Let’s face it, a winter landscape filled with frost-damaged plants isn’t the most attractive. During this time of year, I often find myself itching to grab my pruners and get rid of the ugly, brown growth on my bougainvillea, lantanas, and yellow bell shrubs. But before I do, I keep repeating to myself, just a few more weeks…
Perhaps you have a similar urge to prune away all the brown too early. What helps me to stop grabbing my pruners is remembering that the dead outer growth of my summer-flowering beauties is protecting the inner part of the plant AND the fact that freezing temperatures are still a distinct possibility.
Frost-Damaged Plants, Just a Few More Weeks (Feathery cassia and Valentine bush)
And so, I will focus my attention on the winter-flowering plants that are adding beauty to my cool-season garden for now. If you don’t have any, I recommend Blue Bells (Eremophila hygrophana), Valentine bush (Eremophila maculata ‘Valentine’), and Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatoni), and feathery cassia (Senna artemisioides).
If you would like more information on this subject, I invite you to read “Got Brown Crispy Plants?”
So, what are you dying to prune back in your winter garden?
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One of the delightful aspects of life in the Southwest is the vibrant outdoor spaces, especially during the winter season.
A Break from Landscape Critiques
For those who have been following my blog, you know I often share photos of landscape issues I encounter. But this time, the captivating winter beauty had me so enthralled that I didn’t notice any garden mistakes.
Captivating Winter Wonders
Join me in savoring the beauty of winter in the desert and perhaps find inspiration for your own landscape!
The Stars of the Winter Desert Garden
Valentine Bush (Eremophila maculata ‘Valentine’)
Hands down, my favorite shrub, the vibrant red Valentine Bush adds a burst of color from January through April. Even when not in bloom, its foliage remains attractive.
Golden Barrel Cacti (Echinocactus grusonii)
These sunny yellow cacti are drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and add a cheerful touch to the garden year-round.
Large Desert Spoon (Dasylirion wheeleri)
With its spiky texture and gray-blue hue, the large desert spoon creates a captivating contrast in the landscape.
This is a great pairing of plants that I plan on using in future designs.
Feathery Cassia (Senna artemisioides)
Bright yellow fragrant flowers of feathery cassia(Senna artemisioides) are famous for their winter color. Nothing else brightens a dreary winter’s day as much as the color yellow. The silvery foliage of this cassia adds great color contrast and give off a silvery glow on a breezy day.
Pink Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
In the background, you see the pink blooms of pink fairy duster(Calliandra eriophylla). Their uniquely shaped blooms look like a feather duster and hummingbirds find them irresistible.
Bursage (Ambrosia deltoidea)
This native groundcover provides color contrast and thrives with minimal water.
This combination was well done but planted too closely together.
Blue Bells (Eremophila hygrophana)
Against the backdrop of yellow-flowering feathery cassia, a pair of boulders are decorated with blue bells (Eremophila hygrophana). These shrubs have lovely gray foliage and produce purple/blue flowers all year long. This is a newer plant introduction getting a lot of attention.
A golden barrel cactus offers great contrast along with a pair of agave.
Here is one of my favorite landscapes in this particular community. I like the combination of cacti, flowering shrubs, and perennials that create a pleasing landscape.
Firecracker Penstemon (Penstemon eatoni)
A trio of flowering firecracker penstemon(Penstemon eatoni) easily catches your eye. They are one of my favorite perennials in my own garden and flower January through April in the low desert.
In another landscape, firecracker penstemon is used as part of a wildflower planting, backed by desert spoon and purple trailing lantana.
Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Ornamental grasses add great interest to the winter landscape and pink muhly(Muhlenbergia capillaris) is one of my favorites. Their burgundy plumes, which appear in fall fade to an attractive wheat color in winter. Soon, they will be pruned back to 3 inches in preparation for a new growth cycle.
Blue Palo Verde Tree (Parkinsonia florida)
Some landscapes look attractive using a minimum amount of plants. The key is to use a variety of different plants – not just shrubs or cacti. In this one, a blue palo verde(Parkinsonia florida) overlooks a planting of purple trailing lantana(Lantana montevidensis) and desert spoon. While the lantana is frost tender, the canopy of the tree provides it some protection from frost.
‘New Gold’ Lantana (Lantana ‘New Gold’)
It’s important to anchor the corners in your landscape – particularly those next to the driveway. Here is an example of how to combine plants that look great throughout the year. When warmer temps arrive ‘New Gold’ lantana(Lantana ‘New Gold’), bursts forth with colorful blooms that last until the first frost. In winter, golden barrel cacti attract the attention and keep you from noticing the frost damaged lantana.
This street planting also attracted my attention with the row of little leaf (foothill) palo verde(Parkinsonia microphylla) trees, Valentine shrubs and purple trailing lantana. I should note that lantana doesn’t usually flower much in winter, but in mild winters, they do.
Chuparosa (Justicia californica)
An almost leafless mesquite tree stands sentinel over a planting of red-flowering chuparosa (Justicia californica). This shrub has lovely green foliage and tubular flowers that drive hummingbirds crazy with delight.
Adding Cool-Season Beauties to Your Landscape
s you can see, the Southwestern landscape is filled with beauty and color, even in winter. Unfortunately, many homeowners tend to focus on plants that primarily bloom during the spring and summer months. While these choices can create stunning gardens during warmer seasons, they often leave gardens looking somewhat lackluster during the winter months.
Winter gardening in the Southwest offers a unique opportunity to infuse your landscape with captivating colors and textures, providing a visual treat even when the temperatures drop. By incorporating cool-season beauties like the vibrant Valentine Bush, cheery Golden Barrel Cacti, and the elegant Firecracker Penstemon, you can ensure that your garden remains a source of joy throughout the year.
Embracing winter-friendly plants doesn’t mean sacrificing the visual appeal of your landscape during the colder months. Instead, it allows you to celebrate the unique beauty that the winter season brings to the desert garden. So, why not take this opportunity to diversify your garden’s plant palette and create a lively and colorful outdoor space that shines year-round? By doing so, you can revel in the splendor of your Southwestern garden, no matter the season.
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Got brown and crispy plants? Put down your pruners if winter has not ended yet!
Are you having a hard time ignoring them the ugliness of the frost-damaged leaves? Or perhaps you have no problem with some brown spots in your garden.
There has been some discussion on my social media pages from people asking if they can safely prune back their plants now and I know that some of you are just itching to get outside with either your hedge-trimmers, loppers or hand pruners.
Well, before you pick up your pruning tool of choice – I have some important advice for you.
DON’T!!!
Okay, was that obvious enough? You may be asking why you can’t go outside and prune away that brown ugly stuff in your garden.
Well, the answer is that you can eventually prune it away, just not now.
There are three very good reasons not to prune back your frost-damaged plants during the winter.
1. Oftentimes, the brown, dead looking branches are not dead on the inside. The warm temperatures of spring will stimulate new growth in much of the dead-looking branches. If you prune your plants too early, you may be removing live branches.
New growth in March.
