Last updated on June 28th, 2024 at 10:52 am
How to landscape in the Southwest. Landscaping in the American southwest requires you to start thinking along the lines of water, placement, and consistency. The fundamental way to your landscaping design success is consistency and it will need to be applied to your entire yard and all-around your home.
It does not matter if you are from the Southwest or live in the North-Eastern States or anywhere in the world.
Landscape Design in the American Southwest
Your landscape will need to have a similar feel and look, if you do this to your home it will have a balanced look of symmetry and is what separates good design from bad or not looking quite right landscape!
The Southwest presents unique challenges for landscaping, requiring a distinct approach. Water management is crucial in this region. The scorching mid-summer sun can be merciless, causing many plants and trees to wither and perish without adequate hydration during these harsh months. Proper watering techniques and schedules are essential to maintain a thriving landscape in such conditions.
Another significant hurdle is the soil composition. Desert soils typically lack the essential nutrients that non-native plants need to flourish. This deficiency can lead to stunted growth and lackluster appearance in many imported plant species. Interestingly, it’s worth noting that the most fertile land in the USA is found in Northeast Iowa, a stark contrast to the Southwest’s challenging terrain.
However, don’t let these obstacles discourage you. Improving your soil quality is a straightforward process. Local gardening stores offer a variety of soil amendments to enhance your garden’s growing conditions. The soil in the Southwest tends to be alkaline, but there are simple solutions to balance it.
Adding sphagnum peat moss is an effective way to increase soil acidity. This organic material not only adjusts pH levels but also improves soil structure and water retention. For those seeking quicker results, ammonium sulfate and elemental sulfur are excellent options for acidifying the soil. These amendments work rapidly to create a more hospitable environment for a wider range of plants.
With these strategies, you can transform your Southwestern garden into a thriving oasis, despite the regional challenges.
Read more about making your soil more acidic at Gardening Know.
Create Symmetry in Your Landscape
You can create symmetry and balance in your landscaping design in a few diverse ways. The most common way of bringing harmony to your landscaping design is with similar plants and trees. It is not all that hard to do. There is another way to get unity to be a basic part of your landscaping design and this is with heights.
By having different plants and trees of the same or similar height you will be bringing the whole design of your yard together like you never knew you could. It will look wonderful, and it will work well.
Your landscaping design should use much more than just plants and trees. Flowers look great but they generally only bloom for part of the year so you need to find some other landscaping design elements that will look perfect all year round.
What to use to make it look just right
You could use landscaping stones, decorative boulders, or even mulch just to name a few things. The use of granite, flagstone, and marble in your landscape design will enhance its look and design.
You can add nice little stepping-stones, some statues, or water fountains in your landscaping design. You can also just have an attractive rock garden design.
Your Landscape theme can go a long way toward making your landscaping design just right. If you love butterflies or hummingbirds, then choose plants and flowers that will attract them to your yard and garden. Types of plants that attract Butterflies.
This is a unique way to highlight your design and you, and your guest will have something great to look at. You can talk to those at your local nursery store about which type of plants, statuary, and flowers will work best in your landscape or area.
Find out what type of landscaping you will need.
Try to have your landscape design balanced and whole-looking. You can do anything you want with your landscaping design; you can design it yourself or you can hire a professional landscaper that is well-experienced in your area.
They can tell you what types of trees and other vegetation will work well in your specific garden zone. Or purchase a good Southwest Gardening Book and do it yourself. You will save a ton of money, but the downside is the challenging work. I don’t mind…how about you?
How to landscape in the Southwest
No matter what you decide to do, if there is unity and consistency in your landscape the design will look perfect or close to it.
What are some heat tolerant plants that I can plant in front if my house, I live in Houston Texas, and my house faces east, so the sun hits the front if my house, no big trees to shade the house
Thanks
There are lots of heat tolerant plants that you could use.
Here is a small list.
Yellow bird of paradise (Yellow Blooms)
Russian Sage (dark lavender Flowers)
Damianita (Yellow Flowers)
Honey Mesquite (Small Tree)
Red Tip Yuccas (Red tip Bloom)
Low growing Junipers are drought tolerant
Apache Plume (white desert flower)
Dwarf Crape Myrtles (Various Colors)
Verbena’s (Lots of varieties)
African Daisies (tons of choices)
Baja fairy duster (red and pink blooms)
Texas Sages
Mojave Sages
Salvia’s Numerous colors.
There are many more but the above are all drought tolerant. Remember many desert plants still need plenty of water when first planted.
Paul
Hey Paul, great post here. I came across your site while doing some research myself on a couple of these topics. Thanks for sharing.
I recently saw. Fig tree growing in a restraint courtyard in Deming NM, and I didn’t think figs would grow in the high desert. I would like to try growing a fig tree at home. What special conditions do I need to create for the fruit bearing fig to thrive near Akela NM?
Hello, Carol. Fig trees will grow and do well in the high desert. However, there are few things to consider before purchasing one and planting it.
You will have to provide it with lots of water. Daily the first and second summer seasons. If possible plant it in the morning sun and afternoon shade.
Amend your soil with good loamy compost and fertilize with a good fruit tree fertilizer. Fertilize at least once in spring, summer and fall for good growth. Here is more information – Fruit Fig Trees
Paul/Gary,
I want a Red Push Pistache Tree. Can you guys manage to order me one? I’m not interested in a huge one rather one that is in a 1-4 gallon pot. Thank you for your help with this.
Hello, Jim. It’s rare that we get anything smaller than a 5-gallon Red Push Pistache Tree. It is best to give us a call at one of our stores. Go to our home page and you can find our phone number there. Guzmansgreenhouse.com