For those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I sometimes write about the goings on in my life. And so I begin the post with fair warning- if you are looking for gardening content – there will be some, but not a lot.
Do you ever look back at your calendar for the past month and wonder where the time went?
I did just that and was pleasantly surprised to see how much went on. I thought that I’d share with you a small snapshot of the past month in the life of ‘az plant lady’ (me)!
The most exciting event was visiting my daughter in California and being there for her ultrasound when she found out that she was having a little boy.
I am so excited and can’t wait for January to get here so that I can hold him in my arms!
Surf shop in Carpinteria, California
While visiting my daughter, who is in the Navy and stationed in California, we stopped by the small beach town of Carpinteria, which is just south of Santa Barbara.
We visited a couple of nurseries in Carpinteria, California where I discovered a new flowering perennial introduction and enjoyed a very unique experience at another nursery.
It was fun to stop and watch the surfers. *Did you know that surfing is a really big deal in Carpinteria, California? My high school had a surf club and I had many friends and family who were surfers. As for me, I’ve never set foot on a surfboard 😉
Santa Barbara Mission and rose garden.
We stopped off to visit the beautiful mission of Santa Barbara, which was founded in 1786. I always enjoy visiting the mission, but I must confess that my attention was diverted by the adjoining rose garden that was in full bloom.
I’ll share more about my visit to another special rose garden later this week.
My husband and I both enjoy visiting this area since we spent time there when we attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara, which is where we met.
The college has beautiful grounds and I recently shared some photos of our most recent visit there, which you can see here.
Back home, homecoming at our local high school arrived early this year. Our daughter, Ruthie had fun getting ready and had a great time!
Earlier in the month, Ruthie took part in the ice-bucket challenge for ALS on behalf of her grandpa who died from this truly horrible disease 3 years ago.
I was so proud of her.
Has your husband ever had a dream of owning a certain car or motorcycle?
Mine has wanted a Harley Davidson motorcycle for over 9 years. He has stacks of old motorcycle magazines dating back from 2006 that he has kept hidden away in a huge Rubbermaid plastic tub.
I am married to someone who is so giving and self-sacrificing and it was so nice to see the joy as his dream was finally realized.
He has been walking around with a smile on his face for weeks now and he looks forward to driving to and from work on his new bike.
Surprisingly, my granddaughter, Lily, has been quite taken with her papa’s new motorcycle and asks to see “the Harley Davidson” when she visits.
It is really kind of funny since her parents aren’t into motorcycles at all. But, she adores her papa and his new bike.
While at our local Harley Davidson dealer, my husband saw kid tattoos and picked up one for her that had a scorpion on it.
Lily likes to wear little tattoos of Minnie Mouse or other cartoon characters, but I was shocked when she wanted to wear the one her papa bought her with a scorpion on it.
If my granddaughter turns out to be a ‘biker chick’ when she gets older – it will be her papa’s fault 😉
Two weeks ago, we received record-breaking 5 1/2 of rainfall within a few hours time!!!
My husband had to delay going to work in order to sweep water off of the patio to keep our house from flooding. When he did finally get on the road to get to work, it took 30 minutes to drive 4 miles!
The garden loved the rain and now all the weeds are beginning to come up, so I’ll mix up a batch of my homemade weed killer.
So what will the coming month bring?
Right now, I’m busy designing landscape for four different areas on a golf course, where they are removing large areas of turf, in favor of a drought tolerant landscape.
My dining room table has been taken over by large sheets of vellum (what I draw my designs on), drafting supplies and the like.
I tend to get involved in creating designs this way and can easily spend an entire day in my own little world.
This month also brings another first for us. My husband and I are both alumni of Arizona State University and have season tickets this year.
We are so excited and hopefully, our team will do well this year.
Next week, we will be adding a new member to our family.
Meet Polly!
We recently said “goodbye” to our 15 year-old golden retriever and decided to welcome a new dog into our lives.
Although Polly is not ready to come live with us yet, we were able to visit her and her litter mates.
It will be hard to wait a whole week to hold her again. In the meantime, I’ll stock on doggy toys, puppy food, dig out the baby gates again and be sure to have a lot of pet/floor cleaner on hand 😉
********************************
Well, that is a snapshot of the past month and some of what will be happening soon.
Thank you for taking a little time out of your day and allowing me to share a little of my life.
I appreciate it so much!
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Have you ever had something happen to you that was such a coincidence that it was hard to believe? Recently, I had one such experience.
It all happened on a beautiful, sunny morning in August…
But first, a little background:
Those of you who have been reading my blog for a long time may remember me sharing about my past job as a landscape designer. I wrote about my adventures that you can read about, here.
There were things that I enjoyed about my job and others things that I did not.
However, I did enjoy working with clients and helping design the landscape of their dreams.
*Okay, back to my amazing ‘coincidence’ story.
It was a beautiful, sunny day and I was on my way to an appointment for a landscape consult – (I work for myself now).
As I got off the freeway and started driving through the residential streets, I realized that I had designed a landscape there years ago when I worked for the landscape design company.
As I got closer to my destination, I saw that I was in the same neighborhood. I promised myself that I would try to find the same house after I was finished with my appointment.
My GPS directed me down the street where my ultimate destination was and soon I found myself sitting in front of the SAME house that I had originally designed back in 2008.
Hard to believe?
My first reaction was “I can’t believe it!”
I had designed hundreds of landscapes and the chances of being called back to the same one by a different owner was so small.
The second reaction was, I hope they don’t hate their existing landscape – if they did, I wasn’t sure I would tell them that I was the original designer.
But then I remembered that my client had told me via email that she and her husband had just moved into their new home and wanted to learn about the plants in their landscape and how to take care of them – they had no idea that I was the original designer.
I knocked on the door and my client greeted me and proceeded to take me into their backyard.
Now
The first thing I saw was the pathway made up of broken concrete (called ‘urbanite’) that was had already been present the first time…
Then
I did have pictures of the landscape when it had been newly installed in 2008.
The new homeowner told me that she and her husband had bought the home because they loved the relaxing backyard landscape.
I then told her that I had been the original designer. She couldn’t believe it either!
Now
As we walked into the backyard, the details of the design came flooding back.
Would you believe that there used to be a swimming pool in this backyard?
Then
Back in 2008, we filled in the pool and added mounds, boulders, drought tolerant plants and a palo verde tree.
Now
The original owners wanted to get rid of their pool, which they hardly used to convert it into a drought-tolerant landscape with a seating area underneath a tree.
I had designed a meandering path from the patio which ended in a seating area made from flagstone.
Then
You can really tell how much the tree and other plants have grown over the past 7 years.
Now
While the overall landscape looked good and I was happy with how the design turned out – but there was an issue.
Most of the plants were brown and straggly – not very attractive and showing signs of under watering.
The new homeowner provided me with the irrigation schedule that the original homeowners had been using and it was easy to see why some of the plants were a bit small for their age and didn’t look great – they were getting too little water.
Then
I helped her adjust her irrigation schedule and assured her that her plants would soon improve in appearance.
Although some of the original plants had been lost due to under watering, I remembered what they were and was able to give her a list of replacements to buy.
As I got ready to leave, the homeowner told me that she couldn’t wait to tell her husband that by sheer coincidence, their landscape consultant turned out to be the original designer.
I drove away with a huge smile on my face because it isn’t often that a residential landscape designer gets to see their designed landscape a few years later.