2. In general, pruning stimulates plants to produce new growth. Many gardeners make the mistake of pruning too early before the threat of cold temperatures has passed and then a period of freezing temperatures occurs, which not only kills the new growth but can even result in the death of your plant.
3. The brown and crispy stuff actually protects the interior and sometimes the lower foliage of your plant from further cold damage.
So, I hope these reasons help to convince you to turn a blind eye to your brown and crispy plants for a little while.
Once the threat of frost is over, you can go ahead and prune away to your heart’s content 🙂
But, beware of giving in to the temptation to start pruning a little early. You never know when a late frost will hit. Sometimes just when you think that there is nothing but warm weather ahead, a late frost can sneak up on you. If you aren’t sure you can keep yourself from pruning your plants too early, ask someone you trust to lock up your pruners until the threat of frost is over 😉
Salmon-colored geraniums
I learned this lesson the hard way. Years ago, I was in charge of decorating with plants for a large event. I purchased 100 potted geraniums and arranged them expertly with my crew in late February. The night before the event, we had a late frost that damaged every single geranium and we have to rapidly replace them. I should have used a plant that was more cold hardy.
So, maybe you can’t stand having frost-damaged plants in your garden anymore. If that is the case, I have an assignment for you…..
Take a drive through your neighborhood and those close by as well. Look at your neighbor’s front landscapes and see what plants are still green and did not suffer any frost-damage.
The yucca, desert spoon, and pygmy date palm all did well while the trailing lantana did not.
The ficus tree fared poorly while the tipu tree did well.
When looking around, you will find exceptions. Some plants that normally would suffer frost damage look healthy and green.
As you can see, there is a large blue palo verde tree with a ‘Torch Glow’ bougainvillea underneath to the right. You may note that this bougainvillea did not suffer frost damage.
Why?
The overhanging branches of the palo verde tree provided some protection from the cold temperatures.
This knowledge can be quite helpful to you if you like having frost-tender plants in your garden but don’t like the brown and crispy winter look. By placing plants such as lantana and bougainvillea underneath a tree with filtered shade, you can oftentimes skip the ugly, winter stage.
Before you know it, winter will have passed and you can grab your pruners and get busy in the garden!
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The past couple of months has been a period of busyness, a new look, and opportunities for me.
Normally in December, work in the garden slows down, which means that I have fewer landscape consultations. I welcome this time of year as it allows me to focus on Christmas and a welcome break from work. However, this time it was a very busy time for me as I have been working on two big projects.
One is the free webinar that I gave earlier this week. It was the first live webinar that I’ve presented and although I was a little nervous, I loved it!
The second project is one that is near and dear to my heart – it’s my online class called Desert Gardening 101. You can learn about it HERE.
You may have noticed that things look a little different. I decided that it was time to freshen up the appearance of my website and I’m pleased with the results. I did this with the goal of making it easier for you to navigate and find the information that you need.
During the periods of busy work, I did take time to slow down and enjoy some new opportunities. One was adding a playhouse to my garden.
Although I think it would be a great mini-garden shed, I think it works best as a playhouse for the grandkids, don’t you think?
For Christmas, we added a badminton net to the backyard. The kids got into it right away and had so much fun. Now, my husband and I go out to play three times a week or more, for about a 1/2 hour. It’s a fun workout, and the weather is beautiful!
Back indoors, I have been using my extra free time having fun in the kitchen with my new Instant Pot. My family is huge fans of what I’ve made so far which include Bolognese sauce, porcupine meatballs, and roast chicken. Do you have Instant Pot recipes that you recommend?
We are pizza lovers, and my newest recipe is based on the Pioneer Woman’s Stuffed Crust Pizza. I made some changes by leaving out the string cheese, adding sausage and shredded Mozzarella on the top. It is so good and easy to make!
The day after Christmas is my birthday and my dear husband, who is no great baker, does know how to order my favorite Freddy’s Ice Cream Cake with Heath Bar added – YUM!
Finally, I can’t wait to get back out into the garden this week. It’s time to prune back my roses. I find this task gratifying as I get to decide which canes to keep and which ones to cut back. Although it is hard to cut them back when they are in bloom, I keep thinking of how beautiful they will be in spring, in large part, due to my pruning.
What are your plans for this new year?
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I am always looking for ways to help people on their desert garden journey and so I’m offering a FREE class on 5 reasons you are struggling with your desert garden.
As a horticulturist and landscape consultant, I have seen people making the same mistakes, which prevent them from having a beautiful outdoor space.
Because of this, they unintentionally ‘hurt’ the plants by over-maintaining them and spending money on unneeded products and landscape services.
If this sounds like you, I AM HERE TO HELP!
I’ve been helping people like you for over 20 years and I can help you too!
5 Reasons You Are Struggling With Your Desert Garden
This LIVE class is on January 17th, at 1:00 MST. *If you want to register for this free class, but can’t attend it live, it will be recorded so you can watch it at our convenience for a limited time.
Knowledge is power and once you know what you are doing wrong in the landscape – you have taken one GIANT step toward having a desert garden that you are proud of.
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Olive Rose, one of David Austin’s recent introductions
Remembering David Austin: The ‘Godfather of English Roses’
Yesterday, the world lost a man who made a huge contribution to rose lovers all over the world. Called the ‘Godfather of English roses’ David Austin’s mission was to create a better rose that was more robust, had fewer disease and pest problems, but most of all, beautiful and incredibly fragrant.
‘Graham Thomas’ is one of his most popular creations
The Impact of David Austin Roses
For a man that I’ve never met, David Austin has a big impact on my love for gardening. Roses were the first plant that I fell in love with and inspired me to become a horticulturist. At one point, I had forty hybrid tea roses growing in my Phoenix garden. While they were beautiful, they took a lot of work to keep them that way. Pests and fungal disease were things that I had to deal with and though my roses were very pretty, not all were fragrant.
The Beauty of David Austin Roses
I planted my first David Austin roses in 1993 and soon became convinced that this was truly a better breed of roses. I never had to worry about aphids, blackspot or powdery mildew, all of which, are common problems with growing roses. The unique beauty of the roses comes from David Austin using old-fashioned roses for their sturdiness and disease resistance with more fragrant roses that bloom often. The result are roses that are low-maintenance while also exceptionally beautiful and fragrant.
‘Darcey Bussell’ is one of the newer David Austin varieties in my garden
A Royal Connection
Today, my rose garden is made up almost exclusively of David Austin roses. While I never met him in person, I have met several of the individuals who work for his family-run company. I heard a fun story about David from a member of his company who told the story of David Austin and Queen Elizabeth. At the Chelsea Flower Show, David Austin’s roses were on full display and he was present as well. The Queen came to visit and he flirted openly with her and she seemed to enjoy the attention of this charming old gentleman. I must say, it takes courage to flirt with the Queen of England.
My rose garden
Growing David Austin Roses in the Desert
In my Arizona garden, I test several of their newest roses for the David Austin Rose company in my rose garden. Each year, they send me new ones to try out and then I give them my feedback. The company wants to know how they will perform in the low-desert heat and I must say that almost all of the ones that I’ve grown do very well.
