Want beautiful foliage, spectacular flowers all packaged up in a tree that blooms in fall and winter? Well, let me introduce you to a medium-sized tree with a funny name: Cascalote (Caesalpinia cacalaco)*. I love this medium-sized tree with its circular leaves, textured bark and winter flowers. Native to Mexico, Cascalote produces beautiful yellow flowers during the cooler months of …
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As communities across Arizona face increasing heat and water challenges, many homeowners are rethinking traditional lawns, artificial turf, and rock-only landscapes. Landscaping experts at SummerWinds Nursery explain in their guide on why low-water-use plants are a better choice for desert landscapes that water-wise plants provide a smarter, cooler, and more environmentally friendly alternative. Desert-adapted and native plants: Require significantly less …
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To Overseed or NOT to Overseed… Most Americans love lush, green lawns, and have shown that they are willing to do whatever it takes to have them. Nowhere is this act of defiance against nature and common sense more obvious than in the Arizona desert, especially in the fall when the ritual of winter grass activities begins! You’ll hear the …
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Have you thought about a pool removal? Not only is it a great way to reclaim your backyard for other uses, it may also make your yard safer for children or pets. While it may be true that one in six pool owners surveyed wish they could get rid of their pools, many fail to do so because they lack …
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Did You Know that an estimated 20% of pools in Arizona have leaks? Water – Use It Wisely, with permission, is reposting this blog from our favorite home advisor, Rosie on the House. * * * Thanks to an abundance of winter rains and significant snowpack, we’re seeing less drought news in the headlines . . . for now. However, …
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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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As one of the Valley’s largest suppliers of water, Salt River Project (SRP) reminds you that July is typically the month of peak water demand for landscapes. The Irrigation Association named July ‘Smart Irrigation Month‘ to increase awareness about simple practices and innovative technologies. SRP invites Valley customers to learn about SRP’s role in water and save money on a …
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Here in Arizona, the monsoon season officially runs from June 15 to September 30, but summer storms often don’t move in until July. When it does hit, it’s time to lower the shade umbrellas and batten down the hatches. Powerful storms can roll in bringing downpours, wind, hail, dust, microbursts, haboobs … you get the idea. While we love them–but …
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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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With many Arizona cities focusing on tree planting initiatives to help mitigate the impacts of climate change, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Smartscape program recently developed an advanced course focusing on urban forest management. Industry professionals and Cooperative Extension staff worked on a comprehensive curriculum. The first course took place with Pima County Cooperative Extension (Tucson area) in February, …
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Trees Offer Climate Change Solutions On February 7, 2023, Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Arizona, announced the ‘Trees Are Cool’ initiative to increase shade across the city, lower the urban heat island effect in neighborhoods, and help cool our communities during the hot summer months. “Trees Are Cool” challenges residents and businesses to help increase the City’s tree canopy coverage …
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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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