It made my job feel very rewarding that day 🙂
**For information on watering guidelines for the low desert including how to avoid over & under watering, click here.
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You may be surprised to find that it is not only the West that is dealing with below average rainfall and its effects.
If you take a look at the U.S. Drought Monitor’s most recent drought map, you’ll see a lot of dark reds scattered about, particularly in California.
But, if you take a closer look, you can also see ares in the Northwest, Southeast and Northeast showing signs of drought as well.
Last month, I did a series of radio interviews on drought tolerant gardening. Of course, you’d expect that one of the radio stations would be in California and it was. But, other interviews were for radio stations in other areas that may not immediately come to mind when it comes to drought or abnormally dry conditions – Alabama, Oregon and Texas.
As a child growing up in California, I remember other times when drought was affecting this beautiful state.
On my most recent trip to California, I was struck by the brown hills with scattered trees that were showing the effects of drought.
In a neighborhood setting, you could see some houses where the residents let their lawn die due either to strict water restrictions or voluntarily letting their lush green lawn turn brown. Some landscape companies are now offering lawn painting services where they will come out and paint your brown lawn, green.
I decided to drive through my old neighborhood to see the house where I spent my teenage years. I do this every few years whenever I am in town. As I drove down the street, I saw three different examples of how the residents were dealing with the drought conditions.
I’d like to show you each of these examples and let you in on a secret – I grew up in one of these houses.
See if you can guess which one was my house…
Example 1:
When I was growing up in this neighborhood, everyone had a lawn.
However, the owners of this home ripped out their lawn in favor of a contemporary, drought tolerant landscape filled with succulents, ornamental grasses and a few arid adapted shrubs.
I like the step stones leading up to the entry, don’t you?
The entire landscape had a layer of mulch to help conserve water and in this climate could survive on very little supplemental water.
Example 2:
This house with the ‘thirsty landscape’ is located just a few houses down from the drought tolerant landscape. As you can see, the owners have kept their high water use landscape without any regard for the severe drought conditions present.
Large areas of lawn (including the parking strip), along with high-water use shrubs seemingly mock those who are trying their best to save water.
I sometimes wish that I had a parking strip. I’d plant some beautiful, drought tolerant plants. Maybe I should send the homeowners the book, “Hellstrip Gardening”?
Example 3:
This landscape is certainly not drought tolerant, but there are reduced lawn areas and even though the planting beds are not filled with drought tolerant plants – they do take less water than if they were taken up by a lawn.
I must admit solely on looks alone, that I prefer this landscape over the other two as long as rainfall amounts are normal. But, in times of drought, I’d remove all of the lawn, add mulch and some drought tolerant ground covers like bush morning glory (Convolvulus cneorum) or trailing lantana.
So, have you been able to guess which of these homes that I grew up in?
The home with the ‘thirsty landscape’!
The landscape has not changed from what it looked like throughout the 80’s.
This was a great house to grow up in with its 6 bedrooms and large backyard filled with blackberry bushes, citrus trees, a large pine tree and two palm trees.
If you look carefully, you can see three maple trees in the middle of the backyard, just peeking above the roofline of the house. My brother, sisters and I planted those trees in 1978.
How about you?
Are you experiencing drought where you live? What do you do to save water in the landscape?
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Have you ever thought of a nursery as more than just a place to buy plants?
How about one with secret corners where visitors are invited to sit and eat their lunch or read a book?
Or have you visited a nursery that is nestled underneath a 50-year-old, flowering tree that shades everything below?
On a recent visit to California, I came upon a most unique plant nursery.
I hadn’t planned on visiting a nursery on this particular day, but I noticed a large floss silk tree (Chorisia speciosa) dominating the blue skyline with its dark pink flowers. It took me a moment to notice the nursery tucked underneath the branches.
The gate leading into the nursery had decorative wooden signs describing what was yet to be discovered within.
I was greeted by a large jade plant, which if you’ve ever traveled to California, must be the ‘unofficial’ succulent plant of this beautiful state – everyone seems to have one growing in a pot somewhere in their garden.
Walking little ways in, I immediately noticed a small pathway leading into the depths of the nursery, beckoning the visitor to discover where it led.
Flanking the shady path were a variety of tropical plants, succulents, and garden ornaments.
A galvanized container held a variety of wooden garden signs.
I decided to take the signs literally and to be on the lookout for gnomes 😉
Reaching the end of the pathway, visitors discover worn, yet comfortable garden furniture, inviting you to take a break and enjoy the shade on a warm summer’s day while being surrounded by the beauty of the plants.
Throughout the entire nursery were hidden corners filled with chairs and comfortable cushions.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their lunch and eat in the garden or bring along a favorite book.
If I lived near this nursery, I would be tempted to spend a lot of time here where I would be able to enjoy two of my favorite things – plants and books!
The branches of the floss silk tree extended their shade over a large number of plants.
Floss silk trees have a very unique trunk. It is green, much like the palo verde, but they have very large thorns.
As I continued my journey of discovery through the nursery, I found that it was hard to reconcile this place with your typical nursery.
Oh, they did have basic gardening supplies such as organic fertilizers, peat moss, compost, and pots – but it was the lack of obvious organization and the randomness that I found throughout.
Small garden rooms were filled with an assortment of succulents, palms, and unusual flowering plants.
White icicle lights were strung throughout the nursery, which made me wish that I had a chance to visit in the evening hours.
Plants could be found in a variety of sizes. There was no plant signage or pricing information that could be easily seen.
Everywhere you would turn, there would be something new and unexpected to discover.
A row of old cowboy boots sat, ready to be used as planters.
A container made from grape vines in the shape of a swan held a variety of succulents.
A pair of rusty enamelware bowls sat empty on a plastic crate – maybe they will be filled with some succulents someday? Hopefully sooner than later before the bottom rusts out.
While enjoying the unusual things throughout the nursery, there were some more traditional areas with flowering plants available for sale.
Colorful begonias and fucshia plants beckoned California gardeners.
I found a corner filled with adeniums, which I must admit that I am fascinated by.
I just love this delicate, pink adenium flower, don’t you?
I must admit that there were so many different things that I loved about this little nursery – its lack of organization, the fact that it looked more like a garden than a nursery, the hidden seating areas where you could read a book, the unique garden art (junk) and perhaps most of all was that the focus was on enjoying your visit to the nursery whether you bought anything or not.
The roof of the little garden shop was decorated by a row of potted Yucca gloriosa and more icicle lights.
As I got ready to leave, I took a few minutes to talk to the woman who worked there. She directed my attention toward the flowering canopy of the floss silk tree and told me that 5 hummingbirds make their home in its branches.
Male hummingbirds are extremely territorial, but the tree was so large that they all are able to live in it somewhat peaceably. I was told that each hummingbird has a specific section of the tree that belongs to them and if one oversteps his section then there are little arguments.
I enjoyed my visit to this 50-year-old, unique plant nursery/garden and can’t wait to have a chance to come again.
**If you are ever near Carpinteria, California, I encourage you to take some time to visit the Carpinteria Landscape Nursery – but, be ready for a rather unorthodox nursery experience.
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I do – especially when I am traveling. It is always nice to see what plants are popular in other areas.
Last weekend, my husband and I made at trip to California to visit our daughter who is serving in the Navy.
I always enjoy visiting California – not just for its nice weather, beautiful beaches, laid back people and the scenery – although those are all things that are reason enough to visit. The real reason that I enjoy spending time in California is that I grew up here.