Here is a list of those that I have grown and recommend for the desert garden:
Abraham Darby
Darcey Bussell
Graham Thomas
Olivia Rose
Juliet
*I also have ‘Ancient Mariner’ and ‘Lady of Sharlot’ growing. I’m still waiting to see how they do as they have only been in the garden for a year and I find that it takes a little longer than that to see how well they will do.
If I had to pick two favorites, they would be ‘Darcey Bussell’ and ‘Olivia Rose’. Both bloom well into summer, which is rare for roses grown in the desert.
Adding David Austin Roses to Your Garden
For people who want to add one of David Austin’s wonderful rose varieties to their garden, not all nurseries carry David Austin roses, although I know that Berridge Nursery in the Phoenix area does. However, they are easy to order online and they will be mailed to you at the proper planting time for your area, which for the low-desert garden is mid-December through February for bare root roses.
A Blooming Legacy
The family-run company will continue with his mission of creating beautiful, fragrant roses for the garden and I look forward to seeing what is coming next.
Have you ever grown a David Austin rose? Which one?
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Let’s face it, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, BUT it can also be the most stressful. Particularly when trying to find the right gift for friends and family.
Well, I’m here to help you find the perfect present for the gardener in your life, OR you can add them to your own personal wish list!
*This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission if you purchase an item at no additional cost to you.
I spend a lot of time on my laptop and like it to reflect my love for plants. You can choose the cactus option, but they also offer a variety of other floral designs for all types of laptops.
This versatile tool will help save both your back and knees when working in the garden. You can sit on it or flip it over and use to kneel on. I also like the pouches on the sides where I can place my favorite pair of hand pruners.
I wouldn’t mind getting one of these lovely necklaces for Christmas. Handmade in Tennessee, these are a great personal gift. My birth flower is paperwhite, what’s yours?
“Ollas” are specially shaped clay pots that are used to help irrigate plants. They are buried in the ground next to plants with just the top peeking out. Fill them up periodically and they gradually release water out the sides as the soil dries out. These can be used in pots, vegetable gardens, and other spots in the garden.
Want to attract beneficial insects to your garden such as ladybugs, lacewings, and native bees? Invite them to your garden with this insect hotel. My husband made me one himself and we had native bees take up residence fairly quickly. It’s also fun for kids!
I must confess that I never grew an amaryllis until last year and now I’m hooked! They are very easy to grow and the flowers are so gorgeous! Once the stop blooming, you can plant them in a pot or in your vegetable garden and they will bloom again in spring as well as the next year and so on.
Like my computer, I also have a clear floral case for my phone and I get lots of compliments on it. The color of your phone doesn’t matter as the case is clear and the flowers look great with any background color.
I love these small hanging containers. They are perfect for a single sprig of a flowering citrus tree, or sage or yellow bell flower. I definitely want one!
I have a tote bag very much like this one and I get lots of comments whenever I bring it to a class I am teaching. Perfect for carrying books, folders, an iPad, or most small to medium-sized items.
If you enjoy container gardening, you’ll love watering them with a rain wand, which gives them a nice sprinkle without causing the soil to wash out. Dramm is one of my favorite garden brands because they create them in all kinds of bright colors. Blue is just one of the many different colors available.
I am so reliant on my readers for being able to see small print that I have several pairs located throughout the house so they are just a hand’s reach away. The glasses I wear are always colorful and it’s a bonus if I find some with flowers like these!
If you have ever picked a rose, you know how easy it is to be stabbed by their thorns. A regular pair of gloves doesn’t always protect you from the injury, but these professional gloves do and are a wonderful gift for anyone who has a rose bush in their garden.
I hope that these garden gift ideas help you with your own wishlist or to find the perfect present for the special gardener in your life!
*Still looking for more garden gift ideas? Check out my recommendations from last Christmas here.
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Revitalizing a Desert Landscape An Outdoor Renovation Story
Desert landscape beauty? Yes please! Have you ever renovated the interior of your house? Seeing the old, outdated elements peeled away and replaced with new paint, flooring, etc. can leave you feeling refreshed and even excited. Well, I get to do that with outdoor spaces, assisting clients with already established desert landscapes, create an updated look. The key to this is NOT to tear everything out and begin from scratch. Deciding what should stay and what we should remove and replace is a delightful puzzle.
There is immense satisfaction from assisting people in crafting an appealing desert landscape, especially when I have the opportunity to revisit the site several months later to witness the plants’ growth. I recently had the chance to return to a desert landscape I designed, precisely one year after its completion, and I was thoroughly pleased with the outcomes.
The Desert Landscape ‘Before Picture’
I’d love to show you photos of the finished product. Here is what it first looked like.
Crafting a New Desert Landscape
The interior of the house is also undergoing renovation when I first visited. The front yard consists of two palm tree stumps, a few agave, overgrown gold lantana, and boulders.
The landscape rock was thinning and mixed in with the river rock. Unfortunately the asphalt from the street was crumbling away.
I identified the parts of the landscape that I could reuse, including the boulders and the gold lantana. Clearly, there is potential for re-purposing the river rock. We removed everything else.
Combining Old and New
To establish the framework for the new desert landscape elements, we added extra boulders. We improved the existing contouring by raising the height of the mound and creating a swale in the front center. The circular collection of rip-rap rock serves to mask the opening of the end of a French drain which helps to channel water from the patio.
Simple Yet Impactful
We placed a saguaro cactus and a totem pole ‘Monstrose’ (Lophocereus schottii ‘Monstrose’). This placement creates vertical interest. Next we pruned the existing gold lantana severely to rejuvenate them and added others to establish visual continuity. We incorporate other succulents like artichoke agave (Agave parrying var. truncata) and gopher plant (Euphorbia biglandulosa) to introduce texture through their unique shapes.
Removing the existing river rock, we then washed it off, and replaced it, along with fixing the crumbling edge of the street. This helped the landscape blend seamlessly with the natural curves of the desert.
Anchoring Corners for Desert Landscape Curb Appeal
Anchoring the corners with a grouping of plants is a very simple way to enhance the curb appeal of a home. This collection of volunteer agave and old palm tree stumps weren’t doing this area any favors.
We elevate this corner slightly, forming a gentle rise in elevation. We added a large boulder to the existing one, and we transplanted a beautiful, specimen artichoke agave from the owner’s previous residence to this spot. Angelita daisies (Tetraneuris acaulis) will provide year-round color as they fill in, and we planted ‘Blue Elf’ aloes to introduce a delightful splash of color.
A Welcoming Front Entry
Entering the front courtyard, you’ll notice the corner occupied by an overgrown rosemary shrub. We removed the dwarf oleander shrubs because they were too large for the smaller scale of this area..
Mexican fence post cactus(Pachycereus marginatus) helps to anchor the corner and will grow at a moderate rate, adding more height as it grows.
We can guarantee year-round color with angelita daisies and ‘Blue Elf’ aloe. These plants won’t outgrow this area.
