Archive for “Gardening” Category

News & Events

Perfect for Gift Giving: Our Top Desert Gardening Books

December 13, 2024

Why we need books by local experts! One thing is certain when it comes to gardening books and magazines . . . gardening in the deserts of the Southwest is far different than in all other regions of the country. For that reason, most books, national magazines, and even those AP stories (that the local newspaper will occasionally publish) just …

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Gardening Books

PLANT OF THE MONTH: PINK TRUMPET VINE OR PODRANEA

November 1, 2024

The Pink Trumpet Vine, Podranea ricasoliana, exuberantly blooms in fall with flared, trumpet-shaped flowers. If looking for seasonal color, be sure to add this one to your plant palette. Note – be sure to properly identify at the nursery as it can commonly be mistaken for Bower Vine or Pandorea jasminoides. DESCRIPTION The lush green leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers of …

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PLANT OF THE MONTH: QUEEN’S WREATH

October 7, 2024

Provides a stunning display of the bright pink clusters What a perfect name for this beautiful late summer blooming vine. The elegant Antigonon leptopus or Queen’s Wreath (also called Coral Vine) is one of those show-stopping plants that has likely caused near automobile accidents with their stunning display of the bright pink clusters. The rich, green, heart-shaped leaves seem to …

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Fall Planting with Water – Plant It Wisely

September 12, 2024

The fall planting season is here! Temperatures are cooling down, making it a perfect time to replace your plants you may have lost during the record-hot summer, or replace your high-water-usage plants with water-thrifty ones. Find our favorite Water – Use It Wisely resources below: Water – Plant It Wisely: Our Ultimate Fall Planting Resource Put your gardening gloves and …

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Plant of the Month: Creosote Bush

August 20, 2024

Creosote Bush, Larrea tridentata is the perfect plant for us to feature during these hot summer months. It’s one of the toughest plants you’ll find, and with a little extra water, they are green and attractive in the landscape! Description – What does the Creosote Bush look like? Whenever it rains in the desert, Creosote Bush lends a distinctive fragrance …

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10 Ultimate Arizona Water-Saving Tips

August 1, 2024

In Arizona, water conservation benefits the entire state. Conserving water around your home is a great way to do your part while saving you money! Although you may be a drop, your actions create a ripple. Check out our ultimate Arizona water-saving tips for easy ways to save water this summer and all year round! 1. Leaks, Leaks Everywhere Toilets …

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Build a Rain Garden: Nature Based Solutions from Schools to Your Home

June 13, 2024

Living in the desert in Arizona, we are no strangers to extreme heat and sparse rainfall. As temperatures rise, so do health concerns. However, we can harness the limited rain the desert provides to build communities resilient to these challenges. One approach to achieving this is through “nature-based solutions,” which leverage natural systems to enhance both community health and watershed …

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Monthly Watering Text Alert Takes Guess Work Out of Watering

May 28, 2024

The watering needs for your yard vary from season to season and even month to month. So, regularly adjusting your irrigation schedule is essential. It is also an easy way to save water and money while ensuring your plants get the proper amount of water they need to thrive, yet it often gets overlooked.   To better assist residents with …

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Plant of the Month – Yellow Bells, Orange Bells, & Much More!

May 15, 2024

Yellow Bells provide a burst of summer color to desert xeriscape gardens. Spectacular clusters of bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds and cover these large shrubs or small trees from April through November. Pencil-like seed pods that develop in the fall provide food for over-wintering songbirds. The bright green foliage offers a cooling effect during the hot summer months. Yellow Bells …

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Plant of the Month: Coral Fountain

April 2, 2024

When you ask most people what they want in their garden, their most common answer is, “color”. One of the best plants that I like to recommend for warm-season color is the coral fountain. Also known as the firecracker plant (Russelia equisetiformis). It has beautiful, cascading foliage that resembles the movement of water. Deep orange flowers begin to appear in …

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Plant of the Month: Shades of Green

March 8, 2024

Shamrocks Aren’t the Only Green Plant to Celebrate in March I hear that wearing green will make you invisible to leprechauns so you can avoid being pinched. Some say it will bring you good luck. Even beyond March and St. Patrick’s Day, green is often used for interior decorating for its calming effect? You’ve likely heard about television guests waiting …

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blue euphorbia

Desert Landscape Design Ideas Now Available from Phoenix

February 21, 2024

Your journey to creating or maintaining a water-wise landscape is now even easier thanks to the resources provided by the city of Phoenix Water Services Department. Phoenix Water recently collaborated with design experts from Arizona State University to produce free, easy-to-use desert landscape, or xeriscape, design guides that anyone can download. The Desert Landscapes in Your Front Yard guides were …

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