I am a 4th generation, native Californian. Those who came before me were farmers, lumbermen, a city sheriff, a truck driver who worked his way to oil company executive and a social worker (who was my dad).
Now that my daughter is stationed in California, I now have more reasons to make the trip over.
During the course of our trip, we stopped by one of our favorite small towns, Carpinteria, which is located a few miles south of Santa Barbara. This is a wonderful beach town that is backed up by tall mountains.
As we got out of our car with the intent of heading to our favorite cupcake place, I noticed not one, but two plant nurseries just a few yards away. So, my husband and daughter patiently waited for me while I headed into to see what discoveries I could find.
I had not brought my nice camera on our trip, so I had to rely on my iPhone camera, which did a pretty good job, except that I tend to take a lot of pictures and my battery soon died. Luckily, my husband had his phone and I used it to take the rest of my pictures.
Believe it or not, I don’t buy a lot of plants when I visit nurseries – my landscape has more than enough plants in it. But I am always on the lookout for plants that I don’t know about or are new to the market.
Often, nurseries can serve as inspiration for your own garden with creative plant pairings as shown in the photo, above.
This particular nursery was filled with mostly flowering perennials, annuals and vegetable transplants.
I love a colorful garden and was excited to check out the flowering perennials. I did find a new perennial introduction called ‘Echibeckia’, which is a cross between purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia).
I saw this shrub that had been pruned into a tree. Its brilliant purple flowers were almost blinding. I’m not sure what it is – but it’s gorgeous!
*Update – a very kind reader (Rusthawk) was kind enough to identify this plant as Tibouchina – thank you!
I love Mediterranean climates and the plants that grow well in them. Many of these plants also grow well in the desert garden like lavender and lantana.
Like I mentioned before, I do love flowering perennials and I have both black eyed Susan and purple coneflower growing in my garden. However, I don’t have them in my regular landscape areas where it is not fertile enough and doesn’t get enough water. I plant a them among my vegetable gardens where they help to attract pollinators.
In addition to pretty perennials, I am a sucker for beautiful containers like these. Too bad that I don’t have a big enough budget to even consider buying these. I’m still figuring out what to do with my free Tuscan planters.
Butterflies and hummingbirds were flying about, enjoying the nectar from the colorful flowers.
Butterfly Weed
If you add butterfly weed to your garden, you’ll be bound to attract any butterflies nearby.
There were so many butterflies fluttering about that people were able to get up close to them.
A monarch butterfly was feeding on the purple blossom of a butterfly bush, seemingly ignorant of the people who stopped to admire it. A very nice woman, standing next to me, took a video and was kind enough to share it with me – Thank you, KD!
After I tore myself away from staring at butterflies, I decided to see what else this nursery offered in addition to to flowering perennials. My attention was immediately drawn by the variety of potted succulents. If you like succulents – there is no better place to grow them than in California where they enjoy the Mediterranean climate with its warm, relatively frost-free temperatures.
As I was looking at the succulents, I saw a bright flash of purple and bright green off to the side.
New leaf lettuce transplants had just arrived along with potted artichokes.
While my garden is not quite ready for fall planting, I am already envisioning rows upon rows of leaf lettuce, which is my favorite vegetable to grow.
Who says that vegetable gardens can’t be beautiful?
I plant both red and green leaf lettuce varieties in my garden each year. I like the gorgeous color contrast that also looks great in your salad bowl.
I also like these assorted kale transplants. I didn’t add any to my garden last year, but may consider doing so this year.
Have any of you grown kale? How did it do for you?
As I slowly walked back through the nursery, I stuck my phone in my pocket and was ready to join my husband and daughter who were patiently waiting for me.
BUT, as I walked out the entrance I found myself facing another nursery.
I’ll give you this glimpse of the entrance of the most unique nursery that I have ever had the opportunity to visit.
Behind its fairly unremarkable entrance, lay secret gardens filled with unusual plants that I will show you next time.
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Last week, my husband and I flew to Southern California for a visit with our second-oldest daughter, Rachele, who is stationed at a Navy base there.
The purpose of our trip was to be there when she got her 20-week ultrasound to see what sex her baby was (more about that later).
Of course, a trip to California wasn’t complete without visiting some of the places I grew up in. We decided to take a trip up north to the small beach town of Carpinteria, which has a fun and funky downtown area.
My family and I used to camp there every fall next to the beach and it was and still is one of my favorite places to visit.
Every time we visit Carpinteria, we have to stop by our favorite cupcake place – CrushCakes.
Can you tell that my husband is excited about our new grand baby?
My favorite cupcake is Vividly Vanilla and I have it every time we visit. I should branch out and try the other flavors, but I have never gotten past this one 😉
After we had eaten our cupcakes, we ventured out and past not one but two plant nurseries. Talk about good fortune!
I am always on the lookout for new plants, unique gardening ideas as well as photographs to share with you and also in articles I write.
While I didn’t have my regular camera, I did have my phone and was eager to discover what the first nursery had to see.
Butterflies were flying from flower to flower and the nursery was awash in beautifully blooming plants.
While walking through the nursery, my attention was caught by a lovely flowering perennials including Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan) and Echinacea (purple coneflower).
Rudbeckia
Echinacea purpurea
For those of you familiar with both of these plants – what do you think a ‘baby’ from these two plants would look like?
Well, wonder no more. Let me introduce a new perennial that is garnering a lot of attention – ‘Echibeckia’
Echibeckia
What do you think?
Aren’t they gorgeous?
As you can see, they have golden yellow petals with orange centers. Once the flowers begin to age, the petals turn to a darker orange.
The flowers last 2 – 3 months and make great cut flowers. Echibeckia is hardy to zones 6 and up and would make a great addition for any perennial garden.
Echibeckia along with its parents.
I have purple coneflower and black-eyed Susan growing in my desert vegetable garden where they enjoy the fertile soil and regular water. I may need to try Echibeckia too!
I toured through the rest of the nursery and took lots of great photos and then stopped at the nursery next door, which was very unique. I’ll share more of my nursery visits next time.
But, back to the real purpose of my visit to California.
We came to visit our daughter and to be there when she found out whether she was having a little boy or girl.
The ultrasound technician was showing us the baby’s heart, head and spine, which all looked great. But, when he started to concentrate on the legs and arms – I was frankly, dying for him to get to the big question we all had – boy or girl???
I was expecting him to build up to the announcement or at least say, “Do you want to know what it is?” But no – there was no build-up to his announcement. In the middle of talking about the arms and how much the baby was moving he casually said, “By the way it’s a boy.”
I was looking at my daughter at that moment and she was so happy to finally know what she was having. None of us had a preference besides a healthy baby, but it is so nice to be able to know the sex.
After the ultrasound, we drove to the nearest Target store and I helped her with deciding what items to add to her baby registry.
It never ceases to amaze me how interesting things like bottles, cribs, high chairs, mobiles and strollers suddenly become once you are expecting.
Our grandson is due in January and we couldn’t be happier. Now our granddaughter, will have a little cousin to play with 🙂
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It’s hard to believe that we have made it through another summer.
Oh, I realize that we have a few more weeks of 100+ degree weather, but whenever there is month that ends with the letters “ber” it just feels cooler to me.
I am gearing up for my favorite season in the garden. In my last post, I talked about the reasons why fall is the best time to add new plants to the Southwest landscape.
Today, I’d like to share with you three tips to help you make the most of your fall planting.
Photo: This planting hole is too small.