Transforming a Lackluster Space
Moving toward the front entry, this area is somewhat underwhelming. The natal plum(Carissa macrocarpa) adds a pleasant green backdrop. It is thriving in the shade. The Dasylirion succulent should never have been planted here. It needs full sun to look its best.
The solution in this area is quite simple. Pruning back the natal plum to a more attractive shape makes them an asset. A lady’s slipper(Pedilanthus macrocarpus) adds height and texture contrast and will grow in the bright shade. We kept the trailing purple lantana(Lantana montevidensis), for the color that it provides. Rip rap rock is placed to add some interest at the ground level.
Tying Together Separate Spaces
In the backyard another old rosemary shrub was removed from the corner. It is replaced with ‘Blue Elf’ aloe and angelita daisy, repeating the same planting from the corner area in the courtyard, helping to tie these separate areas together.
Creating Cohesion
Aloe vera(Aloe barbadensis) are along the shady side of the house where their spiky shape creates interesting shapes. The key to keeping them attractive is to remove new growth around the base as it occurs.
A Backyard Transformation
The corner of the backyard is a very high-profile spot and faces the golf course. The homeowner’s wanted to get rid of the dwarf oleander hedge to improve their view. Clumps of agave look slightly unkempt. Volunteer agave remain and grow. The gold lantana adds ornamental value. Same for the small ‘Firesticks’(Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’).
One of the clumps of agave was removed. This opened up this area and allowed us to add two aloe vera, which will decorate this corner with yellow blooms in winter and spring. The existing gold lantana provides beautiful color spring through fall. The centerpiece of this group of plants is the water feature.
Enhancing Views and Aesthetics
It’s been over 20 years that I’ve been working on landscapes. Watching the transformation is a joy. I love being a part of it and combining the old with the new for a seamless design.
Thank you for allowing me to share this particular project with you!
Fall is my favorite season of the year. It stands to reason, pumpkins play a big part in both my garden, crafts, fall decor, and food!
A few years ago, I visited an Atlanta garden. This is where colorful pumpkins were scattered throughout the landscape, adding fun fall interest. This year, I added uncarved pumpkins in empty containers for added interest by my front entry. Next year, I will probably add more near the vegetable garden as well as other places.
My Pumpkin Growing Journey
My personal pumpkin growing experience has been rather lackluster. This is the only pumpkin that I’ve successfully grown. It was years ago and I’ve only made rather half-hearted attempts since then. I do have plans to plant some new ones in late April. This means that they will ripen in mid to late July. Then I will store them in a cool, dark, dry space until October.
Homemade Pumpkins in Fall Decor
On October 1st of every year, I bring out my homemade pumpkins, which I made over 6 years ago. They are made from beach balls and newspaper dipped into a flour paste. It was a fun project. I did it with my mother. I’m so happy that they are still a part of my fall decor years later.
Pumpkin-Themed Scarecrow Encounter
This past week, I was visiting my oldest daughter in northern Michigan. I try to do this at least three times a year. As we were walking in the small downtown district, we came upon this comical bank robber who was caught in the act of robbing the bank. I loved the ingenuity of those who created this scarecrow with a pumpkin head!
Feeding Birds with Leftover Pumpkins
Last year, once Thanksgiving was over, I sliced our remaining pumpkins in half . I placed them on the old picnic table in our side garden. The birds flocked to them. We had six different types of birds visit them regularly, eating the seeds and flesh inside. At one point, there were twelve Inca doves sitting inside of the largest half. I will be sure to do this again in a few weeks . It is so fun to watch the antics of the visiting birds.
Delicious Pumpkin Bread Recipe
To finish out my pumpkins post, I have to include a photo of my famous pumpkin bread that I make every year. This is my most-requested recipe from my friends and it is so easy to make and oh so delicious!!! The recipe is unique in that there are no eggs and the texture is so moist and perfect. It makes 6 small loaves, making it a great home-baked gift at the holidays. If you would like to make this delicious pumpkin bread, here is a link to the recipe along with its rather unusual origin story.
How do you like to use pumpkins in fall?
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/pumpkin-scarecrow-robbing-bank.jpg660800arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2018-11-05 07:05:272023-10-09 10:58:04Pumpkins Play a Big Part in My Garden
UPDATE: This blog post originally was published six-years-ago, and I still like to grow vegetables in pots. It’s hard to believe that my garden helper is now 16 years old and driving a car!
I hope you enjoy it!
I started growing vegetables in pots earlier this year, and it was so easy and the vegetables so delicious AND attractive that I had to do it again.
Last week, my mother took my youngest kids to the nursery and picked up some plants for me.
You know what? This is one of the happiest sights in my world 😉
My son, Kai was anxious to pull out the existing plants from our pots.
All my summer vegetables had been pulled a while ago, and all that was left was the Vinca that I had planted. I realize the vinca looks a bit yellow and I admit that I didn’t fertilize them enough (I kind of hibernated inside this summer.
Kai got to work at pulling out the flowers.
He used the hand shovel to loosen the roots so he could pull out the vinca.
Then he used the shovel to ‘bang’ the root ball to loosen the soil back into the pot. You don’t want to ‘throw away’ good soil by leaving it around the roots of plants you are pulling out.
I think Kai did a good job getting all the soil out of the roots, don’t you?
**Vinca will over-winter in my zone 9 garden, but will not flower much. I prefer to treat them as an annual.
Now for the fun part – planting!
I added some more potting mix (not potting soil, which can get soggy), mixed with some compost to each container.
Then each pot was planted with a combination of green leaf lettuce, purple leaf lettuce, garlic, spinach, dill, parsley, nasturtium seeds, and petunias.
In just a few weeks, the lettuce and spinach will be ready to start clipping the leaves for salads. The garlic cloves that I planted will form whole heads of garlic, which will be ready in late spring.
I will start snipping off dill and parsley soon as well.
Garlic, leaf lettuce, spinach, parsley, and petunias
Flowers look great when planted with vegetables, and I always include some. Nasturtiums are easy to grow from seed, and their leaves and flowers are edible. Petunias (and nasturtiums) are great companion plants for vegetables because they help to control damaging insects from eating your vegetables.
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Just a Few More Weeks…
Arizona garden, desert gardening, Gardening Video, PruningLet’s face it, a winter landscape filled with frost-damaged plants isn’t the most attractive. During this time of year, I often find myself itching to grab my pruners and get rid of the ugly, brown growth on my bougainvillea, lantanas, and yellow bell shrubs. But before I do, I keep repeating to myself, just a few more weeks…
Perhaps you have a similar urge to prune away all the brown too early. What helps me to stop grabbing my pruners is remembering that the dead outer growth of my summer-flowering beauties is protecting the inner part of the plant AND the fact that freezing temperatures are still a distinct possibility.
Frost-Damaged Plants, Just a Few More Weeks (Feathery cassia and Valentine bush)
And so, I will focus my attention on the winter-flowering plants that are adding beauty to my cool-season garden for now. If you don’t have any, I recommend Blue Bells (Eremophila hygrophana), Valentine bush (Eremophila maculata ‘Valentine’), and Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatoni), and feathery cassia (Senna artemisioides).
