HOW PLANTS COPE WITH THE DESERT CLIMATE Desert plants tend to look very different from plants native to other regions. They are often swollen, spiny, and have tiny leaves that are rarely bright green. Their strange appearance is a result of their remarkable adaptations to the challenges of the desert climate. Aridity is the sole factor that defines a desert …
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Plant Description Slipper Flower (Euphorbia lomelii or sometimes sold under the old name of Pedilanthus macrocarpus) has succulent light green stems that grow upright from a woody root crown. The jointed stems are mostly unbranched, ¾ inch thick and up to 3 feet tall. The plant can eventually spread to 2 feet wide. Small leaves along the stems drop soon …
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Learn more about Vitex agnus-castus, Chaste Tree or Monk’s Pepper This small tree provides spring and summer color, and is great for pollinators! At-A-Glance Bloom Period: Summer Mature Height x Spread: 25 x 25 ft (8 x 8 m) Exposure: Full sun Cold Tolerance: -10°F (-23°C) Origin: Southern Europe Description This is a large, deciduous shrub commonly grown as …
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Description of San Marcos Hibiscus, Gossypium harknessii: This rounded shrub blooms from October to May in mild-winter areas, but where it freezes back, flowering can be expected from June to October. Each 2-inch-wide flower has five yellow petals with a maroon spot at the base. The fruit is a rounded capsule, about ½ inch long. The heart-shaped leaves are entire (meaning …
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This month, our plant of the month blog features a plant description from a newly revised book, Cool Plants for Hot Gardens by Greg Starr! In his book, Greg features 150 water-smart choices for the Southwest – it’s no wonder why we like the book so much here at Water – Use It Wisely! He includes a fun category of the “Etymology” …
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Did you know that what you plant today has short-term and long-term benefits? It’s true. As water resources become even more precious, planting wisely is more important than ever. You will enjoy the immediate effects of lowering your outdoor water use while enjoying the knowledge that you are creating a sustainable outdoor space for the future. Another benefit is that …
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Penstemon’s Are a Top Desert Perennial With many beautiful varieties of penstemon, it is hard to recommend just a few. These perennials are spectacular in bloom, with their trumpet shaped flowers ranging in color from orange to red, to purple, to white, and everything in between. Hummingbirds cannot resist their flowers. Penstemons are wonderful accent plants, and make great additions …
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Are you in search of the perfect tree? Try the Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis). If you miss the vivid, light to very dark red, scarlet, orange and yellow colors of fall, this tree will give you a brilliant display in December, with new leaves emerging in late March to early April. Chinese Pistache, a native to China and Taiwan, is …
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This month, our plant of the month blog features a plant description from a newly revised book, Cool Plants for Hot Gardens by Greg Starr! In his book, Greg features 150 water-smart choices for the Southwest – it’s no wonder why we like the book so much here at Water – Use It Wisely! He includes a fun category of …
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Lovely, white blossoms of not one, but two different types of cordia, add welcome beauty to the arid landscape throughout the warm season, including summer. Cordias are large shrubs that are underused in the garden and deserve more attention due to their ability to thrive in full sun and shrug off the summer heat. Their evergreen foliage looks great all …
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Texas sages are among the most reliable and fool-proof of the low water use plants available in Arizona. In the past twenty years, many new species and varieties have been brought into cultivation. These evergreen shrubs are native to Texas and Mexico, and perform well in our desert with very little maintenance. These shrubs require full sun and good drainage. …
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Help protect biodiversity! There are over 7 million humans in Arizona, and we all rely on insects and plants to survive. Native plants support native wildlife. Using native plants in your yard and landscapes is the best way to support healthy ecosystems and protect biodiversity. An easy place to start with planting natives is a pollinator garden. No matter where …
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