It all comes down to the hole. It’s hard to believe that often what determines a plant’s initial success is the size of the hole it is planted in.
If you are digging holes like the one above – then you may be in trouble. That hole is too narrow.
The ideal hole should be 3X as wide as the root ball.
Why?
Well, most of a plant’s roots grow outward into the soil. When they are placed in a hole like the one above, the recently loosened soil makes it much easier for roots to grow into, which helps the plant to establish much sooner.
*It’s important to note that the depth of the hole should be the same depth as the root ball or even a few inches shallower. This helps prevent problems from the dirt settling, which can leave your new plant sitting rather low in the soil where problems with becoming waterlogged can happen.
The big question – whether to add soil amendments or not?
When you go to your local nursery to buy new plants, you may be encouraged to buy soil amendments such as compost, potting soil or even manure.
The question is, do you really need it? Often you don’t.
I have planted thousands of plants throughout my career as a horticulturist and most of them without adding anything to the soil. The plants were healthy and did very well without any extra additions to the soil.
Here a few guidelines to follow to help you decide whether or not to add any amendments to the soil before planting.
– If your soil is well-drained AND your new plants are native to any of the desert regions of the United States, than the answer is “no”.
Native plants are adapted to growing in the nutrient poor soils of the desert and do best when nothing is added to the soil. In fact, if the soil is too fertile – you’ll often see green growth, but flowering will be decreased.
Photo: Valentine (Eremophila maculata), Feathery Cassia (Senna artemisoides) and Purple Trailing Lantana (Lantana montevidensis) planted without needing any soil amendments.
The same can be said of some non-native plants – particularly those from Australia such as Eremophila and Senna species.
So, are some times when adding soil amendments is a good idea?
Absolutely!
– If you have heavy clay soil or very sandy soils, than adding compost to the planting hole can help. Mixing compost in with clay soils help them to drain better. This is important because most plants that grow in the Southwest do best in well-drained soil.
Conversely, sandy soils have a hard time holding onto enough water, so compost helps those soils to hold onto more water. Add 1 part compost to 1 part native soil and mix together before planting.
– Amend the soil when planting non-native plants that do not originate from arid climates.
Plants like day lilies, iris, roses, etc. require fertile soil to grow their best. Amending the soil with compost, manure and other amendments will improve the soil texture, add small levels of nutrients and add beneficial microorganisms which will benefit your plants.
Plants such as these will need regular applications of fertilizer to do their best.
Personally, I like to grow what I like to call ‘fuss-free’ plants where I don’t have to add fertilizer with the exception of my roses.
Skip the fertilizer for newly planted plants. This tip is NOT always popular with some nurseries who often encourage the application of fertilizer at the time of planting.
So, let’s talk about when to add fertilizer.
– Most native plants will not need fertilizer ever. In fact, many can make their own fertilizer.
– For plants that do need fertilizer such as hibiscus, iris, roses, etc. – wait until you see new growth occurring before adding fertilizer.
The reason for this is that when you first add a new plant, it needs to concentrate on growing new roots in order to support future top growth (stems, branches and leaves). If you add fertilizer at the time of planting, you are forcing the plant to focus on the top growth before it has the roots to support it.
So, a general rule is to wait until you see new top growth before adding fertilizer.
– The rule for fruit trees is slightly different. It is recommended to wait until 1 year after planting before fertilizing.
Again, you may hear differently from your nursery who in addition to wanting you to be happy with your purchase, also has their bottom line (profits) in mind.
I am not including all nurseries or nursery professionals into this one group. However, I have visited nurseries where customers are told that they need to fertilize all their plants. Many of my clients are thrilled when I tell them to throw out their fertilizer because their native plants don’t need it.
*I remember a story from one of my horticulture professors who talked about standing in line behind a customer at the store with a cart filled with native, desert plants and another cart with ‘special’ fertilizers that they were encouraged to buy.
My professor loudly commented to her husband, standing next to her, that “Numerous studies have shown that fertilizer is a waste of money when used for native plants.”
So, are you ready to add some new plants to your landscape? Before you head out to the nursery, I invite you to come back for my next post, when I’ll share with you some tips on how to select healthy plants AND I will reveal to you what my favorite plant nursery is!
************************
I apologize for the relative lack of recent posts. Life has been very busy with the kids back in school, increased landscape consults and getting ready to go visit my daughter, Rachele, who is expecting. We will find in a few days whether we will be welcoming a boy or girl!
I have two biological children – both girls and my oldest daughter, Brittney, has a daughter. So, we will see if Rachele will break the pink trend in our family.
My son Kai (who is adopted from China) and has four sisters and a niece is really hoping for a boy 😉
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/fallplantingsouthwestgarden-1.jpg6811024arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2014-09-03 17:41:002022-11-04 03:37:033 Tips for Fall Planting Success
Fall is my favorite season because of the holidays, cooler weather, and best of all – it is the best time of year to add new plants to the landscape.
Now you may have thought that spring was the best time of year to start planting and while you certainly can plant then, I’ll tell you why fall is better…
Planting in fall allows enough time for plants to grow a good root system before the heat of the next summer arrives.
Think about it – plants must have a good root system so that they can soak up enough water to handle the stress from intense heat and the dry conditions of summer.
If a plant is planted just before or during the summer months, they are focused on just hanging on until temperatures cool off. In many cases, they don’t make it.
The only exception to fall planting is with frost-tender plants such as bougainvillea, lantana, and yellow bells.
Because young plants are particularly susceptible to frost damage, or even death, it is best to wait until the danger of frost has passed to add these plants to your landscape.
Over the next couple of posts, I’ll share with you some other helpful tips to help you with selecting plants, how to tell if they are healthy, the best way to dig a hole, and finally – I’ll reveal my favorite plant nursery!
****************************
On a personal note, I am going to be a grandma again 🙂
My second-oldest daughter, Rachele, is having her first baby, and my husband and I are flying to California to be there when she gets her ultrasound and finds out if she is having a boy or girl!
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/NoelleJohnsonazplantladyplantingshrubs-1.jpg612640arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2014-08-29 04:52:002022-11-04 03:43:31Getting Ready for Fall Planting in the Southwest 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
What type of trellis do you use for them? Is it your basic (somewhat boring) wooden trellis?
What if you could make your own trellis that not only looks better but costs next to nothing?
*I have been sharing some of my favorite garden blog posts that I have written recently for Birds & Blooms magazine where I serve as the garden blogger – including this one about how to make your own ‘natural’ trellis.
Wooden trellis
I have seen quite a few trellises made from branches, but I thought this one that I saw while visiting the Green Bay Botanical Gardens in Wisconsin, was especially nice because you could see how it was made because the vine had not yet grown up on it.
With all of the stormy weather, I’m sure you have your share of branches that have blown down from your tree that you can use. I shared how to create your own trellis using branches in a recent post for Birds & Blooms…
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A Snapshot of My Crazy, But Happy Life…
az plant lady family, UncategorizedFor those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I sometimes write about the goings on in my life. And so I begin the post with fair warning- if you are looking for gardening content – there will be some, but not a lot.
Do you ever look back at your calendar for the past month and wonder where the time went?
I did just that and was pleasantly surprised to see how much went on. I thought that I’d share with you a small snapshot of the past month in the life of ‘az plant lady’ (me)!
The most exciting event was visiting my daughter in California and being there for her ultrasound when she found out that she was having a little boy.
I am so excited and can’t wait for January to get here so that I can hold him in my arms!
