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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It’s summer in the desert… and it’s brutally hot! Many of our spring blooming plants are taking a rest. So, what can we expect to see blooming now? Turns out, there are three tough, heat-hearty plants that are perfect for the 4th of July! Check out these plants, having ‘hot fun in the summertime’ and offering blooms for your landscape …
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Desert Ironwood, Olneya tesota Dense, thorny, and strong like steel, the Desert Ironwood Tree (Olneya tesota) is an under recognized super tree of the Sonoran Desert. It is naturally found along washes and hillsides of Arizona’s deserts under 3,000 ft of elevation. It offers valuable protection for understory plants and habitat for our native wildlife. When in their natural environment, …
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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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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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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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This month, our plant of the month blog features another 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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As we wade into the promising ventures of 2024, it’s time to reflect on the wisdom shared in the past year. In this blog post, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on our five favorite blogs of 2023 that made a significant splash. So, let’s jump right in and explore the top picks that set the tone for water-saving last …
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Bear Grass Plant Description Bear Grass, Nolina microcarpa, looks like a clump of coarse grass, at maturity 4 feet high and 6 feet wide. The leaves are 3-4 feet long and about 1/4-inch wide at the base, narrowing to a frayed tip. The leaf margins are finely toothed. A loose cluster of greenish white flowers appears on a 3-foot stalk …
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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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It might seem strange to be talking about wildflowers in the fall. After all, most are spring bloomers, putting on their colorful, showy displays from February through April in the Sonoran Desert. What you may not know is that you need to plant your wildflower seeds NOW for spring bloom! When you look at how our native desert plants survive …
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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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