If you would like more information on this subject, I invite you to read “Got Brown Crispy Plants?”
So, what are you dying to prune back in your winter garden?
Drive By Landscapes: Winter Beauty in the Southwest Garden
Agave, Arizona garden, Cactus/Succulents, desert gardening, Drought Tolerant, Landscape Design, Perennial, Shrubs, Southwest gardenEmbracing the Desert’s Winter Palette
One of the delightful aspects of life in the Southwest is the vibrant outdoor spaces, especially during the winter season.
A Break from Landscape Critiques
For those who have been following my blog, you know I often share photos of landscape issues I encounter. But this time, the captivating winter beauty had me so enthralled that I didn’t notice any garden mistakes.
Captivating Winter Wonders
Join me in savoring the beauty of winter in the desert and perhaps find inspiration for your own landscape!
The Stars of the Winter Desert Garden
Valentine Bush (Eremophila maculata ‘Valentine’)
Hands down, my favorite shrub, the vibrant red Valentine Bush adds a burst of color from January through April. Even when not in bloom, its foliage remains attractive.
Golden Barrel Cacti (Echinocactus grusonii)
These sunny yellow cacti are drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and add a cheerful touch to the garden year-round.
Large Desert Spoon (Dasylirion wheeleri)
With its spiky texture and gray-blue hue, the large desert spoon creates a captivating contrast in the landscape.
This is a great pairing of plants that I plan on using in future designs.
Feathery Cassia (Senna artemisioides)
Bright yellow fragrant flowers of feathery cassia (Senna artemisioides) are famous for their winter color. Nothing else brightens a dreary winter’s day as much as the color yellow. The silvery foliage of this cassia adds great color contrast and give off a silvery glow on a breezy day.
Pink Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
In the background, you see the pink blooms of pink fairy duster (Calliandra eriophylla). Their uniquely shaped blooms look like a feather duster and hummingbirds find them irresistible.
Bursage (Ambrosia deltoidea)
This native groundcover provides color contrast and thrives with minimal water.
This combination was well done but planted too closely together.
Blue Bells (Eremophila hygrophana)
Against the backdrop of yellow-flowering feathery cassia, a pair of boulders are decorated with blue bells (Eremophila hygrophana). These shrubs have lovely gray foliage and produce purple/blue flowers all year long. This is a newer plant introduction getting a lot of attention.
A golden barrel cactus offers great contrast along with a pair of agave.
Here is one of my favorite landscapes in this particular community. I like the combination of cacti, flowering shrubs, and perennials that create a pleasing landscape.
Firecracker Penstemon (Penstemon eatoni)
A trio of flowering firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatoni) easily catches your eye. They are one of my favorite perennials in my own garden and flower January through April in the low desert.
In another landscape, firecracker penstemon is used as part of a wildflower planting, backed by desert spoon and purple trailing lantana.
Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Ornamental grasses add great interest to the winter landscape and pink muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) is one of my favorites. Their burgundy plumes, which appear in fall fade to an attractive wheat color in winter. Soon, they will be pruned back to 3 inches in preparation for a new growth cycle.
Blue Palo Verde Tree (Parkinsonia florida)
Some landscapes look attractive using a minimum amount of plants. The key is to use a variety of different plants – not just shrubs or cacti. In this one, a blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) overlooks a planting of purple trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis) and desert spoon. While the lantana is frost tender, the canopy of the tree provides it some protection from frost.
‘New Gold’ Lantana (Lantana ‘New Gold’)
It’s important to anchor the corners in your landscape – particularly those next to the driveway. Here is an example of how to combine plants that look great throughout the year. When warmer temps arrive ‘New Gold’ lantana (Lantana ‘New Gold’), bursts forth with colorful blooms that last until the first frost. In winter, golden barrel cacti attract the attention and keep you from noticing the frost damaged lantana.
This street planting also attracted my attention with the row of little leaf (foothill) palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) trees, Valentine shrubs and purple trailing lantana. I should note that lantana doesn’t usually flower much in winter, but in mild winters, they do.
Chuparosa (Justicia californica)
An almost leafless mesquite tree stands sentinel over a planting of red-flowering chuparosa (Justicia californica). This shrub has lovely green foliage and tubular flowers that drive hummingbirds crazy with delight.
Adding Cool-Season Beauties to Your Landscape
s you can see, the Southwestern landscape is filled with beauty and color, even in winter. Unfortunately, many homeowners tend to focus on plants that primarily bloom during the spring and summer months. While these choices can create stunning gardens during warmer seasons, they often leave gardens looking somewhat lackluster during the winter months.
Winter gardening in the Southwest offers a unique opportunity to infuse your landscape with captivating colors and textures, providing a visual treat even when the temperatures drop. By incorporating cool-season beauties like the vibrant Valentine Bush, cheery Golden Barrel Cacti, and the elegant Firecracker Penstemon, you can ensure that your garden remains a source of joy throughout the year.
Embracing winter-friendly plants doesn’t mean sacrificing the visual appeal of your landscape during the colder months. Instead, it allows you to celebrate the unique beauty that the winter season brings to the desert garden. So, why not take this opportunity to diversify your garden’s plant palette and create a lively and colorful outdoor space that shines year-round? By doing so, you can revel in the splendor of your Southwestern garden, no matter the season.
Got Brown, Crispy Plants? Put Down Your Pruners!
Arizona garden, desert gardening, Pruning, Southwest gardenGot brown and crispy plants? Put down your pruners if winter has not ended yet!
Are you having a hard time ignoring them the ugliness of the frost-damaged leaves? Or perhaps you have no problem with some brown spots in your garden.
There has been some discussion on my social media pages from people asking if they can safely prune back their plants now and I know that some of you are just itching to get outside with either your hedge-trimmers, loppers or hand pruners.
Well, before you pick up your pruning tool of choice – I have some important advice for you.
DON’T!!!
Okay, was that obvious enough? You may be asking why you can’t go outside and prune away that brown ugly stuff in your garden.
Well, the answer is that you can eventually prune it away, just not now.
There are three very good reasons not to prune back your frost-damaged plants during the winter.
1. Oftentimes, the brown, dead looking branches are not dead on the inside. The warm temperatures of spring will stimulate new growth in much of the dead-looking branches. If you prune your plants too early, you may be removing live branches.
New growth in March.
2. In general, pruning stimulates plants to produce new growth. Many gardeners make the mistake of pruning too early before the threat of cold temperatures has passed and then a period of freezing temperatures occurs, which not only kills the new growth but can even result in the death of your plant.
3. The brown and crispy stuff actually protects the interior and sometimes the lower foliage of your plant from further cold damage.
So, I hope these reasons help to convince you to turn a blind eye to your brown and crispy plants for a little while.