Surf shop in Carpinteria, California
While visiting my daughter, who is in the Navy and stationed in California, we stopped by the small beach town of Carpinteria, which is just south of Santa Barbara.
We visited a couple of nurseries in Carpinteria, California where I discovered a new flowering perennial introduction and enjoyed a very unique experience at another nursery.
It was fun to stop and watch the surfers. *Did you know that surfing is a really big deal in Carpinteria, California? My high school had a surf club and I had many friends and family who were surfers. As for me, I’ve never set foot on a surfboard 😉
Santa Barbara Mission and rose garden.
We stopped off to visit the beautiful mission of Santa Barbara, which was founded in 1786. I always enjoy visiting the mission, but I must confess that my attention was diverted by the adjoining rose garden that was in full bloom.
I’ll share more about my visit to another special rose garden later this week.
My husband and I both enjoy visiting this area since we spent time there when we attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara, which is where we met.
The college has beautiful grounds and I recently shared some photos of our most recent visit there, which you can see here.
Back home, homecoming at our local high school arrived early this year. Our daughter, Ruthie had fun getting ready and had a great time!
Earlier in the month, Ruthie took part in the ice-bucket challenge for ALS on behalf of her grandpa who died from this truly horrible disease 3 years ago.
I was so proud of her.
Has your husband ever had a dream of owning a certain car or motorcycle?
Mine has wanted a Harley Davidson motorcycle for over 9 years. He has stacks of old motorcycle magazines dating back from 2006 that he has kept hidden away in a huge Rubbermaid plastic tub.
I am married to someone who is so giving and self-sacrificing and it was so nice to see the joy as his dream was finally realized.
He has been walking around with a smile on his face for weeks now and he looks forward to driving to and from work on his new bike.
Surprisingly, my granddaughter, Lily, has been quite taken with her papa’s new motorcycle and asks to see “the Harley Davidson” when she visits.
It is really kind of funny since her parents aren’t into motorcycles at all. But, she adores her papa and his new bike.
While at our local Harley Davidson dealer, my husband saw kid tattoos and picked up one for her that had a scorpion on it.
Lily likes to wear little tattoos of Minnie Mouse or other cartoon characters, but I was shocked when she wanted to wear the one her papa bought her with a scorpion on it.
If my granddaughter turns out to be a ‘biker chick’ when she gets older – it will be her papa’s fault 😉
Two weeks ago, we received record-breaking 5 1/2 of rainfall within a few hours time!!!
My husband had to delay going to work in order to sweep water off of the patio to keep our house from flooding. When he did finally get on the road to get to work, it took 30 minutes to drive 4 miles!
The garden loved the rain and now all the weeds are beginning to come up, so I’ll mix up a batch of my homemade weed killer.
So what will the coming month bring?
Right now, I’m busy designing landscape for four different areas on a golf course, where they are removing large areas of turf, in favor of a drought tolerant landscape.
My dining room table has been taken over by large sheets of vellum (what I draw my designs on), drafting supplies and the like.
I tend to get involved in creating designs this way and can easily spend an entire day in my own little world.
This month also brings another first for us. My husband and I are both alumni of Arizona State University and have season tickets this year.
We are so excited and hopefully, our team will do well this year.
Next week, we will be adding a new member to our family.
Meet Polly!
We recently said “goodbye” to our 15 year-old golden retriever and decided to welcome a new dog into our lives.
Although Polly is not ready to come live with us yet, we were able to visit her and her litter mates.
It will be hard to wait a whole week to hold her again. In the meantime, I’ll stock on doggy toys, puppy food, dig out the baby gates again and be sure to have a lot of pet/floor cleaner on hand 😉
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Well, that is a snapshot of the past month and some of what will be happening soon.
Thank you for taking a little time out of your day and allowing me to share a little of my life.
I appreciate it so much!
Coincidence? Hard to Believe!
Landscape Design, UncategorizedHave you ever had something happen to you that was such a coincidence that it was hard to believe? Recently, I had one such experience.
It all happened on a beautiful, sunny morning in August…
But first, a little background:
Those of you who have been reading my blog for a long time may remember me sharing about my past job as a landscape designer. I wrote about my adventures that you can read about, here.
There were things that I enjoyed about my job and others things that I did not.
However, I did enjoy working with clients and helping design the landscape of their dreams.
*Okay, back to my amazing ‘coincidence’ story.
It was a beautiful, sunny day and I was on my way to an appointment for a landscape consult – (I work for myself now).
As I got off the freeway and started driving through the residential streets, I realized that I had designed a landscape there years ago when I worked for the landscape design company.
As I got closer to my destination, I saw that I was in the same neighborhood. I promised myself that I would try to find the same house after I was finished with my appointment.
My GPS directed me down the street where my ultimate destination was and soon I found myself sitting in front of the SAME house that I had originally designed back in 2008.
Hard to believe?
My first reaction was “I can’t believe it!”
I had designed hundreds of landscapes and the chances of being called back to the same one by a different owner was so small.
The second reaction was, I hope they don’t hate their existing landscape – if they did, I wasn’t sure I would tell them that I was the original designer.
But then I remembered that my client had told me via email that she and her husband had just moved into their new home and wanted to learn about the plants in their landscape and how to take care of them – they had no idea that I was the original designer.
I knocked on the door and my client greeted me and proceeded to take me into their backyard.
Now
The first thing I saw was the pathway made up of broken concrete (called ‘urbanite’) that was had already been present the first time…
Then
I did have pictures of the landscape when it had been newly installed in 2008.
The new homeowner told me that she and her husband had bought the home because they loved the relaxing backyard landscape.
I then told her that I had been the original designer. She couldn’t believe it either!
Now
As we walked into the backyard, the details of the design came flooding back.
Would you believe that there used to be a swimming pool in this backyard?
Then
Back in 2008, we filled in the pool and added mounds, boulders, drought tolerant plants and a palo verde tree.
Now
The original owners wanted to get rid of their pool, which they hardly used to convert it into a drought-tolerant landscape with a seating area underneath a tree.
I had designed a meandering path from the patio which ended in a seating area made from flagstone.
Then
You can really tell how much the tree and other plants have grown over the past 7 years.
Now
While the overall landscape looked good and I was happy with how the design turned out – but there was an issue.
Most of the plants were brown and straggly – not very attractive and showing signs of under watering.
The new homeowner provided me with the irrigation schedule that the original homeowners had been using and it was easy to see why some of the plants were a bit small for their age and didn’t look great – they were getting too little water.
Then
I helped her adjust her irrigation schedule and assured her that her plants would soon improve in appearance.
Although some of the original plants had been lost due to under watering, I remembered what they were and was able to give her a list of replacements to buy.
As I got ready to leave, the homeowner told me that she couldn’t wait to tell her husband that by sheer coincidence, their landscape consultant turned out to be the original designer.
I drove away with a huge smile on my face because it isn’t often that a residential landscape designer gets to see their designed landscape a few years later.
It made my job feel very rewarding that day 🙂
**For information on watering guidelines for the low desert including how to avoid over & under watering, click here.
A Tale of Three Landscapes and a Drought
California, UncategorizedAre you experiencing drought where you live?
You may be surprised to find that it is not only the West that is dealing with below average rainfall and its effects.
If you take a look at the U.S. Drought Monitor’s most recent drought map, you’ll see a lot of dark reds scattered about, particularly in California.
