray-blue pads.
Adapting its hue in response to drought and cold, it is a testament to nature’s artistry. Against this unique backdrop, yellow flowers burst forth in spring, amplifying the species’ beauty. Its distinctive appearance makes it a valuable choice for creating visual contrast in the garden.
10. Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans): A Long-Lasting Serenade
Golden Harmonies: Yellow Bells’ Melodic Bloom
Elevating the desert landscape with a touch of the exotic, yellow bells (Tecoma stans) exude a tropical charm. Their large, trumpet-shaped flowers bring shades of yellow to the arid backdrop, evoking a sense of warmth.
In a captivating display, these flowers bloom from the end of winter until just before the first frost, a resounding chorus of color for an extended period. Serving as a vital nectar source, yellow bells enrich the desert ecosystem, inviting hummingbirds and bees to partake in its golden bounty.
Plant These Native Plants in the Southwestern Landscape
The desert Southwestern landscape may present challenges, but these ten top native plants have evolved to not only endure but flourish amidst adversity. With adaptations that defy the elements, these species contribute to the intricate web of life in the desert, adding splashes of color and life to the arid landscape.
By embracing these resilient beauties, gardeners can cultivate oases of natural wonder in even the most unforgiving of terrains.
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/artichoke_agave_golden_barrel_cactus_Argentine_giant.jpg16001480arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2014-08-25 13:30:002023-08-30 13:25:2410 Best Plants for the Southwestern Landscape
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