Archive for “Gardening” Category

News & Events

HOW TO DESIGN A LOW WATER USE LANDSCAPE | PART 2 OF 10

September 15, 2016

In last week’s video, you were introduced to our winner, Lisa Osborne, and saw her sad and drab backyard. So we’re excited in our second video to start formulating our ‘fab’ plan for our featured backyard rehab winner! In this segment, Lisa Osborne, our Drab 2 Fab Backyard Rehab winner, consults with Janet Waibel, a landscape architect with Waibel & Associates …

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HOW TO CREATE A FABULOUS LOW WATER USE LANDSCAPE | PART 1 of 10

September 9, 2016

This past Spring, the Water – Use It Wisely campaign had nearly 11,000 entries to its Drab 2 Fab Backyard Rehab promotion with ABC/15 TV.  If you entered, THANK YOU! If you didn’t win, we invite you to live vicariously through our winners, Lisa and Alan Osborne of Avondale. Today launches a 10-part video series where you will meet the winners. See their drab backyard. …

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TIRED OF SKIMMING AND CLEANING? 10 POOL-FRIENDLY SHADE TREES

September 6, 2016

Cities need trees, including our desert cities. Trees help to mitigate the heat island, reduce ground temperatures in the evening and remove pollutants from the air. Trees raise property values, save energy by shading walls and windows, and attract birds and other wildlife. Here’s the question: Why don’t we plant more of them? Here’s one answer: Some people think of …

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CHINESE PISTACHE

PLANTING THE RAIN: HYDRATING ARIZONA ONE YARD AT A TIME

August 8, 2016

Envision your dream landscape. Does it have a water-harvesting rain garden, rockwork and basins overflowing with flowering native plants? How about a greywater system feeding a fig tree or a humming pollinator garden? Once you’ve got the image—how do you bring it to life? Join Watershed Management Group (WMG) for the coolest educational series in Central Arizona to learn how …

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PLANT OF THE MONTH: CAESALPINIA OR BIRD OF PARADISE

July 26, 2016

Caesalpinias make the landscape come alive with color. Their large bright flowers provide vibrant color for long periods of time. The shades of yellow, fiery red, and orange contrast with the feathery foliage. Commonly called bird of paradise, they range in size from medium shrubs to small trees. They thrive in the desert heat and can survive on little supplemental …

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HOW TO SAVE WATER FROM “THE CLOUD”

July 19, 2016

I have a confession to make – I have a love-hate relationship with information technology. In the era of the “smart” meter, the “smart” home, and the “smart” device, there are times that I have trouble keeping up with its relentless pace. However, what I notice about my personal use of “Information Technology” is its reflection of my life – …

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AT STAKE: SECURING YOUR TREE’S FUTURE

May 20, 2016

If you’re working to make your landscape more water efficient, don’t forget to add one of many drought-tolerant trees that thrive in the Metro Phoenix area. Trees can raise property value, save energy by shading walls and windows, and make great gifts to mark special occasions. Once established, drought-tolerant trees need minimal care and only occasional deep watering at the …

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XERISCAPE INSTALLATION: DO-IT-YOURSELF … OR NOT?

May 9, 2016

Are you willing to take a risk with your landscape investment? Whether you’re the type of person who loves a do-it-yourself project or you’d rather hire a pro, making the switch to a beautifully designed and installed Xeriscape landscape is a visible investment that can be very rewarding and lead to a substantial return. Finding the right resources to help …

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PLANT OF THE MONTH: EVENING PRIMROSE

April 27, 2016

Oenotheras, also known as Evening Primrose, are spreading or clumping groundcovers, native to the plains, grasslands and deserts of North America. They have large, showy four-petaled flowers in pink, white, or yellow, and create carpets of bright color in desert landscapes. Oenotheras are generally night-blooming plants, but most will stay open until midday. These widely adapted plants can be used …

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PLANT OF THE MONTH: CASSIAS

March 29, 2016

Cassias are native to the warm regions of Australia and Africa. Many of the Australian and North American species previously called Cassia have been reclassified to the genus Senna. However, these plants are still widely sold in our local plant nurseries under the scientific name of Cassia. Most cassias have fine textures foliage and bloom from late winter through spring. Most …

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PLANT OF THE MONTH: MUHLENBERGIA

November 13, 2015

These spectacular, non-invasive, ornamental clumping grasses are versatile and require very little maintenance. Muhlenbergias are native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico at elevations of 2500 to 7000 feet. With over 125 species, this large and diverse group can be used as a vertical specimen or accent, a softening feature around boulders and contrasting dessert plants, or a …

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PLANT OF THE MONTH: FAIRY DUSTER

September 17, 2015

The name calliandra refers to the beautiful stamens which make the tufted or ball-like flowers on these loosely branched shrubs. Their colors, ranging from pale pink through deep red, are indeed beautiful. These small to medium sized shrubs produce their flowers against a backdrop of finely divided, lacy-looking foliage. Calliandras can be used in a wide variety of landscape situations. Fairy dusters …

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