But, if you take a closer look, you can also see ares in the Northwest, Southeast and Northeast showing signs of drought as well.
Last month, I did a series of radio interviews on drought tolerant gardening. Of course, you’d expect that one of the radio stations would be in California and it was. But, other interviews were for radio stations in other areas that may not immediately come to mind when it comes to drought or abnormally dry conditions – Alabama, Oregon and Texas.
As a child growing up in California, I remember other times when drought was affecting this beautiful state.
On my most recent trip to California, I was struck by the brown hills with scattered trees that were showing the effects of drought.
In a neighborhood setting, you could see some houses where the residents let their lawn die due either to strict water restrictions or voluntarily letting their lush green lawn turn brown. Some landscape companies are now offering lawn painting services where they will come out and paint your brown lawn, green.
I decided to drive through my old neighborhood to see the house where I spent my teenage years. I do this every few years whenever I am in town. As I drove down the street, I saw three different examples of how the residents were dealing with the drought conditions.
I’d like to show you each of these examples and let you in on a secret – I grew up in one of these houses.
See if you can guess which one was my house…
Example 1:
When I was growing up in this neighborhood, everyone had a lawn.
However, the owners of this home ripped out their lawn in favor of a contemporary, drought tolerant landscape filled with succulents, ornamental grasses and a few arid adapted shrubs.
I like the step stones leading up to the entry, don’t you?
The entire landscape had a layer of mulch to help conserve water and in this climate could survive on very little supplemental water.
Example 2:
This house with the ‘thirsty landscape’ is located just a few houses down from the drought tolerant landscape. As you can see, the owners have kept their high water use landscape without any regard for the severe drought conditions present.
Large areas of lawn (including the parking strip), along with high-water use shrubs seemingly mock those who are trying their best to save water.
I sometimes wish that I had a parking strip. I’d plant some beautiful, drought tolerant plants. Maybe I should send the homeowners the book, “Hellstrip Gardening”?
Example 3:
This landscape is certainly not drought tolerant, but there are reduced lawn areas and even though the planting beds are not filled with drought tolerant plants – they do take less water than if they were taken up by a lawn.
I must admit solely on looks alone, that I prefer this landscape over the other two as long as rainfall amounts are normal. But, in times of drought, I’d remove all of the lawn, add mulch and some drought tolerant ground covers like bush morning glory (Convolvulus cneorum) or trailing lantana.
So, have you been able to guess which of these homes that I grew up in?
The home with the ‘thirsty landscape’!
The landscape has not changed from what it looked like throughout the 80’s.
This was a great house to grow up in with its 6 bedrooms and large backyard filled with blackberry bushes, citrus trees, a large pine tree and two palm trees.
If you look carefully, you can see three maple trees in the middle of the backyard, just peeking above the roofline of the house. My brother, sisters and I planted those trees in 1978.
How about you?
Are you experiencing drought where you live? What do you do to save water in the landscape?
A Unique Nursery Nestled Under a Huge Tree
AZ Plant Lady, UncategorizedUnique Plant Nursery
Have you ever thought of a nursery as more than just a place to buy plants?
How about one with secret corners where visitors are invited to sit and eat their lunch or read a book?
Or have you visited a nursery that is nestled underneath a 50-year-old, flowering tree that shades everything below?
On a recent visit to California, I came upon a most unique plant nursery.
I hadn’t planned on visiting a nursery on this particular day, but I noticed a large floss silk tree (Chorisia speciosa) dominating the blue skyline with its dark pink flowers. It took me a moment to notice the nursery tucked underneath the branches.
The gate leading into the nursery had decorative wooden signs describing what was yet to be discovered within.
I was greeted by a large jade plant, which if you’ve ever traveled to California, must be the ‘unofficial’ succulent plant of this beautiful state – everyone seems to have one growing in a pot somewhere in their garden.
Walking little ways in, I immediately noticed a small pathway leading into the depths of the nursery, beckoning the visitor to discover where it led.
Flanking the shady path were a variety of tropical plants, succulents, and garden ornaments.
A galvanized container held a variety of wooden garden signs.
I decided to take the signs literally and to be on the lookout for gnomes 😉
Reaching the end of the pathway, visitors discover worn, yet comfortable garden furniture, inviting you to take a break and enjoy the shade on a warm summer’s day while being surrounded by the beauty of the plants.
Throughout the entire nursery were hidden corners filled with chairs and comfortable cushions.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their lunch and eat in the garden or bring along a favorite book.
If I lived near this nursery, I would be tempted to spend a lot of time here where I would be able to enjoy two of my favorite things – plants and books!
The branches of the floss silk tree extended their shade over a large number of plants.
Floss silk trees have a very unique trunk. It is green, much like the palo verde, but they have very large thorns.
As I continued my journey of discovery through the nursery, I found that it was hard to reconcile this place with your typical nursery.
Oh, they did have basic gardening supplies such as organic fertilizers, peat moss, compost, and pots – but it was the lack of obvious organization and the randomness that I found throughout.
Small garden rooms were filled with an assortment of succulents, palms, and unusual flowering plants.
White icicle lights were strung throughout the nursery, which made me wish that I had a chance to visit in the evening hours.
Plants could be found in a variety of sizes. There was no plant signage or pricing information that could be easily seen.
Everywhere you would turn, there would be something new and unexpected to discover.
A row of old cowboy boots sat, ready to be used as planters.
A container made from grape vines in the shape of a swan held a variety of succulents.
A pair of rusty enamelware bowls sat empty on a plastic crate – maybe they will be filled with some succulents someday? Hopefully sooner than later before the bottom rusts out.
While enjoying the unusual things throughout the nursery, there were some more traditional areas with flowering plants available for sale.
Colorful begonias and fucshia plants beckoned California gardeners.
I found a corner filled with adeniums, which I must admit that I am fascinated by.
I just love this delicate, pink adenium flower, don’t you?
I must admit that there were so many different things that I loved about this little nursery – its lack of organization, the fact that it looked more like a garden than a nursery, the hidden seating areas where you could read a book, the unique garden art (junk) and perhaps most of all was that the focus was on enjoying your visit to the nursery whether you bought anything or not.
The roof of the little garden shop was decorated by a row of potted Yucca gloriosa and more icicle lights.
As I got ready to leave, I took a few minutes to talk to the woman who worked there. She directed my attention toward the flowering canopy of the floss silk tree and told me that 5 hummingbirds make their home in its branches.
Male hummingbirds are extremely territorial, but the tree was so large that they all are able to live in it somewhat peaceably. I was told that each hummingbird has a specific section of the tree that belongs to them and if one oversteps his section then there are little arguments.
I enjoyed my visit to this 50-year-old, unique plant nursery/garden and can’t wait to have a chance to come again.
**If you are ever near Carpinteria, California, I encourage you to take some time to visit the Carpinteria Landscape Nursery – but, be ready for a rather unorthodox nursery experience.
Shopping for Plants California Style
Shopping for Plants California Style
California, UncategorizedDo you like to visit plant nurseries?
I do – especially when I am traveling. It is always nice to see what plants are popular in other areas.
Last weekend, my husband and I made at trip to California to visit our daughter who is serving in the Navy.
I always enjoy visiting California – not just for its nice weather, beautiful beaches, laid back people and the scenery – although those are all things that are reason enough to visit. The real reason that I enjoy spending time in California is that I grew up here.
I am a 4th generation, native Californian. Those who came before me were farmers, lumbermen, a city sheriff, a truck driver who worked his way to oil company executive and a social worker (who was my dad).