Once the threat of frost is over, you can go ahead and prune away to your heart’s content 🙂
But, beware of giving in to the temptation to start pruning a little early. You never know when a late frost will hit. Sometimes just when you think that there is nothing but warm weather ahead, a late frost can sneak up on you. If you aren’t sure you can keep yourself from pruning your plants too early, ask someone you trust to lock up your pruners until the threat of frost is over 😉
Salmon-colored geraniums
I learned this lesson the hard way. Years ago, I was in charge of decorating with plants for a large event. I purchased 100 potted geraniums and arranged them expertly with my crew in late February. The night before the event, we had a late frost that damaged every single geranium and we have to rapidly replace them. I should have used a plant that was more cold hardy.
So, maybe you can’t stand having frost-damaged plants in your garden anymore. If that is the case, I have an assignment for you…..
Take a drive through your neighborhood and those close by as well. Look at your neighbor’s front landscapes and see what plants are still green and did not suffer any frost-damage.
The yucca, desert spoon, and pygmy date palm all did well while the trailing lantana did not.
The ficus tree fared poorly while the tipu tree did well.
When looking around, you will find exceptions. Some plants that normally would suffer frost damage look healthy and green.
As you can see, there is a large blue palo verde tree with a ‘Torch Glow’ bougainvillea underneath to the right. You may note that this bougainvillea did not suffer frost damage.
Why?
The overhanging branches of the palo verde tree provided some protection from the cold temperatures.
This knowledge can be quite helpful to you if you like having frost-tender plants in your garden but don’t like the brown and crispy winter look. By placing plants such as lantana and bougainvillea underneath a tree with filtered shade, you can oftentimes skip the ugly, winter stage.
Before you know it, winter will have passed and you can grab your pruners and get busy in the garden!
Busyness, a New Look and Opportunities
Arizona garden, AZ Plant Lady, AZ Plant Lady Classes, Roses in the DesertThe past couple of months has been a period of busyness, a new look, and opportunities for me.
Normally in December, work in the garden slows down, which means that I have fewer landscape consultations. I welcome this time of year as it allows me to focus on Christmas and a welcome break from work. However, this time it was a very busy time for me as I have been working on two big projects.
One is the free webinar that I gave earlier this week. It was the first live webinar that I’ve presented and although I was a little nervous, I loved it!
The second project is one that is near and dear to my heart – it’s my online class called Desert Gardening 101. You can learn about it HERE.
You may have noticed that things look a little different. I decided that it was time to freshen up the appearance of my website and I’m pleased with the results. I did this with the goal of making it easier for you to navigate and find the information that you need.
During the periods of busy work, I did take time to slow down and enjoy some new opportunities. One was adding a playhouse to my garden.
Although I think it would be a great mini-garden shed, I think it works best as a playhouse for the grandkids, don’t you think?
For Christmas, we added a badminton net to the backyard. The kids got into it right away and had so much fun. Now, my husband and I go out to play three times a week or more, for about a 1/2 hour. It’s a fun workout, and the weather is beautiful!
Back indoors, I have been using my extra free time having fun in the kitchen with my new Instant Pot. My family is huge fans of what I’ve made so far which include Bolognese sauce, porcupine meatballs, and roast chicken. Do you have Instant Pot recipes that you recommend?
We are pizza lovers, and my newest recipe is based on the Pioneer Woman’s Stuffed Crust Pizza. I made some changes by leaving out the string cheese, adding sausage and shredded Mozzarella on the top. It is so good and easy to make!
The day after Christmas is my birthday and my dear husband, who is no great baker, does know how to order my favorite Freddy’s Ice Cream Cake with Heath Bar added – YUM!
Finally, I can’t wait to get back out into the garden this week. It’s time to prune back my roses. I find this task gratifying as I get to decide which canes to keep and which ones to cut back. Although it is hard to cut them back when they are in bloom, I keep thinking of how beautiful they will be in spring, in large part, due to my pruning.
What are your plans for this new year?
5 Reasons You Are Struggling With Your Desert Garden
Arizona garden, AZ Plant Lady, AZ Plant Lady Classes, California desert garden, desert gardening, Horticulturist, Landscape Problems, Las Vegas gardening, Noelle Johnson Horticulturist ArizonaI am always looking for ways to help people on their desert garden journey and so I’m offering a FREE class on 5 reasons you are struggling with your desert garden.
As a horticulturist and landscape consultant, I have seen people making the same mistakes, which prevent them from having a beautiful outdoor space.
Because of this, they unintentionally ‘hurt’ the plants by over-maintaining them and spending money on unneeded products and landscape services.
If this sounds like you, I AM HERE TO HELP!
I’ve been helping people like you for over 20 years and I can help you too!
5 Reasons You Are Struggling With Your Desert Garden
This LIVE class is on January 17th, at 1:00 MST. *If you want to register for this free class, but can’t attend it live, it will be recorded so you can watch it at our convenience for a limited time.
Knowledge is power and once you know what you are doing wrong in the landscape – you have taken one GIANT step toward having a desert garden that you are proud of.
CLICK the following link to learn more and register – http://bit.ly/2RpFFb5
I hope to see you there!
Busyness, a New Look, and Opportunities
Goodbye to the Godfather of English Roses
Arizona garden, desert gardening, Roses in the DesertOlive Rose, one of David Austin’s recent introductions
Remembering David Austin: The ‘Godfather of English Roses’
Yesterday, the world lost a man who made a huge contribution to rose lovers all over the world. Called the ‘Godfather of English roses’ David Austin’s mission was to create a better rose that was more robust, had fewer disease and pest problems, but most of all, beautiful and incredibly fragrant.
‘Graham Thomas’ is one of his most popular creations
The Impact of David Austin Roses
For a man that I’ve never met, David Austin has a big impact on my love for gardening. Roses were the first plant that I fell in love with and inspired me to become a horticulturist. At one point, I had forty hybrid tea roses growing in my Phoenix garden. While they were beautiful, they took a lot of work to keep them that way. Pests and fungal disease were things that I had to deal with and though my roses were very pretty, not all were fragrant.
The Beauty of David Austin Roses
I planted my first David Austin roses in 1993 and soon became convinced that this was truly a better breed of roses. I never had to worry about aphids, blackspot or powdery mildew, all of which, are common problems with growing roses. The unique beauty of the roses comes from David Austin using old-fashioned roses for their sturdiness and disease resistance with more fragrant roses that bloom often. The result are roses that are low-maintenance while also exceptionally beautiful and fragrant.
‘Darcey Bussell’ is one of the newer David Austin varieties in my garden
A Royal Connection
Today, my rose garden is made up almost exclusively of David Austin roses. While I never met him in person, I have met several of the individuals who work for his family-run company. I heard a fun story about David from a member of his company who told the story of David Austin and Queen Elizabeth. At the Chelsea Flower Show, David Austin’s roses were on full display and he was present as well. The Queen came to visit and he flirted openly with her and she seemed to enjoy the attention of this charming old gentleman. I must say, it takes courage to flirt with the Queen of England.
My rose garden
Growing David Austin Roses in the Desert
In my Arizona garden, I test several of their newest roses for the David Austin Rose company in my rose garden. Each year, they send me new ones to try out and then I give them my feedback. The company wants to know how they will perform in the low-desert heat and I must say that almost all of the ones that I’ve grown do very well.
