flowering_pink_fairy_duster_Calliandra_eriophylla

November Blooms

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I love flowers.  In fact, it was my love affair with flowers that inspired me to get my degree in horticulture.  I figured that life is too short to not do what you love, so working as a horticulturist allows me to be around blooming…
Rain_lily_Zephyranthes_candida

Lilies in the Fall Garden?

It may seem rather strange to think of landscapes decorated with lilies in fall, but summer and fall rain bring on the lovely blooms of rain lilies (Zephyranthes species). Rain or 'zephyr' lilies add beauty to the gardens throughout…
Dalea_frutescens

Purple Blooms for the Fall Garden

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Fall in the garden is a time of celebration with plants enjoying the period after the heat of summer has bid goodbye and before the cold of winter arrives.  This time of year is filled colorful blooming plants decorating our outdoor…
Turpentine bush(Ericameria laricifolia)

Drought Tolerant and Beautiful: Turpentine Bush

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While fall color may be somewhat lacking in the Southwest landscape in comparison to areas with brilliant fall foliage, we do have several plants that wait until fall to begin to color the landscape with their blooms. Turpentine bush(Ericameria…
Cilantro_Salt_Herbs

DIY Cilantro Herb Salt

Are you someone who adores cilantro, looking for more ways to add it to their favorite Mexican food? Here is a new use for cilantro that deserves a spot on your pantry shelf - cilantro herb salt. Cilantro herb salt can be used…
Unique, Fuss-Free Container Plantings

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

When trying to decide what to fill our containers with, most people gravitate toward colorful, flowering annuals. For those of us who live in the Southwest, we are equally likely to fill our pots with cacti or succulents, which thrive in our…
Mexican Honeysuckle

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. …
Sunset Western Garden Collection

New Plant Varieties

Do you think of yourself as a trendsetter?  How about being the first landscape in your neighborhood to have the newest plant varieties on display? I am always on the lookout for new plants that give a unique and often unexpected look…
Desert Botanical Garden's annual fall plant sale

Plant Sale, Testing New Plant Varieties and a Curious Tortoise

Over this past weekend, I found myself overwhelmed with an abundance of new plants.   It all started with a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden's annual fall plant sale.     I brought my son, Kai with me who was happy…
bougainvilleaartemisia

New, Innovative Products for Your Garden

For those of us who love to garden, we are often looking out for new inventions and products to decrease the amount of time we need to maintain our garden while also increasing our enjoyment. A couple of weeks ago, I attended the annual…