Now that my daughter is stationed in California, I now have more reasons to make the trip over.
During the course of our trip, we stopped by one of our favorite small towns, Carpinteria, which is located a few miles south of Santa Barbara. This is a wonderful beach town that is backed up by tall mountains.
As we got out of our car with the intent of heading to our favorite cupcake place, I noticed not one, but two plant nurseries just a few yards away. So, my husband and daughter patiently waited for me while I headed into to see what discoveries I could find.
I had not brought my nice camera on our trip, so I had to rely on my iPhone camera, which did a pretty good job, except that I tend to take a lot of pictures and my battery soon died. Luckily, my husband had his phone and I used it to take the rest of my pictures.
Believe it or not, I don’t buy a lot of plants when I visit nurseries – my landscape has more than enough plants in it. But I am always on the lookout for plants that I don’t know about or are new to the market.
Often, nurseries can serve as inspiration for your own garden with creative plant pairings as shown in the photo, above.
This particular nursery was filled with mostly flowering perennials, annuals and vegetable transplants.
I love a colorful garden and was excited to check out the flowering perennials. I did find a new perennial introduction called ‘Echibeckia’, which is a cross between purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia).
I saw this shrub that had been pruned into a tree. Its brilliant purple flowers were almost blinding. I’m not sure what it is – but it’s gorgeous!
*Update – a very kind reader (Rusthawk) was kind enough to identify this plant as Tibouchina – thank you!
I love Mediterranean climates and the plants that grow well in them. Many of these plants also grow well in the desert garden like lavender and lantana.
Like I mentioned before, I do love flowering perennials and I have both black eyed Susan and purple coneflower growing in my garden. However, I don’t have them in my regular landscape areas where it is not fertile enough and doesn’t get enough water. I plant a them among my vegetable gardens where they help to attract pollinators.
In addition to pretty perennials, I am a sucker for beautiful containers like these. Too bad that I don’t have a big enough budget to even consider buying these. I’m still figuring out what to do with my free Tuscan planters.
Butterflies and hummingbirds were flying about, enjoying the nectar from the colorful flowers.
Butterfly Weed
If you add butterfly weed to your garden, you’ll be bound to attract any butterflies nearby.
There were so many butterflies fluttering about that people were able to get up close to them.
A monarch butterfly was feeding on the purple blossom of a butterfly bush, seemingly ignorant of the people who stopped to admire it. A very nice woman, standing next to me, took a video and was kind enough to share it with me – Thank you, KD!
After I tore myself away from staring at butterflies, I decided to see what else this nursery offered in addition to to flowering perennials. My attention was immediately drawn by the variety of potted succulents. If you like succulents – there is no better place to grow them than in California where they enjoy the Mediterranean climate with its warm, relatively frost-free temperatures.
As I was looking at the succulents, I saw a bright flash of purple and bright green off to the side.
New leaf lettuce transplants had just arrived along with potted artichokes.
While my garden is not quite ready for fall planting, I am already envisioning rows upon rows of leaf lettuce, which is my favorite vegetable to grow.
Who says that vegetable gardens can’t be beautiful?
I plant both red and green leaf lettuce varieties in my garden each year. I like the gorgeous color contrast that also looks great in your salad bowl.
I also like these assorted kale transplants. I didn’t add any to my garden last year, but may consider doing so this year.
Have any of you grown kale? How did it do for you?
As I slowly walked back through the nursery, I stuck my phone in my pocket and was ready to join my husband and daughter who were patiently waiting for me.
BUT, as I walked out the entrance I found myself facing another nursery.
I’ll give you this glimpse of the entrance of the most unique nursery that I have ever had the opportunity to visit.
Behind its fairly unremarkable entrance, lay secret gardens filled with unusual plants that I will show you next time.
New Perennial Discovery and a Baby
AZ Plant Lady, az plant lady family, UncategorizedHave you ever come upon an unexpected discovery?
I did.
Last week, my husband and I flew to Southern California for a visit with our second-oldest daughter, Rachele, who is stationed at a Navy base there.
The purpose of our trip was to be there when she got her 20-week ultrasound to see what sex her baby was (more about that later).
Of course, a trip to California wasn’t complete without visiting some of the places I grew up in. We decided to take a trip up north to the small beach town of Carpinteria, which has a fun and funky downtown area.
My family and I used to camp there every fall next to the beach and it was and still is one of my favorite places to visit.
Every time we visit Carpinteria, we have to stop by our favorite cupcake place – CrushCakes.
Can you tell that my husband is excited about our new grand baby?
My favorite cupcake is Vividly Vanilla and I have it every time we visit. I should branch out and try the other flavors, but I have never gotten past this one 😉
After we had eaten our cupcakes, we ventured out and past not one but two plant nurseries. Talk about good fortune!
I am always on the lookout for new plants, unique gardening ideas as well as photographs to share with you and also in articles I write.
While I didn’t have my regular camera, I did have my phone and was eager to discover what the first nursery had to see.
Butterflies were flying from flower to flower and the nursery was awash in beautifully blooming plants.
While walking through the nursery, my attention was caught by a lovely flowering perennials including Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan) and Echinacea (purple coneflower).
Rudbeckia
Echinacea purpurea
For those of you familiar with both of these plants – what do you think a ‘baby’ from these two plants would look like?
Well, wonder no more. Let me introduce a new perennial that is garnering a lot of attention – ‘Echibeckia’
Echibeckia
What do you think?
Aren’t they gorgeous?
As you can see, they have golden yellow petals with orange centers. Once the flowers begin to age, the petals turn to a darker orange.
The flowers last 2 – 3 months and make great cut flowers. Echibeckia is hardy to zones 6 and up and would make a great addition for any perennial garden.
Echibeckia along with its parents.
I have purple coneflower and black-eyed Susan growing in my desert vegetable garden where they enjoy the fertile soil and regular water. I may need to try Echibeckia too!
I toured through the rest of the nursery and took lots of great photos and then stopped at the nursery next door, which was very unique. I’ll share more of my nursery visits next time.
But, back to the real purpose of my visit to California.
We came to visit our daughter and to be there when she found out whether she was having a little boy or girl.
The ultrasound technician was showing us the baby’s heart, head and spine, which all looked great. But, when he started to concentrate on the legs and arms – I was frankly, dying for him to get to the big question we all had – boy or girl???
I was expecting him to build up to the announcement or at least say, “Do you want to know what it is?” But no – there was no build-up to his announcement. In the middle of talking about the arms and how much the baby was moving he casually said, “By the way it’s a boy.”
I was looking at my daughter at that moment and she was so happy to finally know what she was having. None of us had a preference besides a healthy baby, but it is so nice to be able to know the sex.
After the ultrasound, we drove to the nearest Target store and I helped her with deciding what items to add to her baby registry.
It never ceases to amaze me how interesting things like bottles, cribs, high chairs, mobiles and strollers suddenly become once you are expecting.
Our grandson is due in January and we couldn’t be happier. Now our granddaughter, will have a little cousin to play with 🙂
3 Tips for Fall Planting Success
Compost, Southwest garden, UncategorizedFall planting
It’s hard to believe that we have made it through another summer.
Oh, I realize that we have a few more weeks of 100+ degree weather, but whenever there is month that ends with the letters “ber” it just feels cooler to me.
I am gearing up for my favorite season in the garden. In my last post, I talked about the reasons why fall is the best time to add new plants to the Southwest landscape.