Here is a list of those that I have grown and recommend for the desert garden:
*I also have ‘Ancient Mariner’ and ‘Lady of Sharlot’ growing. I’m still waiting to see how they do as they have only been in the garden for a year and I find that it takes a little longer than that to see how well they will do.
If I had to pick two favorites, they would be ‘Darcey Bussell’ and ‘Olivia Rose’. Both bloom well into summer, which is rare for roses grown in the desert.
Adding David Austin Roses to Your Garden
For people who want to add one of David Austin’s wonderful rose varieties to their garden, not all nurseries carry David Austin roses, although I know that Berridge Nursery in the Phoenix area does. However, they are easy to order online and they will be mailed to you at the proper planting time for your area, which for the low-desert garden is mid-December through February for bare root roses.
A Blooming Legacy
The family-run company will continue with his mission of creating beautiful, fragrant roses for the garden and I look forward to seeing what is coming next.
Have you ever grown a David Austin rose? Which one?
New Roses for the Desert Garden
AZ Plant Lady’s 12 Garden Gift Picks
desert gardening, Gift IdeasLet’s face it, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, BUT it can also be the most stressful. Particularly when trying to find the right gift for friends and family.
Well, I’m here to help you find the perfect present for the gardener in your life, OR you can add them to your own personal wish list!
*This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission if you purchase an item at no additional cost to you.
Laptop Computer Floral Case
I spend a lot of time on my laptop and like it to reflect my love for plants. You can choose the cactus option, but they also offer a variety of other floral designs for all types of laptops.
Garden Kneeler and Seat
This versatile tool will help save both your back and knees when working in the garden. You can sit on it or flip it over and use to kneel on. I also like the pouches on the sides where I can place my favorite pair of hand pruners.
Birthstone Flower Necklace
I wouldn’t mind getting one of these lovely necklaces for Christmas. Handmade in Tennessee, these are a great personal gift. My birth flower is paperwhite, what’s yours?
GrowOya Terracotta Vessel
“Ollas” are specially shaped clay pots that are used to help irrigate plants. They are buried in the ground next to plants with just the top peeking out. Fill them up periodically and they gradually release water out the sides as the soil dries out. These can be used in pots, vegetable gardens, and other spots in the garden.
Insect House
Want to attract beneficial insects to your garden such as ladybugs, lacewings, and native bees? Invite them to your garden with this insect hotel. My husband made me one himself and we had native bees take up residence fairly quickly. It’s also fun for kids!
Amaryllis
I must confess that I never grew an amaryllis until last year and now I’m hooked! They are very easy to grow and the flowers are so gorgeous! Once the stop blooming, you can plant them in a pot or in your vegetable garden and they will bloom again in spring as well as the next year and so on.
Clear Flower Phone Case
Like my computer, I also have a clear floral case for my phone and I get lots of compliments on it. The color of your phone doesn’t matter as the case is clear and the flowers look great with any background color.
Hanging Test Tube Planter
I love these small hanging containers. They are perfect for a single sprig of a flowering citrus tree, or sage or yellow bell flower. I definitely want one!
‘Crazy Plant Lady’ Tote
I have a tote bag very much like this one and I get lots of comments whenever I bring it to a class I am teaching. Perfect for carrying books, folders, an iPad, or most small to medium-sized items.
Dramm Blue Rain Wand
If you enjoy container gardening, you’ll love watering them with a rain wand, which gives them a nice sprinkle without causing the soil to wash out. Dramm is one of my favorite garden brands because they create them in all kinds of bright colors. Blue is just one of the many different colors available.
Flower Reading Glasses
I am so reliant on my readers for being able to see small print that I have several pairs located throughout the house so they are just a hand’s reach away. The glasses I wear are always colorful and it’s a bonus if I find some with flowers like these!
Professional Rose Pruning Gloves
If you have ever picked a rose, you know how easy it is to be stabbed by their thorns. A regular pair of gloves doesn’t always protect you from the injury, but these professional gloves do and are a wonderful gift for anyone who has a rose bush in their garden.
I hope that these garden gift ideas help you with your own wishlist or to find the perfect present for the special gardener in your life!
*Still looking for more garden gift ideas? Check out my recommendations from last Christmas here.
Progress! One-Year Post Desert Landscape Renovation
Agave, Arizona garden, AZ Plant Lady, Cactus/Succulents, desert gardening, Drought Tolerant, Landscape Design, Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting, Southwest gardenRevitalizing a Desert Landscape An Outdoor Renovation Story
Desert landscape beauty? Yes please! Have you ever renovated the interior of your house? Seeing the old, outdated elements peeled away and replaced with new paint, flooring, etc. can leave you feeling refreshed and even excited. Well, I get to do that with outdoor spaces, assisting clients with already established desert landscapes, create an updated look. The key to this is NOT to tear everything out and begin from scratch. Deciding what should stay and what we should remove and replace is a delightful puzzle.
There is immense satisfaction from assisting people in crafting an appealing desert landscape, especially when I have the opportunity to revisit the site several months later to witness the plants’ growth. I recently had the chance to return to a desert landscape I designed, precisely one year after its completion, and I was thoroughly pleased with the outcomes.
The Desert Landscape ‘Before Picture’
I’d love to show you photos of the finished product. Here is what it first looked like.
Crafting a New Desert Landscape
The interior of the house is also undergoing renovation when I first visited. The front yard consists of two palm tree stumps, a few agave, overgrown gold lantana, and boulders.
The landscape rock was thinning and mixed in with the river rock. Unfortunately the asphalt from the street was crumbling away.
I identified the parts of the landscape that I could reuse, including the boulders and the gold lantana. Clearly, there is potential for re-purposing the river rock. We removed everything else.
Combining Old and New
To establish the framework for the new desert landscape elements, we added extra boulders. We improved the existing contouring by raising the height of the mound and creating a swale in the front center. The circular collection of rip-rap rock serves to mask the opening of the end of a French drain which helps to channel water from the patio.
Simple Yet Impactful
We placed a saguaro cactus and a totem pole ‘Monstrose’ (Lophocereus schottii ‘Monstrose’). This placement creates vertical interest. Next we pruned the existing gold lantana severely to rejuvenate them and added others to establish visual continuity. We incorporate other succulents like artichoke agave (Agave parrying var. truncata) and gopher plant (Euphorbia biglandulosa) to introduce texture through their unique shapes.
Removing the existing river rock, we then washed it off, and replaced it, along with fixing the crumbling edge of the street. This helped the landscape blend seamlessly with the natural curves of the desert.
Anchoring Corners for Desert Landscape Curb Appeal
Anchoring the corners with a grouping of plants is a very simple way to enhance the curb appeal of a home. This collection of volunteer agave and old palm tree stumps weren’t doing this area any favors.
We elevate this corner slightly, forming a gentle rise in elevation. We added a large boulder to the existing one, and we transplanted a beautiful, specimen artichoke agave from the owner’s previous residence to this spot. Angelita daisies (Tetraneuris acaulis) will provide year-round color as they fill in, and we planted ‘Blue Elf’ aloes to introduce a delightful splash of color.
