Xeriscaping
Caring for Ash Trees – Southwest USA
The Modesto, and Bonita Ash trees are very similar in size and look. However, from my own observation, the leaves on the Bonita ash are larger making it a slightly better shade tree.
The Road Kill Cactus
The Road Kill Cactus. (Consolea Rubescens). Flat paddle cactus that resembles something that was flattened by an 18-wheeler on a lonely desert road. But it is a cool-looking cactus that will look good in your indoor cactus collection. Unlike most desert cacti this one likes more water than others. It also likes humidity especially if […]
Care of Purple Fountain Grass
The care of Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’) will do well in and around the American Southwest. It does well in USDA zones 8 – 10 and needs to be cut down each year in cooler climates. It produces nice spiky arching plumes and purple/bronze colored thin leaf blades thus its common name. Perennial […]
Watering Plants During Drought
Watering your plants during drought season. Around the Southwest, the drought season is every year starting in late spring and lasting until mid-fall. The lakes are low and water rights are always going through legal maneuvering. A few clouds around the horizon but they rarely amount to anything. It is tuff to conserve water when […]
Red Yucca Plants
How to Take Care of Red Yucca in Pots: Simple Tips for the Home Gardener In this article, we will talk about how to take care of red yucca. A little-known plant called red yucca can turn a backyard into an oasis. Red yucca is a succulent perennial that grows in dry climates and thrives […]
The Palo Verde Tree
The Palo Verde tree (Cercidium-Parkinsonia) also known as the Desert Museum Palo Verde. It is an exceptional tree for the Southwest. It is a Hybrid of the common Palo Verde tree that is native to the Sonoran and Southwest desert. Flowering Palo Verde It produces a mass of beautiful small yellow flowers in late spring. […]
Desert Willow Tree
Desert Willow Tree (Chilopsis linearis) is a low watering spring blooming tree. It does well in the southwest. The leaf is long, narrow and curved thus its botanical name Linearis. The one pictured below is the most common. There are several varieties that you can use for your desert landscaping needs. A true native Desert willow […]
Gaura Plant Care
Gaura plant care for southwest landscaping. Gauras (lindheimeri) are great perennial spiky plants that seem to bloom forever from about late spring until early fall. They are considered a herbaceous perennial and depending on the variety they will grow from 2 ft. and up to 4 ft. tall and wide. The most common one is […]
Xeriscape landscaping ideas
Xeriscape landscaping ideas for the desert southwest. I love Gardening and it is a great way to relax, then enjoy the fruits of your labor, at least it is for me. But there are those who have a hard time gardening or consider this hard work and don’t want to bother going outdoors and enjoy […]
Baja fairy duster plant
What is the Baja fairy duster plant? It is a plant that is native to southwest California and the northern part of Mexico. It goes by many names the chuparosa, tabardillo, zapotillo and its botanical name the Calliandra californica. It will grow about 4 maybe 5 ft. tall and wide. There are not too many […]