Today, I’d like to share with you three tips to help you make the most of your fall planting.
Photo: This planting hole is too small.
It all comes down to the hole. It’s hard to believe that often what determines a plant’s initial success is the size of the hole it is planted in.
If you are digging holes like the one above – then you may be in trouble. That hole is too narrow.
The ideal hole should be 3X as wide as the root ball.
Why?
Well, most of a plant’s roots grow outward into the soil. When they are placed in a hole like the one above, the recently loosened soil makes it much easier for roots to grow into, which helps the plant to establish much sooner.
*It’s important to note that the depth of the hole should be the same depth as the root ball or even a few inches shallower. This helps prevent problems from the dirt settling, which can leave your new plant sitting rather low in the soil where problems with becoming waterlogged can happen.
The big question – whether to add soil amendments or not?
When you go to your local nursery to buy new plants, you may be encouraged to buy soil amendments such as compost, potting soil or even manure.
The question is, do you really need it? Often you don’t.
I have planted thousands of plants throughout my career as a horticulturist and most of them without adding anything to the soil. The plants were healthy and did very well without any extra additions to the soil.
Here a few guidelines to follow to help you decide whether or not to add any amendments to the soil before planting.
– If your soil is well-drained AND your new plants are native to any of the desert regions of the United States, than the answer is “no”.
Native plants are adapted to growing in the nutrient poor soils of the desert and do best when nothing is added to the soil. In fact, if the soil is too fertile – you’ll often see green growth, but flowering will be decreased.
Photo: Valentine (Eremophila maculata), Feathery Cassia (Senna artemisoides) and Purple Trailing Lantana (Lantana montevidensis) planted without needing any soil amendments.
The same can be said of some non-native plants – particularly those from Australia such as Eremophila and Senna species.
So, are some times when adding soil amendments is a good idea?
Absolutely!
– If you have heavy clay soil or very sandy soils, than adding compost to the planting hole can help. Mixing compost in with clay soils help them to drain better. This is important because most plants that grow in the Southwest do best in well-drained soil.
Conversely, sandy soils have a hard time holding onto enough water, so compost helps those soils to hold onto more water. Add 1 part compost to 1 part native soil and mix together before planting.
– Amend the soil when planting non-native plants that do not originate from arid climates.
Plants like day lilies, iris, roses, etc. require fertile soil to grow their best. Amending the soil with compost, manure and other amendments will improve the soil texture, add small levels of nutrients and add beneficial microorganisms which will benefit your plants.
Plants such as these will need regular applications of fertilizer to do their best.
Personally, I like to grow what I like to call ‘fuss-free’ plants where I don’t have to add fertilizer with the exception of my roses.
Skip the fertilizer for newly planted plants. This tip is NOT always popular with some nurseries who often encourage the application of fertilizer at the time of planting.
So, let’s talk about when to add fertilizer.
– Most native plants will not need fertilizer ever. In fact, many can make their own fertilizer.
– For plants that do need fertilizer such as hibiscus, iris, roses, etc. – wait until you see new growth occurring before adding fertilizer.
The reason for this is that when you first add a new plant, it needs to concentrate on growing new roots in order to support future top growth (stems, branches and leaves). If you add fertilizer at the time of planting, you are forcing the plant to focus on the top growth before it has the roots to support it.
So, a general rule is to wait until you see new top growth before adding fertilizer.
– The rule for fruit trees is slightly different. It is recommended to wait until 1 year after planting before fertilizing.
Again, you may hear differently from your nursery who in addition to wanting you to be happy with your purchase, also has their bottom line (profits) in mind.
I am not including all nurseries or nursery professionals into this one group. However, I have visited nurseries where customers are told that they need to fertilize all their plants. Many of my clients are thrilled when I tell them to throw out their fertilizer because their native plants don’t need it.
*I remember a story from one of my horticulture professors who talked about standing in line behind a customer at the store with a cart filled with native, desert plants and another cart with ‘special’ fertilizers that they were encouraged to buy.
My professor loudly commented to her husband, standing next to her, that “Numerous studies have shown that fertilizer is a waste of money when used for native plants.”
So, are you ready to add some new plants to your landscape? Before you head out to the nursery, I invite you to come back for my next post, when I’ll share with you some tips on how to select healthy plants AND I will reveal to you what my favorite plant nursery is!
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I apologize for the relative lack of recent posts. Life has been very busy with the kids back in school, increased landscape consults and getting ready to go visit my daughter, Rachele, who is expecting. We will find in a few days whether we will be welcoming a boy or girl!
I have two biological children – both girls and my oldest daughter, Brittney, has a daughter. So, we will see if Rachele will break the pink trend in our family.
My son Kai (who is adopted from China) and has four sisters and a niece is really hoping for a boy 😉
Getting Ready for Fall Planting in the Southwest Garden
Southwest garden, UncategorizedPlanting in fall
Are you anxious for fall to arrive?
I certainly am!
Fall is my favorite season because of the holidays, cooler weather, and best of all – it is the best time of year to add new plants to the landscape.
Now you may have thought that spring was the best time of year to start planting and while you certainly can plant then, I’ll tell you why fall is better…
Planting in fall allows enough time for plants to grow a good root system before the heat of the next summer arrives.
Think about it – plants must have a good root system so that they can soak up enough water to handle the stress from intense heat and the dry conditions of summer.
If a plant is planted just before or during the summer months, they are focused on just hanging on until temperatures cool off. In many cases, they don’t make it.
The only exception to fall planting is with frost-tender plants such as bougainvillea, lantana, and yellow bells.
Because young plants are particularly susceptible to frost damage, or even death, it is best to wait until the danger of frost has passed to add these plants to your landscape.
Over the next couple of posts, I’ll share with you some other helpful tips to help you with selecting plants, how to tell if they are healthy, the best way to dig a hole, and finally – I’ll reveal my favorite plant nursery!
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On a personal note, I am going to be a grandma again 🙂
My second-oldest daughter, Rachele, is having her first baby, and my husband and I are flying to California to be there when she gets her ultrasound and finds out if she is having a boy or girl!
I can hardly wait…
New Perennial Discovery and a Baby
10 Best Plants for the Southwestern Landscape
Agave, azplantlady, Cactus/Succulents, desert, desert gardening, Drought Tolerant, Southwest garden, Sustainable Landscape, UncategorizedA 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.
Tour of Sustainable Southwestern Landscape: Part 1
Easy Garden DIY: Create a ‘Natural’ Trellis From Branches
UncategorizedDo you have vines in your garden?
What type of trellis do you use for them? Is it your basic (somewhat boring) wooden trellis?
What if you could make your own trellis that not only looks better but costs next to nothing?
*I have been sharing some of my favorite garden blog posts that I have written recently for Birds & Blooms magazine where I serve as the garden blogger – including this one about how to make your own ‘natural’ trellis.
Wooden trellis
I have seen quite a few trellises made from branches, but I thought this one that I saw while visiting the Green Bay Botanical Gardens in Wisconsin, was especially nice because you could see how it was made because the vine had not yet grown up on it.
With all of the stormy weather, I’m sure you have your share of branches that have blown down from your tree that you can use. I shared how to create your own trellis using branches in a recent post for Birds & Blooms…
DIY Yard Project: How to Make a Trellis From Tree Branches
You’ll not only save money by making your own, but I think that it looks nicer and is a more sustainable option.
DIY in the Garden: Floral Ice Cubes