A Welcoming Front Entry
Entering the front courtyard, you’ll notice the corner occupied by an overgrown rosemary shrub. We removed the dwarf oleander shrubs because they were too large for the smaller scale of this area..
Mexican fence post cactus (Pachycereus marginatus) helps to anchor the corner and will grow at a moderate rate, adding more height as it grows.
We can guarantee year-round color with angelita daisies and ‘Blue Elf’ aloe. These plants won’t outgrow this area.
Transforming a Lackluster Space
Moving toward the front entry, this area is somewhat underwhelming. The natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa) adds a pleasant green backdrop. It is thriving in the shade. The Dasylirion succulent should never have been planted here. It needs full sun to look its best.
The solution in this area is quite simple. Pruning back the natal plum to a more attractive shape makes them an asset. A lady’s slipper (Pedilanthus macrocarpus) adds height and texture contrast and will grow in the bright shade. We kept the trailing purple lantana (Lantana montevidensis), for the color that it provides. Rip rap rock is placed to add some interest at the ground level.
Tying Together Separate Spaces
In the backyard another old rosemary shrub was removed from the corner. It is replaced with ‘Blue Elf’ aloe and angelita daisy, repeating the same planting from the corner area in the courtyard, helping to tie these separate areas together.
Creating Cohesion
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) are along the shady side of the house where their spiky shape creates interesting shapes. The key to keeping them attractive is to remove new growth around the base as it occurs.
A Backyard Transformation
The corner of the backyard is a very high-profile spot and faces the golf course. The homeowner’s wanted to get rid of the dwarf oleander hedge to improve their view. Clumps of agave look slightly unkempt. Volunteer agave remain and grow. The gold lantana adds ornamental value. Same for the small ‘Firesticks’ (Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’).
One of the clumps of agave was removed. This opened up this area and allowed us to add two aloe vera, which will decorate this corner with yellow blooms in winter and spring. The existing gold lantana provides beautiful color spring through fall. The centerpiece of this group of plants is the water feature.
Enhancing Views and Aesthetics
It’s been over 20 years that I’ve been working on landscapes. Watching the transformation is a joy. I love being a part of it and combining the old with the new for a seamless design.
Thank you for allowing me to share this particular project with you!
Looking for Inspiration: Low-Maintenance Desert Landscapes
Pumpkins Play a Big Part in My Garden
Arizona garden, DIY, Vegetable GardeningDecorating with Pumpkins in Fall
Fall is my favorite season of the year. It stands to reason, pumpkins play a big part in both my garden, crafts, fall decor, and food!
A few years ago, I visited an Atlanta garden. This is where colorful pumpkins were scattered throughout the landscape, adding fun fall interest. This year, I added uncarved pumpkins in empty containers for added interest by my front entry. Next year, I will probably add more near the vegetable garden as well as other places.
My Pumpkin Growing Journey
My personal pumpkin growing experience has been rather lackluster. This is the only pumpkin that I’ve successfully grown. It was years ago and I’ve only made rather half-hearted attempts since then. I do have plans to plant some new ones in late April. This means that they will ripen in mid to late July. Then I will store them in a cool, dark, dry space until October.
Homemade Pumpkins in Fall Decor
On October 1st of every year, I bring out my homemade pumpkins, which I made over 6 years ago. They are made from beach balls and newspaper dipped into a flour paste. It was a fun project. I did it with my mother. I’m so happy that they are still a part of my fall decor years later.
Pumpkin-Themed Scarecrow Encounter
This past week, I was visiting my oldest daughter in northern Michigan. I try to do this at least three times a year. As we were walking in the small downtown district, we came upon this comical bank robber who was caught in the act of robbing the bank. I loved the ingenuity of those who created this scarecrow with a pumpkin head!
Feeding Birds with Leftover Pumpkins
Last year, once Thanksgiving was over, I sliced our remaining pumpkins in half . I placed them on the old picnic table in our side garden. The birds flocked to them. We had six different types of birds visit them regularly, eating the seeds and flesh inside. At one point, there were twelve Inca doves sitting inside of the largest half. I will be sure to do this again in a few weeks . It is so fun to watch the antics of the visiting birds.
Delicious Pumpkin Bread Recipe
To finish out my pumpkins post, I have to include a photo of my famous pumpkin bread that I make every year. This is my most-requested recipe from my friends and it is so easy to make and oh so delicious!!! The recipe is unique in that there are no eggs and the texture is so moist and perfect. It makes 6 small loaves, making it a great home-baked gift at the holidays. If you would like to make this delicious pumpkin bread, here is a link to the recipe along with its rather unusual origin story.
How do you like to use pumpkins in fall?
Grow Vegetables in Pots!
Arizona garden, AZ Plant Lady, az plant lady family, Containers, desert gardening, Flowering Annuals, vegetablesUPDATE: This blog post originally was published six-years-ago, and I still like to grow vegetables in pots. It’s hard to believe that my garden helper is now 16 years old and driving a car!
I hope you enjoy it!
I started growing vegetables in pots earlier this year, and it was so easy and the vegetables so delicious AND attractive that I had to do it again.
Last week, my mother took my youngest kids to the nursery and picked up some plants for me.
You know what? This is one of the happiest sights in my world 😉
My son, Kai was anxious to pull out the existing plants from our pots.
All my summer vegetables had been pulled a while ago, and all that was left was the Vinca that I had planted. I realize the vinca looks a bit yellow and I admit that I didn’t fertilize them enough (I kind of hibernated inside this summer.
Kai got to work at pulling out the flowers.
He used the hand shovel to loosen the roots so he could pull out the vinca.
Then he used the shovel to ‘bang’ the root ball to loosen the soil back into the pot. You don’t want to ‘throw away’ good soil by leaving it around the roots of plants you are pulling out.
I think Kai did a good job getting all the soil out of the roots, don’t you?
**Vinca will over-winter in my zone 9 garden, but will not flower much. I prefer to treat them as an annual.
Now for the fun part – planting!
I added some more potting mix (not potting soil, which can get soggy), mixed with some compost to each container.
Then each pot was planted with a combination of green leaf lettuce, purple leaf lettuce, garlic, spinach, dill, parsley, nasturtium seeds, and petunias.
In just a few weeks, the lettuce and spinach will be ready to start clipping the leaves for salads. The garlic cloves that I planted will form whole heads of garlic, which will be ready in late spring.
I will start snipping off dill and parsley soon as well.
Garlic, leaf lettuce, spinach, parsley, and petunias
Flowers look great when planted with vegetables, and I always include some. Nasturtiums are easy to grow from seed, and their leaves and flowers are edible. Petunias (and nasturtiums) are great companion plants for vegetables because they help to control damaging insects from eating your vegetables.
Do you want to grow vegetables in containers?
Here is more information on how to do it…
“Vegetable and Flower Containers”
I hope you try growing vegetables in containers as much as I do!